2012 Volvo C30
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 2012 Volvo C30. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
10 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Unknown or other
On Jan. 8, 2026, and February 10, 2026, while driving on I-75 and 1-10 at approximately 70 miles an hour, my passenger door lock disengaged multiple times ---it came open -- while was driving on the highway at top speeds. It has done this at least 8 other times since then. When the door disengages…
On Jan. 8, 2026, and February 10, 2026, while driving on I-75 and 1-10 at approximately 70 miles an hour, my passenger door lock disengaged multiple times ---it came open -- while was driving on the highway at top speeds. It has done this at least 8 other times since then. When the door disengages, it is partially open, the wind comes into the car and all of the lights inside come on, the dash caution sign lights up and the dash reads that the door is open. The locks are still in lock position as they are when it automatically locks when you pull off in the car. So none of the doors are previously open. This may be what keeps the door from swinging fully open when driving. I have reported this happening to my Volvo dealer and they have not been able to find any electronic reading or figure out what is happening to tell them what is going on. Nor have they been able to duplicate the door opening in driving mode when they take it out, probably because it happens when I am driving on the highway. But the passenger door lock continues to disengage, breaching the vacuum sealed protection the car once offered. I understand this has happened with other Volvos, the S60 and possibly other P1 platform Volvos. I understand there have been door latch recalls on the Volvo product. Now it is happening with the C30 and must be addressed.
- Visibility/wiper
The top corners of the windshield have come loose from the seal. The risk is losing a windshield at highway speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who referred us to a body shop. The vehicle was then taken to Gerber Collision & Glass - Austin where the problem was confirmed.
- Visibility › Windshield
The seal around the front windshield of the car is leaking. The leak lets water in the car while driving, it’s dripping down the windshield which is very distracting. The excess amount of water being let into the vehicle also fogs up the front windshield and side windows. This causes a huge visual…
The seal around the front windshield of the car is leaking. The leak lets water in the car while driving, it’s dripping down the windshield which is very distracting. The excess amount of water being let into the vehicle also fogs up the front windshield and side windows. This causes a huge visual impairment putting myself and others at risk on the road. There are many other Volvos from similar years and models that I’m seeing have the same issue. I have never had the issue looked at, but Volvo representatives say they know about the issue. However, there is no recall in place to fix the issue and to keep drivers safe on the roads.
- Visibility/wiper
My windshield has become loose and makes a very loud noise when going over any bumps. Im very concerned that at some point, it will shatter while driving.
- Unknown or other
- The front windshield leaks - This allowed water to fall into the footwells and enter the CEM which controls basically the whole car and made my car turn off while I was driving nearly 45mph which was very dangerous, the sudden surprise made me turn my attention away from the road - I don't have…
- The front windshield leaks - This allowed water to fall into the footwells and enter the CEM which controls basically the whole car and made my car turn off while I was driving nearly 45mph which was very dangerous, the sudden surprise made me turn my attention away from the road - I don't have any details on it being inspected before but it has never leaked before and after a heavy rainstorm the problem with the leak arose and damaged my CEM, it was wet and corroded a bit and I figured that this water damaged the CEM - The electrical system was acting a bit funky like the radio not working right and my turn signals flashing faster than normal and the right headlight not working, it all happened in pretty much one day, I didn't really think it was anything serious until the car shut off - Volvo needs to recall this on pretty much all year C30s and possibly other Volvo models made around this year because this little leak can easily cause someone to lose control of their car
- Electrical system
On january 21, 2016, my volvo C30'S faulty factory-installed, blemish-free, windshield leaked which permitted water to flow down the a pillar and into the car's electronics. As a consequence, the car became quickly debilitated because of electrical failure. smoke billowed from the engine…
On january 21, 2016, my volvo C30'S faulty factory-installed, blemish-free, windshield leaked which permitted water to flow down the a pillar and into the car's electronics. As a consequence, the car became quickly debilitated because of electrical failure. smoke billowed from the engine compartment before the battery cable was quickly removed. on january 21, 2016, the C30 was towed via flat bed truck to volvo of dallas for repair. the courteous and knowledgeable maintenance technician, kenny, immediately identified the problem as a leaking windshield and stated that 'this IS a known problem in volvos.' he stated, the 'sealant/primer may separate causing a leak.' volvo of dallas held the car for a week during replacement of the leaking windshield. I requested a full inspection. apparently, that was completed. the 4 year warranty IS due to expire soon. I do not trust that this car, which now has an electrical 'history,' IS any longer in the careful and meticulous condition in which I have always kept it prior to the leak. my research online and through other resources informs me that the leaking windshield IS a known safety issue in later model volvos.
