Volvo C30 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints across the 5 model years of the Volvo C30 (2008–2012) that have at least 5 complaints. 2011 has the most, with 14. Across all years, the part named most often is visibility (15 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All C30 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 10 | 34,014 | 0 | 178 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 14 | 50,000 | 1 | 188 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 6 | 59,000 | 2 | 183 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 6 | 99,800 | 2 | 179 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 8 | 47,198 | 2 | 194 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)15 35%
- Other or unknown7 16%
- Vehicle speed control5 12%
- Suspension4 9.3%
- Tires3 7.0%
- Body and structure3 7.0%
- Steering3 7.0%
- Air bags3 7.0%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2009: “Turn engine on and started to get out of my parking space and suddenly noticed hesitation of my wheel to turn left>right. I checked my power steering reservoir and I cannot see power steering fluid. I called Volvo and they said my VIN is not part of the recall. I have low mileage and they just did a routine maintenance on the vehicle past summer.”
NHTSA complaint #10630757, filed 2014-09, 30,000 miles2011: “The vehicle is stationary until I can get the issue corrected in the next day or two. The windshield is loose. I discovered a leak and determined that the issue is that the windshield is not attached to the car at the top. The slightest pressure from the inside can move the windshield away from the seal on the car. I have learned that this is a common issue tin Volvo's that occurs due to improper glass preparation. How can this be safe? Shouldn't Volvo be responsible for correcting the issue? Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #11353281, filed 2020-09, 51,000 miles2010: “My daughter was involved in a single vehicle mishap where she jumped a curb at approximately 15 to 20 MPH, blew out three tires, and damaged the right passenger front bumper as well as the right and left front quarter panels. The right front tire is bent inward and the left front is bent outward. Through all of this, the driver's side airbag never deployed. I had to guesstimate the mileage below at 53k as I don't have it with me where I am filing this report.”
NHTSA complaint #10780768, filed 2015-10, 53,000 milesOther Volvo models
1,531 complaintsVolvo S60
1,263 complaintsVolvo S80
953 complaintsVolvo V70
922 complaintsVolvo XC60
654 complaintsVolvo S70
584 complaintsVolvo 850
566 complaintsVolvo S40
491 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology