2012 Volvo C70: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 23 owner complaints on record; most reports concern structure; the 2011 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 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The drivers side door keeps opening while driving. I see recalls for other volvo models but not mine. This is very concerning when driving on the highway”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2025
“While in transit, the passenger door periodically unlatches on its own. There is a safeguard that prevents the door from completely swinging open when this happens. This problem has not been inspected by a professional. The warning light appears after the door unlatches while in motion. Because I never have a passenger, I am not able to immediately close the door. The last time this happened was at 65 mph on [XXX]. This problem has existed for years. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The cause is unknown, and timing is unpredictable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jun 2025
“door opened on its own while driving. three times this week. door appears locked and warning illumination indicator does not recognize that door is open. door cannot be locked when in this condition but it indicates that it is locked. appears identical to issue in NHTSA campaign 19v849000.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“The doors open when driving, first the passenger door opened about 3 months ago. The warning light comes on and stated that the door is open. The safety on the door keeps it from completely opening but the door is ajar just not completely opened. Last month it happened twice to the drivers door while in drive. I am aware that there is no recall but Volvo recalled 144,937 S60 sedans and V60 wagons from the 2011 through 2017 model years because their doors may open unexpectedly while the car is in motion. I had to pay $2000 to have this flaw fixed when in actuality it should have been a safety recall.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2021
“Drive side door opens unexpectedly while driving. This happens at city and highway speeds. The problem is with the door latch, and seems to be an identical issue that is covered in a recall for the volvo s60 and v60. It should be noted that the c70 is the convertible version of the s60. Since this is a safety issue, the existing recall for the s60 should be extended to the c70.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2020
“When driving and operating the vehicle with the top door the door becomes ajar on the passenger and driver side with a slight bump in the rose.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2020
“We sometimes have difficulty when opening and closing the driver's door. Also, on several occasions when driving a warning light came on indicating the doors were ajar. We were on a highway when it happened. It seems to be related to an issue with the door latch. We were told by the dealer that there was a door latch recall on other volvo vehicles, but not the c70.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2020
“While on highway at highway speed, the driver door moved outward as if it was opening. The open door warning light flashed on the dash. Makes you feel like you're about to fall out of the car. Had to stop and close the door again. Would hate to have this happen while cornering. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2020
“When driving on the highway, the driver window opened slightly and the car displayed a warning light of door open. I had to pull to the shoulder to close and lock the door. On my return trip, I closed and locked the door but after an hour of highway driving, the same thing occurred. I am taking this to the dealer today but wonder if this should be included in the recall of faulty door latches on the s60 and xc60 models. *tr”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2020
“I was driving on the highway tonight going about 50 mph (with the top up) when the passenger side door became ajar. The interior lights came on, the window slightly opened like it does when you normally open the door, and a warning came on saying the door was open. It did not fully open, but was completely unlatched, I had to reach over and hold it shut while driving until I found a safe place to pull over. This has happened multiple other times, too, though this was by far the scariest and could have caused a wreck. I have never had this happen in any other cars I have owned and it seems to be a very dangerous defect, and I see other folks have had similar complaints online,”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2020
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2012 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 2012 Volvo C70 reliable?
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2012 Volvo C70. The most complained-about area is structure.
Does the 2012 Volvo C70 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has 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.