Volvo C30 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 49 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file for the Volvo C30, across 7 model years (2007–2013). The 2011 model year has the most complaints (14). The most reported problem area overall is visibility/wiper.
Volvo C30 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical C30 year: 2011. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2011 C30: 14 complaints, 1 recall
- 2012 C30: 10 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2008 C30: 8 complaints, 2 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Volvo C30 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 15 | 4 | 1 |
| Suspension | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Engine | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Power Train | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Tires | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Volvo C30 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 C30 | 4 | 0 | — | Visibility/wiper | |
| 2012 C30 | 10 | 0 | — | Vehicle Speed Control | More complaints than other years |
| 2011 C30 | 14 | 1 | — | Visibility/wiper | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2010 C30 | 6 | 2 | — | Visibility/wiper | |
| 2009 C30 | 6 | 2 | — | Power Train | |
| 2008 C30 | 8 | 2 | — | Suspension | |
| 2007 C30 | 1 | 2 | — | Power Train |
More from Volvo: all Volvo models · Volvo VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo C30 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2011 (14) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical C30 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Volvo C30?
Visibility/wiper, with 15 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Volvo C30 have?
4 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.