YV1672MCXBJ1150412011 VOLVO C70
2011 VOLVO C70 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There is 1 open recall on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. Owner complaints include 1 reported death and 0 injuries — an extremely serious pattern that warrants further investigation.
Executive Summary
2011 VOLVO C70
2011 VOLVO C70 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There is 1 open recall on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. Owner complaints include 1 reported death and 0 injuries — an extremely serious pattern that warrants further investigation.
- 1 open recall — verify these have been repaired before purchase
- 1 death reported in owner complaints — a serious red flag
13 owner complaints filed — top areas: Body/Structure (46%), Safety Systems (15%), Electrical (15%). 1 death and 0 injuries reported.
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- VOLVO
- Model
- C70
- Year
- 2011
- Body Style
- Convertible/Cabriolet
- Vehicle Type
- PASSENGER CAR
- Drive Type
- FWD/Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 5-cyl 2.5L 227 hp
- Doors
- 2
- Manufacturer
- VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
- Assembly
- UDDEVALLA, SWEDEN
- GVWR
- Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: UDDEVALLA, SWEDEN
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
✓ No high-risk recall components found
- ⚠1 death(s) reported in complaints
Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.
Driver Assistance Features
ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
Deferred Failure Risk
Components and defects approaching or past their known service milestones
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
1 RECALLNHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 1 recall below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 1 recall is ~56%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
VOLVO completes recalls at a good rate (90%), averaging about 16 months to remedy. Most affected vehicles are fixed.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~16 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
SummaryVOLVO 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.Read full details...
~44% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
Recall Intelligence
Detailed analysis of recall history and severity
1 death reported across 13 complaints — a rate of 1 in 13 complaints involving a fatality.
Complaint Intelligence
13 complaints analyzed across 6 system categories
46% of complaints filed in Aug & Oct — may indicate temperature-sensitive or weather-related failures.
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME13 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
Both cabin doors (initially only the passenger door) will pop half-open from a closed position while driving, particularly with the windows and/or roof down. This occurs seemingly at random and regardless of lock position or firmness of door closing. The effect is a startling noise as the door opens slightly, the window retracts, and the cabin lights and door warning alarm engage. This can pose a hazard to safe driving. Neither door has as-of-yet come fully unlatched, remaining instead in a half-latched position until the driver can pull over and close the door fully once more. Lubrication of the latches by a mechanic did not alleviate the issue, and a cursory browsing of Volvo forums suggests that this is a common issue for which no recall or service bulletin has been issued.
The contact owns a 2011 Volvo C70. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an unknown rate of speed on the highway, he veered off the road, hit a road sign, and crashed into a bridge wall. The contact's son was pronounced dead on the scene. A police report was filed which documented that only the passenger side air bag had deployed upon impact. The contact's son passed away as a result of hitting his head on both the driver side door and the steering wheel. The road sign was also damaged as a result of the accident. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard after the accident. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was unknown.
The passenger door unlatches after hitting mild bumps in the road. The door does not fully open due to the secondary safety latch but it still represents a dangerous condition especially if a person is sitting in the passenger seat.
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
DOOR OPENS WHILE DRIVING
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR POPPED OPEN. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS DOWN WHEN THIS HAPPENED. WE WERE DRIVING ABOUT 65MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. *TR
WARNING LIGHT IS ON FOR AIR BAGS SRS AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT. *TR
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] 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.
