2010 Volvo C30 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. 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.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL TORQUE THE GEARSHIFT LEVER STUD ASSEMBLY TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM .
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2010 C30.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10V255000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-458-1552.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
Summary: 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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TORQUE THE GEARSHIFT LEVER STUD ASSEMBLY TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM .
Notes: VOLVO SAFETY RECALL NO. R227. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
2. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires.
What could happen: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
The fix: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2010 C30.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10V566000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
Summary: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Notes: VOLVO SAFETY RECALL NO. R231. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 2010 Volvo C30 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Visibility (wipers / glass) (4), Airbags (1), Wheels / tires (1), Traction Control System (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
03/13/2023 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
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…
12/23/2021 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
The windshield is loose at the top and can leak. The windshield may move under normal driving conditions.
01/02/2018 · Visibility (wipers / glass) · crash
I HAVE A 2010 VOLVO C30. IN LATE NOVEMBER 2017 I WAS IN A MINOR ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY. SOMETHING CAME OFF A BIG RIG IN FRONT OF ME AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD AS WELL AS ME RUNNING OVER SOMETHING. I ASSUME THE TRUCK BLEW A TIRE, AS THE TRUCK STARTED SPARKING UNDERNEATH. THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD, I THOUGHT THE WINDSHIELD HAD BROKEN. WHEN I PULLED OVER, I DIDN'T SE…
03/09/2016 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
MY WINDSHIELD WAS LIFTING AS I DROVE HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR ON A WINDY DAY, AS WELL AS LEAKED WATER DURING HEAVY RAIN. TOOK IT TO AN AUTO GLASS SHOP (LIKE MY VOLVO DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED DUE TO A DIAGNOSTIC FEE OF OVER $100.00 FOR VOLVO SERVICE TO TOUCH THE CAR), WHERE THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A HUGE PROBLEM AND THAT IT SEEMED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURING OF…
10/08/2015 · Airbags · 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 DEPLOYE…
10/30/2014 · Wheels / tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLVO C30. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT, THE REAR TIRES LOST TRACTION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMBER ANGLE WAS TOO POSITIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAI…