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Vehicle Stats/Volvo/C70 Reliability
NHTSA Official DataUpdated Sep 2026Methodology

Volvo C70 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls β€” NHTSA data

Below Average reliability signalOur verdict from 131 complaints and 16 recalls on NHTSA record

Comparing used Volvo C70 options? We analyzed 10 model years (2003–2013) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.

131
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
16
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
4
Crash-Related
crash complaints
2
Fire-Related
fire complaints
3
Injuries Reported
across all years
10
Years Analyzed
2003–2013

Free VIN check

Found a Volvo C70? Check that exact car.

Model-year trends show patterns β€” they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.

  • Accident & damage history
  • Odometer rollback records
  • Open recalls & title brands
NMVTIS official data Instant results No signup for the preview
Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Volvo C70 has 131 owner complaints and 16 safety recalls across model years 2003–2013. The most reported issue area is STRUCTURE. 2012 drew the most complaints; 2010 drew the fewest.

Volvo C70 β€” key reliability facts
Make
Volvo
Model
C70
Model years analyzed
2003–2013 (10 years)
Total NHTSA complaints
131
Safety recall campaigns
16
Crash-related complaints
4
Fire-related complaints
2
Worst model year (by complaints)
2012 (23 complaints)
Best model year (fewest complaints)
2010 (4 complaints)
Top reported issue area
STRUCTURE
Reliability signal
Below Average
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Β· Data last refreshed Sep 4, 2026
This C70 has 16 open recall campaigns on record. Check whether yours is affected.Check my VIN free β†’

By model year

Volvo C70: which years to avoid & which to buy

Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used β€” lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.

Years to avoid
201223 complaints200822 complaints200717 complaints

These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.

Best years to buy
20104 complaints20037 complaints20069 complaints

These years have the fewest owner complaints on record β€” lower risk starting points.

Looking at a 2012 Volvo C70? It logged the most NHTSA complaints of any model year β€” averages won't tell you whether this exact car is affected.Check this VIN free β†’

Crash test ratings

NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.

How to read NCAP stars
5 stars β€” Excellent
4 stars β€” Good
3 stars β€” Average
2 stars β€” Below average
1 star β€” Poor

Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings

What the complaint data suggests

Below Average
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

Data engine & NHTSA methodology by Eduard Batog, Co-founder & Data Engineer. How we calculate this.

The VOLVO C70 has 131 NHTSA complaints and 16 recalls on record. 4 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Key findings
  • 131 total complaints filed with NHTSA
  • 16 federal recall campaigns
  • 4 crash-related complaints on record
Top concerns
  • Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
  • Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Verify service records for frequently complained components
Worst years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.

Best years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.

What to check before buying used
  • Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
  • Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect Complaint volume is influenced by sales volume β€” popular models naturally accumulate more complaints

Problems by model year (best vs. worst)

2003
7
2004
15
2006
9
2007
17
2008
22
2009
10
2010
4
2011
13
2012
23
2013
11

Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026

Safety recalls

NHTSA safety recalls

16 recalls found

Safety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.

Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

#10V566000EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)August 11, 2010
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

#10V566000EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)August 11, 2010
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

#10V566000EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)August 11, 2010
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

#10V566000EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)August 11, 2010
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

#10V566000EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)August 11, 2010
Safety recall

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

#08V101000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERMay 3, 2008
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#11V508000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#11V508000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#11V508000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Safety recall

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

#07V218000LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#11V508000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#11V508000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#11V508000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Safety recall

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

#08V329000STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#11V508000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Safety recall

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

#08V329000STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2003–2013. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.

Common problems

What goes wrong most often

The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 131 NHTSA complaints β€” these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.

01
STRUCTURE43 complaints
02
UNKNOWN OR OTHER26 complaints
03
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM21 complaints
04
POWER TRAIN14 complaints
05
WHEELS10 complaints
06
AIR BAGS8 complaints
07
ENGINE7 complaints
08
SERVICE BRAKES7 complaints

Owner complaints

NHTSA complaint reports

131 total

These are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.

STRUCTUREJul 2019

I HAVE HAD THE PASSENGER DOOR OPEN ON ITS OWN WHILE LOCKED AND DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT LEAST 2 TIMES WITH NO ONE IN THE SEAT. THE DOME LIGHT GOES ON AND THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH LIGHTS UP THAT DOOR IS AJAR. THE PASSENGER DOOR HAS ALSO OPENED ON ITS OWN WHEN ITS BEEN PARKED (OFF) IN MY GARAGE AT LEAST 2 TIMES AS WELL. DOME LIGHT ON FOR WHAT COULD BE HOURS (OVERNIGHT)! UNSAFE AND A POTENTIAL BATTERY DRAINER.*DT *TR

UNKNOWN OR OTHERMay 2015

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE PASSENGER DOOR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED SIGNALING THAT THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS OPEN. THERE WAS ONLY ONE PERSON IN THE CAR (THE DRIVER) AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAD THE PASSENGER DOOR ACTUALLY OPENED. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY A NUMBER OF C70 OWNERS ON THE SWEDESPEED (VOLVO FORUM) WEB SITE.