- Engine · Vehicle speed control
While driving my volvo C30 redesign, I stopped at a stop sign before I entered main road from parking lot area vehicle began to accelerate to a high speed independently causing the car to move towards the intersection. No cars were approaching so I continued turning but it was very unsafe. It…
While driving my volvo C30 redesign, I stopped at a stop sign before I entered main road from parking lot area vehicle began to accelerate to a high speed independently causing the car to move towards the intersection. No cars were approaching so I continued turning but it was very unsafe. It happened before at fort hood and near my house in temple tx. always same conditions; as I start to accelerate the vehicle jump into a high speed or gear. This morning the vehicle was on high rev idle, did not went down until I change to manual and back to automatic. Please advice. *tr
- Vehicle speed control
While stopped at a red light, my 2012 volvo C30 rdesign began to accelerate to a high speed independently causing the car to move into the intersection. I immediately jammed the brake peddle to stop the car from moving any further and put the car into park causing the car to stop. the car continued to rev for an additional 5 seconds, then drop down to a normal idle. Please help, what's wrong? *tr
- Service brakes
A message that read "ABS brake system needs service" came on in my 2012 volvo C30 tuesday, march 18. I called the service dept of the dealership - he said he knew what it was and to bring it in either thurs or fri. I chose friday morning. Wednesday about 3PM as I was downshifting to slow then…
A message that read "ABS brake system needs service" came on in my 2012 volvo C30 tuesday, march 18. I called the service dept of the dealership - he said he knew what it was and to bring it in either thurs or fri. I chose friday morning. Wednesday about 3PM as I was downshifting to slow then applied my brakes there was no braking action. I was able to pull into the left turn lane to avoid running into the car ahead of me and then the brakes engaged. I pulled over and called the dealership. They said bring it in right then. I was a bit flustered and so stupidly drove the car into dealership about 4 or 5 miles away from where I was. When I picked the car the next morning, I asked what the issue was. The service person said that some component of the brake came apart (i don't recall if he said the name of the part) and they put a clamp on it. I asked how long this issue had been occurring - he said for "more than a year". I've subsequently called the owner of the dealership and he was aware of the issue but said there was no recall from volvo and he couldn't afford to repair the problem on all the C30S until the issue arose and volvo would then reimburse his dealership for the repair. I then called volvo customer care april 16TH and could not get a straight answer from the person I spoke with about whether or not they were aware of this issue. Clearly I will be selling this car but want to ensure the public IS made aware of the possibility of a brake failure on the 2012 C30S. updated 5/21/14*cn updated 06/03/2014 *js
- Vehicle speed control
TL* the contact owns a 2012 volvo C30. The contact stated that while the brakes were being depressed, the vehicle accelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 361…
TL* the contact owns a 2012 volvo C30. The contact stated that while the brakes were being depressed, the vehicle accelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 361 and the current mileage was 1200. ...updated 10/10/12 *bf the consumer stated the vehicle spontaneously and randomly fails to respond for three or four seconds upon pressing the acclerator and then it surges. After about three secnds it falls back to normal speed. Updated 10/17/2012 *js
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11007925Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service
- 10249191This is a Technical Journal: 12V Battery Testing Method
- 10241661Complimentary upgrade c00009 description.
- 10241651Rubber cushion
- 10234826Left front LED flickers after turning car off
- 10234675SiriusXM Tuner Replacement Process
- 10224584Expendable Items Parts List.
