2013 Volvo C70

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Structure5
2. Electrical system3
3. Unknown or other3
4. Engine2
5. Service brakes1
6. Suspension1
7. Wheels1

Latest complaints

• Jun 25, 2024NY
  Electrical system · Unknown or other
  My car is a hard top convertible. When I drive with the top down for a prolonged period of time my driver side door unlocks and a warning light that the door is open comes up on the dashboard. The door doesn't swing open but has loosened and you can feel it rattle. This only happens with the top…

  My car is a hard top convertible. When I drive with the top down for a prolonged period of time my driver side door unlocks and a warning light that the door is open comes up on the dashboard. The door doesn't swing open but has loosened and you can feel it rattle. This only happens with the top down, never when the top is up. I have to generally slow down/pull over and then open and slam my door shut. It can be very scary when driving at high speeds. It seems to be happening more and more frequently these days.

• May 29, 2023MD
  Structure › Body
  This is not a singular incident; it has been persistent for five or so years at this point. Quite frequently, when I am driving with the top down for at least 20 minutes, one of the doors unlatches (a couple of weeks ago, this actually occurred six times in one hour or so trip, though such…

  This is not a singular incident; it has been persistent for five or so years at this point. Quite frequently, when I am driving with the top down for at least 20 minutes, one of the doors unlatches (a couple of weeks ago, this actually occurred six times in one hour or so trip, though such frequency is unusual). For the first year or so this occurred, it was only the driver's door, but then it started happening with both doors (though still more frequently the driver's door). To be clear, it unlatches -- it never has swung open, even if pressure is applied to it. Still, this is jarring when it occurs (all the more so at highway speeds), and I am left to wonder if at some point it will "graduate" to full door opening. I am also especially concerned given that I have a child with a driving learner's permit. I mentioned this in passing to a Volvo dealer service agent a couple of years ago, and he professed to be unaware of it and suggested I would need to bring it in for diagnosis etc. which I have not done. However, having been on the NHTSA site today and seen other complaints about this with this year, make, and model, I felt I should add my experiences to the record. And of course, given those observations, I would like to get it addressed without my having to incur the cost of doing so.

• Jun 3, 2022CT75,900 mi
  Structure › Body › Door
  The contact owns a 2013 Volvo C70. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's and passenger's side front doors inadvertently opened. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the driver's and passenger's side front doors needed to be…

  The contact owns a 2013 Volvo C70. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's and passenger's side front doors inadvertently opened. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the driver's and passenger's side front doors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,900.

• Apr 25, 2022PA
  Suspension · Wheels
  I noticed that driving with the top down (the car is a convertible) leads to premature and uneven tire wear. Subsequently the tires generate a lot of road noise and vibration, which is felt through the steering wheel. At 62000 miles I brought the situation to the attention of Volvo service and as a…

  I noticed that driving with the top down (the car is a convertible) leads to premature and uneven tire wear. Subsequently the tires generate a lot of road noise and vibration, which is felt through the steering wheel. At 62000 miles I brought the situation to the attention of Volvo service and as a result they made some repairs / changes / updates to the rear suspension, (at my cost of over $2000). At that time I also purchased four new tires. At this point the car has around 72000 miles and the issue has come back (noise / vibration). It appears that the car has a design issue, which prohibits driving it with the top open, even though that is the main purpose of the car as a convertible.

• Apr 25, 2022PA
  Structure › Body
  Within the last 6 months, (fall 2021 – spring 2022), one of the doors in my car has opened multiple times by itself, while I was driving the car. The door was closed properly when I started driving and I did not accidently pull on the door handle. This occurred so far only with the driver side…

  Within the last 6 months, (fall 2021 – spring 2022), one of the doors in my car has opened multiple times by itself, while I was driving the car. The door was closed properly when I started driving and I did not accidently pull on the door handle. This occurred so far only with the driver side door, while the top was down, (the car is a convertible), and while driving at highway or close to highway speed. Last time the door opened and closed multiple times, before I had a chance to pull over and close it. I noticed the door opening and closing as the interior light came on and off and window lowered down and went up several times, which occurs while the door is being opened. This leads to a dangerous and unpredictable situation.