FireELECTRICAL SYSTEMFeb 2015

WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY BOULEVARD ,THE ABOVE VEHICLE, SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND QUIT RUNNING. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BATTERY I SAW THAT IT HAD BEEN SEVERELY OVERHEATED AND THE CABLES WERE WELDED TO THE BATTERY POST. THE VEHICLE REPAIR MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLVO VEHICLES. THE BATTERY NEAR THE END OF ITS USE , DRAWS LOW AMPS, THE ALTERNATOR (WHICH HAVE A DESIGN FLAW) OVERCOMPENSATE AMPERAGE TO THE BATTERY WHICH RESULTS IN A FIRE. I CONTACTED VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE, WHILE CHECKING ON THE INTERNET I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS OCCURRENCE. THE MECHANIC ( +A VOLVO REPAIR, COVINA, CA) SAID HE HAS REPLACED SEVERAL OF THESE ALTERNATORS WITHIN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I BELIEVE EVENTUALLY SOMEONE WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED IF AN EXPLOSION OCCURS. *TR

POWER TRAINMar 2010

UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION 2010 VOLVO C70 CONVERTIBLE. ACCELERATOR STUCK DOWN UNDER FULL ACCELERATION. POPPED UP ON OWN AFTER 10 SECONDS.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESApr 2025

Both cabin doors (initially only the passenger door) will pop half-open from a closed position while driving, particularly with the windows and/or roof down. This occurs seemingly at random and regardless of lock position or firmness of door closing. The effect is a startling noise as the door opens slightly, the window retracts, and the cabin lights and door warning alarm engage. This can pose a hazard to safe driving. Neither door has as-of-yet come fully unlatched, remaining instead in a half-latched position until the driver can pull over and close the door fully once more. Lubrication of the latches by a mechanic did not alleviate the issue, and a cursory browsing of Volvo forums suggests that this is a common issue for which no recall or service bulletin has been issued.

Crash 1 DeathAIR BAGSOct 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Volvo C70. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an unknown rate of speed on the highway, he veered off the road, hit a road sign, and crashed into a bridge wall. The contact's son was pronounced dead on the scene. A police report was filed which documented that only the passenger side air bag had deployed upon impact. The contact's son passed away as a result of hitting his head on both the driver side door and the steering wheel. The road sign was also damaged as a result of the accident. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard after the accident. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was unknown.

Read 14 more owner reports
STRUCTUREFeb 2023

The passenger door unlatches after hitting mild bumps in the road. The door does not fully open due to the secondary safety latch but it still represents a dangerous condition especially if a person is sitting in the passenger seat.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMMay 2021

The contact owns a 2011 Volvo C70. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the driver’s side door ajar warning light was illuminated. The contact opened and closed the driver’s side door multiple times however, the warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,241

STRUCTUREAug 2020

DOOR OPENS WHILE DRIVING

STRUCTUREJun 2020

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR POPPED OPEN. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS DOWN WHEN THIS HAPPENED. WE WERE DRIVING ABOUT 65MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. *TR

AIR BAGSMay 2020

WARNING LIGHT IS ON FOR AIR BAGS SRS AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT. *TR

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINEOct 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO C70. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE OIL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES BETWEEN FEBRUARY OF 2011 AND SEPTEMBER OF 2018. DURING THE FIRST FAILURE, THE THROTTLE BODY AND INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014. DYER & DYER VOLVO CARS (5260 PEACHTREE BLVD, CHAMBLEE, GEORGIA 30341, (770) 452-0077) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND PROVIDED A [RDAR] UPGRADE. IN JUNE OF 2016, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. NORTH POINT VOLVO (1570 MANSELL RD, ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA 30009, (678) 365-0644) REPLACED THE CENTRAL ELECTRIC MODULE. IN OCTOBER OF 2017, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED BY NORTH POINT VOLVO; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED IN APRIL OF 2018. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VOLVO OF COLUMBUS (1661 WHITTLESEY RD, COLUMBUS, GA 31904, (706) 322-9927) AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN PROMPTED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018 AND THE SENSOR CABLE (RPM TRANSMISSION CABLE) WAS REPLACED BY NORTH POINT VOLVO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHERJul 2017

