2001 Volvo V70 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 20%of 221 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Volvo V70, 20% of the 221 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I am driving in 5th gear the transmission will drop into 4th gear, at that time I loose 1st, 3rd and 5th gears I can shift between 4th and 2nd. The shift is very hard and causes a jerk and clunking noise. I have to stop and shut off the vehicle. I turn the car immediately back on and all the gears are functional. I'm not sure why there's so many complaints about this issue yet no action has been taken to fix this problem”
NHTSA complaint #11093551, filed 2018-05, 190,000 miles“I started the car, placed the car in drive gear and idled through the parking lot traffic to the intersection but the car would not accelerate through the intersection though the condition restored after I pulled over and turned off the ignition and restarted it. Then the accelerator functioned normally.had a semi truck been coming along, I would not be here to write you this letter.”
NHTSA complaint #10586226, filed 2014-05, 128,000 miles“I have a 2001 Volvo V70 with 110,000 miles. The transmission has been slipping for the last 2 years. Last week the car was barely drivable. My Volvo mechanic states that the transmission needs to be replaced (approx. $4700). I have heard of many other Volvo owners having the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10416406, filed 2011-07, 100,000 miles“I purchased a 2001 Volvo v7 wagon with 61,000 miles. (it was a one owner car that had been repossessed). Within a week, the car was going into neutral while I was driving on the highway and jerking. The transmission has to be replaced. Because of its age, Volvo refuses to help with the cost of replacing the transmission. Yet, no matter how old the vehicle, the transmission should have lasted much longer. Neither Volvo USA or Volvo international would help.”
NHTSA complaint #10410279, filed 2011-07, 61,500 miles“My V70 always hesitates when shifting between r and d gear. And I can hear a loud clank!!! Sometime it does a horrible up- or down-shifting around 25 MPH. The transmission must get worse and worse since the clank continues everyday.”
NHTSA complaint #10411639, filed 2011-07, 110,400 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10171679Jan 8, 2020This is a Technical Journal: In case of complaint of Noise, some "tools" have been created to help you to do a better and more precise fault tracing
- 10037893May 25, 2012Volvo: there is a software update. *rm updated 4/11/2012. *kb updated 4/13/12. *pe updated 5/15/12. *pe updated 6/4/12.
- 10033045Dec 23, 2009Volvo: rear differential housing, leakage and resealing. Oil leakage/moisture from the rear differential housing halves can be resolved by resealing the housing and replacing the…
- 10032425Jul 10, 2009Volvo: the 5 speed automatic transmission, aw55-50/51, has a bolt on top that anchors the b4 band, which applies 3rd gear. If that bolt is removed, the band will be disengaged…
- 10016434Jul 7, 2006Transmission control module (tcm) upgrades available to correct complaints/symptoms.
- 10020263Jun 6, 2006Transferring components during transmission replacement.
- 10016108Nov 1, 2005Difficult to engage 1st and/or reverse gear.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 | 14% |
| 2006 | 2 | 10% |
| 2005 | 3 | 14% |
| 2004 | 6 | 7% |
| 2003 | 5 | 16% |
| 2002 | 17 | 22% |
| 2001 | 45 | 20% |
| 2000 | 8 | 9% |
| 1999 | 8 | 5% |
| 1998 | 12 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2001 Volvo V70
61 complaintsFuel system
31 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Volvo V70
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology