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Electrical systemPart report

2004 Volvo XC70 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
14about this part
Share
14%of 101 total for the year
Median mileage
84,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Volvo XC70, 14% of the 101 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 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.

“This report is for my 2004 Volvo for which I am original owner and only has 35500 miles. My seat caught on fire while driving yesterday. I got the fire out and am told that the seat warmer driver side is what caught on fire. Is there a recall for this or does it come under warranty perhaps.”

NHTSA complaint #10820651, filed 2016-01, 35,500 miles

“The events leading up to the failure of my vehicle (which has occurred 4 times in the last 9 months) are described in this Volvo recall. However, my XC70 is a 2004 but is having this identical issue. (a software glitch is responsible for 11,993 Volvo models being recalled by the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA). The campaign includes model year 2008-2010 s80 models, 2010 s60 models, 2009-2010 XC70 models, and the 2010 xc60, all running faulty software in their central electronic modules (cem). …”

NHTSA complaint #10358044, filed 2010-09, 78,000 miles

“The 2004 Volvo XC70 will just stop while I am driving. It has happened at least 5 times in the last 1.5 years. There is no pattern to the problem. It is very intermittent. I was in a situation whereby I was driving 65 MPH on a major nj highway with a tractor trailer barreling down on me when the car just stopped, losing all power, - including power steering and flashers so that I can warn others of the problem I am having. Last week, I was driving on local roads, 30 MPH with my child, and it happened again. …”

NHTSA complaint #10193117, filed 2007-06, 42,250 miles

“On 6/29/2005, I was driving my 2004 Volvo c70 on a four lane road when suddenly the engine raced and then all gauges went dead. The steering wheel locked, the brakes locked and I had absolutely no control of my vehicle. Fortunately, at that moment there were no cars around me and somehow after 5-10 seconds, I was able to get my car off the road. I was very frightened that serious injury and or death to myself or someone else might have been caused. I contacted road service and had the car towed to Volvo of tampa, florida. …”

NHTSA complaint #10127688, filed 2005-07, 14,000 miles

“The side rear l/r brake lights stay on all the time causing a safety concern, the top center LED brake light continues to work normally. Tapping on the brake light relays installed in the rear electronic module causes the brake lights to shut off. Recall campaign no.131 brake light relay needs to be applied to 2004 models as well.”

NHTSA complaint #10852893, filed 2016-04, 175,000 miles

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 2004 Volvo XC70

Fuel system
33 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 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