Problems · NHTSA complaints
2001 Volvo C-Class problems
Owners filed 18 complaints about the 2001 Volvo C-Class with NHTSA between Oct 2001 and Dec 2012. The most-cited component is vehicle speed control (8).
Complaints
18
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Vehicle speed control8
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Tires4
- Electrical system3
- Wheels2
- Power train1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Structure1
- Suspension1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
0
1
2
9
0
0
1
0
2
0
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Vehicle speed control
8 reports1 related recall
“CAR SUDDENLY LURCHES FORWARD, STUMBLES, STALLS, GOES INTO LIMP MODE, NEARLY REAR-ENDED ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY WIFE AND CHILD ON BOARD. VOLVO SAYS PREVIOUS OWNER HAD SOFTWARE UPDATED PER RECALL, SO NOTHING CAN BE DONE. "THAT PART PROBABLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED". BOUGHT CAR AT CARMAX, WHO WILL NOT DO ANYTHING AS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND WARRANTY EXPIRED. *TR”
Engine and engine cooling
4 reports
“I PURCHASED A 2001 VOLVO C70 CONVERTIBLE USED WITH ~ 73,000 MILES IN 2006. IT NOW HAS 93,000 MILES. LAST SUMMER I HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR BECAUSE IT CRACKED. ON THE EVENING OF TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22 WHILE RETURNING HOME ON THE BELTWAY, I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING AND AN UP ARROW INDICATING I SHOULD SHIFT GEAR LIT ON THE DASHBOARD PANEL. I LEARNED TWO DAYS LATER, I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. NOW I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A FUEL PUMP RECALL. THIS SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF MAJOR REPAIR WORK IN A FAIRLY YOUNG VEHICLE WITH SO FEW MILES, AND REGULAR OIL CHANGES AT EVERY 3,000 MILES AND ANNUAL CHECKUPS. *TR”
Tires
4 reports
“LTR FM [XXX] (NY) ON BEHALF OF HER MOTHER-IN-LAW [XXX] RE DEFECTIVE TIRES ON A 2001 VOLVO (VIN #[XXX]), REQUEST A DEFECT INVESTIGATION TO NEW YORK, NY OFC. *PH TIRE EQUIPMENT HAS SUFFERED NUMEROUS BLOW OUTS.*MR *TR”
Electrical system
3 reports
“1. ETS (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM) WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAN AFFECT DRIVABILITY OF A VEHICLE. 2. THROTTLE BODY FOR VOLVO 2001 C70 HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1075. 3. THIS IS WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH VOLVO CARS MADE FROM 1999 TO 2001 AFFECTING MODELS S70, V70, C70, S80 AND S60, BUT VOLVO REFUSES TO COMPENSATE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS OR ISSUE A RECALL. *JB”
Wheels
2 reports
“- DEALER DIAGNOSIS OF FOUR FAILURES OF TIRE RIMS AND REPLACEMENT OF TWO TIRES ON 2001 VOLVO C70. *LA UPDATED 6/6/12 *SD”
Power train
1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.