2008 Volvo C30 Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 47,198miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.4L 5-cyl FWD · 20 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Volvo C30 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2008 Volvo C30. The part named most often is suspension, with 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (2) and air bags (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 47,198 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 194 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Suspension2 25%
- Air bags1 13%
- Engine cooling1 13%
- Seat belts1 13%
- Seats1 13%
Example complaints
Suspension: “Right front spring broke, fracture happened in the transition from the lowest coil (the one always on the spring seat) to the first active coil. Anti-corrosion coating was missing in that area, and a small amount of surface pitting was present. Photos of failed spring are available upon request (both in place before removal, and closeup view of the fracture on the coil that broke off).”
NHTSA complaint #10502668, filed 2013-03, 40,896 milesVehicle speed control: “Volvo C30 2008 has very small space between brake pedal,accelerator and console which make the shoe trapped under the brake pedal. This may very serious accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10274561, filed 2009-06Air bags: “I was driving out of a toll booth and was accelerating. A tractor trailer began coming closer to me. I moved over to avoid impact with the truck. In the process my front and rear drivers side wheels rubbed against a curb causing the side airbags to deploy. There was no damage to the vehicle other than a two inch scrape on the rims. The employees in the body shop and service department stated that the airbags should not have deployed due to the wheels rubbing curb. The woman at Volvo stated that the car detected imminent damage which caused the airbags to deploy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10222435, filed 2008-03, 3,500 milesEngine cooling: “Oil trap broken. Was told by my mechanic there was a Volvo recall for this problem (dealership recall # 202). Volvo dealership said my make and model was not included in the recall. I believe it was an oversite, as my vehicle was manufactured in the same country as the other Volvo make and models included in the recall. This 2008 C30 is the first model of this type. It should have been included in the recall and was not. Please investigate. I've paid $550 to repair due to poor manufacturing. Please review and contact Volvo regarding this. …”
NHTSA complaint #10550779, filed 2013-11, 105,243 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 33,598 and 79,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2008 Volvo C30 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C30 FWD | 2.4L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,550 |
| C30 FWD | 2.4L 5-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,550 |
| C30 FWD | 2.5L 5-cyl | 6-speed manual | 19 | 28 | 23 | $3,550 |
| C30 FWD | 2.5L 5-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,750 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 10V566000Nov 8, 2010Equipment › Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)Covers: Volvo C30 2007–2010, S80 2000–2010, V70 2001–2010 +6 more
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
- 08V329000Jul 23, 2008Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connectionsCovers: Volvo C30 2008–2009, C70 2008–2009, S40 2008–2009 +1 more
Volvo is recalling my 2008-2009 vehicles. A section of the power steering return line hose was not properly vulcanized (cured) and does not meet specifications. If the power steering return hose fails, a sudden rupture of the hose can occur.
Recall details for the 2008 Volvo C30 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 194 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11032671Apr 7, 2026Other or unknown. 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…
- 11027173Dec 6, 2025Other or unknown. This is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.
- 11020437Apr 10, 2025Exterior 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…
- 11016002Feb 21, 2025Other or unknown. 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…
- 11015994Feb 13, 2025Other or unknown. 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…
- 11014113Jan 16, 2025Other or unknown. This is a Technical Journal: Vehicle/Connectivity report checklist. To provide timely and high-quality feedback to the appropriate department or factory
- 11014112Jan 16, 2025Exterior 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…
- 11007925Aug 14, 2024Electrical system. Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service
- 10249191Jan 12, 2024Electrical system. This is a Technical Journal: 12V Battery Testing Method
- 10241661Jul 21, 2023Other or unknown, Electronic stability control. Complimentary upgrade c00009 description.
Other model years of the Volvo C30
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 10 | 34,014 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 14 | 50,000 | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 6 | 59,000 | 2 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 6 | 99,800 | 2 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 8 | 47,198 | 2 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Volvo C30 have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2008 Volvo C30 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 Volvo C30 is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 2.
Has the 2008 Volvo C30 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Volvo C30 get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Volvo C30 (C30 FWD, 2.4L 5-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Volvo C30 reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 47,198 miles and the middle half falls between 33,598 and 79,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.