- 10219421Engine Control Module (EMS) Software (MSW) Information August 2022; Improvement List (Change Log) - US21+OBD22 (13L VGT, TC) And US17+OBD22 (11L) Emissions
- 10219302Part information for AMT input shaft repair kits and the shim kit that is required for repair.
- 10213885The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to be updated as products and repair methods evolve.
- 10213883ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations
- 10213882Battery Charger/maintainer requirement
- 10212892Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
- 10212891VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App
- 10205650News Letter 69
- 10203167Volvo Chassis 2008 And Up LED Headlight Conversion Programming Procedure
- 10182703This 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.
- 10181041Mandatory 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.
- 10179681This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Service 2.0 Software & Total Upgrade Reminder
- 10178520This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Volvo Lithium-ion Hybrid Battery Packs shipping and handling to Volvo Reman
- 10178516This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Volvo Lithium-ion Hybrid Battery Packs shipping and handling to Volvo Reman
- 10178503Mandatory 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.
- 10177392Effective 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.
- 10177386Service Manager Bulletin: Vehicle Type and Platform Information
- 10173760This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Service 2.0 Software & Total Upgrade Reminder
- 10172464This is a Service Journal: Coolant Filling Equipment Tool
- 10171676Mandatory 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.
- 10170147Service Manager Bulletin TITLE : Service Action Notification Re - Mails GROUP : NO : ISSUING DEPARTMENT : CAR MARKET : Product Safety & Compliance United States and Canada 00 325 REFERENCE BULLETINS : DATE : SMB00 - 323 and SMB00 - 323A YEAR MONTH DAY SERVICE SERVICE WARRANTY 2013 02 15 MANAGER WRITER ADMINISTRATOR Service Personnel : Read and initial Page 1 of 1 Volvo monitors completion rates for all service actions and will complete notification re - mails to vehicle owners when necessary . Listed below are the latest notification re - mails . Please refer to SMB 00 - 323 and SMB 00 - 323A for information on how and where to find the related Service Action documents in VRC2 and TIE . FEBRUARY RE - MAILS Action Description # of Re - Mails Service Campaign 236 Washer Reservoir Sensor Canada ? 295 Recall 129 Brake Vacuum Pump U.S . ? 3,430 Recall 245 Replace Fuel Lines U.S . ? 48 MARCH RE - MAILS Action Description # of Re - Mails Recall 246 Inspect P / S Return Hose U.S . ? 1,367 Recall 246 Inspect P / S Return Hose Canada ? 95 Recall 251 Inspect Underbody Coating Canada ? 54 Recall 255 TCM Software Upgrade U.S . ? 499 Recall 256 TPMS Warning Message U.S . ? 123 Please be prepared to accommodate vehicle owners that may contact you regarding these actions . ? Fixed Right ? First Time ? Produced in the USA and available as an electronic document . Hard copy documents are printed in USA on recycled paper containing a minimum of 50 % wastepaper and 10 % post - consumer waste . 2013 VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA , LLC
- 10169394This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to the swapped control module and in certain cases several other control modules in the vehicle. Swapping the Driver Information Module (DIM) is strictly forbidden as the DIM it is the main carrier of the odometer function, and will, in case of swapping, result in manipulated odometer value. Service: Please do NOT swap any control modules from vehicle to vehicle for testing, unless instructed to do so in a Vehicle Report by the Technical Helpdesk
- 10169393This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to the swapped control module and in certain cases several other control modules in the vehicle. Swapping the Driver Information Module (DIM) is strictly forbidden as the DIM it is the main carrier of the odometer function, and will, in case of swapping, result in manipulated odometer value. Service: Please do NOT swap any control modules from vehicle to vehicle for testing, unless instructed to do so in a Vehicle Report by the Technical Helpdesk
- 10169391Software Installation Policy changes.
- 10169390Effective 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.
