RoadVitals

2011 Volvo C70 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
12
Latest Apr 6, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
8
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.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Volvo C70, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Body & structure637.5%
  • Airbags212.5%
  • Electrical212.5%
  • Engine212.5%
  • Interior & seats16.3%
  • Powertrain (other)16.3%
  • Brakes16.3%
  • Driver assistance16.3%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 3, 2023

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 · filed May 24, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 13, 2023

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

NHTSA ID 11324721 · filed May 15, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11139197 · filed Oct 9, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID 10746224 · filed Aug 4, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11139197 · filed Oct 9, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID 10746224 · filed Aug 4, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 6, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11139197 · filed Oct 9, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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?

NHTSA ID 10968747 · filed Mar 27, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 10746224 · filed Aug 4, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .