2012 Volvo C30 problems
The 2012 Volvo C30 was sold with 3 engines that we have documented: the 1.6 HDi, the Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina and the 2.0 HDi. The 1.6 HDi and the Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 2.0 HDi (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 5 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as volvo C30 alternator failure.
2012 Volvo C30 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 14 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. One of this car's engines has no documented faults in the versions it uses, but there aren't enough sources to call it reliable either, so it doesn't count towards the engine score. How it is calculated
- Engine5.3From 4.1 to 6.6 depending on the engine
- Gearbox8.61 fault
- Suspension8.41 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes8.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering8.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.5 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system8.61 fault
- Headlights and lights7.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.2 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control9.31 fault
- Bodywork and interior8.81 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2011 Volvo C30
- Score: 6.1 → 6.4
- No longer affected by: turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter) (1.6 HDi), variable-geometry turbo failures (actuator, sensors and clogging) (2.0 HDi), dPF clogging on additive-type systems (Eolys/cerine) (2.0 HDi) and premature dual-mass flywheel wear (from 107/110 hp) (2.0 HDi) and 1 more
1.6 HDi engine in the 2012 Volvo C30
Names: 1.6D · D2 / DRIVe
- With caution
1.6 HDi / e-HDi 112/115 8V (DV6C, 2010-2015)
112–115 hp · DV6C, DV6CTED, 9HR
More reliable than the 16V engines on the turbo, but you need to check PSA's action on the belt (units from October 2010 to September 2011) and whether the 2011-2014 Continental injectors were replaced.[3][4]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentTimingTiming belt failure and premature wearOn the 8-valve 1.6 HDi/e-HDi 112/115 built between October 2010 and September 2011 the belt could break and leave the car stranded. PSA covered the repair and in 2014 preventively replaced the belt and crankshaft sprocket on those that had passed 120,000 km.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonInjectionLeaks at the injector washers and carbon build-up in the cylinder headIt is common for the copper washers of the 1.6 HDi injectors to stop sealing: the engine blows gases, carbon forms around the injector and soot gets into the oil. It is cheap to repair, but if left it contaminates the oil and is one of the causes of turbo failure.Repair (garage): €110–€310
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonInjectionJerking and injection faults on the 1.6 e-HDi 112/115 (Continental injectors)The 112 and 115 hp 1.6 HDi/e-HDi built between late 2011 and February 2014 can jerk and turn on the engine warning light because of an internal electrical defect in their Continental injectors. PSA covered their replacement depending on age and mileage.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlAdditive-fed particulate filter (Eolys cerine): depleted additive and cloggingThe DPF on the 1.6 HDi and BlueHDi works with an additive (cerine) that runs out at 80,000-120,000 km and has to be topped up for around €100-120 (price in Spain). With a lot of town use the filter clogs and the warning appears; if it is left, a new DPF costs around €1,500.Repair (garage): €100–€1,500Appears at around 80,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlDirty EGR valve and EGR cooler leaksThe 1.6 HDi EGR valve gets dirty easily, especially in town use, and causes jerking and stalling at idle. On the 8V engines the EGR cooler also fails, consuming coolant with no visible leaks.
Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina engine in the 2012 Volvo C30
Names: 2.4i · T5
- With caution
T5 of 220-230 hp (B5254T3 and B5254T7, P1 platform, 2005-2013)
220–230 hp · B5254T3, B5254T7
The technical article describes on these cars a whistle from a cracked ventilation hose and leaks at the separator at high mileage, and Total Renting cites the coils as a T5 fault on the C30.[6][7]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingFront camshaft seal leak wetting the timing beltWith the crankcase ventilation blocked, the pressure can force the front camshaft seal and the oil reaches the timing belt. It is a serious risk, because if the belt fails the valves bend, but the sources give no case figures.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonLubricationClogged oil separator and crankcase overpressureThe crankcase ventilation's oil separator clogs with carbon and sludge, internal pressure rises and oil consumption, whistling and leaks from the seals appear. A technical article on turbocharged Volvos and the Russian press on the Focus ST both point to it.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationTorn crankcase ventilation diaphragm or hose (whistling)On the 2.5 turbo, the separator diaphragm or a crankcase ventilation hose can fail and the engine whistles at idle. The Russian press puts the Focus ST diaphragm failure at between 70,000 and 100,000 km.Appears at around 70,000 km
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionFaulty ignition coils with misfiresOn the five-cylinder T5 of the Volvo C30, Total Renting attributes jerking and misfires to the coils and puts replacement at between 120 and 300 € including labour (in Spain).Repair (garage): €120–€300
2.0 HDi engine in the 2012 Volvo C30
Names: 2.0D
- With caution
2.0 HDi 136/138/140 DPF (DW10BTED4, 2004-2011)
136–140 hp · DW10BTED4, RHR, RHF
Fiches-Auto calls it "the era of the unreliable diesel": it concentrates the highest number of turbo, DPF, EGR, injector and, above all, dual-mass flywheel cases in the whole family. It is a viable buy, but you should check the history of these parts first.[9]
There are no documented 2.0 HDi faults that affect 2012 cars.
