VOLVO C70 · model year

2011 VOLVO C70

17 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011VOLVOC70 carries 17 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 1 fatality. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 C70 is structure:body with 5 filings, followed by electrical system (2) and engine (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 28 investigation files overlapping the 2011 C70. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

17
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

17 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE:BODY5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
ENGINE2
AIR BAGS2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
SERVICE BRAKES1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
POWER TRAIN1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1

Recalls (1)

11V50800018/10/2011

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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 C

Recent Complaints

20250406LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

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.

20231013CrashFatalAIR BAGS

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.

20230203STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

20210524ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM

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

Mileage: 70,241

20200831STRUCTURE:BODY

DOOR OPENS WHILE DRIVING

Mileage: 105,000

20200613STRUCTURE:BODY

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

Mileage: 65,000

20200515AIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 87,300

20181009ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 24,000

20181009ENGINE

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

Mileage: 24,000

20181009POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 24,000

20170703STRUCTURE:BODY

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/

Mileage: 50,000

20170703UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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/

Mileage: 50,000

20170327SERVICE BRAKES

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?

Mileage: 34,000

20160805STRUCTURE:BODY

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-T

Mileage: 63,000

20150804ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 OWN

Mileage: 9,850

20150804ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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 OWN

Mileage: 9,850

20150804ENGINE

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 OWN

Mileage: 9,850

Compare 2011VOLVOC70 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 VOLVO C70 have?
The 2011 VOLVO C70 has 17 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 VOLVO C70?
The 2011 VOLVO C70 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 VOLVO C70?
Yes, the 2011 VOLVO C70 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 VOLVO C70?
The most-complained component for the 2011 VOLVO C70 is STRUCTURE:BODY with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ENGINE.
Is the 2011 VOLVO C70 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 VOLVO C70 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.