2011 Volvo C30 Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2011 Volvo C30 has 23 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve visibility/wiper and unknown or other.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 23 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
VISIBILITY/WIPER
7 30.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 13%
STRUCTURE:BODY
3 13%
SUSPENSION
2 8.7%
TIRES
2 8.7%
Quick Insights
The top category is VISIBILITY/WIPER, accounting for 30.4% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 10 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2011 Volvo C30
The 2011 Volvo C30 has 23 owner complaints in this dataset. VISIBILITY/WIPER is the most common complaint category, representing about 30% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2011 Volvo C30 are VISIBILITY/WIPER (7), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3), STRUCTURE:BODY (3).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 7 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2011 Volvo C30?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 10 of 10 systems
VISIBILITY/WIPER
7 Reports30% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE CAR DEVELOPED A RATTLE OVER BUMPS WHICH GOT WORSE WITH COLDER WEATHER TO THE POINT WE DETERMINED THE WINDSHIELD IS LOOSE ALMOST THE ENTIRE LENGTH ACROSS THE TOP AND PART WAY DOWN THE RIGHT SIDE. OUR LOCAL AUTO GLASS COMPANY SAYS IT SEEMS TO BE A FACTORY QUALITY CONTROL PROBLEM. UPON DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH IT APPEARS TO BE A SOMEWHAT COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLVOS AND IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PRIMER APPLIED TO THE GLASS POSSIBLY BEING CONTAMINATED AND SEPARATING FROM THE GLASS AND NOT ACTUALLY A PROBLEM WITH THE ADHESIVE WHICH ATTACHES THE WINDSHIELD TO THE CAR. THE VOLVO DEALER SAYS I'M OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REMOVED AND RESET AND THAT IF IT BREAKS DURING REMOVAL A NEW ONE WILL BE AROUND $800.00. I THINK THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND SAFETY CONCERN CAUSED BY LACK OF QUALITY CONTROL AND OTHER PEOPLE IN THE AUTO GLASS INDUSTRY HAVE EXPRESSED THE SAME THOUGHT. CHECK HERE HTTP://BERANEK.AGRRMAG.COM/?S=VOLVO+BOND+FAILURE I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF WINDSHIELDS BECOMING LOOSE ON VEHICLES BEING A COMMON OCCURRENCE. IT ALSO SEEM THAT IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. I WILL HAVE PHOTOS TOMORROW IF I CAN ACCESS THIS REPORT TO ADD THEM.
1/14/2016
THE WINDSHIELD GOT LOOSE. WHEN PRESSING IT FROM THE INSIDE, THE WINDSHIELD MOVES. WHEN THE DOOR CLOSES THAT WINDSHIELD MOVES, OR WITH VIBRATIONS WHILE DRIVING. UNDER HEAVY RAINING, WATER LEAKS INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT A PARKING LOT WHEN WE REALIZE IT WAS LIKE THAT. TAKING WITH OTHER OWNERS, IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE, AND VOLVO IS AWARE. *TR
5/18/2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 Reports13% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I-87, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING ALL ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS AND ACCESSORIES. IT ROLLED TO A STOP AND COULD NOT BE STARTED BY PUSHING (THE CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION).
5/29/2015
THE WINDSHIELDS ON THESE CARS MAZDA 3 AND THE FORD FOCUS ALL SAME PLATFORM ARE KNOWN TO HAVE A BONDING DEFECT WHEN THEY WERE BUILT. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR SAFETY.
3/19/2020
STRUCTURE:BODY
3 Reports13% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AT ABOUT 70MPH, THE SUNROOF OF MY 2011 VOLVO C30 SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OF ANY FAULTS WITH THE SUNROOF SYSTEM AND IT WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION. I WAS NOT DRIVING IN TRAFFIC OR IN THE VICINITY OF LARGE VEHICLES THAT COULD HAVE KICKED UP DEBRIS. I ALSO HAD NOT PASSED UNDER ANY OVERPASSES. FROM MY RESEARCH ONLINE, THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A RECALL ON ANY VOLVO SUNROOFS. THE LOCAL VOLVO DEALER IN SAN DIEGO HAS TOLD ME THAT THE REPAIR WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION. THE OUT OF POCKET REPAIR COSTS ARE ESTIMATED AT $980. IT DOES NOT SEEM THAT THE LOCAL DEALER IS INTERESTED IN INVESTIGATING THIS INCIDENT, BUT THEY DID POINT OUT THAT THEY HAVE SEEN SIMILAR EXPLOSIONS ON OTHER MODEL VOLVO BEFORE.
12/8/2015
THE WINDSHIELDS ON THESE CARS MAZDA 3 AND THE FORD FOCUS ALL SAME PLATFORM ARE KNOWN TO HAVE A BONDING DEFECT WHEN THEY WERE BUILT. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR SAFETY.
