RoadVitals

2011 Volvo C70

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Oct 9, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Oct 18, 2011
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
0 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Volvo C70, most frequently naming the body & structure, airbags and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 183 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure633.3%
  • Airbags316.7%
  • Electrical316.7%
  • Engine211.1%
  • Driver assistance15.6%
  • Powertrain (other)15.6%
  • Interior & seats15.6%
  • Brakes15.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
11V508000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Oct 18, 2011
20,611 units potentially affected
The defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 C70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2005, THROUGH JULY 31, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 S60 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2010, THROUGH APRIL 16, 2011, THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE KIT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN THE CORRECT INFORMATION FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL KIT.
The risk: A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND INSTALL THE LABEL AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-201-768-7300.
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.Manufacturer number R247View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 13
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Oct 9, 2026
Crash reported1 death reported

On XXX, my son was driving a 2011 Volvo C70 T5 convertible involved in a fatal crash on XXX in [XXX]. The crash involved substantial passenger-side damage and rollover. The rollover protection bars deployed, but the driver's frontal airbag did not deploy. Post-crash photographs show damage and tearing to deployed passenger-side airbags. I am reporting a suspected airbag/restraint-system malfunction and possible inadequate warning. I had not observed an airbag warning light before the crash. Whether a fault existed before impact, whether it should have triggered a warning, and which airbags should have deployed remain UNKNOWN. The vehicle and supplemental restraint system module were inspected on XXX. Volvo subsequently obtained the module and downloaded data using proprietary Merkur software. I have received crash reports, fault-memory information, and spreadsheets, but have not received the original native download file needed for independent analysis. The module was returned to me in XXX and is available for inspection. The precise cause of the suspected malfunction has not been independently confirmed. I request NHTSA review of airbag deployment, sensor and wiring faults, diagnostic warning operation, and the integrity of the downloaded module data. Photographs, inspection records, and produced data are available upon request.For the incident date, enter XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11770021
Incident
Apr 30, 2023
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 6, 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.

NHTSA ID
11653009
Incident
May 8, 2023
Airbags
Filed Oct 13, 2023
Crash reported1 death reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11549739
Incident
Apr 30, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Feb 3, 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.

NHTSA ID
11505427
Incident
Feb 13, 2019
Body & structure
Filed May 24, 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

NHTSA ID
11418394
Incident
May 22, 2021
Mileage
70,241 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 31, 2020

DOOR OPENS WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ID
11352286
Incident
Aug 19, 2020
Mileage
105,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 13, 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

NHTSA ID
11328623
Incident
Jun 12, 2020
Mileage
65,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 15, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11324721
Incident
May 2, 2020
Mileage
87,300 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

37809.1.1

This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. This TJ will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval.
 Current items under prior approval are listed in the "Service" section

19245

This is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.

8501

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a remote session:
 •Connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in VIDA is between 12.5V and 14.9V.
 •Connect to the vehicle over a wired connection using a VOE (Volvo OBD to Ethernet) adapter and perform a NEW vehicle readout.

S10303

Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles.
 Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob.
 As a result, there is a possibility that the customer’s key fob is not paired to the vehicle.
 The corrective action is to download SP Software.
 S10303 affects 151 vehicles in the U.S and 5 in Canada.

S10303

Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles.
 Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob.
 As a result, there is a possibility that the customer’s key fob is not paired to the vehicle.
 The corrective action is to download SP Software.
 S10303 affects 151 vehicles in the U.S and 5 in Canada.

37175

This is a Technical Journal: Vehicle/Connectivity report checklist. To provide timely and high-quality feedback to the appropriate department or factory

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volvo C70 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014000—
2013110027.4
2012231036.8
2011Viewing131050.2
2010420—
2009103039.2
2008223061.3
2007174040.6
2006920—
2005000—
2004160045.8
2003400—
2002511—
2001732—
2000264359.3
1999233351.8
1998741—
1997000—
1996000—
1995000—
1994000—
1993000—
1992000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.