2003 Volvo V70 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 28%of 32 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 88,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Volvo V70, 28% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Noticed a strong fuel smell from my 2003 Volvo V70. My mechanic found the issue being a leaking fuel pump. Volvo has issued recall notices on 2001 to 2002 Volvo V70, but did not include 2003 models. The issues appear to be exactly the same even though Volvo does not recognize this issue with the 2003 model.”
NHTSA complaint #10293242, filed 2009-11, 62,775 miles“Gasoline overflows from the fill neck spilling down the car and onto the ground. This is a fire risk and an environmental violation. This has happened with various pumps at various gas stations. This never happened to me with any other car in 30 years. I have found others reporting the same problem on the web.”
NHTSA complaint #10242872, filed 2008-09, 95,500 miles“My 2003 Volvo V70 with ~127,000 miles started leaking fuel from the fuel pump housing. The plastic housing failed on its own. Strong gasoline fumes entered the car even though the access panel and seal were intact. The vehicle was never involved in an accident and never had any service repair work on or near the fuel tank. I've had several cars over this mileage with never a fuel pump assembly failure of any type. This is definitely a premature failure that is either a design, quality or assembly problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10290427, filed 2009-10, 127,000 miles“8/16/05-car stalled and suddenly lost power 3 times while car was operating at low speed on city roads. No check engine light came on. Each time it stalled, the car restarted and was able to proceed out of traffic and, after the third stall to the dealership for repair. 8/17/05-8/18/05-car repaired at sesi Volvo dealership, ann arbor michigan. The throttle body was cleaned, mass air flow sensor replaced and rear oxygen sensor replaced. Service dept said car cleared the computer diagnostic tests and test drive was ok. …”
NHTSA complaint #10135557, filed 2005-09, 36,136 milesRelated recalls
- 09V483000Dec 18, 2009Volvo is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 s80, model year 2001-2004 v70, s60, xc70 and model year 2003-2005 xc90 vehicles sold in or registered in the…Covers: Volvo V70 2001–2004, S80 2001–2005, S60 2001–2004 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 10030359May 15, 2009Volvo: leakage detection diagnostics improvements to remedy dtc's. All models from model years 2003-2008. Diagnostic monitor for the evaporative emission system small leak, has…
- 10023657Apr 16, 2008New fuel pump for starting problems when parked downhill. *nj updated 6/5/08.
- 10022612Jan 3, 2008Leakage diagnostic function improvements to remedy dtc's. *kb updated 1/22/08. *nj updated 4/7/08.
Fuel system: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Volvo V70
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Volvo V70
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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