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Electrical systemPart report

2003 Volvo XC70 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
17%of 24 total for the year
Median mileage
116,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Volvo XC70, 17% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 116,000 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.

“I was driving on the highway when suddenly my gas gauge dropped below empty and all my gauges stopped working including the clock, blinkers, speedometer and the digital information computer panel that indicates how many miles left to a gallon, etc. This was quite dangerous as I could no longer see the speed of travel, how much gas I had left, the time nor could I use my blinkers to indicate lane changes. There was no warning or indication that the speedometer panel would just die out!”

NHTSA complaint #10510254, filed 2013-05, 115,105 miles

“The driver information module (dim) on my 2003 Volvo XC70 began intermittently going out. During this time, I took the vehicle to a Volvo dealer for diagnostics. The dealer informed me that the dim was bad and would need to be re-manufactured as it is a car specific part. The cost of the job was going to be around $1,400.00. I could not afford the repair. Awhile later, the dim went completely out leaving without the ability to see how fast I'm driving, how much gas I have, warning lights, etc. …”

NHTSA complaint #10400019, filed 2011-05, 128,000 miles

“I was driving my 2003 Volvo XC70 at the posted speed limit (55mph) when the dashboard suddenly went black and all of the gauges, including speedometer, tachometer, gas gauge, and clock stopped working. Every warning light lit up. The Volvo dealer admitted they had seen this issue before. The cost to replace the dim was over $1400.00 and I had no choice but to pay it since I was not going to drive my car with no speedometer or gas gauge. The dim replacement is now only warranted for two years, so I may find myself in the exact same boat in the future if the new dim also fails. …”

NHTSA complaint #10448849, filed 2012-02, 116,000 miles

“Shortly after buying my 2003 Volvo 70xc I read that black cars have a troubling higher rate of accidents. I had unfortunately purchased a black Volvo. I noticed that there is no chrome anywhere on the body, including the rear. There are no side lights, no door lights (my 1993 has door lights when the door opens to alert other drivers that there is a door open), nothing to help with safety issues, yet they advertise as being such a safe car. Having outside indicators on a black car is safety 101. I think that Volvo should be made to add outside safety features to this model.”

NHTSA complaint #10375373, filed 2011-01

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2016114%
2009213%
2008410%
2007728%
2006211%
2005311%
20041414%
2003417%
200169%

Other parts of the 2003 Volvo XC70

Fuel system
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Volvo XC70

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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