[jfcass]

Two months ago I purchased a Certified 2013 Volt. Sadly, it hasn't been a great experience. 3 visits for repairs in the first month of owning it and now an on-going issue with the heater the dealership hasn't been able to resolve.

My heater will sometimes work, sometimes not. Sadly when I've taken it in for this issue, the heater starts working again and they say they can't fix an issue they can't replicate.

This morning, it's 38 degrees out and the heater never kicked on, even after adjusting the temp all the way up to HI and keeping it on auto. It blew cold air for the entire 45 minute drive into work. I'm going to schedule another appointment, but I worry it'll be working again and I'll get the same answer that there is nothing they can do if they can't replicate it.

Has anyone experienced this before and been able to get this fixed? I've seen an old thread about needing a software update but the dealership insists the software in my volt is fully up to date so that wouldn't be the issue.

I really really want to like this car but it's not been a great experience so far.

 

[ClarksonCote]

Some early model Volts have an issue with the heater core not always working properly. I had the issue, and I suspect more do than what has been reported, but the less informed believe you just don't get heat without the engine running (which of course isn't true).

Regardless of whether or not the problem is occurring when you go see them, there are codes they should be able to read out from that module that verify the problem is present. The solution is for them to usually replace the Heater Core, which is the unit that gives you heat when the engine isn't running. Sometimes, a reprogramming can work too, I am told.

You may want to check out this thread and reference the noted PICs for your dealer:
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?20578-2013-14-Volt-No-Heat-Issues-PIC5796-PIC5855-PIC5943

If they continue to give you a hard time, I would find another dealer or escalate to GM customer service.

Sorry you're having an issue here, but once resolved I think you'll really love the Volt!

 

[maczr1]

If you turn the fan on as fast as it will go you will not get hot air because you're sucking all the heat out of the air as fast as it goes in.
Just set the temp on 75 and hit comfort, auto you will get heat .
If you want more faster hit the mode button 3 times to hold mode till your shoes melt then go back to ev mode.

 

[2VoltFamily]

Two months ago I purchased a Certified 2013 Volt. Sadly, it hasn't been a great experience. 3 visits for repairs in the first month of owning it and now an on-going issue with the heater the dealership hasn't been able to resolve.

My heater will sometimes work, sometimes not. Sadly when I've taken it in for this issue, the heater starts working again and they say they can't fix an issue they can't replicate.

This morning, it's 38 degrees out and the heater never kicked on, even after adjusting the temp all the way up to HI and keeping it on auto. It blew cold air for the entire 45 minute drive into work. I'm going to schedule another appointment, but I worry it'll be working again and I'll get the same answer that there is nothing they can do if they can't replicate it.

Has anyone experienced this before and been able to get this fixed? I've seen an old thread about needing a software update but the dealership insists the software in my volt is fully up to date so that wouldn't be the issue.

I really really want to like this car but it's not been a great experience so far.

Yes the 2013 had a couple of issues with heat problems. See my notes in my signature. (some may not be able to see my sig so I am posting here).

2013 No Cabin Heat? Perform a forum search on: PIC5796 PIC5943 PIC5855 These PIC are known problems with the K10 unit being defective based on date, reprogram or replace the coolant heater control module (CHCM), and finally a stuck valve may need replaced.

The 2013 was plagued with these problems with heat. And there are countless threads on it. Should be covered under a warranty. Even if you cant find info use the three PIC numbers above and take it to you dealership.

 

[telveer]

I had a similar issue with my 2013. Fortunately, I was able to demonstrate it to the dealer on my service visit, and also provided them the related service bulletin (Which you should be able to search from these forums - even if you are not able to demostrate the issue, the bulletin should help them fix the issue). My dealer tech is very good at Volt service. He figured the issue out with GM and repaired it. I believe one of the modules had to be replaced.

 

[turboguy327]

I had a similar issue with my 2013. Fortunately, I was able to demonstrate it to the dealer on my service visit, and also provided them the related service bulletin (Which you should be able to search from these forums - even if you are not able to demostrate the issue, the bulletin should help them fix the issue). My dealer tech is very good at Volt service. He figured the issue out with GM and repaired it. I believe one of the modules had to be replaced.

Was it covered under the voltec warranty?

 

[VoltenRock]

SO.. three visits, no fixes, within two months? Better check the lemon laws in your state.

