Model-year record

2011 Volvo C30
See the complaints, recalls, crash rating, and fuel economy in the public record. Then check the mileage and history of the car you found.
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Complaints filed
14
Reports to NHTSA, 2011
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
24
EPA estimate
Known issues
Visibility/Wiper issues lead owner complaints (43% of 14 reports), followed by structure (21%).
Share of all 14 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11526361, ODI 11524288, ODI 11354970, ODI 11353281, ODI 11325070.
Individual complaint reports(14)
Showing the 14 most recent reportsVisibility/WiperJun 2023 · ODI 11526361Details +Close −
The top of the windshield no longer adheres to the body of the vehicle. My searches of the internet have found multiple instances of the Volvos where the top part of the windshield is no longer attached to the vehicle. Here is a link to the Auto Glass Safety Council describes the issue (https://agsc.org/volvo-glass-bonding-issue/). Volvo Car USA LLC recently issued a statement that all windshield replacements on Volvo vehicles must be performed “according to Volvo standards at an authorized facility, using only Volvo Genuine Windshields and adhesives.” Their reasoning for this statement is, “The Volvo windshield is an integral part of our vehicles. Not only does it provide an undistorted view, it serves as a critical structure component on the vehicle." Since Volvo is claiming there is a safety component to the windshield and only Volvo can fix it, they should recall and repair all vehicles with this known issue.
- Reported
- Jun 2023
- Incident date
- Jun 2023
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Visibility/WiperMay 2023 · ODI 11524288Details +Close −
The entire top edge of the windshield is no longer sealed to the car. Water gets in. If all of the windows are closed, the windshield briefly pops out a little bit as the door is closed.
- Reported
- May 2023
- Incident date
- May 2023
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
StructureJan 2023 · ODI 11501828Details +Close −
Windshield seal bond at top failed resulting in loose front windshield not being attached to the body. This is leaking water and leading to poor visibility that is dangerous but more concerning is the detachment of the window from the body. This would be extremely dangerous in a collision. The car is parked at this time due to being dangerous to drive.
- Reported
- Jan 2023
- Incident date
- Dec 2022
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Unknown Or OtherMay 2021 · ODI 11417949Details +Close −
Windshield is not sealed properly- moving as i drive from faulty seal
- Reported
- May 2021
- Incident date
- May 2021
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Visibility/WiperSep 2020 · ODI 11354970Details +Close −
THE LOOSE WINDSHIELD ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE. I HAVE A 2011 C30. YOU CAN PUSH UP ON THE GLASS AND IT IS NOT ADHERED ON THE TOP AT ALL TO THE CAR. NOT JUST ON THE C30 BUT OTHER MODELS AS WELL. IT'S AS IF THE WINDSHIELD IS ONLY ADHERED TO ON 3 SIDES. IT VIBRATES AND LEAKS. DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. AND THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE.
- Reported
- Sep 2020
- Incident date
- Nov 2018
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Visibility/WiperSep 2020 · ODI 11353281Details +Close −
THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY UNTIL I CAN GET THE ISSUE CORRECTED IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO. THE WINDSHIELD IS LOOSE. I DISCOVERED A LEAK AND DETERMINED THAT THE ISSUE IS THAT THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT ATTACHED TO THE CAR AT THE TOP. THE SLIGHTEST PRESSURE FROM THE INSIDE CAN MOVE THE WINDSHIELD AWAY FROM THE SEAL ON THE CAR. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE TIN VOLVO'S THAT OCCURS DUE TO IMPROPER GLASS PREPARATION. HOW CAN THIS BE SAFE? SHOULDN'T VOLVO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THE ISSUE? THANK YOU
- Reported
- Sep 2020
- Incident date
- Sep 2020
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Visibility/WiperMay 2020 · ODI 11325070Details +Close −
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
- Reported
- May 2020
- Incident date
- May 2020
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
StructureMar 2020 · ODI 11318661Details +Close −
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.
- Reported
- Mar 2020
- Incident date
- Mar 2011
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringJul 2017 · ODI 11005869 · crashDetails +Close −
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.
- Reported
- Jul 2017
- Incident date
- Jun 2017
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- Crash
Visibility/WiperJan 2016 · ODI 10820302Details +Close −
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.
- Reported
- Jan 2016
- Incident date
- Jan 2016
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
StructureDec 2015 · ODI 10809123Details +Close −
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.
- Reported
- Dec 2015
- Incident date
- Dec 2015
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Electrical SystemMay 2015 · ODI 10722125Details +Close −
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).
- Reported
- May 2015
- Incident date
- May 2015
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringDec 2014 · ODI 10668544Details +Close −
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
- Reported
- Dec 2014
- Incident date
- Dec 2011
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SuspensionMay 2012 · ODI 10459635Details +Close −
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
- Reported
- May 2012
- Incident date
- May 2012
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
SteeringAug 2010 · 10V255000Details +Close −
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 C30, MODEL YEAR 2010 S40 AND V50 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE GEARSHIFT LEVER STUD ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THE GEARSHIFT LEVER CABLE OR STUD ASSEMBLY BECOMES LOOSE, IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO ENGAGE, DISENGAGE OR SHIFT GEARS.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TORQUE THE GEARSHIFT LEVER STUD ASSEMBLY TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM .
Open full NHTSA recall record →A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2011 Volvo C30 2 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
- Not rated
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C30 FWD | 2.5L 5-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 21 | 29 | 24 |
| C30 FWD | 2.5L 5-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S5) | 21 | 30 | 24 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
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2011 Volvo C30: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2011 Volvo C30?
Owners filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the 2011 Volvo C30. This is raw owner-reported complaint volume with no production or exposure normalization, so it is not a reliability score or a best/worst-year ranking.
What are the most common problems on the 2011 Volvo C30?
The most-reported problem areas are Visibility/Wiper (43% of complaints) and structure (21%).
How many recalls does the 2011 Volvo C30 have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2011 Volvo C30, covering components such as steering. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Volvo C30 get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Volvo C30 at 24 mpg combined.