Reliable Auto DB

2012 Volvo C70 reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Volvo C70 over 15 years — 0 per year. That is more complaints per year than the 2013 C70 (0), the only other year on this site. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Labels.

2012 Volvo C70
Photo by Michael Sheehan, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0
Complaints

23

Per year

0

Recalls

1

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Structure (8 of 23), then Powertrain (2) and Suspension (2).

Next to 2013

The 2013 C70 has 11 complaints, 0 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Volvo C70. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall Labels 2011-10-18 · NHTSA campaign 11V508000
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.
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.

Complaints by component (23 total)

Structure
8
Powertrain
2
Suspension
2
Wheels
2
Electrical system
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Seat belts
1
Service brakes
1
Crash-flagged

0

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

12014220151201812019620206202112022120243202512026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Door unlocking while driving"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-05-27
  • "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"
    Structure · filed 2025-08-18
  • "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.…"
    Latches, locks, and linkages · filed 2025-07-07
  • "The car developed an electronic communication issue that would cause random failure messages for the ABS, anti-skid system, transmission control and a "brake failure" message that would put the car into limp mode even…"
    Powertrain, Electrical system, Service brakes · filed 2025-04-04
  • "There is a know defect with the chassis used for several Volvo car models. My car is a Volvo C70, year 2012. My car is affected by this defect. The defect wasn't disclosed to me at time of sale. I only learned about it…"
    Suspension, Structure, Wheels · filed 2024-01-03

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 Volvo C70 C FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
C70 front-wheel drive 2.5L, 5-cyl Automatic (5-speed) Front-wheel drive 18 28 21 MPG $3100

Specs and fitment

Second generation (final years), 2012–2013
Body styles Convertible
Oil 0W-30 or 5W-30 (engine-dependent) , 6.1 qt capacity
Tire size 235/45R17, 235/40R18

Known issues for this generation

Recall 11V-508 covers certain 2006-2012 C70 vehicles (also certain 2011-2012 S60) equipped with an optional accessory spare-tire kit: the tire information label may not match FMVSS 110 requirements for that kit, which can lead to improper inflation; dealers inspect and install the correct label.

Compare

Next year 2013 Volvo C70 See every Volvo C70 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Volvo C70 reliable?

Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Volvo C70 over 15 years — 0 per year. That is more complaints per year than the 2013 C70 (0), the only other year on this site. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Labels.

What are common problems with a 2012 Volvo C70?

The complaints owners file most often name Structure (8 of 23), then Powertrain (2) and Suspension (2).

Is the 2012 Volvo C70 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 C70 has 11 complaints, 0 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Volvo C70 been recalled?

The 2012 Volvo C70 has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Volvo C70?

Owners have filed 23 complaints about the 2012 Volvo C70 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Volvo C70 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Volvo C70 is 21 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a US Volvo C70 use?

0W-30 or 5W-30 (engine-dependent) With filter, about 6.1 qt is commonly listed for this generation—confirm in the owner manual.

What tire sizes fit a US Volvo C70?

Published US specs commonly list front 235/45R17, 235/40R18 and rear 235/45R17, 235/40R18; confirm on the door jamb placard for your trim.

What NHTSA recalls affect the US Volvo C70?

Recall 11V-508 covers certain 2006-2012 C70 vehicles (also certain 2011-2012 S60) equipped with an optional accessory spare-tire kit: the tire information label may not match FMVSS 110 requirements for that kit, which can lead to improper inflation; dealers inspect and install the correct label.