The 2009 Volvo C70 has 10 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is body at 4 complaints, typically surfacing around 70,000 miles (~$1,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 C70?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Volvo C70? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
body — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 70,000 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
body (~$1,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2009 C70· powertrain
I brought my 2009 Volvo c70 to the dealer for regular maintenance. The dealer told me that my transmission needed a software update which will cost $450. If the transmission will not operate properly without its software being updated, this sounds more like a manufacturer…
The passenger side door has opened while driving on over 12 occasions under varying speed and road conditions. Several have been at 65 MPH during highway operation, and at less than 30 MPH rural roadways. The roof has been both up and down, and the doors have been locked and…
I am having an issue where the driver side door randomly unlocks and opens while driving. This has happened daily multiple times a day. upwards of at least 5 to 10 incidents daily. Now my passenger door is alerting my it is opened. this is a very risky. This is a faulty issue I…
Had a problem with your 2009 Volvo C70?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Volvo 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
A misprinted label could lead to improper tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners and dealers will inspect the vehicle and install the label as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on february 23, 2012. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-201-768-7300.
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units may overheat
An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
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 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Volvo C70 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Volvo C70 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Volvo C70?
The 2009 Volvo C70 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Volvo C70?
Inspect the body first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 4 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 70,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Volvo C70 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 10 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is body. Typical failure occurs around 70,000 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Volvo C70?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is body, with 4 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 70,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The body is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 70,000 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Volvo C70 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Volvo C70?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 10 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 5 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Volvo/C70.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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