2008 Volvo C30: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
47,198 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 8 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 25.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Visibility | 1 |
Suspension: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Seats: 1; Visibility: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10222435 · 2008-03-26 (March 26, 2008)
I WAS DRIVING OUT OF A TOLL BOOTH AND WAS ACCELERATING. A TRACTOR TRAILER BEGAN COMING CLOSER TO ME. I MOVED OVER TO AVOID IMPACT WITH THE TRUCK. IN THE PROCESS MY FRONT AND REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEELS RUBBED AGAINST A CURB CAUSING THE SIDE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN A TWO INCH SCRAPE ON THE RIMS. THE EMPLOYEES IN THE BODY SHOP AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED DUE TO THE WHEELS RUBBING CURB. THE WOMAN AT VOLVO STATED THAT THE CAR "DETECTED IMMINENT DAMAGE" WHICH CAU…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10222435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10274561 · 2009-06-21 (June 21, 2009)
VOLVO C30 2008 HAS VERY SMALL SPACE BETWEEN BRAKE PEDAL,ACCELERATOR AND CONSOLE WHICH MAKE THE SHOE TRAPPED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS MAY VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10274561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10448558 · 2012-02-20 (February 20, 2012)
FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT HEADREST ENGAGED VISOR IN STOWED POSITION WHEN SEAT PUSHED FORWARD TO ENTER REAR SEAT. THIS CAUSED THE MIRROR INSIDE THE VISOR TO SHATTER. WE DID NOT REALIZE THIS HAD OCCURRED UNTIL AFTER MY WIFE WAS DRIVING, LOWERED THE VISOR, AND GLASS SHARDS FELL ON HER LAP. THANKFULLY THEY DID NOT FALL IN HER FACE/EYES. THIS DID NOT CAUSE A WRECK, BUT WE'RE CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD CAUSE FUTURE ACCIDENTS. WE CONTACTED VOLVO USA, AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED PRIOR REPORTS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS, BUT STATED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS NOT COVERED BY …
Owner-reported narrative. 33,598 miles reported. Look up ODI 10448558 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10502668 · 2013-03-13 (March 13, 2013)
RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE, FRACTURE HAPPENED IN THE TRANSITION FROM THE LOWEST COIL (THE ONE ALWAYS ON THE SPRING SEAT) TO THE FIRST ACTIVE COIL. ANTI-CORROSION COATING WAS MISSING IN THAT AREA, AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF SURFACE PITTING WAS PRESENT. PHOTOS OF FAILED SPRING ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST (BOTH IN PLACE BEFORE REMOVAL, AND CLOSEUP VIEW OF THE FRACTURE ON THE COIL THAT BROKE OFF). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,896 miles reported. Look up ODI 10502668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10522979 · 2013-07-02 (July 2, 2013)
FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT DIFFICULT TO UNBUCKLE. TOOK TO VOLVO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE SERVICED ON 7/1/13. DEALERSHIP REPORTED "FOUND A LITTLE STICKY. LUBED IT. NOW OPENS TO INTENT. IT DOES HELP TO PRESS DOWN ON THE BUCKLE BEFORE YOU RELEASE THE LATCH." THE LUBE DID NOT FIX THE BUCKLE. STILL DIFFICULT TO RELEASE. SAFETY CONCERN FOR EMERGENCY EXIT OF CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10522979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10550779 · 2013-11-04 (November 4, 2013)
OIL TRAP BROKEN. WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THERE WAS A VOLVO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM (DEALERSHIP RECALL # 202). VOLVO DEALERSHIP SAID MY MAKE AND MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I BELIEVE IT WAS AN OVERSITE, AS MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN THE SAME COUNTRY AS THE OTHER VOLVO MAKE AND MODELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS 2008 C30 IS THE FIRST MODEL OF THIS TYPE. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WAS NOT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. I'VE PAID $550 TO REPAIR DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING. PLEASE REVIEW AND CONTACT VOLVO REGARDING T…
Owner-reported narrative. 105,243 miles reported. Look up ODI 10550779 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10575267 · 2014-03-27 (March 27, 2014)
LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE WHILE ENTERING VEHICLE (PARKED OVERNIGHT IN GARAGE). EVIDENCE OF ANTI-CORROSION PAINT FLAKING OFF OF SPRING IN THE AREA THAT THE BREAK OCCURRED. THIS IS THE SECOND BROKEN FRONT SPRING ON THE SAME VEHICLE, THE PREVIOUS ONE HAPPENED ~ 1 YEAR AGO (ODI# 10502668.). POTENTIALLY A DEFECT IN THE COATING PROCESS ALLOWING THE COATING TO CRACK AND LET CORROSION HAPPEN ON THE SURFACE OF THE SPRING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 53,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10575267 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10679874 · 2015-01-30 (January 30, 2015)
VERY SMALL FOOT ROOM ON DRIVER SIDE. SHOE TRAPS UNDER BRAKE PEDAL SOMETIME, MAKE SOME DELAY OF USING BRAKE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10679874 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
08V329000 · Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
Reported: 2008-07-23 (July 23, 2008)
VOLVO IS RECALLING MY 2008-2009 VEHICLES. A SECTION OF THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE WAS NOT PROPERLY VULCANIZED (CURED) AND DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE FAILS, A SUDDEN RUPTURE OF THE HOSE CAN OCCUR.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A RAPID DRAINAGE OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE SYSTEM AND A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V566000 · Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System)
Reported: 2010-11-08 (November 8, 2010)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