2002 Volvo V70 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 22%of 76 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Volvo V70, 22% of the 76 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,000 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.
“Improper shift of automatic transmission from reverse to drive and in certain slowing down condition which cause car to lurch (slow down as in making a right/left turn). Dealer first stated that problem was with onboard software, now saying the car needs a new transmission. Internet search concludes that this is not an isolated condition.”
NHTSA complaint #10368412, filed 2010-11, 90,000 miles“Shifting became rough. Then transmission would thud in and out of gear repeatedly while driving. At 40 MPH the vehicle shifts up and down and can't decide what gear to be in. Between 35pmh-40mph it thuds in and out of gears.”
NHTSA complaint #10433488, filed 2011-10, 77,854 miles“Vehicle lunges forward from second to third gear and bangs into gear from second to first gear. Took the vehicle to Volvo dealership and had a software update. A mechanic test drove the vehicle afterwards and we were told the transmission needed to be replaced. Mileage was 132,00. Visited a local mechanic and he said he had serviced several Volvo s60 and V70 models of the 2001~2002 model year and had found that several had experienced the same problem with only a transmission replacement to resolve the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10426541, filed 2011-09, 132,000 miles“While driving at 50 MPH front driver's side wheel separated from the vehicle. When the wheel separated the air bags deployed. Consumer lost control of the vehicle and collided with another vehicle. The police arrived and cited the consumer. Vehicle was examined by a certified mechanic, who informed the consumer that the shaft broke, causing the wheel to come off, and the collision to occur.”
NHTSA complaint #10047949, filed 2003-11, 30,000 miles“Transmission began slipping around 90,000 miles. Changing from 2nd to 3rd was a pressurized build up resulting in a lunge forward or bucking of vehicle. Several times trying to get across traffic lanes almost resulted in near crash due to transmission not changing gear. Putting car in gear resulted in a bucking forward or lunge. Volvo advised a new transmission but advised us of a computer download that might fix the problem. After the download the car drove great for about three weeks. Then it began again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10368266, filed 2010-11, 97,000 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.
- 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 2002 Volvo V70
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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