• Oct 18, 2021OH
  Electrical system · Structure › Body
  When top is down, at highway speeds, the driver-side door becomes ajar, interior light comes on and window goes down 1/2 inch. This seems to happen about 20 minutes into the drive. Will happen multiple times on long drives. This only seems to happen when the convertible top is down. Driving…

  When top is down, at highway speeds, the driver-side door becomes ajar, interior light comes on and window goes down 1/2 inch. This seems to happen about 20 minutes into the drive. Will happen multiple times on long drives. This only seems to happen when the convertible top is down. Driving at highway speeds and having the door go ajar is not safe. Not sure why Volvo never took this seriously, as its reported by many others on the internet - same exact issue. Reported to Volvo (Leiken Volvo Cars Cleveland), they cannot reproduce and said everything looks correct. Offering to replace the lock mechanism. The issue is easy to reproduce, but just driving with the top down for longer than a 20 minute period.

• Dec 18, 2019NC75,759 mi
  Unknown or other
  After driving and I had park my car doors would not open. I hit the unlock button but I could not open doors. I rolled down the window and tried to open from the outside but doors would not open. I continue to hit the unlock button but wouldn't open. I climb out the window and tried to open from…

  After driving and I had park my car doors would not open. I hit the unlock button but I could not open doors. I rolled down the window and tried to open from the outside but doors would not open. I continue to hit the unlock button but wouldn't open. I climb out the window and tried to open from the outside still would not open. So I climb back inside through the window and drove car home. When I got home and I hit the unlock button I was able to get out. This has happen a few times. I took it to the dealership and explain the problem but they said there was nothing wrong g with the car. This IS an nconvenience because I never know when it will happen. The last time it happen was december 18 2020. I decided to look up this issue to see if other car owners have had this problem and decided to write a complaint

• Oct 19, 2019CA72,100 mi
  Engine
  I bought a 2013 volvo C70 in july of 2018 and by august of 2019 I was replacing the engine. I take ownership for my oversight in not knowing to check the coolant tank regularly as this IS my first car. It seems like negligence taking into account that my volvo can tell me the amount of gas it has…

  I bought a 2013 volvo C70 in july of 2018 and by august of 2019 I was replacing the engine. I take ownership for my oversight in not knowing to check the coolant tank regularly as this IS my first car. It seems like negligence taking into account that my volvo can tell me the amount of gas it has, the miles it can travel on the amount of gas I have, and indicates I am low on gas after the gauge has already entered into the red. My car can also tell me when I have low tire pressure so I know to refill them. Why isn't there a low coolant light on my car? Arguably, the low coolant light and impending engine overheating and failure take precedence over running out of gas or getting a flat tire. august 23RD, 2019, my car overheated due to a lack of coolant. The lack of coolant was due to a crack in the coolant tank. My car never indicated to me that it was in distress until I was on the 10E to pick up my boyfriend from the airport and my car overheated. All the lights came on and the display read "overheating, pull over safely". I had no idea that was 2 minutes before I would warp my engine and my car completely died. There IS construction on the 10E so there was no safe place for me to pull over. Everything just turned off, even my blinkers to notify the 18 wheeler behind me. The police were called and traffic was stopped as he pushed me off the road to the shoulder I was trying to get to before the failure. maybe because I do not travel far from my home for work had my engine not overheated on those drives. Regardless, with all the technological advances on cars, a low coolant light should be mandatory. Especially because $5000 later (warranty company won't cover it), what good were my gas light and gauge?

• Jun 2, 2019MN52,300 mi
  Electrical system · Unknown or other
  When driving at highway speeds with the top down, the "door open" warning and interior lights come on and the door opens slightly ajar. can be either driver or passenger side. Locked or unlocked. Doors are securely closed beforehand. Having researched this extensively, I know it IS also an issue…

  When driving at highway speeds with the top down, the "door open" warning and interior lights come on and the door opens slightly ajar. can be either driver or passenger side. Locked or unlocked. Doors are securely closed beforehand. Having researched this extensively, I know it IS also an issue for other volvo owners. I have tried to lube the door latches as some have suggested, but this does not work. Volvo and their dealers have stated they have "never heard" of this happening before, much to my frustration. This IS a serious safety issue. A car door should not pop open while driving at any speed let alone on a highway.

