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Volvo C70Model year report

2002 Volvo C70 Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
63,500miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.3L 5-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Volvo C70 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2002 Volvo C70. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by engine cooling (1) and equipment (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 63,500 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 162 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 2002 Volvo C70. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift properly. Sporadically, it would seem to shift into park while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis but eventually, the vehicle was taken to a personal mechanic where the transmission was rebuilt. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 78,000. The VIN was not available.”

NHTSA complaint #10462312, filed 2012-06, 70,000 miles

Engine cooling: “Coolant warning light came on Volvo dealer notified. Appointment scheduled next day. Owners' manual instructs do not use coolant other than Volvo coolant. Neither manual nor dealer advise not to drive car. That day while driving, oil light flickers while stopped at traffic light. Immediately pulled over. Engine seized and destroyed. Car had only 2250 miles and only 60 days old. Volvo disclaims responsibility. Dt”

NHTSA complaint #769441, filed 2002-11

Steering: “Volvo C70 - 2002 -- leaks power-steering fluid so fast I cannot drive the car. I have had it towed to the Volvo dealer three times for the same problem and it still has not been fixed. It is undriveable. The Volvo company refuses to give me any assistance as far as repurchasing the car. The dealer that has worked on it had not given Volvo headquarters the reasons for the car being in their shop.”

NHTSA complaint #10086549, filed 2004-08, 3,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

25% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 57,000 and 70,000 miles.

25%0–100%10–250%25–5050%50–750%75–10025%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 63,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2002120041200812009120121
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 Volvo C70 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
C70 Coupe FWD2.3L 5-cyl5-speed automatic182621$3,900
C70 Coupe FWD2.3L 5-cyl5-speed manual182520$4,100

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2002 Volvo C70 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 162 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 162 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volvo C70

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20131175,8300—22—Not enough data
20122360,9501—21—Falling
20111363,0001—23—Not enough data
20091050,0003—21—Not enough data
20082246,0003—21—Falling
20071763,0004—21—Falling
2006930,7972—21—Not enough data
20041573,5000—19—Stable
2002563,5001—21—Not enough data
2001762,2272—21—Not enough data
20002671,0003—20Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19992360,0003—20—Stable
1998783,6004—19—Not enough data

All Volvo C70 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Volvo C70 have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2002 Volvo C70 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Volvo C70 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 1.

Has the 2002 Volvo C70 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Volvo C70 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Volvo C70 (C70 Coupe, 2.3L 5-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Volvo C70 reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 63,500 miles and the middle half falls between 57,000 and 70,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.