38 of the
256 complaints filed about the Volvo C70
are about the electrical system —
15% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2000.
The car developed an electronic communication issue that would cause random failure messages for the ABS, anti-skid system, transmission control and a "brake failure" message that would put the car into limp mode even at highway speeds. If you come to a complete stop, it would not allow you to pull away at any speed which makes you a traffic hazard and at risk for a rear end collision. I took the car to the dealer and they said it was the steering module so I had them replace it which ended up not resolving the problem. More alarming, the mechanic said that the factory original windshield had become unbonded and needed resealed. He showed me by flexing the windshield out at the top. I paid a windshield shop to reseal the windshield but I am reporting this since it's bond to the body is integral to keeping occupants from being ejected in the event of a rollover and the owner is unlikely to ever notice the issue.
NHTSA complaint #11652791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car is a hard top convertible. When I drive with the top down for a prolonged period of time my driver side door unlocks and a warning light that the door is open comes up on the dashboard. The door doesn't swing open but has loosened and you can feel it rattle. This only happens with the top down, never when the top is up. I have to generally slow down/pull over and then open and slam my door shut. It can be very scary when driving at high speeds. It seems to be happening more and more frequently these days.
NHTSA complaint #11596603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
About 6 months ago I was driving at night and my left headlight went out and about 3 minutes later my other headlight went out? I had to pull over there and wait till day light. When I got home I took the headlights out to find bare wires on both of them? They were just disintegrated!?!? I called Volvo took find out about a new wire harness and was told I have to buy the whole engine wire assembly, costing over $3000.00. I bought 2 more headlight assemblies online and had the same problem!?!? When I tried to change the bulb the coating on the wire just fell off!?!?!? I have heard in other Volvo Forums other people have had this problem with Volvo's headlight wiring problem!?!? It needs to be recalled before someone gets killed if they haven't already!?!?? I can send pics.
NHTSA complaint #11485970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When top is down, at highway speeds, the driver-side door becomes ajar, interior light comes on and window goes down 1/2 inch. This seems to happen about 20 minutes into the drive. Will happen multiple times on long drives. This only seems to happen when the convertible top is down. Driving at highway speeds and having the door go ajar is not safe. Not sure why Volvo never took this seriously, as its reported by many others on the internet - same exact issue. Reported to Volvo (Leiken Volvo Cars Cleveland), they cannot reproduce and said everything looks correct. Offering to replace the lock mechanism. The issue is easy to reproduce, but just driving with the top down for longer than a 20 minute period.
NHTSA complaint #11437109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2011 Volvo C70. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the driver’s side door ajar warning light was illuminated. The contact opened and closed the driver’s side door multiple times however, the warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,241
NHTSA complaint #11418394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO C70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT FAILURES WHILE STARTING AND DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN WARMER WEATHER, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEIKIN MOTOR COMPANIES (38750 MENTOR AVE #1, WILLOUGHBY, OH 44094), TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11326325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR GOT A LITTLE SLUGGISH AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WENT BLACK I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT SO I NOTICED IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT EVERYTHING ON THE DASH THAT WAS ILLUMINATED LOST LIGHT AND THE CAR STALLED AND THEN SPUTTER AND STALL IT JUST WAS NO LONGER RUNNING PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD PUT IT IN PARK TURN THE KEY OFF WAITED ABOUT 2 MINUTES TURN THE KEY BACK ON TO SEE IF I HAD LIGHTS BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND I HAD LIGHTS AND THEN I TRIED AGAIN THE IGNITION AND IT STARTED SUPER RANDOM THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE I HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH NEEDING A JUMP LEADING UP TO THIS BUT I HAVE A BRAND NEW BATTERY AND I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THAT PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #11278377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2007 C70 STOPPED READING BOTH OF MY KEY FOBS AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS AT WALMART AND WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR IT SAID KEY ERROR TRY AGAIN. SO I TRIED AND I TRIED. NOTHING. I CALLED MY ROOMMATE WHO CAME WITH MY OTHER KEY ABOUT 1 HOUR LATER. IT WAS ABOUT 1:30 AM BY THIS TIME. THE OTHER KEY DIDN'T WORK EITHER. ALSO KEY ERROR. MY TOP IS OPEN AND I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO LEAVE MY CAR EXPOSED OVER NIGHT. I GO BACK 9 HOURS LATER TO TRY AND START THE CAR AGAIN. NOTHING AGAIN. THIS TIME THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE, AND THE TOP IS STILL DOWN . AND NEITHER KEY WORKS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT THEY CAN ALLOW A KEY TO BE ERASED. IT IS VERY UNSAFE. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SITUATION IN THE PARKING LOT WHERE I NEEDED TO LEAVE AND WASN'T ABLE TO LEAVE. MY LIFE COULD HAVE BEEN AT JEOPARDY.
