RoadVitals

2012 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.
23
Latest May 27, 2026
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.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 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

  • Suspension211.1%
  • Other / unspecified211.1%
  • Powertrain (other)211.1%
  • Seat belts15.6%
  • Brakes15.6%
  • Electrical15.6%
  • Interior & seats15.6%

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

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.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The drivers side door keeps opening while driving. I see recalls for other volvo models but not mine. This is very concerning when driving on the highway

NHTSA ID 11681243 · filed Aug 18, 2025

There is a know defect with the chassis used for several Volvo car models. My car is a Volvo C70, year 2012. My car is affected by this defect. The defect wasn't disclosed to me at time of sale. I only learned about it literally 10 years later when Volvo of Gilbert (dealership) advised me to install a costly part on the rear suspension of my car because of "excessive negative camber". According to the Volvo repair department, they've known for years of an internal repair "recommendation" memo issued by Volvo that Volvo actually pays for on other models, but won't pay for on mine, to correct this "negative camber" on the rear of the car. ***** The negative camber causes tire walls to fail early and abnormally wear the internal edges of the tires. I've experienced early tire failure on multiple sets of tires on my Volvo C70 and never knew why. Now I know. **Volvo has always known.** I have to replace all of my tires almost every two years due to the inside edges wearing out, despite faithfully rotating my tires several times a year. My tires have worn down to the belt on the inside edges despite having plenty of good tread left in the middle of the tire itself. About two years ago I had a dangerous blowout on the freeway because of a tire that failed early -- now I know it's because of the negative camber. More recently, two of my tires wore down all the way to the belts despite being less than two years old. ***** Volvo knows about this issue. There is a good paper trail of the issue being documented both by Volvo and their customers, but they failed to warn us of the dangerous car suspension and failed to provide the fix to all of us (while providing the fix to some of their customers). ***** Please listen to this 2-minute recording with the Volvo technician (Judd) who disclosed the known defect to me: [XXX] ***** This needs to be rectified for all of us with the faulty chassis'. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11563203 · filed Jan 3, 2024
All 8 reports naming body & structure

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

There is a know defect with the chassis used for several Volvo car models. My car is a Volvo C70, year 2012. My car is affected by this defect. The defect wasn't disclosed to me at time of sale. I only learned about it literally 10 years later when Volvo of Gilbert (dealership) advised me to install a costly part on the rear suspension of my car because of "excessive negative camber". According to the Volvo repair department, they've known for years of an internal repair "recommendation" memo issued by Volvo that Volvo actually pays for on other models, but won't pay for on mine, to correct this "negative camber" on the rear of the car. ***** The negative camber causes tire walls to fail early and abnormally wear the internal edges of the tires. I've experienced early tire failure on multiple sets of tires on my Volvo C70 and never knew why. Now I know. **Volvo has always known.** I have to replace all of my tires almost every two years due to the inside edges wearing out, despite faithfully rotating my tires several times a year. My tires have worn down to the belt on the inside edges despite having plenty of good tread left in the middle of the tire itself. About two years ago I had a dangerous blowout on the freeway because of a tire that failed early -- now I know it's because of the negative camber. More recently, two of my tires wore down all the way to the belts despite being less than two years old. ***** Volvo knows about this issue. There is a good paper trail of the issue being documented both by Volvo and their customers, but they failed to warn us of the dangerous car suspension and failed to provide the fix to all of us (while providing the fix to some of their customers). ***** Please listen to this 2-minute recording with the Volvo technician (Judd) who disclosed the known defect to me: [XXX] ***** This needs to be rectified for all of us with the faulty chassis'. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11563203 · filed Jan 3, 2024

