2012 Volvo C70 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Volvo C70 has a Complaint Index of 71 and ranks 3rd worst out of 8 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Structure & Body complaints, mostly doors unlatching or opening while driving, make up 39% of reports.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 71/100
- #3 of 8 C70 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 23
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- 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 / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2012 Volvo C70 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other11 (48%)
- Structure & Body9 (39%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (9%)
- Brakes1 (4%)
- Electrical System1 (4%)
- Seat Belts1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Doors unlatch or pop open unexpectedly while driving at highway speed, triggering the open-door warning light.
- Driver and passenger doors on the coupe body style can become ajar after a slight bump, even when locked.
- Driver side seat belt sometimes locks up and becomes very hard to unlatch once engaged.
- Electronic communication faults can trigger false ABS, anti-skid, transmission control, and brake failure warnings, sometimes putting the car into limp mode.
- A recalled clutch master cylinder rod can break, making it impossible to disengage the clutch.
2012 Volvo C70 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.
2012 Volvo C70 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 28 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.
2012 compared with other C70 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Volvo C70 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 C70 has a Complaint Index of 71 and ranks 3rd worst of 8 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Structure & Body issues, mainly doors that unlatch while driving, are the top reported problem.
- What is the main problem with the 2012 Volvo C70?
- Structure & Body complaints make up 39% of all reports for this year, with a median mileage at failure of 86,000 miles. Owners most often describe doors unlatching or opening unexpectedly while driving.
- Does the 2012 Volvo C70 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall for the 2012 C70, campaign 11V508000, covering a labeling issue tied to certain 2006-2012 C70 and 2011-2012 S60 vehicles.
- Which Volvo C70 model years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data ranks 2008 and 2011 as Avoid years with Complaint Indexes of 100 and 86. The 2012 model sits close behind with a Caution verdict and an index of 71.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Volvo C70?
- EPA rates the 2012 C70 at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.