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Electrical system

Volvo C70 Electrical problems by year

39 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Volvo C70's electrical system. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Electrical complaints by model year

YearElectrical complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
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19994000

Latest C70 electrical complaints

2011 Volvo C70Electrical systemAirbagsCrash1 death

On [redacted], my son was driving a 2011 Volvo C70 T5 convertible involved in a fatal crash on [redacted] in [[redacted]]. The crash involved substantial passenger-side damage and rollover. The rollover protection bars deployed, but the driver's frontal airbag did not deploy. Post-crash photographs show damage and tearing to deployed passenger-side airbags. I am reporting a suspected airbag/restraint-system malfunction and possible inadequate warning. I had not observed an airbag warning light before the crash....

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Whether a fault existed before impact, whether it should have triggered a warning, and which airbags should have deployed remain UNKNOWN. The vehicle and supplemental restraint system module were inspected on [redacted]. Volvo subsequently obtained the module and downloaded data using proprietary Merkur software. I have received crash reports, fault-memory information, and spreadsheets, but have not received the original native download file needed for independent analysis. The module was returned to me in [redacted] and is available for inspection. The precise cause of the suspected malfunction has not been independently confirmed. I request NHTSA review of airbag deployment, sensor and wiring faults, diagnostic warning operation, and the integrity of the downloaded module data. Photographs, inspection records, and produced data are available upon request.For the incident date, enter [redacted]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11770021
2012 Volvo C70Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemBrakes

The car developed an electronic communication issue that would cause random failure messages for the ABS, anti-skid system, transmission control and a "brake failure" message that would put the car into limp mode even at highway speeds. If you come to a complete stop, it would not allow you to pull away at any speed which makes you a traffic hazard and at risk for a rear end collision. I took the car to the dealer and they said it was the steering module so I had them replace it which ended up not resolving the...

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problem. More alarming, the mechanic said that the factory original windshield had become unbonded and needed resealed. He showed me by flexing the windshield out at the top. I paid a windshield shop to reseal the windshield but I am reporting this since it's bond to the body is integral to keeping occupants from being ejected in the event of a rollover and the owner is unlikely to ever notice the issue.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Service brakesNHTSA 11652791
2013 Volvo C70Electrical system

My car is a hard top convertible. When I drive with the top down for a prolonged period of time my driver side door unlocks and a warning light that the door is open comes up on the dashboard. The door doesn't swing open but has loosened and you can feel it rattle. This only happens with the top down, never when the top is up. I have to generally slow down/pull over and then open and slam my door shut. It can be very scary when driving at high speeds. It seems to be happening more and more frequently these days.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11596603
2006 Volvo C70Electrical systemLights

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...

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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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11485970
2013 Volvo C70Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

When top is down, at highway speeds, the driver-side door becomes ajar, interior light comes on and window goes down 1/2 inch. This seems to happen about 20 minutes into the drive. Will happen multiple times on long drives. This only seems to happen when the convertible top is down. Driving at highway speeds and having the door go ajar is not safe. Not sure why Volvo never took this seriously, as its reported by many others on the internet - same exact issue. Reported to Volvo (Leiken Volvo Cars...

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Cleveland), they cannot reproduce and said everything looks correct. Offering to replace the lock mechanism. The issue is easy to reproduce, but just driving with the top down for longer than a 20 minute period.

Filed Incident Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 11437109
2011 Volvo C70Electrical system

The contact owns a 2011 Volvo C70. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the driver's side door ajar warning light was illuminated. The contact opened and closed the driver's side door multiple times however, the warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,241

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11418394
2003 Volvo C70Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volvo c70. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced intermittent failures while starting and driving the vehicle. The contact stated that in warmer weather, the gear shifter failed to shift as designed. The vehicle was taken to leikin motor companies (38750 mentor ave #1, willoughby, oh 44094), to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission and ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. The vin was not available.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11326325
2004 Volvo C70Electrical system

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...

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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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11278377
2007 Volvo C70Electrical system

My 2007 c70 stopped reading both of my key fobs at the same time. I was at walmart and when I tried to start the car it said key error try again. So I tried and I tried. Nothing. I called my roommate who came with my other key about 1 hour later. It was about 1:30 am by this time. The other key didn't work either. Also key error. My top is open and I have no choice but to leave my car exposed over night. I go back 9 hours later to try and start the car again. Nothing again. This time the key gets stuck in the...