Telveer and 2Volt are pointing you in the right direction for this KNOWN 2013 issue. The fact you just bought the car from them and they're not doing you a solid UNDER THE CERTIFIED WARRANTY is garbage.

This is why I give ZERO credence to the so-called "certified" label. How detailed of an inspection is it with the HEAT not working reliably?

I bought a certified Cadillac and within a month one of the engine coils failed--likely rusted out. I asked to review the so-called 172-point inspection sheet, which I think they filled out after the fact--because I asked.

GM: great product, but so many shady dealerships. I'm lucky I found a good one.

 

[jwater7]

I've expiereinc d that same issue on rare occasion. Seems like if I turn off the vehicle and turn it back on again, it patches the issue for the time being. Just wanted to let you know that you're not alone and not imagining it. If it gets bad enough that it starts bugging me, I'll take a look at the references provided so that's for providing them.

 

[jfcass]

Thanks everyone.

The first time I went in they replaced the heater control module as they were able to verify at that time it wasn't working.

The second visit was a couple days after I got the car back when an error message of "engine not available" appeared while I was driving and then the car refused to turn on for two days. Roadside assistance was unable to get a tow truck to arrive to actually tow my car, so it was just pure luck the car eventually started back up and I could drive it to the dealership. A week later, they "fixed" the issue but admitted they weren't 100% sure what was wrong to cause the error to begin with.

Then the heat went out again (and my bluetooth disappeared as an option from any menu!) and by the day of my appointment it was working again on its own and they said there were no error codes and they couldn't replicate the issue so there was nothing they could do.

And now the heat is out again and I have an appointment on Saturday to get it looked at. I tried OnStar to see if they could see any error codes but they said nothing shows up for them. Thanks for the PIC codes so I can at least point them in that direction if the heater starts working again on the day of my appointment.

And yeah, having it certified certainly helps makes sure I'm not having to pay for each of these visits to the dealership, but it's becoming a big pain. And at the rate things have been going, I'm worried about these issues just continuing past the year of extended warranty. From what I've read online the lemon laws won't apply because I bought it used and not new.

Oh and having to pay for gas on the loaners kinda defeats the purpose of buying an electric vehicle - especially when one of the loaners they gave me was a schoolbus.....errr, Chevy Tahoe.

But mainly what disappoints me the most is I really really want to love the car and be an advocate for this technology. Friends and coworkers ask me about my car and sadly when they see me driving a new loaner every couple of weeks it's not really a glowing endorsement for buying an electric vehicle.

 

[Genecpu]

"Certified" means what? I bought a certified 2013 Volt then a week later noticed a chip in the windshield, I checked a photo I took in the Dealer lot prior to buying, Yup the chip was there. Dealer would replace the windshield but only with a cheap one, I had to pay $150 to get an OEM one. I also found lug nuts loose when I rotated the tires myself. Buyer needs to inspect. Certified is just a sales gimmick, it appears.

 

[Coppersnowboarder]

Below zero weather definitely challenges the 2013 Volt defrosting and cabin heating system. My service department also could not identify any problem with my vehicle heating system, but the issue continues to exist. The Volt should offer an auxiliary heating system using fuel.

 

[2VoltFamily]

I have found that defrosting works very well when the re-circulate function is set to let outside air in. When on re-circulate, defrosting is poor.

 

[VoltenRock]

Here is a good article from Edmunds. Some states have used car lemon laws, you should check if yours is one of them: https://www.edmunds.com/auto-warranty/my-used-cars-a-lemon-am-i-stuck-with-it.html

You could also just go in there and say "I've had enough, I want out." Maybe they have another Volt they can get you into without any out-of-pocket cost to you.

It's entirely possible that this car had problems all along that the former owner didn't fix--or heck even CAUSED. You really have no idea as, like we've talked about, "certified" is nothing more than a marketing gimmick. You are really just paying (a lot) for an extended warranty on the car when it's "certified."

I would definitely bring the GM Electric Vehicle Team into it and tell them your concerns and be very, very clear with what you want. As most will tell you here, the Volt is one of the most reliable vehicles and there are plenty of used Volts that are flawless and well-cared-for. Too many unknowns with used, which is why I didn't go that route for this particular, complicated vehicle (the tax credit changed the used vs. new calculation for me).

 

[Curt M]

I have two 2013 volts, had a problem with heater as you said in one of them, replacing the water pump for the heater. It would cut out and not circulate coolant through the heater core. It has been working fine since. That was two years ago.