NHTSA complaint #11257206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH THE TOP DOWN, THE "DOOR OPEN" WARNING AND INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AND THE DOOR OPENS SLIGHTLY AJAR. CAN BE EITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE. LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. DOORS ARE SECURELY CLOSED BEFOREHAND. HAVING RESEARCHED THIS EXTENSIVELY, I KNOW IT IS ALSO AN ISSUE FOR OTHER VOLVO OWNERS. I HAVE TRIED TO LUBE THE DOOR LATCHES AS SOME HAVE SUGGESTED, BUT THIS DOES NOT WORK. VOLVO AND THEIR DEALERS HAVE STATED THEY HAVE "NEVER HEARD" OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE, MUCH TO MY FRUSTRATION. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. A CAR DOOR SHOULD NOT POP OPEN WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED LET ALONE ON A HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11217325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO C70. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE OIL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES BETWEEN FEBRUARY OF 2011 AND SEPTEMBER OF 2018. DURING THE FIRST FAILURE, THE THROTTLE BODY AND INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014. DYER & DYER VOLVO CARS (5260 PEACHTREE BLVD, CHAMBLEE, GEORGIA 30341, (770) 452-0077) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND PROVIDED A [RDAR] UPGRADE. IN JUNE OF 2016, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. NORTH POINT VOLVO (1570 MANSELL RD, ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA 30009, (678) 365-0644) REPLACED THE CENTRAL ELECTRIC MODULE. IN OCTOBER OF 2017, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED BY NORTH POINT VOLVO; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED IN APRIL OF 2018. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VOLVO OF COLUMBUS (1661 WHITTLESEY RD, COLUMBUS, GA 31904, (706) 322-9927) AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN PROMPTED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018 AND THE SENSOR CABLE (RPM TRANSMISSION CABLE) WAS REPLACED BY NORTH POINT VOLVO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
NHTSA complaint #11139197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, PASSENGER DOOR SUDDENLY COMES UNLATCHED. DOORS ARE AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED WHEN DRIVING. THE INFORMATION SYSTEM REPORTS A DOOR OPEN, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF WITH THE DOOR VIBRATING BY THE WIND AT 70 MPH. ALSO, THE WINDOW STARTS GOING UP AND DOWN ABOUT A HALF INCH LIKE IT WOULD NORMALLY FUNCTION WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED FOR CLEARANCE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A ROAD TRIP, AND WAS IN A PLACE WHERE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, THE DOOR, AFTER CLOSING, APPEARS TO SHUT PROPERLY, AND THE LOCK SEEMS TO FUNCTION. THEN, WHEN THERE IS A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD, THE DOOR BECOMES UNLATCHED AGAIN. THIS IS VERY SCARY TO HAVE THE DOOR COME UNLATCHED FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THERE WAS NOT A PASSENGER ON THIS TRIP, SO IT WAS NOT ACCIDENTALLY OPENED. THERE WAS A SMALL DOG WITH ME, AND SHE WAS TERRIFIED BY THE NOISE, AND THE WINDOW MOVEMENT. I WAS TERRIFIED THAT MY DOG WOULD GO OUT THE OPEN DOOR. THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS, SO IT IS NOT A RARE OCCURRENCE. VOLVO SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO REPAIR THE DOORS TO PREVENT THEM FROM OPENING UNEXPECTEDLY. REFERENCE NHTSA ID NUMBERS 10680779 AND 10616590