The Volvo C30 2.0 HDi: all its faults and what to checkFaults outside the engine in the 2012 Volvo C30
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemVolvo C30 alternator failureAccording to the reports gathered by fiches-auto.fr, the alternator is one of the electrical parts most cited on the C30: 16 cases, mostly on diesels, between about 60,000 and 159,000 km. It is an owner pattern, not an official campaign.Appears at around 60,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchPremature wear of the clutch and dual-mass flywheel on the diesel Volvo C30According to the fiches-auto.fr reports, the C30's clutch accounts for 18 cases between clutch and flywheel, mostly on diesels, some at barely 30,000-45,000 km. It is an owner pattern, not an official campaign.Appears at around 30,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: RareBodywork and interiorWater ingress through the tailgate of the Volvo C30According to the fiches-auto.fr reports, the C30's tailgate can let water into the boot, also via the aerial, and sometimes the tailgate struts need replacing. It is an owner pattern, not an official campaign.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalClimate controlVolvo C30 air conditioning failure (condenser and compressor)According to the fiches-auto.fr reports, the C30's air conditioning fails in 12 cases, with condenser leaks at higher mileage and early failures in some cases. It is an owner pattern, not a manufacturer campaign.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionWear of the wishbones, ball joints and shock absorbers in the Volvo C30 suspensionAccording to the fiches-auto.fr reports, the C30's suspension accounts for 10 cases of wishbones, ball joints, drop links and shock absorbers, with examples such as two wishbones at 200,000 km. It is an owner pattern, not an official campaign.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Volvo C30 reliable?
The 2012 Volvo C30 was sold with 3 engines that we have documented: the 1.6 HDi, the Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina and the 2.0 HDi. The 1.6 HDi and the Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 2.0 HDi (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 5 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as volvo C30 alternator failure.
Is the 2012 Volvo C30 better than the 2011?
Our score goes from 6.1 in 2011 to 6.4 in 2012. No longer affected by: turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter) (1.6 HDi), variable-geometry turbo failures (actuator, sensors and clogging) (2.0 HDi) and dPF clogging on additive-type systems (Eolys/cerine) (2.0 HDi).
What is the best year for the Volvo C30?
According to our score, the best is 2006 (6.5/10). The year with the worst score is 2007 (6.1/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2012 Volvo C30 have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: timing belt failure and premature wear (1.6 HDi, high severity), front camshaft seal leak wetting the timing belt (Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina, high severity), leaks at the injector washers and carbon build-up in the cylinder head (1.6 HDi, medium severity), jerking and injection faults on the 1.6 e-HDi 112/115 (Continental injectors) (1.6 HDi, medium severity) and additive-fed particulate filter (Eolys cerine): depleted additive and clogging (1.6 HDi, medium severity).
Own a 2012 Volvo C30? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Häufige Schäden und die professionelle Reparatur (Turbolader PSA 1,6 HDi)Krafthand · Motoring press · published 6 June 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Fiabilité Citroën Peugeot. Le bloc 1.6 HDi 8 soupapes est-il fiable ? (1.6 HDi 112/115)L'argus · Motoring press · published 23 March 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 112 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Volvo Modular engine (versiones de cinco cilindros de gasolina)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
- Problemas Volvo C30Total Renting · General press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
- Volvo crankcase breathers are critical (separador de aceite y ventilación del cárter)Automotive Tech Info · Motoring press · published September 2016 · consulted 8 October 2026
- PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Fiabilité du 2.0 HDIFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French