— Don't call it a Chevy Volt recall, but General Motors said it will fix liftgate problems in the 2011-2014 Chevy Volt under "customer satisfaction program N140274 - Liftgate Strut Rod Detach."
GM isn't calling it a recall because the automaker doesn't consider a falling liftgate a safety issue. While it might not affect the safety of driving the Volt, a rear hatch that can unexpectedly close and fall on your head (or other body parts) is seen as a safety problem to Volt owners.
Because GM is not calling it an official recall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration won't announce the "program" and won't attempt to force GM to repair the cars. There will also be no way to know how many Volts are involved.
However, current owners have said GM's website is calling it a "recall" when a VIN is provided under a search for recalls.
Owners have complained about Chevrolet Volt rear hatch gas struts rods that can fail and detach, causing the liftgate to give way to gravity and fall like a rock. According to Volt owners, the strut rods can fail while the hatch is closed and when the hatch is raised, the liftgate won't stay upright.
"The hatch fell down once I had it up and leaned into the vehicle. This has injured my back and I am now feeling tingling in my left arm and leg. I had this problem before where the hatch fell once lifted and it was repaired. The dealer said they replaced the support struts. This seems to happen in colder weather." - 2012 Chevy Volt owner / Detroit, Michigan
Chevy Volt owners say the 2010-2015 Cadillac SRX will be included in the liftgate strut rod repair program because the SRX uses the same liftgate mechanism.
Owners of the 2011-2014 Chevy Volt should watch for notification from GM or from OnStar.
For more information, owners can contact Chevrolet customer service at 800-222-1020 and ask them about the Chevy Volt liftgate strut rod customer service program, number N140274.
