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Volvo XC70Model year report

2012 Volvo XC70 Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
25,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl FWD · 19 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Volvo XC70 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2012 Volvo XC70. The part named most often is visibility, with 6 complaints (43% of the total), followed by body and structure (3) and other or unknown (2). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 55% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 25,000 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 259 technical service bulletins for this model year. Visibility complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Body and structure complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Water streaking was noticed on the inside of the windshield in front of the driver's seat. We cleaned the window in case the streak was left from a previous cleaning. During a rainstorm a fresh drip of water was moving down the inside of the windshield. I researched the problem and saw that there are issues with the bonding of windshields on Volvo cars so I pushed on the window lightly from the inside and saw the windshield move about 1/16 inch on both sides. There was little resistance to movement. …”

NHTSA complaint #10969292, filed 2017-03, 58,000 miles

Body and structure: “I noticed water intrusion while via the top driver side edge of the windshield during a heavy rain. At stop and upon investigation I noticed when applying pressure to the underside of the windshield the windshield was separating from the frame along the top of the windshield. In discussing this problem with a auto glass replacement specialist (glassdoctors) they informed me that they been fixing many of these issues for the local Volvo dealership. The concern from a safety standpoint is the integrity of the windshield in the event of a front end collision. …”

NHTSA complaint #11053749, filed 2017-12, 98,000 miles

Other or unknown: “The seal for the windshield has failed along the top passenger side. From the inside of the vehicle, one can push the windshield enough to see a gap. Water enters when raining; I believe this is also a safety issue is the seal completely fails. It started at about 55 months after delivery and 24,000 miles.”

NHTSA complaint #11382865, filed 2020-12, 24,000 miles

Steering: “The steering wheel sticks and hesitates and won't turn. Then it finally does. Sometimes it seems worse when cold. It has happened many times. I have taken it to many dealers and mechanics and they can't figure it out. Just recently pulling out of my driveway, I was using the gas, and it would not turn and I thought I was going to hit a tree. Another time while driving n a rotary it froze. Many times while turniing into a parking place it locks up.”

NHTSA complaint #11318336, filed 2020-03, 25 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

55% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,000 and 98,000 miles.

27%0–1018%10–259%25–5018%50–759%75–1009%100–1509%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 25,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

201320162017320192020320212022
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 Volvo XC70 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
XC70 AWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172320$3,350
XC70 AWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed automatic182420$3,350
XC70 FWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed automatic192521$3,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2012 Volvo XC70 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 259 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 259 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volvo XC70

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2016727,3502—26—Not enough data
2015628,7001—27—Not enough data
2013815,3002—21—Not enough data
20121425,0002—21—Not enough data
20111538,0003—21—Falling
20101528,5005—18—Falling
20091563,2235—18—Falling
20083971,5008—17Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20072585,3752—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200618101,0002—19—Falling
20052771,1432—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200410190,0003—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200324115,5524—19—Stable
20023581,4424——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20016679,0005——Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Volvo XC70 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Volvo XC70 have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2012 Volvo XC70 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Volvo XC70 is reported most often?

Visibility is named most often, in 6 complaints (43% of the total), followed by body and structure with 3.

Has the 2012 Volvo XC70 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Volvo XC70 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Volvo XC70 (XC70 FWD, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Volvo XC70 reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 25,000 miles and the middle half falls between 5,000 and 98,000 miles; 55% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.