Problems · NHTSA complaints
2004 Volvo C-Class problems
Owners filed 15 complaints about the 2004 Volvo C-Class with NHTSA between Mar 2006 and Nov 2019. The most-cited component is electrical system (4).
Complaints
15
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system4
- Power train4
- Air bags3
- Vehicle speed control2
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Engine1
- Structure1
- Wheels1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Visibility1
- Equipment1
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
1
1
0
1
2
1
1
2
1
0
1
1
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 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
Electrical system
4 reports
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR GOT A LITTLE SLUGGISH AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WENT BLACK I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT SO I NOTICED IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT EVERYTHING ON THE DASH THAT WAS ILLUMINATED LOST LIGHT AND THE CAR STALLED AND THEN SPUTTER AND STALL IT JUST WAS NO LONGER RUNNING PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD PUT IT IN PARK TURN THE KEY OFF WAITED ABOUT 2 MINUTES TURN THE KEY BACK ON TO SEE IF I HAD LIGHTS BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND I HAD LIGHTS AND THEN I TRIED AGAIN THE IGNITION AND IT STARTED SUPER RANDOM THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE I HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH NEEDING A JUMP LEADING UP TO THIS BUT I HAVE A BRAND NEW BATTERY AND I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THAT PROBLEM”
Power train
4 reports
“HARD SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST & 2ND GEAR. CAUSES THE TIRES TO SKID FEELING LIKE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. THIS HAPPENS AFTER THE VEHICLE WARMS UP AND IN A STOP AND GO ENVIRONMENT.”
Air bags
3 reports1 crash
“THE AIRBAG SYMBOL APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AS WELL. EVEN WHEN I GET IT(ELECTRICAL) REPAIRED: IT REAPPEAR AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS.{WHILE DRIVING THESE SYMBOLS APPEAR STILL AS OF THIS DAY. PLEASE CAN YOU ADVICE ME WHERE I SHOULD HAVE IT FIX. I LIVE IN MARENGO, IOWA 52301”
Vehicle speed control
2 reports
“I THOIGHT MY TRANMISSION WAS GOING AT FITST THE CSR WOULD BUCK. THE OTHER DAY THE CSR JUMPED FORWARD. RACED LIKE BRIEFLY. TODAY MY ETS LIGHT WENT ON. ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SERVICE LIGHT. READING UP ON THIS STATES PROBLEMS NOTED BUT DEALERSHIP SAYS I HAVE TO PAY REPLACEMENT PARTS AND LABOR. I FEEL IT SHOULD B A RECALL. THIS IS DADANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE”
Electronic stability control (esc)
1 report
Engine
1 report
“THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHIFT HARD. NOW AT LESS THAN 125, IT NEEDS A NEW ONE. *TR”
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.