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2012 Volvo C30

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 C30.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2012 Volvo C30 is a passenger car equipped with a 5‑speed automatic transmission and EPA fuel economy of 21 city, 30 highway, and 24 combined mpg. With 10 owner complaints recorded, this model year sits in the middle of the C30’s 2007–2013 reliability history—below the peak of 14 complaints for the 2011 model but above the low of 1 complaint for the 2007 model—and it carries no recalls, indicating a relatively average year for the nameplate.

Model year2013201220112010200920082007

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque96 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/30/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 91 · 590 CCA battery, OE oil filter 8692305. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 91 · 590 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter8692305
Engine air filter30757155
Fuel filter31271607
Battery30772216 alt 30772221
Front wiper blades32341313
Thermostat31319608
Cabin air filter30780377 alt 30780376

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length167.7 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight3139 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 30 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the C30 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.3–7.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2008 T5 Version 1.0 3-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009T5 R-Design 3-door Hatchback 2.5L Turbo I-56.60 sec15.10 sec227 hpFWD
2008T5 Version 1.0 3-door Hatchback 2.5L Turbo I-56.30 sec14.80 sec227 hpFWD
2008T5 Version 2.0 3-door Hatchback 2.5L Turbo I-56.30 sec14.80 sec227 hpFWD
2008T5 Version 1.0 3-door Hatchback 2.5L Turbo I-56.70 sec15.30 sec227 hpFWD
2008T5 Version 2.0 3-door Hatchback 2.5L Turbo I-57.00 sec15.40 sec227 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.1 qt of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 96 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-4-5-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.2
Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · API · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity6.1 qt
Manual Transmission FluidVolvo part number 31280771
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4.0-4.4
Power Steering FluidSYNTHETIC

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts133 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 14 ft-lbs; Upper: 7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17.7 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs84 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts96 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub26 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-4-5-3
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)720 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.20-1.30 lbs
Oil TypeVolvo part number 87085817 or equivalent
Oil Capacity6.00-6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number91
Standard BCI Cranking Performance590 cca
Optional BCI Group Number94R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance700 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test22 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194 °F
Injector Primary Resistance12 ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs / 26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle89 ft-lbs / 52 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0003 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.984 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.984 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.937 in / 0.385 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 10011 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
115 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
244 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
3130 degrees.130 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5033 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 75,000 mi.

Every 7,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft Support Bearing (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Convertible Top (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 30,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 37,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
At 60,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft Support Bearing (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 75,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)
At 150,000 miVehicle Wiring Harnesses (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Federal data tracks a generation that held steady at two recalls annually from 2007 through 2010, saw complaints rise to a generation-high of 14 in 2011, then decline. The 2012 model sits in that downward arc with 10 complaints and zero recalls, below the prior year and followed by a further drop to four complaints in 2013. It is the first year in the sequence to post no recalls, no investigations, and no crash or fire complaints, a profile matched only by the subsequent 2013 model. The leading complaint categories—Unknown Or Other, Visibility/Wiper, Vehicle Speed Control, and Visibility—are disparate, and the data does not specify root causes. With recalls eliminated and complaints retreating from the 2011 peak, the 2012 model offers a stable federal profile and is a sound year to buy.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
178
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
10
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’07’08’09’10’11’12’13

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 10 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Unknown Or Other2
Visibility/Wiper2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Visibility1
Electrical System1
Vehicle Speed Control,Engine1
Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 178 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
37809.1.12026-04-07Unknown Or OtherThis is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to…
192452025-12-06Unknown Or OtherThis is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.
85012025-04-10Exterior LightingThis is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a…
S103032025-02-21Unknown Or OtherVolvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has…
S103032025-02-13Unknown Or OtherVolvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific C30. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 91 batteryVehicles taking 6.1 qtEngine oil filter 8692305Engine air filter 30757155Fuel filter 31271607Battery 30772216

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 C30 take?

6.1 qt of BELOW 104 degrees F,: 0W-30 OR 0W-40 API SL, -22 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 5W-30 API SL, -13 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 5W-40 API SL, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 C30 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the C30 get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined mpg.