THIS 2012 VOLVO C70 WAS DRIVEN FROM COHASSET, MA TO CHICAGO IL IN LATE SEPTEMBER 2014. IT WAS DRIVEN WITH THE TOP DOWN FOR A PERIOD OF 400 MILES. THE CAR DID HAVE BRAND NEW MICHELIN PILOT SPORT TIRES ON THE FRONT AND REAR TIRES, THE REAR TIRES HAD OVER 7/10THS WEAR ON THEM. UPON REACHING CHICAGO AN ODD NOISE WAS NOTICED IN THE CAR LIKE A FAILING REAR HUB. UPON TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE FIELDS VOLVO SERVICE ADVISER NOTICED THERE WAS FEATHERING OF THE REAR TIRES WHICH WAS DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE NEGATIVE CAMBER WITH THE TOP DOWN (INCORRECT OEM SUSPENSION SETTING FROM VOLVO). THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD US TO REPLACE THE BRAND NEW TIRES AT A COST OF $500 BUT DIDN'T NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. HOWEVER A NEW SUB-CROSS MEMBER FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS OFFERED IN 2013 TO AVOID THIS ISSUE, I ALSO HAVE SERVICE BULLETINS SHOWING VOLVOS KNOWLEDGE OF THE ISSUE. I TOLD THE SERVICE ADVISER THIS IS NOT A FIX AND I WANTED TO KNOW HOW THIS ISSUE WILL BE RESOLVED AND PREVENTED FROM HAPPENING AGAIN AS THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON WET OR SNOWY SURFACES BECAUSE OF THE SUSPENSION AND TIRE WARE ISSUES. HE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. AND WE CAN SPEND $500 ON TIRES EVERY 500 MILES WE DRIVE WITH THE TOP DOWN. I THEN PRESENTED THE ISSUE TO VOLVO OF NORTH AMERICA SENDING THEM A KIND EMAIL ASKING THEM HOW WE SHOULD HANDLE THE ISSUE. BEING A CAR ENTHUSIAST I AM AWARE THIS CAR SHARES A SUSPENSION WITH THE MAZDA 3 AND FORD FOCUS. I INFORMED VOLVO I CAN BUY AN AFTERMARKET ADJUSTABLE UPPER CONTROL ARM AND FIX THE ISSUE BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FACTORY WARRANTY, AS IT WOULD BE VOIDED FOR SUSPENSION ISSUES AND ALSO WHY DO WE HAVE TO FIX A CAR UNDER WARRANTY WITH SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES? I SENT THIS EMAIL TO VOLVO OVER 3 WEEKS AGO WITH NO RESPONSE TO MY QUESTIONS..... PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID 10658558 · filed Nov 17, 2014

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

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

There is a know defect with the chassis used for several Volvo car models. My car is a Volvo C70, year 2012. My car is affected by this defect. The defect wasn't disclosed to me at time of sale. I only learned about it literally 10 years later when Volvo of Gilbert (dealership) advised me to install a costly part on the rear suspension of my car because of "excessive negative camber". According to the Volvo repair department, they've known for years of an internal repair "recommendation" memo issued by Volvo that Volvo actually pays for on other models, but won't pay for on mine, to correct this "negative camber" on the rear of the car. ***** The negative camber causes tire walls to fail early and abnormally wear the internal edges of the tires. I've experienced early tire failure on multiple sets of tires on my Volvo C70 and never knew why. Now I know. **Volvo has always known.** I have to replace all of my tires almost every two years due to the inside edges wearing out, despite faithfully rotating my tires several times a year. My tires have worn down to the belt on the inside edges despite having plenty of good tread left in the middle of the tire itself. About two years ago I had a dangerous blowout on the freeway because of a tire that failed early -- now I know it's because of the negative camber. More recently, two of my tires wore down all the way to the belts despite being less than two years old. ***** Volvo knows about this issue. There is a good paper trail of the issue being documented both by Volvo and their customers, but they failed to warn us of the dangerous car suspension and failed to provide the fix to all of us (while providing the fix to some of their customers). ***** Please listen to this 2-minute recording with the Volvo technician (Judd) who disclosed the known defect to me: [XXX] ***** This needs to be rectified for all of us with the faulty chassis'. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11563203 · filed Jan 3, 2024