THIS CAR IS A CONVERTIBLE. WHEN THE TOP IS DOWN AND I HIT A BUMP, THE DRIVER DOOR POPS OPEN, DOOR AJAR MESSAGE APPEARS, AND DOME LIGHTS COME ON. LIKE THE PREVIOUS DRIVER COMPLAINT, I AM FORCED TO PULL OVER TO RE-CLOSE THE DOOR. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER BACK IN 2012. WE LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY ACTIVE RECALLS. NONE THEN AND NONE CURRENTLY. SINCE THEN, THE DOOR POPS OPEN 50% OF THE TIME WHEN THE TOP IS DOWN. THE CAR HAS NEVER HAD STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO IT. THE LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP RECOMMENDED I POST TO THIS SITE. I AGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS POST: "THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THE VOLVO FORUMS" SUGGESTING A SYSTEMIC ISSUE. HTTP://VOLVOFORUMS.COM/FORUM/VOLVO-C70-14/C70-DOOR-UNLOCKS-OPENS-ITSELF-WHILE-DRIVING-83545/ HTTP://VOLVOFORUMS.COM/FORUM/VOLVO-XC90-9/DOOR-OPENS-WHILE-DRIVING-TWICE-66826/
DRIVING ON A HOUSTON HWY 1960 WEST I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AND COULD ONLY STOP THE CAR BY REPEATED BRAKE PUMPING AS A STEADY PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL HAD THE PEDAL GO TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS A JUST BRAKE STORE VERY CLOSE SO I TOOK IT THERE AS I WAS STILL OVER 40 MILES FROM A DEALER OR HOME. THEY CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID AND IT WAS EMPTY AND IN TRYING TO ADD FLUID WE SAW IT RUNNING OUT THE BACK WHEEL ONTO THE GROUND. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL, PASSENGER SIDE HAD A BRAKE CALLIPER LEAKING THAT DRAINED THE SYSTEM. WITH ONLY 34,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE THIS APPEARS TO BE A FAULTY PART. THE PART REPLACEMENT HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND ARE THE REST OF THESE PARTS ON MY CAR AND ALL OTHER SIMILAR CARS A POTENTIAL SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAZARD?
THIS CAR IS A CONVERTIBLE, AND WHEN THE TOP IS DOWN/OPEN, AND I AM DRIVING AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 25MPH, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR CAN SPONTANEOUSLY OPEN. THE DOORS DO NOT FLY OPEN, BUT THE "DOOR OPEN" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON, AND THE WINDOW DROPS SLIGHTLY AS IT DOES WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR. THEN, I AM FORCED TO PULL OVER TO RE-CLOSE THE DOORS. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER OR NOT THE DOORS ARE LOCKED, AND I AM CONFIDENT THEY ARE FULLY SECURED BEFORE THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAPPENS MORE OFTEN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAN THE DRIVER SIDE, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED ON BOTH SIDES. THIS WAS REPORTED TO VOLVO ON 6/17/2016, AND THEY INDICATED THAT THERE ARE NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THE VOLVO FORUMS, WHICH SUGGESTS A SYSTEMATIC SAFETY ISSUE. E.G.: HTTP://VOLVOFORUMS.COM/FORUM/VOLVO-C70-14/C70-DOOR-UNLOCKS-OPENS-ITSELF-WHILE-DRIVING-83545/ HTTP://VOLVOFORUMS.COM/FORUM/VOLVO-XC90-9/DOOR-OPENS-WHILE-DRIVING-TWICE-66826/
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 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.
PIRELLI FOUR SEASONS 235/40 R 18 TIRE FAILURE (BLOWOUT) ON 2011 VOLVO C70 PURCHASED NEW FROM DEVOE VOLVO, 28470 TAMIAMI TRAIL SOUTH, BONITA SPRINGS, FL 34134 ON 03/13/2010. INCIDENT OCCURRED ON US ROUTE 41 SOUTH IN FT. MYERS FLORIDA. HIGHWAY WAS DRY AND IN GOOD PAVED CONDITION WITH NO OBSTRUCTIONS. SPEED WAS 35 MILES PER HOUR. MILEAGE ON AUTOMOBILE WAS 2,767. TIRE FAILURE (SEPARATION OF SIDEWALL) WAS APPROXIMATELY 30%. FAILED TIRE IS IN POSSESSION OF OWNER AND AVAILABLE. *TR
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 13 NHTSA complaints on file for the VOLVO C70 — a relatively low volume that spans from 2010 to 2025.
The amber reliability line averaged 99/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 90/100 in 2023.
Notably, despite 13 complaints on file, no recall has been issued — either the defect pattern has not met NHTSA's threshold for a formal campaign, or a recall may be forthcoming.
Red dots on the amber line flag 2023, a year when complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $46,614 (~$777/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Negotiation Ammunition
Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2011 VOLVO C70 — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for YV1672MCXBJ115041. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | YV1672MCXBJ115041 |
| Model Year | 2011 |
| Make | VOLVO |
| Model | C70 |
| Vehicle Type | PASSENGER CAR |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Convertible/Cabriolet |
| Doors | 2 |
| Drive Type | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 5 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.5 |
| Horsepower | 227 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | VOLVO CAR CORPORATION |
| Assembly City | UDDEVALLA |
| Assembly Country | SWEDEN |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | YV1 |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | X |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | B |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | J |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 115041 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 1 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 13 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 7/3/2026, 2:41:41 AM.