- 10169389This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Technician Skillset Requirments
- 10169388This is a Technical Journal: This Journal is a guide for performing Software Downloads. Service: *See guide updated Oct. 12, 2016 for relevant P5/SPA Software Download information: P5_SPA_SW_Guide.pdf See VIDA Software tab for all other vehicles.The attached checklists can be used for restoring customer settings, where applicable.
- 10169036Mandatory 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.
- 10169030This is a Technical Journal: Oil in cooling system. New cleaning method developed.
- 10169022This is a Technical Journal: In case of complaint of Noise, some "tools" have been created to help you to do a better and more precise fault tracing
- 10169021Service Manager Bulletin TITLE : Service Action Notification Re - Mails GROUP : NO : ISSUING DEPARTMENT : CAR MARKET : Product Safety & Compliance United States and Canada 00 325 REFERENCE BULLETINS : DATE : SMB00 - 323 and SMB00 - 323A YEAR MONTH DAY SERVICE SERVICE WARRANTY 2013 02 15 MANAGER WRITER ADMINISTRATOR Service Personnel : Read and initial Page 1 of 1 Volvo monitors completion rates for all service actions and will complete notification re - mails to vehicle owners when necessary . Listed below are the latest notification re - mails . Please refer to SMB 00 - 323 and SMB 00 - 323A for information on how and where to find the related Service Action documents in VRC2 and TIE . FEBRUARY RE - MAILS Action Description # of Re - Mails Service Campaign 236 Washer Reservoir Sensor Canada ? 295 Recall 129 Brake Vacuum Pump U.S . ? 3,430 Recall 245 Replace Fuel Lines U.S . ? 48 MARCH RE - MAILS Action Description # of Re - Mails Recall 246 Inspect P / S Return Hose U.S . ? 1,367 Recall 246 Inspect P / S Return Hose Canada ? 95 Recall 251 Inspect Underbody Coating Canada ? 54 Recall 255 TCM Software Upgrade U.S . ? 499 Recall 256 TPMS Warning Message U.S . ? 123 Please be prepared to accommodate vehicle owners that may contact you regarding these actions . ? Fixed Right ? First Time ? Produced in the USA and available as an electronic document . Hard copy documents are printed in USA on recycled paper containing a minimum of 50 % wastepaper and 10 % post - consumer waste . 2013 VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA , LLC
- 10168247VOLVO CARS SERVICE AND PARTS BUSINESS Service Manager Bulletin TITLE : Workshop Systems Requirements and Guidelines VIDA in 2015 , Peer - to - Peer Infrastructure GROUP : NO : ISSUING DEPARTMENT : CAR MARKET : United States and Canada 00 337 REFERENCE BULLETINS : DATE : YEAR MONTH DAY SERVICE SERVICE WARRANTY 2015 01 19 MANAGER WRITER ADMINISTRATOR Service Personnel : Read and initial Page 1 of 17 ? Right first time in Time ? Produced in the USA and available as an electronic document . Hard copy documents are printed in USA on recycled paper containing a minimum of 50 % wastepaper and 10 % post - consumer waste . 2015 VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA , LLC Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 Page 2 of 17 2015 - 01 - 19 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 2015 - 01 - 19 Page 3 of 17 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 Page 4 of 17 2015 - 01 - 19 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 2015 - 01 - 19 Page 5 of 17 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 Page 6 of 17 2015 - 01 - 19 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 2015 - 01 - 19 Page 7 of 17 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 Page 8 of 17 2015 - 01 - 19 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 2015 - 01 - 19 Page 9 of 17 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 Page 10 of 17 2015 - 01 - 19 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 2015 - 01 - 19 Page 11 of 17 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 Page 12 of 17 2015 - 01 - 19 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 2015 - 01 - 19 Page 13 of 17 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 Page 14 of 17 2015 - 01 - 19 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 2015 - 01 - 19 Page 15 of 17 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 Page 16 of 17 2015 - 01 - 19 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 2015 - 01 - 19 Page 17 of 17
- 10168245This is a Technical Journal: In case of complaint of Noise, some "tools" have been created to help you to do a better and more precise fault tracing
Every Volvo C30 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.