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2009 Volvo C30 problems

The most common problem on the 2009 Volvo C30 is transmission and drivetrain. Its complaint count is close to a typical C30 model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
179
Worst area
Transmission

The worst 2009 Volvo C30 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Transmission
    2
  • Lights
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Tires
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Transmission
    2
  • Lights
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Tires
    1

Recalls 2

Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)Reported November 8, 2010 · 416 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Risk
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.

Recall number 10V566000 · Recall details

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connectionsReported July 23, 2008 · 1,020 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 08V329000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2009 Volvo C30

Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Volvo C30 179

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 179 bulletins for the 2009 Volvo C30

What 2009 Volvo C30 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 11, 2025 · Transmission · 106,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2009 Volvo C30. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, the gear shifter shifted out of gear independently. No dealer or independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed Aug 8, 2023 · Transmission · SC

The clutch gets stuck on depressing intermittently. I was not able to shift the gear in the middle of the highway at around 80 miles an hour and this was a fatal encounter for me. It could have killed me as well as was a hazard for other cot ravellers around me. This problem reproduces its multiple times but at unpredictable moments. It is difficult to replicate the problem when showing it to the service centre however, Volvo issued a recall for faulty clutch master and slave cylinders in the UK but not in USA. There are absolutely no leaks or problems as the clutch is new.

Filed May 13, 2020 · 196,000 miles · MI

Windshield was not properly sealed and seal came loose, freeing windshield from the body of the car. Problem was noticed when rain came in on driver's side and wet the driver's side footwell. Sunroof drains were checked and they were not the problem. Windshield had been loose at pivot point and could be easily pushed out from the inside. Windshield had not been replaced since purchase.

Filed Feb 3, 2016 · Tires · 99,800 miles · IL

Recently I have been experiencing intermittent vibrations while driving. I had the car inspected at an independent tire shop who found two out of four tires (one front, one rear) were out-of-round because of tread separation or belt slipping. I began to suspect that this was related to vibrations that I experienced early after buying the car used with new continental dws tires installed, from a volvo dealer, just over two years ago. Then I had assumed that the problem was a slight imbalance or poor wheel mounting. I had the car inspected at a continental tire dealer to initiate a warranty claim, because the tires were possibly unsafe to use after 2 years and 18000 miles (well within the 6 year workmanship, and 50000 mile treadwear warranty). They found uneven camber wear and cupping, but no tread separation, and the cars suspension and alignment checked out. Continental refused to honor the defect in workmanship warranty claiming that I had not maintained the tires because I had followed the cars manufactures service recommendation of not rotating tires (sacrificing treadwear for improved handling). I recontacted continental when the level of the vibrations and thumping noises subsided again because an intermittent vibration could not be explained by cupping and camber wear because they are permanent, thus supporting the independent shops claim that there is an internal defect in the tire allowing the belts to shift. Continental has dismissed this as a possible cause and is seemingly ignoring the fact that these tires could have a potentially dangerous manufacturing defect.

Filed Sep 4, 2014 · Steering · 30,000 miles · HI

Turn engine on and started to get out of my parking space and suddenly noticed hesitation of my wheel to turn left>right. I checked my power steering reservoir and I cannot see power steering fluid. I called volvo and they said my VIN is not part of the recall. I have low mileage and they just did a routine maintenance on the vehicle past summer.

Filed Oct 11, 2010 · Lights · 28,500 miles · VA

Headlight assembly cracking. Two passenger side headlight assemblies (original and replacement) have cracked with three months without sign of external impact. Cracking in both assemblies has been identical. A third assembly will be installed this wednesday. Cracking is substantial and poses a safety hazard.

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Questions about the 2009 Volvo C30

Is the 2009 Volvo C30 reliable?

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2009 Volvo C30, close to a typical C30 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Volvo C30?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 2 complaints. Next is lights (1).

How many recalls does the 2009 Volvo C30 have?

2 recalls, covering equipment and steering.

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