THIS CAR IS A CONVERTIBLE. WHEN THE TOP IS DOWN AND I HIT A BUMP, THE DRIVER DOOR POPS OPEN, DOOR AJAR MESSAGE APPEARS, AND DOME LIGHTS COME ON. LIKE THE PREVIOUS DRIVER COMPLAINT, I AM FORCED TO PULL OVER TO RE-CLOSE THE DOOR. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER BACK IN 2012. WE LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY ACTIVE RECALLS. NONE THEN AND NONE CURRENTLY. SINCE THEN, THE DOOR POPS OPEN 50% OF THE TIME WHEN THE TOP IS DOWN. THE CAR HAS NEVER HAD STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO IT. THE LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP RECOMMENDED I POST TO THIS SITE. I AGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS POST: "THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THE VOLVO FORUMS" SUGGESTING A SYSTEMIC ISSUE. HTTP://VOLVOFORUMS.COM/FORUM/VOLVO-C70-14/C70-DOOR-UNLOCKS-OPENS-ITSELF-WHILE-DRIVING-83545/ HTTP://VOLVOFORUMS.COM/FORUM/VOLVO-XC90-9/DOOR-OPENS-WHILE-DRIVING-TWICE-66826/

SERVICE BRAKESMar 2017

DRIVING ON A HOUSTON HWY 1960 WEST I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AND COULD ONLY STOP THE CAR BY REPEATED BRAKE PUMPING AS A STEADY PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL HAD THE PEDAL GO TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS A JUST BRAKE STORE VERY CLOSE SO I TOOK IT THERE AS I WAS STILL OVER 40 MILES FROM A DEALER OR HOME. THEY CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID AND IT WAS EMPTY AND IN TRYING TO ADD FLUID WE SAW IT RUNNING OUT THE BACK WHEEL ONTO THE GROUND. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL, PASSENGER SIDE HAD A BRAKE CALLIPER LEAKING THAT DRAINED THE SYSTEM. WITH ONLY 34,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE THIS APPEARS TO BE A FAULTY PART. THE PART REPLACEMENT HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND ARE THE REST OF THESE PARTS ON MY CAR AND ALL OTHER SIMILAR CARS A POTENTIAL SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAZARD?

STRUCTUREAug 2016

THIS CAR IS A CONVERTIBLE, AND WHEN THE TOP IS DOWN/OPEN, AND I AM DRIVING AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 25MPH, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR CAN SPONTANEOUSLY OPEN. THE DOORS DO NOT FLY OPEN, BUT THE "DOOR OPEN" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON, AND THE WINDOW DROPS SLIGHTLY AS IT DOES WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR. THEN, I AM FORCED TO PULL OVER TO RE-CLOSE THE DOORS. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER OR NOT THE DOORS ARE LOCKED, AND I AM CONFIDENT THEY ARE FULLY SECURED BEFORE THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAPPENS MORE OFTEN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAN THE DRIVER SIDE, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED ON BOTH SIDES. THIS WAS REPORTED TO VOLVO ON 6/17/2016, AND THEY INDICATED THAT THERE ARE NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THE VOLVO FORUMS, WHICH SUGGESTS A SYSTEMATIC SAFETY ISSUE. E.G.: HTTP://VOLVOFORUMS.COM/FORUM/VOLVO-C70-14/C70-DOOR-UNLOCKS-OPENS-ITSELF-WHILE-DRIVING-83545/ HTTP://VOLVOFORUMS.COM/FORUM/VOLVO-XC90-9/DOOR-OPENS-WHILE-DRIVING-TWICE-66826/

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINEAug 2015

SIRIUS RADIO HAS EXCLUSIVE AND UNDISCLOSED RIGHTS TO CONTINUOUSLY UPDATE THEIR SOFTWARE IN YOUR VOLVO VEHICLE WHETHER THE CAR IS TURNED ON OR TURNED OFF. BECAUSE OF A SOFTWARE/HARDWARE PROBLEM IN SEVERAL SIRIUS COMPONENTS INSTALLED IN VOLVO VEHICLES, THE UPDATE RESULTS IN AN ENDLESS LOOP WHICH UTILIZES YOUR BATTERY AND DRAINS IT TO THE POINT WHERE THE BATTERY IS DAMAGED, CAN NOT BE RECHARGED AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS CONDITIONS AND EXTREME INCONVENIENCE WHEN UPON RETURNING TO YOUR VEHICLE YOU FIND THAT THE BATTERY IS DEAD/FULLY DISCHARGED AND YOUR CAR WILL NOT START. BOTH SIRIUS AND VOLVO ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, YET NEITHER HAS ISSUED A RECALL OR NOTIFIED THEIR OWNERS AND CUSTOMERS. VOLVO AND SIRIUS RADIO ARE UNDER AN EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT TO EMBED SIRIUS RECEIVERS IN ALL VOLVO VEHICLES WHETHER THE BUYER AND SUBSEQUENT OWNERS WISH TO HAVE THE SIRIUS COMPONENTS. VOLVO SERVICE SHOPS WILL NOT REMOVE THE SIRIUS COMPONENTS OR OTHERWISE DEACTIVATE IT EVEN IF THE OWNER WISHES THEM TO DO SO. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED AND DISCLOSED TO THE NHTSA, YET VOLVO SERVICE SHOPS ARE FULLY AWARE OF THIS MATTER AND WILL REPLACE YOUR SIRIUS COMPONENT AND REPLACE THE BATTERY WHEN THEY ARE CONFRONTED. IT TOOK ME 4 SERVICE VISITS TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE.

