2011 Volvo C70 problems
The Volvo C70 is a two-door, four-passenger sports GT manufactured and marketed by Volvo Cars from 1996 to 2013 across two generations.
The first generation (1996–2005) was available as both a coupé (1996–2002) and softtop convertible (1997–2005). The second generation (2006–2013) was available as a retractable hardtop convertible.
First generation (1996–2005)
Volvo debuted the first generation C70 at the 1996 Paris Motor Show, and introduced it in Europe as a 1997 model, and a year later as a 1998 model in North America — with 2.0 (sold mostly in Italy), a low-pressure turbo (2.4L) and a high-pressure turbo (2.0L and 2.3L), 5-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engines and manual and automatic transmissions. Ian Callum designed the exterior and Mexican designer Jose Diaz de la Vega led the interior design team.
The C70 broke Volvo's decades-long styling tradition of boxy, rectilinear designs and was Volvo's first luxury coupe since the 780. According to a tongue-in-check remark made by Peter Horbury, Volvo's design chief from 1991 to 2002, with the C70, Volvo "kept the toy, and threw away the box!" "Our vision was to design a convertible that would meet the needs of a family of four looking for comfortable blue-sky motoring in a vehicle also providing stylish looks, performance and faultless driving and road-holding."
In a development program of 30 months and working with a Volvo 850-derived platform, Britain’s TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing) co-designed the car's basic design and suspension tuning with Volvo. Manufacture of the C70 was a joint venture until the two companies experienced disputes that threatened to interrupt production; TWR did not contribute to the second generation C70.
Volvo's first modern convertible, the C70 was manufactured in Uddevalla, Sweden on an assembly line separate from the 70-series sedan and station wagon. The four-passenger convertible featured an electrically heated glass rear window; automatic (pop-up) rollover hoops system, marketed as ROPS; seat belt pre-tensioners; A-pillars reinforced with boron steel; front and side airbags; and a safety cage — a horseshoe-like structure around the passenger compartment.
The cloth convertible top, initially available in four colors, was fully automatic, operated by a single, dashboard-mounted control. The top stored automatically under an integral rigid tonneau cover, using a system pioneered in modern convertibles with the fourth generation Mercedes SL.
The C70 convertible exhibited two negative traits endemic to convertibles: poor rear visibility and pronounced scuttle shake, a characteristic where the structural design of the bulkhead between the engine and passenger compartments of a convertible suffers sufficiently poor rigidity to negatively impact ride and handling — and allow noticeable vibration, shudder or chassis-flexing into the passenger compartment.
Early special editions featured two-tone leather interior with wood trim and a SC-901 (1998) Dolby Pro Logic I stereo with 3-disc integrated changer unit (via a cartridge) 400 watts of power and 11 high end Dynaudio speakers.
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Common 2011 Volvo C70 problems
Based on the information gathered from various sources, here is a list of common problems with the 2011 Volvo C70 reported by owners:
- Convertible Tops Issues:
- Owners have reported problems with the convertible tops, specifically related to micro-switches and potentiometers. These issues can lead to malfunctions in the operation of the convertible roof.
- Brittle Cabin Trim:
- The Volvo C70 has been noted to have brittle cabin trim, particularly around the center console and armrest area. This can result in interior components becoming fragile and prone to damage.
- Electrical Failures:
- Another common problem reported by owners is complete electrical failure in the vehicle. This issue can lead to various electrical components malfunctioning or not working properly.
- Folding Roof Concerns:
- The folding roof mechanism in the C70 can be problematic, with owners experiencing squeaks, rattles, and jamming issues. These problems can range from minor annoyances to significant operational challenges.
- Ride Quality with 18-inch Alloys:
- Owners have highlighted that the 18-inch alloy wheels, standard on SE Lux models, can negatively impact the ride quality of the vehicle. Opting for cars with 17-inch wheels might provide a more comfortable driving experience.
These common problems with the 2011 Volvo C70, as reported by owners, encompass issues related to the convertible top operation, interior trim quality, electrical system reliability, folding roof functionality, and the impact of wheel size on ride comfort.
