Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Volvo C70, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Unknown or other11
- Structure8
- Suspension2
- Wheels2
- Power train2
- Service brakes1
- Latches/locks/linkages1
- Electrical system1
- Seat belts1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2012 Volvo C70 failed the safety check 1.65% of the time — 34% less often than the average 2012 passenger car (2.52%). Median odometer at inspection: 77,383 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2012
2,861 new Volvo C70 cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2012; the largest markets were Germany (803), France (686), Belgium (337).
- Average mass
- 1,798 kg
- Average power
- 124 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 90% · Petrol 10.0%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2012 Volvo C70 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.5 petrol (169 kW, 227 hp) and 2.0 diesel (110 kW, 148 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 petrol | 169 kW 227 hp | 159 |
| 2.0 diesel | 110 kW 148 hp | 31 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
207 first registered in 2012 are on Dutch roads; 42% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €54,744.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde176
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af55
- Band onvoldoende profiel48
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld47
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)31
- Band beschadigd28
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt22
- (Zij-)markeringslicht werkt niet (goed)17
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
260 cars built in 2012 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 15 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 284 of these cars first registered in 2012 took their annual MOT test. 71% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2012 the figure was 66%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 12.7% | 12.2% |
| Tyres | 8.1% | 7.0% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.0% | 3.8% |
| Brakes | 6.7% | 7.7% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.7% | 14.3% |
| Visibility | 3.2% | 5.0% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
21 of these cars first registered in 2012 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 170,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
3 2012 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Volvo C70 C FWD | — | 0.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 11.1 L/100 km (about 21 mpg US), CO₂ 255 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| C70 T5 · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 13.3 | 8.3 | 11.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volvo told its dealers about the 2012 Volvo C70: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11007925 | Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service |
| 10249191 | This is a Technical Journal: 12V Battery Testing Method |
| 10241661 | COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADE C00009 DESCRIPTION. |
| 10241651 | Rubber cushion |
| 10234826 | Left front LED flickers after turning car off |
| 10234675 | SiriusXM Tuner Replacement Process |
| 10224584 | Expendable Items Parts List. |
| 10219421 | Engine Control Module (EMS) Software (MSW) Information August 2022; Improvement List (Change Log) - US21+OBD22 (13L VGT, TC) And US17+OBD22 (11L) Emissions |
| 10219302 | Part information for AMT input shaft repair kits and the shim kit that is required for repair. |
| 10213885 | The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to be updated as products and repair methods evolve. |
| 10213883 | ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations |
| 10213882 | Battery Charger/maintainer requirement |
| 10212892 | Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS) |
| 10212891 | VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App |
| 10205650 | News Letter 69 |
| 10203167 | Volvo Chassis 2008 And Up LED Headlight Conversion Programming Procedure |
| 10182731 | VOLVO CARS SERVICE AND PARTS BUSINESS Technical Journal TITLE : Leather dashboard , leather comes loose REF NO : ISSUING DEPARTMENT : CAR MARKET : United States and Canada TJ 29012 Technical Service PARTNER : ISSUE DATE : 3 US 7510 Volvo Cars North America YEAR MONTH DAY 2015 06 26 FUNC GROUP : FUNC DESC : 8811 Instrument panel Page 1 of 3 Attachment File Name File Size Leather dashboard.jpg 1.2691 MB Vehicle Type Eng Struc Week Type Eng Sales Body Gear Steer Model Year Plant Chassis range Desc Range 124 2012 - 2015 0151101 - 0182120 201120 - 201402 136 2012 - 2015 0118101 - 0191314 201120 - 2 |
| 10182703 | This is a Technical Journal: It has been noticed on requested materials that PAS sensors are analyzed without finding any fault on the parts. As a help to the troubleshooting on parking assistance system, we have developed some points of possible actions in case of problems. False detection may be caused by various reason explained in this Technical Journal. |
| 10181041 | Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them. |
| 10179681 | This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Service 2.0 Software & Total Upgrade Reminder |
| 10178520 | This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Volvo Lithium-ion Hybrid Battery Packs shipping and handling to Volvo Reman |
| 10178516 | This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Volvo Lithium-ion Hybrid Battery Packs shipping and handling to Volvo Reman |
| 10178503 | Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them. |
| 10177392 | Effective immediately, all 12V batteries may be tested using the hand held battery tester 9513030 (BT3300). The VIDA test is still available but no longer required. For battery replacements under warranty, the code generated by the BT3300 must be manually copied into the repair order text. It must also be printed and attached to the hard copy of the repair order. |
| 10177386 | Service Manager Bulletin: Vehicle Type and Platform Information |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)