2002 Volvo XC70 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 40%of 35 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,942miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Volvo XC70, 40% of the 35 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,942 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.
“2002 Volvo cross country transmission problem. The vehicle has 143,000 and transmission is going bad. According to the mechanic this is a common problem. The transmission slips and jerks when gearing down. I was going through an intersection and the transmission slipped and almost caused me to get hit. The mechanic said that I will have to replace the valve body in the amount of $2300.”
NHTSA complaint #10349595, filed 2010-08, 143,000 miles“Recently bought a 2002 Volvo v70 XC70 and am having serious issues with gears in the automatic transmission not shifting smoothly and maintaining constant gears at constant speeds. Have been informed that the car may need a transmission replacement. I have seen numerous complaints about this on the web from other 2002 owners. Why has a recall not been issued for this? Why should we have to flip the bill for crummy manufacturing?”
NHTSA complaint #10346700, filed 2010-08, 144,420 miles“Hello, I own a 2002 Volvo XC70 wagon and am in the process of having my transmission replaced. My coolant constantly needs to be filled and I have no floor heat in my car in the winter and my A/C doesn't work correctly in my car.”
NHTSA complaint #10347869, filed 2010-08, 101,000 miles“My wife drove our car a 2002 Volvo XC70 station wagon from our second home approximately ten miles to san luis obispo calif. For shopping. She parked the car in the parking lot and went into a store. She came back out, started the car and backed out of the parking space. When she put the transmission lever in drive the engine went to full RPM and lurched forward, she applied the brakes which could not hold the high engine speed pulling the car forward. She quickly shut the engine off with the key avoiding a potential accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10441237, filed 2011-12, 149,000 miles“I own a 2002 Volvo XC70 cross country. While driving, and especially during down shifts, the vehicle would lose its connection to the drive shaft, causing the engine to rev up and the vehicle to jerk as it grabbed back into gear. The jerking has consequently caused me to break my motor mounts. A local mechanic diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new transmission. The dealer agreed that this was the only solution. All software updates have been done. The manufacturer has not been contacted, as they are a chinese company. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was around 85,000. …”
NHTSA complaint #10442138, filed 2012-01, 85,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10037893May 25, 2012Volvo: there is a software update. *rm updated 4/11/2012. *kb updated 4/13/12. *pe updated 5/15/12. *pe updated 6/4/12.
- 10033045Dec 23, 2009Volvo: rear differential housing, leakage and resealing. Oil leakage/moisture from the rear differential housing halves can be resolved by resealing the housing and replacing the…
- 10032425Jul 10, 2009Volvo: the 5 speed automatic transmission, aw55-50/51, has a bolt on top that anchors the b4 band, which applies 3rd gear. If that bolt is removed, the band will be disengaged…
- 10016434Jul 7, 2006Transmission control module (tcm) upgrades available to correct complaints/symptoms.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | 14% |
| 2015 | 2 | 33% |
| 2011 | 2 | 13% |
| 2010 | 3 | 20% |
| 2008 | 1 | 3% |
| 2007 | 2 | 8% |
| 2006 | 1 | 6% |
| 2005 | 8 | 30% |
| 2004 | 11 | 11% |
| 2003 | 5 | 21% |
| 2002 | 14 | 40% |
| 2001 | 21 | 32% |
Other parts of the 2002 Volvo XC70
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Volvo XC70
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