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Volvo V70Model year report

2003 Volvo V70 Problems

Complaints
32filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
62,888miles, 24 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.3L 5-cyl FWD · 17 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Volvo V70 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2003 Volvo V70. The part named most often is fuel system, with 9 complaints (28% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and transmission and drivetrain (5). 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 62,888 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 192 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the fuel pump and 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the navigational system(global positioning system) and 60 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “Car would not start. My mechanic determined that the fuel pump had failed. I had to replace the fuel pump at my own expense - a lengthy repair that cost more than $1000. Although Volvo recall 181 does not apply to my vehicle, I wonder whether the fuel pump issue in Volvo recall 181 should apply to more vehicles such as my own. This may be worth more investigation.”

NHTSA complaint #10241655, filed 2008-09, 62,000 miles

Electrical system: “While driving on the freeway the dashboard display completely shut down for a few seconds and then flashed back on. This happened several times. Then the display indicated the seat belts weren't working.”

NHTSA complaint #10489516, filed 2012-12, 161,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “When coming to a stop and the transaxle downshifts from 3rd to 2nd gear, it will lurch and a loud 'clunk' shakes the vehicle. This also occurs when accelerating, shifting from 1st gear to 2nd gear; the transaxle will hesitate, engine will rev and makes a loud 'clunk' that shakes the vehicle when the gear change finally occurs. Also, if I need to step on the brakes suddenly and then re-accelerate, it really makes a loud 'clunk' as the engine will rev and go nowhere, eventually slamming itself into 2nd gear and frightening the occupants of the vehicle due to the loud noises and lurching.”

NHTSA complaint #10608955, filed 2014-07, 119,000 miles

Air bags: “This is subject to a recall R10136 NHTSA Recall 21v-800 We have set appointments twice to have this done only to be told that the parts are not available and we would be contacted when they are. The local dealer is Maple Hill in Kalamazoo. I started a chat with Volvo and the suggestion was to try another dealer. If the part is not available I fail to see how that will help.”

NHTSA complaint #11460039, filed 2022-04

Mileage when problems were reported

29% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 48,050 and 99,000 miles.

13%0–104%10–2513%25–5025%50–7521%75–10021%100–1504%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (24 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 62,888 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

20045200620095201420172023
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 2003 Volvo V70 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
V70 AWD2.5L 5-cyl5-speed automatic162319$4,350
V70 FWD2.3L 5-cyl5-speed manual172420$4,100
V70 FWD2.3L 5-cyl5-speed automatic172420$4,100
V70 FWD2.4L 5-cyl5-speed automatic192822$3,750
V70 FWD2.4L 5-cyl5-speed manual192722$3,750
V70 FWD2.4L 5-cyl5-speed automatic172420$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 2003 Volvo V70 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

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. 192 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 192 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volvo V70

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
200811115,0004—19—Not enough data
2007726,1622—21—Not enough data
20062144,0003—21—Stable
20052164,7193—21—Falling
20048484,5005—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20033262,8885—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200276100,0006—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200122180,7658—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20009378,5645—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199916980,0004—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199818777,5005—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Volvo V70 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Volvo V70 have?

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2003 Volvo V70 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Volvo V70 is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 9 complaints (28% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.

Has the 2003 Volvo V70 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Volvo V70 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Volvo V70 (V70 FWD, 2.3L 5-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Volvo V70 reported?

Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 62,888 miles and the middle half falls between 48,050 and 99,000 miles; 29% 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.