2013 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 2013 Volvo C70 problems
Common problems with the Volvo C70 2013, based on complaints from owners of this car, include issues with the convertible top, squeaks and rattles, electrical problems, brittle cabin trim, and suspension issues.
- Squeaks and Rattles: Another common issue reported by Volvo C70 2013 owners is the presence of squeaks and rattles in the car's interior. These problems can range in severity from minor irritations to major annoyances. Dealers can fix the issue, but it may require more than one visit to resolve.
- Electrical Problems: Some Volvo C70 2013 owners have reported electrical problems with their cars. These problems can include complete electrical failure, which can be a major issue for drivers.
- Brittle Cabin Trim: Another common problem reported by Volvo C70 2013 owners is the presence of brittle cabin trim, particularly around the center console and armrest area. This can be a cosmetic issue, but it can also lead to more serious problems if the trim becomes damaged or broken.
- Suspension Issues: Some Volvo C70 2013 owners have reported suspension issues with their cars. These problems can include a lack of body rigidity, which can make the car feel unstable or difficult to control, particularly when driving over rough or uneven roads .
These are just a few of the common problems reported by Volvo C70 2013 owners. It's important to note that not all cars of this model will experience these issues, and many owners have reported positive experiences with their C70s. However, these problems are worth considering when purchasing a used Volvo C70 2013, and potential buyers should be aware of them before making a decision.
2013 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
- Unknown or other problems
- Engine problems
- Suspension problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2013 Volvo C70 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2013 Volvo C70 complaints
The NHTSA has received 11 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2013 Volvo C70.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-19
- VIN: YV1672MCXDJ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-19
- VIN: YV1672MC3DJ
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: This is not a singular incident; it has been persistent for five or so years at this point. Quite frequently, when I am driving with the top down for at least 20 minutes, one of the doors unlatches (a couple of weeks ago, this actually occurred six times in one hour or so trip, though such frequency is unusual). For the first year or so this occurred, it was only the driver's door, but then it started happening with both doors (though still more frequently the driver's door). To be clear, it unlatches -- it never has swung open, even if pressure is applied to it. Still, this is jarring when it occurs (all the more so at highway speeds), and I am left to wonder if at some point it will "graduate" to full door opening. I am also especially concerned given that I have a child with a driving learner's permit. I mentioned this in passing to a Volvo dealer service agent a couple of years ago, and he professed to be unaware of it and suggested I would need to bring it in for diagnosis etc. which I have not done. However, having been on the NHTSA site today and seen other complaints about this with this year, make, and model, I felt I should add my experiences to the record. And of course, given those observations, I would like to get it addressed without my having to incur the cost of doing so.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-05-24
- VIN: YV1672MC5DJ
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Volvo C70. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's and passenger's side front doors inadvertently opened. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the driver's and passenger's side front doors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,900.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-04-24
- VIN: YV1672MC1DJ
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: Within the last 6 months, (fall 2021 – spring 2022), one of the doors in my car has opened multiple times by itself, while I was driving the car. The door was closed properly when I started driving and I did not accidently pull on the door handle. This occurred so far only with the driver side door, while the top was down, (the car is a convertible), and while driving at highway or close to highway speed. Last time the door opened and closed multiple times, before I had a chance to pull over and close it. I noticed the door opening and closing as the interior light came on and off and window lowered down and went up several times, which occurs while the door is being opened. This leads to a dangerous and unpredictable situation.
SUSPENSION,WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-04-24
- VIN: YV1672MC1DJ
- Components: SUSPENSION,WHEELS
- Summary: I noticed that driving with the top down (the car is a convertible) leads to premature and uneven tire wear. Subsequently the tires generate a lot of road noise and vibration, which is felt through the steering wheel. At 62000 miles I brought the situation to the attention of Volvo service and as a result they made some repairs / changes / updates to the rear suspension, (at my cost of over $2000). At that time I also purchased four new tires. At this point the car has around 72000 miles and the issue has come back (noise / vibration). It appears that the car has a design issue, which prohibits driving it with the top open, even though that is the main purpose of the car as a convertible.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-10-18
- VIN: YV1672MC4DJ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
- Summary: 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.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-12-18
- VIN: YV1672MC7DJ