2011 Volvo C70 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volvo C70 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Structure problems
- Electrical system problems
- Air bags problems
- Engine problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2011 Volvo C70 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2011 Volvo C70 complaints
The NHTSA has received 12 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2011 Volvo C70.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-30
- Number Of Deaths: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: YV1672MCXBJ
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-02-13
- VIN: YV1672MCXBJ
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-05-22
- VIN: YV1672MC6BJ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-08-19
- VIN: YV1672MC0BJ
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: DOOR OPENS WHILE DRIVING
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-06-12
- VIN: YV1672MC3BJ
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR POPPED OPEN. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS DOWN WHEN THIS HAPPENED. WE WERE DRIVING ABOUT 65MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. *TR
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-05-02
- VIN: YV1672MC6BJ
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: WARNING LIGHT IS ON FOR AIR BAGS SRS AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT. *TR
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-02-11
- VIN: YV1672MC5BJ
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: 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.
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-07-03
- VIN: YV1672MC9BJ
- Components: STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: THIS CAR IS A CONVERTIBLE. WHEN THE TOP IS DOWN AND I HIT A BUMP, THE DRIVER DOOR POPS OPEN, DOOR AJAR MESSAGE APPEARS, AND DOME LIGHTS COME ON. LIKE THE PREVIOUS DRIVER COMPLAINT, I AM FORCED TO PULL OVER TO RE-CLOSE THE DOOR. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER BACK IN 2012. WE LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY ACTIVE RECALLS. NONE THEN AND NONE CURRENTLY. SINCE THEN, THE DOOR POPS OPEN 50% OF THE TIME WHEN THE TOP IS DOWN. THE CAR HAS NEVER HAD STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO IT. THE LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP RECOMMENDED I POST TO THIS SITE. I AGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS POST: "THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THE VOLVO FORUMS" SUGGESTING A SYSTEMIC ISSUE. HTTP://VOLVOFORUMS.COM/FORUM/VOLVO-C70-14/C70-DOOR-UNLOCKS-OPENS-ITSELF-WHILE-DRIVING-83545/ HTTP://VOLVOFORUMS.COM/FORUM/VOLVO-XC90-9/DOOR-OPENS-WHILE-DRIVING-TWICE-66826/
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-02-22
- VIN: YV1672MC5BJ
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: DRIVING ON A HOUSTON HWY 1960 WEST I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AND COULD ONLY STOP THE CAR BY REPEATED BRAKE PUMPING AS A STEADY PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL HAD THE PEDAL GO TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS A JUST BRAKE STORE VERY CLOSE SO I TOOK IT THERE AS I WAS STILL OVER 40 MILES FROM A DEALER OR HOME. THEY CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID AND IT WAS EMPTY AND IN TRYING TO ADD FLUID WE SAW IT RUNNING OUT THE BACK WHEEL ONTO THE GROUND. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL, PASSENGER SIDE HAD A BRAKE CALLIPER LEAKING THAT DRAINED THE SYSTEM. WITH ONLY 34,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE THIS APPEARS TO BE A FAULTY PART. THE PART REPLACEMENT HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND ARE THE REST OF THESE PARTS ON MY CAR AND ALL OTHER SIMILAR CARS A POTENTIAL SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAZARD?
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-06-17
- VIN: YV1672MC5BJ
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: 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. E.G.: HTTP://VOLVOFORUMS.COM/FORUM/VOLVO-C70-14/C70-DOOR-UNLOCKS-OPENS-ITSELF-WHILE-DRIVING-83545/ HTTP://VOLVOFORUMS.COM/FORUM/VOLVO-XC90-9/DOOR-OPENS-WHILE-DRIVING-TWICE-66826/
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-06-10
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE
- Summary: 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.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-10-17
- VIN: YV1672MC4BJ
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: PIRELLI FOUR SEASONS 235/40 R 18 TIRE FAILURE (BLOWOUT) ON 2011 VOLVO C70 PURCHASED NEW FROM DEVOE VOLVO, 28470 TAMIAMI TRAIL SOUTH, BONITA SPRINGS, FL 34134 ON 03/13/2010. INCIDENT OCCURRED ON US ROUTE 41 SOUTH IN FT. MYERS FLORIDA. HIGHWAY WAS DRY AND IN GOOD PAVED CONDITION WITH NO OBSTRUCTIONS. SPEED WAS 35 MILES PER HOUR. MILEAGE ON AUTOMOBILE WAS 2,767. TIRE FAILURE (SEPARATION OF SIDEWALL) WAS APPROXIMATELY 30%. FAILED TIRE IS IN POSSESSION OF OWNER AND AVAILABLE. *TR
2011 Volvo C70 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2011 Volvo C70.
- Manufacturer: VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
- Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
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