Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 2009 Volvo C70 with NHTSA between 2012 and 2024.
The largest single group is the body & structure.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 11 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 31
Against the median year of the Volvo C70. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 57
33% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2009 Volvo C70
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Body & Structure
430.8%
Median failure at 70,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
215.4%
Median failure at 50,000 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
17.7%
Median failure at 39,500 miles
Tires
17.7%
Median failure at 55,200 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
17.7%
Median failure at 27,700 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
17.7%
Median failure at 27,700 miles
Electrical System
17.7%
Median failure at 39,500 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
17.7%
Median failure at 35,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
17.7%
Median failure at 88,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
555.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
333.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
111.1%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2009 Volvo C70 Convertible w/SAB
—
—
—
—
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2012peak 2May 2024
Recalls on the 2009 Volvo C70
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201039687 units in Canada
Accessories
On certain vehicles, there is a possibility of overheating issues of batteries in the Garmin nüvi® 760 when certain batteries manufactured within a limited date code range are used in certain Garmin nüvi® 760 models with a specific printed circuit board (PCB) design. The interaction of these factors can, in some circumstances, increase the possibility of overheating, which may lead to a fire. Correction: Dealers will direct customers who have an affected unit to the Garmin Web site, which explains how to verify if their units are involved and includes procedures to follow for product exchange.
Recall 2008260264 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, an improperly manufactured power steering return hose may suddenly rupture, causing a fluid leak. An unexpected loss of steering power assist may result in a vehicle crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the power steering return line assembly.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Ottawa Ontario Canada K2B 5C4, MI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Door actuator fault while driving, door opens slightly ajar while driving. Frequently happens while driving on highway with top up or down. Requires driver to hold door from swinging open around turns until there is a stop that allows driver to open and shut door again.
NHTSA complaint #11589256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ottawa Ontario Canada K2B 5C4, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY
Door actuator fault while driving, door opens slightly ajar while driving. Frequently happens while driving on highway with top up or down. Requires driver to hold door from swinging open around turns until there is a stop that allows driver to open and shut door again.
NHTSA complaint #11589256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Emery, SD
STRUCTURE:BODY
While driving with the top up or down on the highway the doors will intermittently unlock and the security light come on because the door is ajar. This has been going on since I purchacesed the car 2 yrs ago. Now 5/29/23 while driving on the highway the drivers door opened while driving 70 miles an hour. This is a daily occurrence and it happens multiple times daily. This is a dangerous and scary malfunction.
NHTSA complaint #11524447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Akron, OH
STRUCTURE:BODY
I am having an issue where the driver side door randomly unlocks and opens while driving. This has happened daily multiple times a day. upwards of at least 5 to 10 incidents daily. Now my passenger door is alerting my it is opened. this is a very risky. This is a faulty issue I am seeing in forums about the 2009 C70 Volvo. please let me know this will be taken care of.
NHTSA complaint #11430926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesCharlotte, NC
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO C70. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER HAD FAILED. DURING THE FAILURE, THE VALVES WERE BENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA complaint #11415517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesWest Brookfield, MA
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAS OPENED WHILE DRIVING ON OVER 12 OCCASIONS UNDER VARYING SPEED AND ROAD CONDITIONS. SEVERAL HAVE BEEN AT 65 MPH DURING HIGHWAY OPERATION, AND AT LESS THAN 30 MPH RURAL ROADWAYS. THE ROOF HAS BEEN BOTH UP AND DOWN, AND THE DOORS HAVE BEEN LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS SUDDENLY COME ON AND THE PASSENGER DOOR OPEN WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE DOOR EACH TIME. IF I WASN'T ANY EXPERIENCED DRIVER I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10904740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesWinter Park, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
APPARENTLY IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE HEADLINERS IN EXTREME HEAT BECOME LOSE FROM THE BRACKETS THAT HOLD IT IN PLACE. RECENTLY, MY HEADLINER FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING CAUSING ME TO ALMOST HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOT SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10883831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesRockville, MD
POWER TRAIN
I BROUGHT MY 2009 VOLVO C70 TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE WHICH WILL COST $450. IF THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WITHOUT ITS SOFTWARE BEING UPDATED, THIS SOUNDS MORE LIKE A MANUFACTURER RECALL ISSUE THAN SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE PASSED ONTO THE CUSTOMER.
NHTSA complaint #10650110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,200 milesGermantown, MD
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
DASHBOARD INDICATOR THAT TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) REQUIRES MAINTENANCE ILLUMINATES. DEALER CHECK OF CONTROL MODULE AND INDIVIDUAL TIRE SENSORS DOES NOT IDENTIFY A SPECIFIC PROBLEM BUT LIGHT APPEARS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. DEALER HAS REPLACED RXX CONTROL MODULE AFTER CONSULTING WITH VOLVO BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #10V335000 (CORRESPONDS TO VOLVO SAFETY RECALL NO. R228) FOR MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 VOLVO S80S. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON INTERMITTENT BASIS FOR ALMOST A YEAR PRIOR TO DATE ABOVE WHERE TPMS MAINTENANCE REQUIRED LIGHT ILLUMINATES REGULARLY.
NHTSA complaint #10474224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,700 milesTimonium, MD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON TWO OCCASIONS MY CAR DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING TO 30 MPH. DEALER UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10470679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,700 milesTimonium, MD
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON TWO OCCASIONS MY CAR DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING TO 30 MPH. DEALER UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10470679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,500 milesSuffolk, VA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DRIVER DOOR UNLATCHES WITHOUT WARNING; INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. DOOR MOVES/OPENS ABOUT 1/4-1/2 INCH BUT SAFETY CATCH PREVENTS FULL OPENING. DRIVING OVER SMOOTH ROAD, TOP DOWN. NO HIGHWAY OR SURFACE INTERRUPTIONS (SUCH AS BUMPS OR HOLES) THAT JARRED DOOR OPEN. SAME EVENTS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8-10 SEPARATE TIMES. DEALER REPORTS NO CODES CAPTURED AND UNWILLING TO REPLACE DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10463113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,500 milesSuffolk, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVER DOOR UNLATCHES WITHOUT WARNING; INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. DOOR MOVES/OPENS ABOUT 1/4-1/2 INCH BUT SAFETY CATCH PREVENTS FULL OPENING. DRIVING OVER SMOOTH ROAD, TOP DOWN. NO HIGHWAY OR SURFACE INTERRUPTIONS (SUCH AS BUMPS OR HOLES) THAT JARRED DOOR OPEN. SAME EVENTS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8-10 SEPARATE TIMES. DEALER REPORTS NO CODES CAPTURED AND UNWILLING TO REPLACE DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10463113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.