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: AFTER DRIVING AND I HAD PARK MY CAR DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. I HIT THE UNLOCK BUTTON BUT I COULD NOT OPEN DOORS. I ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOW AND TRIED TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE BUT DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. I CONTINUE TO HIT THE UNLOCK BUTTON BUT WOULDN'T OPEN. I CLIMB OUT THE WINDOW AND TRIED TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE STILL WOULD NOT OPEN. SO I CLIMB BACK INSIDE THROUGH THE WINDOW AND DROVE CAR HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME AND I HIT THE UNLOCK BUTTON I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT. THIS HAS HAPPEN A FEW TIMES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM BUT THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG G WITH THE CAR. THIS IS AN NCONVENIENCE BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPEN WAS DECEMBER 18 2020. I DECIDED TO LOOK UP THIS ISSUE TO SEE IF OTHER CAR OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND DECIDED TO WRITE A COMPLAINT
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-08-23
- VIN: YV1672MC6DJ
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: I BOUGHT A 2013 VOLVO C70 IN JULY OF 2018 AND BY AUGUST OF 2019 I WAS REPLACING THE ENGINE. I TAKE OWNERSHIP FOR MY OVERSIGHT IN NOT KNOWING TO CHECK THE COOLANT TANK REGULARLY AS THIS IS MY FIRST CAR. IT SEEMS LIKE NEGLIGENCE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THAT MY VOLVO CAN TELL ME THE AMOUNT OF GAS IT HAS, THE MILES IT CAN TRAVEL ON THE AMOUNT OF GAS I HAVE, AND INDICATES I AM LOW ON GAS AFTER THE GAUGE HAS ALREADY ENTERED INTO THE RED. MY CAR CAN ALSO TELL ME WHEN I HAVE LOW TIRE PRESSURE SO I KNOW TO REFILL THEM. WHY ISN'T THERE A LOW COOLANT LIGHT ON MY CAR? ARGUABLY, THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT AND IMPENDING ENGINE OVERHEATING AND FAILURE TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER RUNNING OUT OF GAS OR GETTING A FLAT TIRE. AUGUST 23RD, 2019, MY CAR OVERHEATED DUE TO A LACK OF COOLANT. THE LACK OF COOLANT WAS DUE TO A CRACK IN THE COOLANT TANK. MY CAR NEVER INDICATED TO ME THAT IT WAS IN DISTRESS UNTIL I WAS ON THE 10E TO PICK UP MY BOYFRIEND FROM THE AIRPORT AND MY CAR OVERHEATED. ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE DISPLAY READ "OVERHEATING, PULL OVER SAFELY". I HAD NO IDEA THAT WAS 2 MINUTES BEFORE I WOULD WARP MY ENGINE AND MY CAR COMPLETELY DIED. THERE IS CONSTRUCTION ON THE 10E SO THERE WAS NO SAFE PLACE FOR ME TO PULL OVER. EVERYTHING JUST TURNED OFF, EVEN MY BLINKERS TO NOTIFY THE 18 WHEELER BEHIND ME. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED AS HE PUSHED ME OFF THE ROAD TO THE SHOULDER I WAS TRYING TO GET TO BEFORE THE FAILURE. MAYBE BECAUSE I DO NOT TRAVEL FAR FROM MY HOME FOR WORK HAD MY ENGINE NOT OVERHEATED ON THOSE DRIVES. REGARDLESS, WITH ALL THE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES ON CARS, A LOW COOLANT LIGHT SHOULD BE MANDATORY. ESPECIALLY BECAUSE $5000 LATER (WARRANTY COMPANY WON'T COVER IT), WHAT GOOD WERE MY GAS LIGHT AND GAUGE?
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-06-01
- VIN: YV1672MC7DJ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-06-04
- VIN: YV1672MC2DJ
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING, PERIODICALLY, BOTH DOORS (NOT SIMULTANEOUSLY BUT IT HAS OCCURRED IN BOTH DOORS MULTIPLE TIMES) WILL COME AJAR. MOST OFTEN, THIS OCCURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WHEN A BUMP OCCURS TO SLIGHTLY JOLT THE CAR. THE DOOR DOES NOT COME ALL THE WAY OPEN BUT IT IS CLEARLY AJAR. A WARNING LIGHT COMES ON ON THE DASH AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON. WHILE THE DOOR DOESN'T COME COMPLETELY OPEN, THIS CAUSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS IT DISTRACTS THE DRIVER, CAUSES YOU TO PULL OVER ON A HIGHWAY AND THEN RE-ENTER THAT HIGHWAY FROM THE SHOULDER. I ALWAYS KEEP A HAND ON THE DOOR IN CASE IT SWING COMPLETELY OPEN, WHICH MEANS I ONLY HAVE 1 HAND ON THE WHEEL. IN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE NOTED IT REPORTED BY MULTIPLE PEOPLE ACROSS MULTIPLE MODEL YEARS. IT IS A CONSISTENT AND CONSTANT COMPLAINT WITH THE CAR. IT PRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. I'M SURE THE FIX IS RELATIVELY SIMPLY AND CAN'T BE TOO COSTLY AS THE CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF PRODUCTION FOR SEVERAL YEARS. VOLVO IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT A BRAND THAT ADVERTISES AND EMPHASIZES SAFETY HAS NOT TAKEN ACTION TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. I'M CONFIDENT THAT OUR GOVERNMENT WILL PUT THE SAFETY OF THE CITIZENS FIRST AND FORCE VOLVO'S HAND IN FIXING THE DESIGN FLAW. IN MY AMATEUR OPINION, THE DOOR ON THIS CAR IS HEAVIER THAN MOST AND, WHEN BOUNCED, THE WEIGHT OF THE DOOR OVERPOWERS THE LATCH. THE HAS OCCURRED OVER 20, AND LIKELY OVER 25 TIMES IN THE 20,000 MILES THAT I HAVE OWNED THE CAR (APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS). I USED THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE FOR THE DATE ASKED FOR BELOW ("WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN"). THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.
SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-02-17
- VIN: 4V4NC9EH7DN
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
- Summary: UNIT HAS INTERMITTENT ENGINE/EXHAUST BRAKE MALFUNCTION. THIS IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE ENGINE/ EXHAUST BRAKE TO DISENGAGE WHEN ON A DECLINE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AS RESULT THE VEHICLE PICKS UP A GREAT DEAL OF SPEED AND COULD CAUSE THE OVER USE AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S AIR BRAKE SYSTEM. AS WELL AS THE INABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE (THOUGH APPLICATION OF THE AIR BRAKES AND/OR STEERING) ON A DOWNGRADE. THERE IS NO WARNING PRIOR TO ENGINE/EXHAUST BRAKE FAILURE. THIS ORIGINALLY HAPPENED TO ME WHILE TRAVELING ON EAST BOUND I-80 OVER DONNER PASS SUMMIT HEADING TOWARDS TRUCKEE, CA. AND HAS HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES SINCE THEN. THE LOCAL VOLVO TRUCK DEALERSHIP CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.
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