NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 9 owner complaints for the 2002 Volvo C-Class. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (2) and power train (2).
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO C70 CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,877.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO C70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. SPORADICALLY, IT WOULD SEEM TO SHIFT INTO PARK WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT EVENTUALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
“IT HAS BEEN 4 TIMES ALREADY (SINCE AUGUST 2002) THAT MY CAR'S ENGINE HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING. IN ALL INSTANCES THE ENGINE STARTS BACK UP AGAIN. I NOTICE RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE I LOOSE THE POWER STEERING. FIRST TIME [AUGUST 2, 2002]: THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR (BRAND NEW) I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR TURNED OFF. SECOND TIME: THIS WAS LIKE SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. THIRD TIME [JUNE 7, 2005]: I LEFT MY CAR AT THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE DEALER TOOK MY CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE AND THE ENGINE STALLED ON HIM. I TOLD THEM THAT I HAS HAPPENED TO ME 2 TIMES PREVIOUSLY. THEY REPLACED THE STARTER SWITCH FOR THAT REASON. FOURTH TIME [JULY 16, 2005:] I WAS DRIVING UPHILL ON A ZONE WITH TIGHT CURVES AND THE CAR STALLED AGAIN. THIS TIME I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT CAUSE THE TURNS WERE TIGHT AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. *JB”
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 13, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (2), power train (2), engine and engine cooling (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.