NHTSA complaint #11093832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SIRIUS RADIO HAS EXCLUSIVE AND UNDISCLOSED RIGHTS TO CONTINUOUSLY UPDATE THEIR SOFTWARE IN YOUR VOLVO VEHICLE WHETHER THE CAR IS TURNED ON OR TURNED OFF. BECAUSE OF A SOFTWARE/HARDWARE PROBLEM IN SEVERAL SIRIUS COMPONENTS INSTALLED IN VOLVO VEHICLES, THE UPDATE RESULTS IN AN ENDLESS LOOP WHICH UTILIZES YOUR BATTERY AND DRAINS IT TO THE POINT WHERE THE BATTERY IS DAMAGED, CAN NOT BE RECHARGED AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS CONDITIONS AND EXTREME INCONVENIENCE WHEN UPON RETURNING TO YOUR VEHICLE YOU FIND THAT THE BATTERY IS DEAD/FULLY DISCHARGED AND YOUR CAR WILL NOT START. BOTH SIRIUS AND VOLVO ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, YET NEITHER HAS ISSUED A RECALL OR NOTIFIED THEIR OWNERS AND CUSTOMERS. VOLVO AND SIRIUS RADIO ARE UNDER AN EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT TO EMBED SIRIUS RECEIVERS IN ALL VOLVO VEHICLES WHETHER THE BUYER AND SUBSEQUENT OWNERS WISH TO HAVE THE SIRIUS COMPONENTS. VOLVO SERVICE SHOPS WILL NOT REMOVE THE SIRIUS COMPONENTS OR OTHERWISE DEACTIVATE IT EVEN IF THE OWNER WISHES THEM TO DO SO. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED AND DISCLOSED TO THE NHTSA, YET VOLVO SERVICE SHOPS ARE FULLY AWARE OF THIS MATTER AND WILL REPLACE YOUR SIRIUS COMPONENT AND REPLACE THE BATTERY WHEN THEY ARE CONFRONTED. IT TOOK ME 4 SERVICE VISITS TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10746224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY BOULEVARD ,THE ABOVE VEHICLE, SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND QUIT RUNNING. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BATTERY I SAW THAT IT HAD BEEN SEVERELY OVERHEATED AND THE CABLES WERE WELDED TO THE BATTERY POST. THE VEHICLE REPAIR MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLVO VEHICLES. THE BATTERY NEAR THE END OF ITS USE , DRAWS LOW AMPS, THE ALTERNATOR (WHICH HAVE A DESIGN FLAW) OVERCOMPENSATE AMPERAGE TO THE BATTERY WHICH RESULTS IN A FIRE. I CONTACTED VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE, WHILE CHECKING ON THE INTERNET I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS OCCURRENCE. THE MECHANIC ( +A VOLVO REPAIR, COVINA, CA) SAID HE HAS REPLACED SEVERAL OF THESE ALTERNATORS WITHIN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I BELIEVE EVENTUALLY SOMEONE WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED IF AN EXPLOSION OCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #10683860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING EITHER THE PASSENGER DOOR OR THE DRIVER DOOR SUDDENLY BECOMES UNLATCHED EVEN WHEN LOCKED AND THE INFORMATION MESSAGE SYSTEM COMES ON SAYING PASSENGER (OR DRIVER) DOOR IS OPEN AND CABIN LIGHTS COME ON. I AM REQUIRED TO PULL OVER AND RESECURE DOORS. THIS ISSUE HAS ESCALATED TO A NEARLY DAILY OCCURRENCE. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE FIXED BY A RECALL AS DOORS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO AUTOMATICALLY COME OPEN ON A 7 YEAR OLD CAR THAT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE MADE AN APPT WITH THE HERB GORDON VOLVO DEALER IN SILVER SPRING MD FOR AN ASSESSMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10680779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DASH WARNING LIGHT INDICATING OPEN DRIVERS DOOR CAME ON. PULLED TO SHOULDER TO CHECK. APPLIED BRAKES AND DOOR CAME OPEN. PREVIOUSLY LIGHT CAME ON, OPENED AND CLOSED DOOR AND LIGHT WENT OUT. WHEN DRIVERS DOOR CAME OPEN, THE RETRACTABLE TOP WAS OPEN COMPLETELY.
