What year Volvo C70 should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2008 and 2011 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 86, the two highest among all C70 model years.

Is the 2008 Volvo C70 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2008 C70 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, with structure and steering problems, three recalls, and two reported crashes.

What is the best year for the Volvo C70?

2006, 2009, and 2013 are rated Good. The 2013 model has the lowest complaint index (29) and no recalls, making it the strongest-scoring year in NHTSA data.

Does the Volvo C70 have any recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns across C70 model years 2006-2013, including a power steering hose recall for 2008-2009 models and a broader 2006-2012 recall (11V508000).

What are the most common Volvo C70 problems?

Across all years, Structure & Body issues make up 44% of the 108 total complaints, followed by Electrical System at 14% and Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 11%.

Volvo C70 Best and Worst Years (2006–2013)

Avoid the 2008 and 2011 Volvo C70; both carry the highest complaint indexes (100 and 86) and multiple recalls tied to structure/body and steering issues. 2006, 2009, and 2013 rate Good, with 2013 the cleanest year at a complaint index of 29 and zero recalls.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2008 Avoid 2011

Model years: 8; 2006–2013
NHTSA complaints: 108
Recall campaigns: 5
Crashes reported: 3
Fires reported: 2
Top problem area: Structure & Body

C70 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Volvo C70 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2006	Good	14	9	0	0	2	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	21	—
2007	Caution	57	17	0	0	4	Structure & Body	21	—
2008	Avoid	100	22	2	1	3	Structure & Body	21	—
2009	Good	43	10	0	0	3	Structure & Body	21	—
2010	No verdict	0	4	0	1	2	Electrical System	22.5	—
2011	Avoid	86	12	1	0	1	Structure & Body	23	—
2012	Caution	71	23	0	0	1	Structure & Body	21	—
2013	Good	29	11	0	0	0	Structure & Body	22	—

C70 years to avoid: what went wrong

2008 Volvo C70 Index 100 · 22 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2008 C70 has the worst complaint index (100) of any year, with 22 complaints and three recalls. Structure & Body issues dominate, making up half of complaints at a median 75,000 miles. Owners also reported steering problems, including a power steering return hose that could rupture, tied to an NHTSA recall (08V329000). Suspension complaints involved cracked front rims at a much lower median mileage of 19,800 miles. Two crashes and one fire were reported for this year, along with one injury, the highest crash count among C70 years.

2011 Volvo C70 Index 86 · 12 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2011 C70 ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 86 across 12 complaints and one recall (11V508000). Structure & Body complaints account for half of the total at a median 64,000 miles, including reports of convertible doors opening on their own above 25 mph. Electrical System issues, including battery drain problems, appeared at a lower median of 24,000 miles. This year also recorded one crash and the only death logged among C70 model years, linked to an airbag deployment complaint.

Most common Volvo C70 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Structure & Body47 (44%)
Other28 (26%)
Electrical System15 (14%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (11%)
Brakes8 (7%)
Engine6 (6%)
Transmission & Powertrain6 (6%)
Airbags5 (5%)
Steering4 (4%)
Fuel System1 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Volvo C70 should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2008 and 2011 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 86, the two highest among all C70 model years.
Is the 2008 Volvo C70 reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2008 C70 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, with structure and steering problems, three recalls, and two reported crashes.
What is the best year for the Volvo C70?: 2006, 2009, and 2013 are rated Good. The 2013 model has the lowest complaint index (29) and no recalls, making it the strongest-scoring year in NHTSA data.
Does the Volvo C70 have any recalls?: NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns across C70 model years 2006-2013, including a power steering hose recall for 2008-2009 models and a broader 2006-2012 recall (11V508000).
What are the most common Volvo C70 problems?: Across all years, Structure & Body issues make up 44% of the 108 total complaints, followed by Electrical System at 14% and Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 11%.