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Research · 2 NHTSA variants

2010 Volvo C-ClassRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints for the 2010 Volvo C-Class. Most complaints involve visibility/wiper (4) and structure (1).

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Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Oct 2011
Owner complaints
10
Top: visibility/wiper
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 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

Steering: shaft sector

Free remedy

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 C30, MODEL YEAR 2010 S40 AND V50 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE GEARSHIFT LEVER STUD ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THE GEARSHIFT LEVER CABLE OR STUD ASSEMBLY BECOMES LOOSE, IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO ENGAGE, DISENGAGE OR SHIFT GEARS.

SteeringReported Jun 8, 2010NHTSA 10V255000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

10 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2010 – Mar 2023
  1. Visibility/wiper4
  2. Structure1
  3. Air bags1
  4. Electrical system1
  5. Wheels1
  6. Traction control system1
  7. Power train1
  8. Other / unknown1

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
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Visibility/wiper

4 reports1 crash
“While on the freeway my sunroof shattered and spilled a bunch of glass fragments all over me, I believe a rock or some kind of other object, never found out what hit it or if it was hit, from the freeway hit it, so I don't know if it counts as a vehicle safety problem but I wanted to make a report just in case it counts as one. My safety was put at risk by having glass falling on top off me while going around 60mph on the freeway, the sudden noise of the glass breaking followed by the glass falling on me caused me to swerve and it left me shaken and covered in glass. I ended up pulling over on the shoulder to relax myself and get all the glass off of me and my seat, no one was hurt or injured. There was no problem confirmed other than the sunroof being broken. The component was not inspected. There were no other warnings or symptoms of the problem prior to it breaking.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2023Visibility/wiperODI 11511666

Structure

1 report
“I HAVE HAD THE PASSENGER DOOR OPEN ON ITS OWN WHILE LOCKED AND DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT LEAST 2 TIMES WITH NO ONE IN THE SEAT. THE DOME LIGHT GOES ON AND THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH LIGHTS UP THAT DOOR IS AJAR. THE PASSENGER DOOR HAS ALSO OPENED ON ITS OWN WHEN ITS BEEN PARKED (OFF) IN MY GARAGE AT LEAST 2 TIMES AS WELL. DOME LIGHT ON FOR WHAT COULD BE HOURS (OVERNIGHT)! UNSAFE AND A POTENTIAL BATTERY DRAINER.*DT *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2019StructureODI 11240431

Air bags

1 report1 crash
“MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE MISHAP WHERE SHE JUMPED A CURB AT APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MPH, BLEW OUT THREE TIRES, AND DAMAGED THE RIGHT PASSENGER FRONT BUMPER AS WELL AS THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT QUARTER PANELS. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE IS BENT INWARD AND THE LEFT FRONT IS BENT OUTWARD. THROUGH ALL OF THIS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. I HAD TO GUESSTIMATE THE MILEAGE BELOW AT 53K AS I DON'T HAVE IT WITH ME WHERE I AM FILING THIS REPORT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2015Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10780768
All 2010 C-Class problemsSend 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

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Volvo C-Class as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 5510Vehicle 5511
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

2010 C-Class questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Volvo C-Class have?

3 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 2010 Volvo C-Class problems?

Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility/wiper (4), structure (1), air bags (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026