2011 Volvo C30
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 7 of 14 complaints (50%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 6 in 2010 to 14 in 2011.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | vs. 2011 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700 | 2,600 | 2,600 | 2,600 | 2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–20 / 28 | 20–21 / 29–31 | 21 / 29–30 | 21 / 29–30 | 21 / 29–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386 | 370 | 370 | 370 | 361–362 | |
| Complaints filed | 6 | 6 | 14 | 10 | 4 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2011 Volvo C30 have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2011 Volvo C30?
Visibility & Lighting: 7 of 14 NHTSA complaints (50%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Volvo C30 get?
EPA rates it 24 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Volvo C30?
EPA estimates $2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 5 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg | 29 mpg (low) | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S5) | 5 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg | 30 mpg (high) | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR · Campaign 10V255000 · Jun 10, 2010
Defect: 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 .