Chevy shows off the Volt at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show

General Motors has put a lot of money, energy and marketing muscle behind their inaugural foray into their first electric vehicle–the Chevy Volt.

But the Volt has been experiencing some embarrassing problems as of late.

Most recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has begun a formal safety investigation into the Chevy Volt after the car’s battery caught fire in three separate Volt’s used in side impact crash tests.

The NHTSA said Volt owners don’t need to worry about the car’s battery spontaneously bursting into flame as each of the three cars caught fire after a significant impact.

But these incidents and the subsequent federal investigation has seemingly rattled consumers enough that GM CEO Dan Akerson came out publicly in an interview with the Associated Press and offered to buy back Volts from any owner who’s afraid their battery may catch fire.

In addition, even before these recent issues, Volt sales have been slow. Perhaps plodding is a better term.

The company, despite low sales, GM stood by a prediction it would sell 10,000 Volts by the end of 2011.

But now, according to Money Magazine, a manager for GM is admitting sales will fall short.

As of the end of November, GM dealers have only sold 6100 Volts.

But, it’s not all bad news for the Volt.

On the brighter side of the coin, Consumer Reports has the Volt coming in number one on their list for owner satisfaction with 93% of the car’s owners who were surveyed saying they would buy the Volt again.