Most common 2011 Volvo C70 problems
Share of the 13 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo C70 complaints by model year
Best C70 years: 2010, 2002, 2009. Years to avoid: 2000, 1999, 2001, 2012. Compare all years →
2011 Volvo C70 recalls (1)
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.
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.
What 2011 Volvo C70 owners say
Body & structure
The passenger door unlatches after hitting mild bumps in the road. The door does not fully open due to the secondary safety latch but it still represents a dangerous condition especially if a person is sitting in the passenger seat.
This car is a convertible, and when the top is down/open, and I am driving at speeds exceeding 25mph, both the driver and passenger door can spontaneously open. The doors do not fly open, but the "door open" warning light comes on, the interior lights come on, and the window drops slightly as it does when you open the door. Then, I am forced to pull over to re-close the doors. This happens whether or not the doors are locked, and I am confident they are fully secured before this happens. This happens more often on the passenger side than the driver side, but it has happened on both sides. This was reported to Volvo on 6/17/2016, and they indicated that there are no outstanding recalls for this issue. There are many examples of similar problems on the Volvo forums, which suggests a systematic safety issue. …
Electrical system
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
On [redacted], my son was driving a 2011 Volvo C70 T5 convertible involved in a fatal crash on [redacted] in [redacted]. The crash involved substantial passenger-side damage and rollover. The rollover protection bars deployed, but the driver's frontal airbag did not deploy. Post-crash photographs show damage and tearing to deployed passenger-side airbags. I am reporting a suspected airbag/restraint-system malfunction and possible inadequate warning. I had not observed an airbag warning light before the crash. Whether a fault existed before impact, whether it should have triggered a warning, and which airbags should have deployed remain UNKNOWN. The vehicle and supplemental restraint system module were inspected on [redacted]. Volvo subsequently obtained the module and downloaded data using proprietary Merkur software. …
Air bags
The contact owns a 2011 Volvo C70. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an unknown rate of speed on the highway, he veered off the road, hit a road sign, and crashed into a bridge wall. The contact's son was pronounced dead on the scene. A police report was filed which documented that only the passenger side air bag had deployed upon impact. The contact's son passed away as a result of hitting his head on both the driver side door and the steering wheel. The road sign was also damaged as a result of the accident. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard after the accident. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was unknown.
On [redacted], my son was driving a 2011 Volvo C70 T5 convertible involved in a fatal crash on [redacted] in [redacted]. The crash involved substantial passenger-side damage and rollover. The rollover protection bars deployed, but the driver's frontal airbag did not deploy. Post-crash photographs show damage and tearing to deployed passenger-side airbags. I am reporting a suspected airbag/restraint-system malfunction and possible inadequate warning. I had not observed an airbag warning light before the crash. Whether a fault existed before impact, whether it should have triggered a warning, and which airbags should have deployed remain UNKNOWN. The vehicle and supplemental restraint system module were inspected on [redacted]. Volvo subsequently obtained the module and downloaded data using proprietary Merkur software. …
2011 Volvo C70 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 28 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Volvo C70 a good car?
Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 C70 rates average: 18% fewer complaints than a typical year of the C70 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Volvo C70?
The body & structure — 5 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the electrical system (4) and air bags (3).
How many recalls does the 2011 Volvo C70 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2011 Volvo C70, the most recent from October 18, 2011 (labels). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volvo C70?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2002 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000, 1999, 2001 and 2012. See the full Volvo C70 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Volvo C70 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 63,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.