2002 Volvo V70XC Problems
- Complaints
- 27filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 98,000miles, 22 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.4L 5-cyl 4WD/AWD · 17 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Volvo V70XC (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2002 Volvo V70XC. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 12 complaints (44% of the total), followed by fuel system (7) and vehicle speed control (3). 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 9% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 98,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 20 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.
- Fuel system7 26%
- Engine cooling2 7.4%
- Exterior lighting2 7.4%
- Suspension2 7.4%
- Electrical system1 3.7%
- Equipment1 3.7%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “My Volvo xc70 2002 has chronic transmission issues which started at 70k miles. The transmission light comes on the highway and the car loses power, or sometimes does this at a stop light and loses the ability to accelerate from a stop. It hesitates and jerks. I am reading that this is very common in this make and model of cars.”
NHTSA complaint #10369568, filed 2010-12, 30 milesFuel system: “Fuel smell and leak from top of fuel tank area of fuel pump. Volvo specialty shop contracted a local dealership and was told repair was covered by this recall. I called same dealership to make appointment for repair and was told it was a 10 yr extended warranty item and not covered. My car has been registered in va since aug 2011. Is it covered by this recall notice or not”
NHTSA complaint #10631034, filed 2014-09, 133,226 milesVehicle speed control: “Pulling into restaurant parking space. Pushed on brake and vehicle shot forward. Ended up in restaurant. Not sure what happened, but never accidentally hit throttle before. Concerned, insurance checked recalls and found a problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10370922, filed 2010-12, 63,321 milesEngine cooling: “The contact owns a 2002 Volvo V70XC. While attempting to change the vehicle's oil, the mechanic noticed that it was brown. He stated that something, possibly coolant, was leaking into the oil. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 74,682.”
NHTSA complaint #10194978, filed 2007-06, 74,682 milesMileage when problems were reported
9% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 74,682 and 110,891 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2002 Volvo V70XC version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V70 XC AWD | 2.4L 5-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 20 | $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
- 04V051000Feb 2, 2004Exterior lighting › Brake lightsCovers: Volvo V70XC 2002, V70 2002
On certain sport utility vehicles, the rear left and right brake light relays may not function when the brake pedal is depressed or may stay on continuously. The high positioned brake light and all other tail lights will not be affected.
Recall details for the 2002 Volvo V70XC → · 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. 20 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10249191Jan 12, 2024Electrical system. This is a Technical Journal: 12V Battery Testing Method
- 10241661Jul 21, 2023Electronic stability control, Other or unknown. Complimentary upgrade c00009 description.
- 10241651Jun 12, 2023Other or unknown. Rubber cushion
- 10219421Aug 29, 2022Engine cooling. Engine Control Module (EMS) Software (MSW) Information â August 2022; Improvement List (Change Log) - US21+OBD22 (13L VGT, TC) And US17+OBD22 (11L) Emissions
- 10213885May 12, 2022Other or unknown. The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to be updated as products and repair methods evolve.
- 10213883May 6, 2022Equipment, Other or unknown. ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations
- 10212891Feb 9, 2022Equipment. VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App
- 10212892Feb 3, 2022Equipment, Electrical system. Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
- 10213882Jun 23, 2020Electrical system, Other or unknown. Battery Charger/maintainer requirement
- 10088374Oct 7, 2016Equipment. Warranty, customer pay and/or internal repairs performed must be verified by a punched time flag on the back of the repair order hard copy. Each repair line must have a separate and identifiable…
Other model years of the Volvo V70XC
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 | 103,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 12 | 90,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 27 | 98,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 144 | 71,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 103 | 67,393 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 79 | 80,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 31 | 83,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Volvo V70XC model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Volvo V70XC have?
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2002 Volvo V70XC as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Volvo V70XC is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 12 complaints (44% of the total), followed by fuel system with 7.
Has the 2002 Volvo V70XC 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 V70XC get?
The EPA rates the 2002 Volvo V70XC (V70 XC AWD, 2.4L 5-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 23 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 2002 Volvo V70XC reported?
Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 98,000 miles and the middle half falls between 74,682 and 110,891 miles; 9% 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.