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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2002 Volvo V70XC Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
12about this part
Share
44%of 27 total for the year
Median mileage
99,001miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Volvo V70XC, 44% of the 27 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,001 miles.

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.

“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 miles

“Began experiencing what I now realize many, many people with this model/year have experienced with lurching, revving high and jerking forward, and missing in drive (with transmission). Volvo has told many that a software update will fix this problem, but it does not fix the problem...at all. I hope this will be investigated so that a recall can be issued that will fix the parts/mechanics of this recurrent problem, and not with bogus software updates.”

NHTSA complaint #10438604, filed 2011-12, 129,000 miles

“My transmission is jerking between reverse and drive. The car hesitates and then slams forward. I have read all over the internet where other people have had the same problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10690309, filed 2015-02, 105,000 miles

“- the contact stated that while driving the 2002 Volvo v70 xc cross country at the speed of 30 MPH and trying to accelerate the vehicle stalled. The vehicle lost the ability to accelerate. The control panel lights turned on, and she pulled off to the side of the road. The contact turned the ignition off and called the Volvo mechanic. They advised her to restart the vehicle, and while trying to start the vehicle ,the instrument panel stayed on. The Volvo mechanic urged her to have the vehicle towed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10186282, filed 2007-03, 97,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2002 Volvo V70XC. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 to 15 MPH and trying to accelerate, he noticed that the engine would rev, but the vehicle would not accelerate. After pulling into a garage and then trying to reverse, the vehicle would not shift into reverse. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic and they advised him that he needed a new transmission. The vehicle had not been repaired and the manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure and current mileages were approximately 130,000. The VIN was unavailable.”

NHTSA complaint #10419796, filed 2011-08, 130,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2003325%
20021244%
20013021%
20001111%
199968%
1998413%

Other parts of the 2002 Volvo V70XC

Fuel system
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Volvo V70XC

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