TIRESOct 2010

PIRELLI FOUR SEASONS 235/40 R 18 TIRE FAILURE (BLOWOUT) ON 2011 VOLVO C70 PURCHASED NEW FROM DEVOE VOLVO, 28470 TAMIAMI TRAIL SOUTH, BONITA SPRINGS, FL 34134 ON 03/13/2010. INCIDENT OCCURRED ON US ROUTE 41 SOUTH IN FT. MYERS FLORIDA. HIGHWAY WAS DRY AND IN GOOD PAVED CONDITION WITH NO OBSTRUCTIONS. SPEED WAS 35 MILES PER HOUR. MILEAGE ON AUTOMOBILE WAS 2,767. TIRE FAILURE (SEPARATION OF SIDEWALL) WAS APPROXIMATELY 30%. FAILED TIRE IS IN POSSESSION OF OWNER AND AVAILABLE. *TR

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINEMay 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO C70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT FAILURES WHILE STARTING AND DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN WARMER WEATHER, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEIKIN MOTOR COMPANIES (38750 MENTOR AVE #1, WILLOUGHBY, OH 44094), TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMAug 2012

THE KEY WON'T TURN FOR THE IGNITION. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE DEALERSHIP BUT VOLVO WON'T RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM. THE COST TO FIX THIS AT THE DEALERSHIP IS APPROX 800 DOLLARS. MY FEAR IS THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL LEAVE U STRANDED AND MORE IMPORTANTLY I FEAR THIS WILL PROGRESS AND LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING. *TR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,INTERIOR LIGHTINGFeb 2011

2003 C70 CONV. CAR BATTERY GOES DEAD MULTIPLE TIMES. CHANGED BATTERY AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. DETAILED CHECK DISCOVERED A SHORT IN THE PASSENGER SUN VISOR. PLASTIC PIVOT SHAFT HAS TORQUED OFF AND CAUSED A SHORT IN THE WIRES EMBEDDED IN THE SHAFT THAT POWER THE VISOR LIGHT. REPLACEMENT SUN VISOR COSTS AROUND $200 AND THE WEAK SHAFT IS THE SAME, SO FAILURE WILL MOST LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN. SHAFT NEEDS TO BE REDESIGNED TO ALLOW FOR GREATER TORQUE WHEN LOWERING THE SUN VISOR. REMOVAL OF THE BULB IN THE AFFECTED VISOR ELIMINATED THE BATTERY DRAIN. POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. *TR

Showing 20 of 131 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

Check the exact car

Before you buy, check the exact Volvo C70

These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.

The basics

How to read this data

Complaints, recalls, investigations β€” here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Volvo C70, in plain English.

01

What is an NHTSA Complaint?

An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is β€” but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Volvo C70 has 131 complaints on record across 10 model years.

02

What is a Safety Recall?

A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Volvo C70 has 16 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

03

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 4 of the Volvo C70's 131 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions β€” a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

04

How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?

The reliability verdict (Below Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.

05

Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?

Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable β€” simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

06

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Volvo C70 vehicles on the road β€” not any specific car. Two Volvo C70 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.

07

What Are NHTSA Investigations?

When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage β€” NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Volvo C70 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.

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By state

Check a Volvo C70 by state

Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Volvo C70.

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Research more

Keep researching before you buy

Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.

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Volvo C70 reliability β€” frequently asked questions

Is the Volvo C70 reliable?

Below Average. The Volvo C70 has 131 NHTSA owner complaints and 16 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is STRUCTURE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.

Which Volvo C70 years to avoid?

Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2012 (23 complaints), 2008 (22 complaints), 2007 (17 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.

What are the most common Volvo C70 problems?

Top reported issues: STRUCTURE (43 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (26 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (21 complaints).

Does the Volvo C70 have recalls?

Yes β€” 16 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Volvo C70. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

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