2008 Volvo C70: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 22 owner complaints on record; most reports concern structure; the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I believe the brake line are running along the firewall caught on fire I'm not sure if it was a brake line but it was a fire and it is at the dealer now I have not heard back from them”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2025
“This vehicle is the C70 convertible. When driving and hitting a speed bump or a pothole, both the driver and passenger doors pop open from a fully closed state to a partially open state. The doors do NOT fully disengage but in the partially closed state the doors rattle and shake. When this happens, the "door open" warning light appears on the dashboard, and you need to fully open the door and then re-close it. On a standard trip of 25 miles, this occurs no less than 6 times. So this is an ongoing everyday situation. It is a bit disconcerting to be in the car and hear that first door pop and feel the door shake and rattle.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2024
“VEHICLE 2008 VOLVO C70 HARDTOP CONVERTIBLE. Doors randomly unlatch/open while the vehicle is in motion. This occurs on both the drivers side and passengers side doors during vehicle operation in drive. It has occurred numerous times while driving on straight flat non bump roads and in roundabouts, while cornering. It is a serious safety issue. It occurs when the top is up and when the top is down.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“The "passenger side door open" indicator suddenly showed on the dash while driving approximately 50MPH. As I slowed down , I asked my wife that was in the passenger seat to make sure her door was properly shut. The door opened right up without unlatching, she then promptly shut it and made sure it was secure. About 45 minutes later the same thing happened again. After investigating, I found this is a common issue with certain Volvo models. recalled for some models, not recalled for my model.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2021
“Right front door unlatches when I go around a corner while driving intermittently. It has not opened all the way yet but I am certain it was fully closed and latched before the car was in motion. I have heard of other people experiencing the same thing.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2020
“The passenger door has, on at least ten occasions, partially opened while the car was moving . It opened in the first phase like it is when not fully closed. My mechanic says the latch is bad and will at some point open all the way. Volvo does. Or seem anxious to address the problem. When the volvo dealership repair was told of the problem on at least two,occasions, they said there was no problem.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2020
“My 2008 volvoc70 passenger door opens while driving on highways. Was operating at 65 mph. Purchased car used september 1999. Happened once before, but thought I didnt lock this is definitely a safety issue.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2020
“The "door open" warning and interior lights come on and the door slumps slightly ajar (even the window drops like when you open the door). This happens only with the top down, driving at highway speeds. Can be either driver or passenger side. Locked or unlocked. Doors are securely closed beforehand”Owner report · Structure · May 2019
“While driving at approximately 30 miles an hour over the rail road tracks at the crescent cutoff highway, my right front wheel entered a pot hole causing the right front air bag warning light to turn on, the check engine light to turn on and the message to appear "srs service needed urgent." at the dealer in bend, or they estimate the cost of repair at $1,464. "needs right front airbag". From a pot hole at a railroad crossing? This can't be as the car has less than 18,000 miles on it. Will this happen again? Can I have confidence in the left front airbag?”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2018
“The passenger door randomly opens sometimes when the car is being driven. This seems to occur every couple of weeks, sometimes at highway speeds, sometimes at speeds around 30mph”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
VOLVO IS RECALLING MY 2008-2009 VEHICLES. A SECTION OF THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE WAS NOT PROPERLY VULCANIZED (CURED) AND DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE FAILS, A SUDDEN RUPTURE OF THE HOSE CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact C70 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Volvo C70 reliable?
NHTSA has 22 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Volvo C70. The most complained-about area is structure.
Does the 2008 Volvo C70 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.