2009 Volvo C70 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2009 Volvo C70 has a complaint index of 43 out of 8 model years, ranking 5th worst, with a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 10 complaints and 3 recalls, led by Structure & Body issues like doors unlatching while driving.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 43/100
- #5 of 8 C70 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 10
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 26.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2009 Volvo C70 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body5 (50%)
- Engine2 (20%)
- Other2 (20%)
- Electrical System1 (10%)
- Fuel System1 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (10%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Driver or passenger doors have unlatched or opened unexpectedly while driving, sometimes at highway speeds near 65-70 mph.
- Interior lights illuminate and a door-ajar warning appears even when the vehicle is not in motion over rough terrain.
- One owner reported sudden loss of power at highway speed traced to a failed timing belt tensioner with bent valves.
- A tire pressure monitor warning light stayed on after dealers replaced a control module without finding the root cause.
- One owner reported the vehicle unexpectedly slowed to 30 mph with the dealer unable to identify the cause.
- A dealer told one owner the transmission needed a software update, which the owner believed should have been a recall repair.
2009 Volvo C70 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 11V508000Oct 18, 2011Other20,611 vehicles
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 comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles do not contain the correct information for vehicles equipped with the optional accessory spare tire and wheel kit.
Risk: A misprinted label could lead to improper tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and dealers will inspect the vehicle and install the label as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on february 23, 2012. Owners may contact volvo at 1-201-768-7300.
- NHTSA 10V566000Nov 8, 2010Other416 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Risk: An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
Remedy: Volvo advises owners to please stop using the garmin portable gps device immediately, and visit the garmin website to determine if their unit is affected. The unit's battery will be replaced with a new battery and a spacer will be inserted on top of the battery next to the pcb. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 18, 2010. Owners may contact garmin at 866-957-1981 or visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.
- NHTSA 08V329000Jul 23, 2008Steering1,020 vehicles
Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
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.
Risk: This can result in a rapid drainage of the power steering fluid in the system and a complete loss of power assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering return line hose assembly free of charge. The recall began on august 13, 2008. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
2009 Volvo C70 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other C70 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Volvo C70 reliable?
- Compared with other C70 model years, 2009 rates Good, with a complaint index of 43 and 10 NHTSA complaints, ranking 5th worst out of 8 years tracked.
- What are the main problems with the 2009 Volvo C70?
- The top problem area is Structure & Body, accounting for 50% of complaints, mostly involving doors unlatching or opening while driving. Engine issues, including a reported timing belt tensioner failure, make up 20%.
- Does the 2009 Volvo C70 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2009 C70, covering a power steering return hose, a GPS unit battery overheating issue, and another component issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2009 C70 compare to other years?
- The 2009 model's complaint index of 43 is better than 2008 (100, Avoid) and 2011 (86, Avoid), but worse than 2006 (14, Good) and 2013 (29, Good).
- What mileage do problems typically appear at in the 2009 C70?
- The median mileage at failure across complaints is 50,000 miles, with Structure & Body issues reported at a median of 54,750 miles.