Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Volvo C-Class problems

Owners filed 30 complaints about the 2008 Volvo C-Class with NHTSA between Mar 2008 and Dec 2025. The most-cited component is structure (10).

Complaints
30
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Structure10
  2. Steering4
  3. Suspension3
  4. Air bags2
  5. Vehicle speed control2
  6. Equipment2
  7. Latches/locks/linkages1
  8. Service brakes1
  9. Engine and engine cooling1
  10. Seat belts1
  11. Wheels1
  12. Visibility1
  13. Seats1
  14. Tires1

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 Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20082
20091
20101
20112
20123
20135
20141
20151
20162
20171
20181
20191
20203
20212
20221
20230
20241
20252

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Structure

10 reports
“This vehicle is the C70 convertible. When driving and hitting a speed bump or a pothole, both the driver and passenger doors pop open from a fully closed state to a partially open state. The doors do NOT fully disengage but in the partially closed state the doors rattle and shake. When this happens, the "door open" warning light appears on the dashboard, and you need to fully open the door and then re-close it. On a standard trip of 25 miles, this occurs no less than 6 times. So this is an ongoing everyday situation. It is a bit disconcerting to be in the car and hear that first door pop and feel the door shake and rattle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 5, 2024StructureODI 11599226

Steering

4 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, POWER STEERING WENT OUT ALL OF A SUDDEN MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. HARD TO MAKE TURNS. HAD IT INSPECTED NEXT DAY- AND THE POWER STEERING LINE HAD RUPTURED. I NOW HAVE TO HAVE THE ENTIRE LINE REPLACED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2016SteeringODI 10889001

Suspension

3 reports
“LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE WHILE ENTERING VEHICLE (PARKED OVERNIGHT IN GARAGE). EVIDENCE OF ANTI-CORROSION PAINT FLAKING OFF OF SPRING IN THE AREA THAT THE BREAK OCCURRED. THIS IS THE SECOND BROKEN FRONT SPRING ON THE SAME VEHICLE, THE PREVIOUS ONE HAPPENED ~ 1 YEAR AGO (ODI# 10502668.). POTENTIALLY A DEFECT IN THE COATING PROCESS ALLOWING THE COATING TO CRACK AND LET CORROSION HAPPEN ON THE SURFACE OF THE SPRING. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2014SuspensionODI 10575267

Air bags

2 reports
“WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AN HOUR OVER THE RAIL ROAD TRACKS AT THE CRESCENT CUTOFF HIGHWAY, MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL ENTERED A POT HOLE CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO TURN ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN ON AND THE MESSAGE TO APPEAR "SRS SERVICE NEEDED URGENT." AT THE DEALER IN BEND, OR THEY ESTIMATE THE COST OF REPAIR AT $1,464. "NEEDS RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG". FROM A POT HOLE AT A RAILROAD CROSSING? THIS CAN'T BE AS THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 18,000 MILES ON IT. WILL THIS HAPPEN AGAIN? CAN I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE LEFT FRONT AIRBAG?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2018Air bagsODI 11110143

Vehicle speed control

2 reports
“VERY SMALL FOOT ROOM ON DRIVER SIDE. SHOE TRAPS UNDER BRAKE PEDAL SOMETIME, MAKE SOME DELAY OF USING BRAKE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 30, 2015Vehicle speed controlODI 10679874

Equipment

2 reports2 related recalls
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO C70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V508000 (EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS). THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE SHE FELT THAT ALL VEHICLES SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH SPARE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,016. UPDATED 7/20/12 *CN UPDATED 07/26/12”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 25, 2012EquipmentODI 10459623
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026

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