NHTSA complaint #10616590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR REDUCED THE SPEED AND NOW IT STOPPED RUNNING BECAUSE THE ETM IS NOT WORKING. I CONTACTED VOLVO AND THEY SAID THAT THE WARRANTY IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN OVER 10 YEARS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A PREVIOUS OWNER IN OCTOBER 2013 AND THEREFORE I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY APPROXIMATELY $900 TO FIX IT. THEY SAID THE WARRANTY STARTED FROM THE DAY THE FIRST CAR WAS BOUGHT WHICH WAS AUGUST 25, 1999 BUT IN MY OPINION IT SHOULD BE FROM THE FIRST TIME THERE WAS A PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED WITH THE ETM THAT CAUSED VOLVO TO RECALL AND BUY THE CARS BACK. VOLVO MADE APPROXIMATELY 300,000 CARS AND REPAIRED AND BOUGHT BACK AROUND 165,000 CARS. THIS MEANS THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE ENCOUNTERING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY VOLVO THAT THE CAR I CURRENTLY OWN THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED IN NORTH CAROLINA. AS I SEE IT THEY NEGLECTED TO CHANGE THE THROTTLE IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THIS CAR CAN CAUSE MY FAMILY TO GET IN A CAR ACCIDENT. THE REGIONAL MANAGER INDICATED THAT THE CAR COULD NOT BE FIXED AND THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE LABOR AND THE PARTS. THEY ARE OFFERING TO GIVE ME A DISCOUNT ON THE REPAIRS BUT I FEEL THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF A PROBLEM THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE DISCOUNTS FOR LABOR AND PARTS INDICATE THAT VOLVO UNDERSTAND THE SAFETY CONCERNS AND THE PROBLEMS OF THE CAR BUT ALSO THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. I ASK TO SPEAK TO THE REGIONAL MANAGER AND I WAS TOLD BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT I WAS NOT ALLOWED. I LEFT A MESSAGE TO HIM TO SEE IF WE CAN RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10610765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR LOSES POWER, SHUTS OFF, AND/OR WON'T ACCELERATE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS WITHOUT WARNING. VOLVO HAS DETERMINED THE ETM'S IN THESE MODELS TO BE DEFECTIVE BUT CONTINUE TO BE ALLOWED TO NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR WORKMANSHIP. THEY HAVE NOT HAD TO TAKE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACCIDENTS, INCIDENTS CAUSED BY THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE CONSUMER WHO HAS BOUGHT THE CARS, TRUSTING THE VOLVO NAMES IS BEING MADE TO PAY FOR TRUSTING THEM. THE PUT ALL OF THESE RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE TO KEEP FROM FIXING WHAT THEY. MESSED UP INITIALLY. THEY JUST WANT TO REPLACE SOFTWARE, IF YOUR CAR BREAKS IN TIME AND YOU KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL. WE, THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE FORCED TO TAKE MONETARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PARTS, WORK, OR THE INCONVENIENCE TO FIX THIS ISSUE. WE LIKE OUR CARS AND THAT SHOULD NOT BE USED AGAINST US. WE HAVEN'T EVEN ADDRESSED THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEATHS AND ACCIDENTS CONNECTED WITH THIS DEFECT, LIKE CHEVROLET.
NHTSA complaint #10606602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE KEY WON'T TURN FOR THE IGNITION. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE DEALERSHIP BUT VOLVO WON'T RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM. THE COST TO FIX THIS AT THE DEALERSHIP IS APPROX 800 DOLLARS. MY FEAR IS THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL LEAVE U STRANDED AND MORE IMPORTANTLY I FEAR THIS WILL PROGRESS AND LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10473005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE START THEN DIE OR JUST CRANK AND NO START. AT THE TIME PROBLEM THOUGHT TO BE FUEL PUMP RELAY. IMMOBILIZER WAS CHECKED BUT NOTHING DONE. IMMOBILIZER CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM (AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED); KEYS HAVE BEEN REPLACED/RECODED, IMMOBILIZER CONTROL MODULE FOUND FAULTY AND REPLACED, ANTENNA RING FOUND FAULTY AND REPLACED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRING; IT JUST WILL NOT START WHEN THE KEY IS PUT INTO THE IGNITION (COULD BE DAY OR NIGHT - YOU ARE JUST STUCK!) RECENTLY, ON 7-16-2012 THE VEHICLE REPEATED THIS ACTION THREE (3) TIMES ON THE SAME DAY. IN THE LAST TWO (2) MONTHS I HAVE RECORDED NOT LESS THAN TEN (10) INCIDENTS. HAD I CALLED FOR A ROAD ASSIST EACH TIME I WOULD NOT HAVE ANY MORE AVAILABLE CALLS. FOR SOME REASON THE TRANSMITTER AND RECEIVER (TRANSPONDER) ARE NOT IN SYNCH (ANTI-THEFT DEVICE IS OVERDOING ITS JOB). VOLVO.COM WAS CONTACTED BUT SO FAR HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO ADDRESS THIS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT AND A PRICEY ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10466981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.