2003 Volvo XC70 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 25%of 24 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 124,718miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Volvo XC70, 25% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 124,718 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 purchased this 2003 Volvo XC70 recently and a few weeks after driving it I noticed a bad smell of gas. I looked around and did not see anything leaking. I kept driving daily and smelled gas every single time the car was on. I became very concerned because I drive with my 6 year old daughter in the car. After some time I noticed that there was a gas leak coming from the passenger side rear and this became a very scary and dangerous situation. I automatically drove to the nearest mechanic shop and got the car looked at. …”
NHTSA complaint #10554719, filed 2013-12, 102,600 miles“1) while my 2003 Volvo XC70 was parked in the driveway noticed that there were two pipes that were hanging low on the car which was new. Car was taken to the dealer and was told that it was the fuel lines and they had come loose. The car is used only for local and highway driving, so it is unclear why the fuel line was loose. 2) if the fuel line had caught on something there could have been a fire an/or explosion. Because of the location of the fuel lines under the car it is hard to notice in everyday use if it is in the right place. …”
NHTSA complaint #10128803, filed 2005-07, 34,840 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Volvo XC70. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted a fuel odor. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repair. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 169,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10597024, filed 2014-06, 169,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Volvo XC70. The contact stated that a strong fuel odor emitted inside and outside of the vehicle continuously however, there was no fuel visible on the ground. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic, who both confirmed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09v483000 (fuel system, gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10811992, filed 2015-12, 140,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Volvo XC70. The contact stated that there was an abnormal strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle would experience hesitation with starting and driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #10823551, filed 2016-02Related recalls
- 09V483000Dec 18, 2009Volvo is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 s80, model year 2001-2004 v70, s60, xc70 and model year 2003-2005 xc90 vehicles sold in or registered in the…Covers: Volvo XC70 2001–2004, S80 2001–2005, V70 2001–2004 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 10030359May 15, 2009Volvo: leakage detection diagnostics improvements to remedy dtc's. All models from model years 2003-2008. Diagnostic monitor for the evaporative emission system small leak, has…
- 10023657Apr 16, 2008New fuel pump for starting problems when parked downhill. *nj updated 6/5/08.
- 10022612Jan 3, 2008Leakage diagnostic function improvements to remedy dtc's. *kb updated 1/22/08. *nj updated 4/7/08.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 | 33% |
| 2009 | 2 | 13% |
| 2008 | 13 | 33% |
| 2007 | 2 | 8% |
| 2006 | 1 | 6% |
| 2005 | 3 | 11% |
| 2004 | 33 | 33% |
| 2003 | 6 | 25% |
| 2002 | 7 | 20% |
| 2001 | 9 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2003 Volvo XC70
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsElectrical system
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 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