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ignition. I had to have the car towed to my house, and the top is still down . And neither key works. This is ridiculous that they can allow a key to be erased. It is very unsafe. I could have been in a situation in the parking lot where I needed to leave and wasn't able to leave. My life could have been at jeopardy.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11257206
2013 Volvo C70Electrical system

When driving at highway speeds with the top down, the "door open" warning and interior lights come on and the door opens slightly ajar. Can be either driver or passenger side. Locked or unlocked. Doors are securely closed beforehand. Having researched this extensively, I know it is also an issue for other volvo owners. I have tried to lube the door latches as some have suggested, but this does not work. Volvo and their dealers have stated they have "never heard" of this happening before, much to my frustration. This is a serious safety issue. A car door should not pop open while driving at any speed let alone on a highway.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11217325
2011 Volvo C70Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volvo c70. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning and the oil indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred numerous times between february of 2011 and september of 2018. During the first failure, the throttle body and intake manifold failed and the failure recurred in september of 2014. Dyer & dyer volvo cars (5260 peachtree blvd, chamblee, georgia 30341, (770) 452-0077) stated that the vehicle was under warranty and provided a [rdar]...

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upgrade. In june of 2016, the vehicle stalled while driving 50 mph. North point volvo (1570 mansell rd, alpharetta, georgia 30009, (678) 365-0644) replaced the central electric module. In october of 2017, the contact stated that the electronic control module was replaced by north point volvo; however, the failure recurred in april of 2018. The vehicle was towed to volvo of columbus (1661 whittlesey rd, columbus, ga 31904, (706) 322-9927) and the battery was replaced. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to start when prompted in september of 2018 and the sensor cable (rpm transmission cable) was replaced by north point volvo. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 24,000.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11139197
2007 Volvo C70Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

While driving at highway speeds, passenger door suddenly comes unlatched. Doors are automatically locked when driving. The information system reports a door open, the interior lights flicker on and off with the door vibrating by the wind at 70 mph. Also, the window starts going up and down about a half inch like it would normally function when the door is opened for clearance. This has happened on a road trip, and was in a place where it was difficult to find a safe place to exit the highway, the door, after...

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closing, appears to shut properly, and the lock seems to function. Then, when there is a bump or dip in the road, the door becomes unlatched again. This is very scary to have the door come unlatched for no reason at all. There was not a passenger on this trip, so it was not accidentally opened. There was a small dog with me, and she was terrified by the noise, and the window movement. I was terrified that my dog would go out the open door. There are other complaints of this happening to other owners, so it is not a rare occurrence. Volvo should issue a recall to repair the doors to prevent them from opening unexpectedly. Reference nhtsa id numbers 10680779 and 10616590

Filed Incident Electrical system · Structure · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11093832
2011 Volvo C70Electrical systemDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

Sirius radio has exclusive and undisclosed rights to continuously update their software in your volvo vehicle whether the car is turned on or turned off. Because of a software/hardware problem in several sirius components installed in volvo vehicles, the update results in an endless loop which utilizes your battery and drains it to the point where the battery is damaged, can not be recharged and has to be replaced. This causes dangerous conditions and extreme inconvenience when upon returning to your vehicle you...

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find that the battery is dead/fully discharged and your car will not start. Both sirius and volvo are aware of this problem, yet neither has issued a recall or notified their owners and customers. Volvo and sirius radio are under an exclusive agreement to embed sirius receivers in all volvo vehicles whether the buyer and subsequent owners wish to have the sirius components. Volvo service shops will not remove the sirius components or otherwise deactivate it even if the owner wishes them to do so. This is a dangerous condition that has not been reported and disclosed to the nhtsa, yet volvo service shops are fully aware of this matter and will replace your sirius component and replace the battery when they are confronted. It took me 4 service visits to correct this issue.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 10746224
2010 Volvo C70Electrical systemFire

While driving on a busy boulevard ,the above vehicle, suddenly lost all power and quit running. Upon inspection of the battery I saw that it had been severely overheated and the cables were welded to the battery post. The vehicle repair mechanic said this is a common problem with volvo vehicles. The battery near the end of its use , draws low amps, the alternator (which have a design flaw) overcompensate amperage to the battery which results in a fire. I contacted volvo customer service and they said they had...

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never heard of this before, while checking on the internet I found numerous complaints of this occurrence. The mechanic ( +a volvo repair, covina, ca) said he has replaced several of these alternators within the past few months. I believe eventually someone will be seriously injured if an explosion occurs. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10683860
2007 Volvo C70Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

While driving either the passenger door or the driver door suddenly becomes unlatched even when locked and the information message system comes on saying passenger (or driver) door is open and cabin lights come on. I am required to pull over and resecure doors. This issue has escalated to a nearly daily occurrence. This problem should be fixed by a recall as doors are not supposed to automatically come open on a 7 year old car that has never been in an accident. I have made an appt with the herb gordon volvo dealer in silver spring md for an assessment. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 10680779

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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