Model year record
2012 Volvo C30 recalls & problems
The 2012 Volvo C30 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 10 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (3 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2012 Volvo C30.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2012 Volvo C30 3 HB FWD
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
C30 FWD
| City / highway | 21 / 29 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.5 L · 5 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
C30 FWD
| City / highway | 21 / 30 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.5 L · 5 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | — |
| Unknown or other | 2 | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | — |
| Service brakes | 1 | — |
| Engine | 1 | — |
| Electrical system | 1 | — |
| VisibilityWindshield | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Unknown or other
On Jan. 8, 2026, and February 10, 2026, while driving on I-75 and 1-10 at approximately 70 miles an hour, my passenger door lock disengaged multiple times ---it came open -- while was driving on the highway at top speeds. It has done this at least 8 other times since then. When the door disengages, it is partially open, the wind comes into the car and all of the lights inside come on, the dash caution sign lights up and the dash reads that the door is open. The locks are still in lock position as they are when it automatically locks when you pull off in the car. So none of the doors are previously open. This may be what keeps the door from swinging fully open when driving. I have reported…
- Visibility/wiper
The top corners of the windshield have come loose from the seal. The risk is losing a windshield at highway speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who referred us to a body shop. The vehicle was then taken to Gerber Collision & Glass - Austin where the problem was confirmed.
- Visibility › Windshield
The seal around the front windshield of the car is leaking. The leak lets water in the car while driving, itâs dripping down the windshield which is very distracting. The excess amount of water being let into the vehicle also fogs up the front windshield and side windows. This causes a huge visual impairment putting myself and others at risk on the road. There are many other Volvos from similar years and models that Iâm seeing have the same issue. I have never had the issue looked at, but Volvo representatives say they know about the issue. However, there is no recall in place to fix the issue and to keep drivers safe on the roads.
- Visibility/wiper
My windshield has become loose and makes a very loud noise when going over any bumps. Im very concerned that at some point, it will shatter while driving.
- Unknown or other
- The front windshield leaks - This allowed water to fall into the footwells and enter the CEM which controls basically the whole car and made my car turn off while I was driving nearly 45mph which was very dangerous, the sudden surprise made me turn my attention away from the road - I don't have any details on it being inspected before but it has never leaked before and after a heavy rainstorm the problem with the leak arose and damaged my CEM, it was wet and corroded a bit and I figured that this water damaged the CEM - The electrical system was acting a bit funky like the radio not working right and my turn signals flashing faster than normal and the right headlight not working, it all…
- Electrical system
ON JANUARY 21, 2016, MY VOLVO C30'S FAULTY FACTORY-INSTALLED, BLEMISH-FREE, WINDSHIELD LEAKED WHICH PERMITTED WATER TO FLOW DOWN THE A PILLAR AND INTO THE CAR'S ELECTRONICS. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE CAR BECAME QUICKLY DEBILITATED BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL FAILURE. SMOKE BILLOWED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BEFORE THE BATTERY CABLE WAS QUICKLY REMOVED. ON JANUARY 21, 2016, THE C30 WAS TOWED VIA FLAT BED TRUCK TO VOLVO OF DALLAS FOR REPAIR. THE COURTEOUS AND KNOWLEDGEABLE MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN, KENNY, IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A LEAKING WINDSHIELD AND STATED THAT 'THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN VOLVOS.' HE STATED, THE 'SEALANT/PRIMER MAY SEPARATE CAUSING A LEAK.' VOLVO OF DALLAS HELD THE…
- Vehicle speed control
WHILE DRIVING MY VOLVO C30 REDESIGN, I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN BEFORE I ENTERED MAIN ROAD FROM PARKING LOT AREA VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE TO A HIGH SPEED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE CAR TO MOVE TOWARDS THE INTERSECTION. NO CARS WERE APPROACHING SO I CONTINUED TURNING BUT IT WAS VERY UNSAFE. IT HAPPENED BEFORE AT FORT HOOD AND NEAR MY HOUSE IN TEMPLE TX. ALWAYS SAME CONDITIONS; AS I START TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE JUMP INTO A HIGH SPEED OR GEAR. THIS MORNING THE VEHICLE WAS ON HIGH REV IDLE, DID NOT WENT DOWN UNTIL I CHANGE TO MANUAL AND BACK TO AUTOMATIC. PLEASE ADVICE. *TR
- Vehicle speed control
WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, MY 2012 VOLVO C30 RDESIGN BEGAN TO ACCELERATE TO A HIGH SPEED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE CAR TO MOVE INTO THE INTERSECTION. I IMMEDIATELY JAMMED THE BRAKE PEDDLE TO STOP THE CAR FROM MOVING ANY FURTHER AND PUT THE CAR INTO PARK CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP. THE CAR CONTINUED TO REV FOR AN ADDITIONAL 5 SECONDS, THEN DROP DOWN TO A NORMAL IDLE. PLEASE HELP, WHAT'S WRONG? *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.