THIS 2012 VOLVO C70 WAS DRIVEN FROM COHASSET, MA TO CHICAGO IL IN LATE SEPTEMBER 2014. IT WAS DRIVEN WITH THE TOP DOWN FOR A PERIOD OF 400 MILES. THE CAR DID HAVE BRAND NEW MICHELIN PILOT SPORT TIRES ON THE FRONT AND REAR TIRES, THE REAR TIRES HAD OVER 7/10THS WEAR ON THEM. UPON REACHING CHICAGO AN ODD NOISE WAS NOTICED IN THE CAR LIKE A FAILING REAR HUB. UPON TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE FIELDS VOLVO SERVICE ADVISER NOTICED THERE WAS FEATHERING OF THE REAR TIRES WHICH WAS DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE NEGATIVE CAMBER WITH THE TOP DOWN (INCORRECT OEM SUSPENSION SETTING FROM VOLVO). THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD US TO REPLACE THE BRAND NEW TIRES AT A COST OF $500 BUT DIDN'T NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. HOWEVER A NEW SUB-CROSS MEMBER FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS OFFERED IN 2013 TO AVOID THIS ISSUE, I ALSO HAVE SERVICE BULLETINS SHOWING VOLVOS KNOWLEDGE OF THE ISSUE. I TOLD THE SERVICE ADVISER THIS IS NOT A FIX AND I WANTED TO KNOW HOW THIS ISSUE WILL BE RESOLVED AND PREVENTED FROM HAPPENING AGAIN AS THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON WET OR SNOWY SURFACES BECAUSE OF THE SUSPENSION AND TIRE WARE ISSUES. HE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. AND WE CAN SPEND $500 ON TIRES EVERY 500 MILES WE DRIVE WITH THE TOP DOWN. I THEN PRESENTED THE ISSUE TO VOLVO OF NORTH AMERICA SENDING THEM A KIND EMAIL ASKING THEM HOW WE SHOULD HANDLE THE ISSUE. BEING A CAR ENTHUSIAST I AM AWARE THIS CAR SHARES A SUSPENSION WITH THE MAZDA 3 AND FORD FOCUS. I INFORMED VOLVO I CAN BUY AN AFTERMARKET ADJUSTABLE UPPER CONTROL ARM AND FIX THE ISSUE BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FACTORY WARRANTY, AS IT WOULD BE VOIDED FOR SUSPENSION ISSUES AND ALSO WHY DO WE HAVE TO FIX A CAR UNDER WARRANTY WITH SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES? I SENT THIS EMAIL TO VOLVO OVER 3 WEEKS AGO WITH NO RESPONSE TO MY QUESTIONS..... PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID 10658558 · filed Nov 17, 2014

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The car developed an electronic communication issue that would cause random failure messages for the ABS, anti-skid system, transmission control and a "brake failure" message that would put the car into limp mode even at highway speeds. If you come to a complete stop, it would not allow you to pull away at any speed which makes you a traffic hazard and at risk for a rear end collision. I took the car to the dealer and they said it was the steering module so I had them replace it which ended up not resolving the problem. More alarming, the mechanic said that the factory original windshield had become unbonded and needed resealed. He showed me by flexing the windshield out at the top. I paid a windshield shop to reseal the windshield but I am reporting this since it's bond to the body is integral to keeping occupants from being ejected in the event of a rollover and the owner is unlikely to ever notice the issue.

NHTSA ID 11652791 · filed Apr 4, 2025

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

NHTSA ID 11255323 · filed Sep 13, 2019

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

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The driver side seat belt gets stuck and is very hard almost impossible to unlatch once it is locked over driver

NHTSA ID 11488716 · filed Oct 11, 2022

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

The car developed an electronic communication issue that would cause random failure messages for the ABS, anti-skid system, transmission control and a "brake failure" message that would put the car into limp mode even at highway speeds. If you come to a complete stop, it would not allow you to pull away at any speed which makes you a traffic hazard and at risk for a rear end collision. I took the car to the dealer and they said it was the steering module so I had them replace it which ended up not resolving the problem. More alarming, the mechanic said that the factory original windshield had become unbonded and needed resealed. He showed me by flexing the windshield out at the top. I paid a windshield shop to reseal the windshield but I am reporting this since it's bond to the body is integral to keeping occupants from being ejected in the event of a rollover and the owner is unlikely to ever notice the issue.

NHTSA ID 11652791 · filed Apr 4, 2025

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The car developed an electronic communication issue that would cause random failure messages for the ABS, anti-skid system, transmission control and a "brake failure" message that would put the car into limp mode even at highway speeds. If you come to a complete stop, it would not allow you to pull away at any speed which makes you a traffic hazard and at risk for a rear end collision. I took the car to the dealer and they said it was the steering module so I had them replace it which ended up not resolving the problem. More alarming, the mechanic said that the factory original windshield had become unbonded and needed resealed. He showed me by flexing the windshield out at the top. I paid a windshield shop to reseal the windshield but I am reporting this since it's bond to the body is integral to keeping occupants from being ejected in the event of a rollover and the owner is unlikely to ever notice the issue.

NHTSA ID 11652791 · filed Apr 4, 2025

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

While in transit, the passenger door periodically unlatches on its own. There is a safeguard that prevents the door from completely swinging open when this happens. This problem has not been inspected by a professional. The warning light appears after the door unlatches while in motion. Because I never have a passenger, I am not able to immediately close the door. The last time this happened was at 65 mph on [XXX]. This problem has existed for years. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The cause is unknown, and timing is unpredictable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11671696 · filed Jul 7, 2025

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 .