2011 Volvo C30 Problems
- Complaints
- 14filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.5L 5-cyl FWD · 21 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Volvo C30 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2011 Volvo C30. The part named most often is visibility, with 7 complaints (50% of the total), followed by other or unknown (3) and body and structure (3). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 43% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 188 technical service bulletins for this model year. Visibility complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 13 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.
- Other or unknown3 21%
- Body and structure3 21%
- Steering2 14%
- Suspension2 14%
- Tires2 14%
- Air bags1 7.1%
- Electrical system1 7.1%
- Engine1 7.1%
- Wheels1 7.1%
Example complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “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 milesOther or unknown: “While driving at about 65 MPH in heavy traffic on I-87, the car suddenly lost all power, including all electrical instruments and accessories. It rolled to a stop and could not be started by pushing (the car has a manual transmission).”
NHTSA complaint #10722125, filed 2015-05, 50,000 milesBody and structure: “While driving along the interstate in southern california, at about 70mph, the sunroof of my 2011 Volvo C30 spontaneously exploded. There was no previous indication of any faults with the sunroof system and it was closed at the time of the explosion. I was not driving in traffic or in the vicinity of large vehicles that could have kicked up debris. I also had not passed under any overpasses. From my research online, there does not appear to be a recall on any Volvo sunroofs. …”
NHTSA complaint #10809123, filed 2015-12, 42,000 milesSteering: “Tires were shaky when I bought a brand new C30 Volvo. Asked dealer to fix-sales manager said nothing was wrong (ft. Meyers, fl Volvo). And he would tell Volvo I was crazy. Tires were destroyed at 10,000. Went to different Volvo dealer in sarasota and st. Pete-nothing is wrong. Dealer replaced tires at 10,000. Car still shaking. Now I am on my 3rd set of tires at 50,000. Something is very wrong with this car-do not buy one Volvo will not fix.”
NHTSA complaint #10668544, filed 2014-12, 200 milesMileage when problems were reported
43% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 42,000 and 51,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2011 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 | 2.5L 5-cyl | 6-speed manual | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| C30 FWD | 2.5L 5-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
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
- 10V255000Jun 8, 2010Steering › Gear box › Shaft sectorCovers: Volvo C30 2010–2011, V50 2010, S40N 2010
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 c30, model year 2010 s40 and v50 vehicles equipped with 6 speed manual transmissions. The gearshift lever stud assembly may not have been tightened to the correct specification during assembly. If the gearshift…
Recall details for the 2011 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. 188 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 2011 Volvo C30 have?
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2011 Volvo C30 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2011 Volvo C30 is reported most often?
Visibility is named most often, in 7 complaints (50% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 3.
Has the 2011 Volvo C30 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Volvo C30 get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Volvo C30 (C30 FWD, 2.5L 5-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Volvo C30 reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 42,000 and 51,000 miles; 43% 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.