3/19/2020
SUSPENSION
2 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
REAR TIRES WORN OUT ON THE INSIDE AFTER 21000 MILES. 1/32 INSIDE AND 5/32 OUTSIDE TREAD DEPTH. UNACCEPTABLE TIRE WEAR AS FRONT TIRES HAVE 4 TO 5/32 TREAD DEPTH ACROSS THE TIRE. NOTE THAT THIS CAR IS ALSO A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE! AUTHORIZED VOLVO DEALER HAS ALIGNED VEHICLE AT LEAST 2 TIMES! ALIGNMENT SAID TO BE WITHIN SPEC BOTH TIMES! I HAVE FACTS SUPPORTING THIS TO BE COMMON OCCURRENCE ON VOLVO C-30 MODELS AS WITNESSED BY OWNERS ON INTERNET FORUMS. EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR BY UNSUSPECTING DRIVER CAN AND WILL LEAD TO UNEXPECTED TIRE BLOW OUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND/OR INJURY OR DEATH. SIMILAR INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED AS POINTED OUT IN THE FORD EXPLORER ACCIDENTS IN THE 1990S! *TR
5/25/2012
TIRES WERE SHAKY WHEN I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW C30 VOLVO. ASKED DEALER TO FIX-SALES MANAGER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG (FT. MEYERS, FL VOLVO). AND HE WOULD TELL VOLVO I WAS CRAZY. TIRES WERE DESTROYED AT 10,000. WENT TO DIFFERENT VOLVO DEALER IN SARASOTA AND ST. PETE-NOTHING IS WRONG. DEALER REPLACED TIRES AT 10,000. CAR STILL SHAKING. NOW I AM ON MY 3RD SET OF TIRES AT 50,000. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH THIS CAR-DO NOT BUY ONE VOLVO WILL NOT FIX. *TR
12/28/2014
TIRES
2 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
REAR TIRES WORN OUT ON THE INSIDE AFTER 21000 MILES. 1/32 INSIDE AND 5/32 OUTSIDE TREAD DEPTH. UNACCEPTABLE TIRE WEAR AS FRONT TIRES HAVE 4 TO 5/32 TREAD DEPTH ACROSS THE TIRE. NOTE THAT THIS CAR IS ALSO A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE! AUTHORIZED VOLVO DEALER HAS ALIGNED VEHICLE AT LEAST 2 TIMES! ALIGNMENT SAID TO BE WITHIN SPEC BOTH TIMES! I HAVE FACTS SUPPORTING THIS TO BE COMMON OCCURRENCE ON VOLVO C-30 MODELS AS WITNESSED BY OWNERS ON INTERNET FORUMS. EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR BY UNSUSPECTING DRIVER CAN AND WILL LEAD TO UNEXPECTED TIRE BLOW OUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND/OR INJURY OR DEATH. SIMILAR INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED AS POINTED OUT IN THE FORD EXPLORER ACCIDENTS IN THE 1990S! *TR
5/25/2012
TIRES WERE SHAKY WHEN I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW C30 VOLVO. ASKED DEALER TO FIX-SALES MANAGER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG (FT. MEYERS, FL VOLVO). AND HE WOULD TELL VOLVO I WAS CRAZY. TIRES WERE DESTROYED AT 10,000. WENT TO DIFFERENT VOLVO DEALER IN SARASOTA AND ST. PETE-NOTHING IS WRONG. DEALER REPLACED TIRES AT 10,000. CAR STILL SHAKING. NOW I AM ON MY 3RD SET OF TIRES AT 50,000. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH THIS CAR-DO NOT BUY ONE VOLVO WILL NOT FIX. *TR
12/28/2014
STEERING
2 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TIRES WERE SHAKY WHEN I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW C30 VOLVO. ASKED DEALER TO FIX-SALES MANAGER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG (FT. MEYERS, FL VOLVO). AND HE WOULD TELL VOLVO I WAS CRAZY. TIRES WERE DESTROYED AT 10,000. WENT TO DIFFERENT VOLVO DEALER IN SARASOTA AND ST. PETE-NOTHING IS WRONG. DEALER REPLACED TIRES AT 10,000. CAR STILL SHAKING. NOW I AM ON MY 3RD SET OF TIRES AT 50,000. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH THIS CAR-DO NOT BUY ONE VOLVO WILL NOT FIX. *TR
12/28/2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 VOLVO C30. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO ROCKO'S AUTO REPAIR OF BLACKWOOD, NEW JERSEY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
7/17/2017
WHEELS
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TIRES WERE SHAKY WHEN I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW C30 VOLVO. ASKED DEALER TO FIX-SALES MANAGER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG (FT. MEYERS, FL VOLVO). AND HE WOULD TELL VOLVO I WAS CRAZY. TIRES WERE DESTROYED AT 10,000. WENT TO DIFFERENT VOLVO DEALER IN SARASOTA AND ST. PETE-NOTHING IS WRONG. DEALER REPLACED TIRES AT 10,000. CAR STILL SHAKING. NOW I AM ON MY 3RD SET OF TIRES AT 50,000. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH THIS CAR-DO NOT BUY ONE VOLVO WILL NOT FIX. *TR
12/28/2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I-87, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING ALL ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS AND ACCESSORIES. IT ROLLED TO A STOP AND COULD NOT BE STARTED BY PUSHING (THE CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION).
5/29/2015
ENGINE
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I-87, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING ALL ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS AND ACCESSORIES. IT ROLLED TO A STOP AND COULD NOT BE STARTED BY PUSHING (THE CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION).
5/29/2015
AIR BAGS
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 VOLVO C30. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO ROCKO'S AUTO REPAIR OF BLACKWOOD, NEW JERSEY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
7/17/2017
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2011 Volvo C30?
Are complaints about the 2011 Volvo C30 a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2011 Volvo C30?
Are complaints about the 2011 Volvo C30 severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Volvo C30: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 23
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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