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2006 Volvo C-ClassRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 9 owner complaints for the 2006 Volvo C-Class. Most complaints involve wheels (4) and air bags (2).

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Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Oct 2011
Owner complaints
9
Top: wheels
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 C70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2005, THROUGH JULY 31, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 S60 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2010, THROUGH APRIL 16, 2011, THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE KIT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN THE CORRECT INFORMATION FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL KIT.

EquipmentReported Oct 18, 2011NHTSA 11V508000

Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)

Free remedy

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

EquipmentReported Nov 8, 2010NHTSA 10V566000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

9 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2007 – Sep 2022
  1. Wheels4
  2. Air bags2
  3. Electrical system1
  4. Exterior lighting1
  5. Structure1
  6. Power train1
  7. Suspension1
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each C-Class model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19988
199931
200042
200118
20029
20037
200415
20069
200717
200830
200916
201010
201128
201233
201315
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Wheels

4 reports
“I HAVE A 2006 VOLVO C70 AND THE TIERS STARTED TO LOOSE AIR. WHEN I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED I FOUND OUT THAT THREE OF THE FOUR 18' RIMS HAD CRACKS ON THE INSIDE OF THE RIM EDGE...WITH A LITTLE RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 VOLVO C70. IT IS AN OUTRAGE THAT VOLVO DOES NOT YET HAVE TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE OR WILL HAPPEN DUE TO A TIRE GOING FLAT ON THIS MODEL AND RIM SIZE. I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES RIMS CAN GET DAMAGED HOWEVER," ALL ARE CRACKING IN THE SAME AREA". I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE ALL THREE RIMS TO MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. R. SWANEY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2008WheelsODI 10230403

Air bags

2 reports
“MY CAR WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. I CAME OUT TO GET IN MY CAR AND UPON STARTING MY CAR THE AIRBAG WARNING URGENT LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. VOLVO OF WINTER PARK. I LEFT MY CAR. THEY KEPT MY CAR A FEW DAYS AND I PICKED MY CAR UP ON A THURSDAY. I DROVE MY CAR TO MY SISTERS PROPERTY ON SATURDAY. THE CAR DID NOT MOVE ON SUNDAY AND UPON GETTING INTO THE CAR ON MONDAY MY AIRBAG URGENT LIGHT ONCE AGAIN CAME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 WEEKS IN A ROW. EACH TIME I WOULD RETURN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PICK IT UP ON THURSDAY AND MONDAY THE LIGHT WOULD BE BACK ON. TODAY MY CAR HAD BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP OVERNIGHT FOR A LINER REPAIR. I RETURNED THIS AFTERNOON TO PICK UP MY CAR. I SIT DOWN IN IT TURN THE IGNITION AND THE AIRBAG URGENT LIGHT IS ON FOR THE FOUTH TIME. I HAVE ONCE AGAIN LEFT MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP. IN 2005 I HAD BOTH MY AIRBAGS IN MY PONTIAC SUNFIRE DEPLOY WHILE MY CAR WAS IDLING IN A TURN LANE WAITING TO MAKE A TURN INTO A SHOPPING CENTER. IT PUNCTURED A HOLE IN MY HEART AND CHRUSHED A SHUNT THAT WAS IN MY HEAD FROM A PREVIOUS ACCIDENT. IT BURNT MY CHEST, GAVE ME 2 BLACK EYES AND A MELON ON MY…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2013Air bagsODI 10515372

Electrical system

1 report
“About 6 months ago I was driving at night and my left headlight went out and about 3 minutes later my other headlight went out? I had to pull over there and wait till day light. When I got home I took the headlights out to find bare wires on both of them? They were just disintegrated!?!? I called Volvo took find out about a new wire harness and was told I have to buy the whole engine wire assembly, costing over $3000.00. I bought 2 more headlight assemblies online and had the same problem!?!? When I tried to change the bulb the coating on the wire just fell off!?!?!? I have heard in other Volvo Forums other people have had this problem with Volvo's headlight wiring problem!?!? It needs to be recalled before someone gets killed if they haven't already!?!?? I can send pics.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2022Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11485970
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Volvo C-Class as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026
05 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
07 —FAQ

2006 C-Class questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Volvo C-Class have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 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.

What are the most common 2006 Volvo C-Class problems?

Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are wheels (4), air bags (2), electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026