• Jun 9, 2018MD95,000 mi
  Structure › Body
  While driving, periodically, both doors (not simultaneously but it has occurred in both doors multiple times) will come ajar. Most often, this occurs at highway speeds and when a bump occurs to slightly jolt the car. The door does not come all the way open but it IS clearly ajar. A warning light…

  While driving, periodically, both doors (not simultaneously but it has occurred in both doors multiple times) will come ajar. Most often, this occurs at highway speeds and when a bump occurs to slightly jolt the car. The door does not come all the way open but it IS clearly ajar. A warning light comes on on the dash and the interior lights come on. While the door doesn't come completely open, this causes a dangerous situation as it distracts the driver, causes you to pull over on a highway and then re-enter that highway from the shoulder. I always keep a hand on the door in case it swing completely open, which means I only have 1 hand on the wheel. in researching this issue, I have noted it reported by multiple people across multiple model years. It IS a consistent and constant complaint with the car. It presents a dangerous situation and IS an obvious design flaw. I'm sure the fix IS relatively simply and can't be too costly as the car has been out of production for several years. Volvo IS well aware of the issue and I am disappointed that a brand that advertises and emphasizes safety has not taken action to correct this issue. I'm confident that our government will put the safety of the citizens first and force volvo's hand in fixing the design flaw. In my amateur opinion, the door on this car IS heavier than most and, when bounced, the weight of the door overpowers the latch. The has occurred over 20, and likely over 25 times in the 20,000 miles that I have owned the car (approximately 18 months). I used the most recent occurrence for the date asked for below ("when did this happen"). thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

• Feb 20, 2016MT302,100 mi
  Engine · Service brakes
  Unit has intermittent engine/exhaust brake malfunction. This IS causing the vehicle engine/ exhaust brake to disengage when on a decline at highway speeds. As result the vehicle picks up a great deal of speed and could cause the over use and eventual failure of the vehicle's air brake system. As…

  Unit has intermittent engine/exhaust brake malfunction. This IS causing the vehicle engine/ exhaust brake to disengage when on a decline at highway speeds. As result the vehicle picks up a great deal of speed and could cause the over use and eventual failure of the vehicle's air brake system. As well as the inability to control the vehicle (though application of the air brakes and/or steering) on a downgrade. there IS no warning prior to engine/exhaust brake failure. This originally happened to me while traveling on east bound I-80 over donner pass summit heading towards truckee, ca. And has happened 3 more times since then. The local volvo truck dealership can find nothing wrong with the vehicle.

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
• 10234763Keyless Drive receiver issues
• 10234675SiriusXM Tuner Replacement Process
• 10234662To further enhance the customer?s Volvo ownership experience, Volvo Car USA, LLC offers the MY 2013 and later Volvo Complimentary Factory Scheduled Maintenance Program. Model Year 2013 and later vehicles, the service intervals are every 10,000 miles and ALL 2013 and later vehicles must use synthetic oil only.
• 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
• 10205639Volvo Complimentary Factory schedualed maintenance
• 10203167Volvo Chassis 2008 And Up LED Headlight Conversion Programming Procedure
• 10189907Volvo Chassis - Vehicle with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P2002-00, Diagnostic Instructions - US10+OBD13 Emssions ONLY, Model Years 2013 (Rare), 2014
• 10182731VOLVO 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 - 201402 156 2014 - 2015 0500127 - 0755266 201320 - 201416 542 2012 - 2013 0123001 - 0144301 201146 - 201325 CSC Customer Symptom Codes Code Description L9 Instrument panel / dashboard / Loose , poor fit , warped , wrinkled N2 Instrument panel / dashboard / Blistered / bubbled / peeled VST Operation Number VST Operation Number Description 88107 - 2 Dashboard replace . ? 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 Technical Journal 29012 DTC Diagnostic Trouble Codes Rows beginning with * are modified Note ! If using a printed copy of this Technical Journal , first check for the latest online version . Text DESCRIPTION : Leather on dashboard may come loose on small areas . PRODUCT MODIFICATION : The amount of glue used for fastening the leather has been increased and * finetuned . Process has been optimized and more measurements introduced . MATERIAL RETURN : Material for analysis can be requested in Vehicle Report . In other cases , follow normal routines . Vehicle Report : When submitting a Vehicle Report for a condition described in this TJ , use concern area ? Vehicle Report and sub concern area ? Support Not Needed ? with function group 8811 . Service : I
• 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
• 10172469Volvo Complimentary Factory Scheduled Maintenance 'FSM330' MY2013 and later. Factory Scheduled Maintenance up to the first 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first) as recommended in the Volvo Warranty and Maintenance Information booklet.
• 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.

Every Volvo C70 model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.