Volvo XC70 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 415 consumer complaints across the 15 model years of the Volvo XC70 (2001–2016) that have at least 5 complaints. 2004 has the most, with 101. Across all years, the part named most often is fuel system (78 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All XC70 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 7 | 27,350 | 2 | 334 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 6 | 28,700 | 1 | 311 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 8 | 15,300 | 2 | 260 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 14 | 25,000 | 2 | 259 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 15 | 38,000 | 3 | 259 | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 15 | 28,500 | 5 | 247 | — | Falling |
| 2009 | 15 | 63,223 | 5 | 238 | — | Falling |
| 2008 | 39 | 71,500 | 8 | 237 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2007 | 25 | 85,375 | 2 | 195 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 18 | 101,000 | 2 | 183 | — | Falling |
| 2005 | 27 | 71,143 | 2 | 181 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 101 | 90,000 | 3 | 176 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 24 | 115,552 | 4 | 170 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 35 | 81,442 | 4 | 165 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 66 | 79,000 | 5 | 167 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Fuel system78 23%
- Transmission and drivetrain71 21%
- Suspension43 12%
- Electrical system43 12%
- Vehicle speed control34 9.8%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)30 8.7%
- Air bags24 6.9%
- Seat belts23 6.6%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2012: “Seat belt won't release consistently. Pressing the release button in feels mushy and there is no release click. I had the release replaced, but same issue. Later models (2014) worked crisply. I asked if they could install a later model release in my car, but told that is illegal . Worried I might have trouble exiting the car in an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10936137, filed 2016-12, 2,000 miles2004: “Started smelling gasoline when driving, and noted dripping under gas tank when parked. I removed the fuel pump cover in the floorboard, and there is a leak in the top of the fuel pump, that drips constantly while the ignition is on. This has been reported before, but my VIN is not listed as one of the usual suspects.”
NHTSA complaint #11040986, filed 2017-10, 157,000 miles2009: “I started hearing a loud noise when I turned the steering wheel. The mechanic tried changing the power steering fluid. This remedied the problem for 6 months before the noise returned. Upon further inspection by an import car service, the right side of the rack and pinion steering need replacing, costing $1700.”
NHTSA complaint #10958672, filed 2017-03, 90,000 milesOther Volvo models
1,531 complaintsVolvo S60
1,263 complaintsVolvo S80
953 complaintsVolvo V70
922 complaintsVolvo XC60
654 complaintsVolvo S70
584 complaintsVolvo 850
566 complaintsVolvo S40
491 complaints
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. Methodology