2001 Volvo V70xc

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 144 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the throttle and acceleration. It has been recalled 1 time.

Not among the Volvo V70xc years to avoid. Which Volvo V70xc years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
71,000 milesMedian miles at failure

121 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 2001 Volvo V70xc problems

36 of the 144 complaints (25%) are about the throttle and acceleration.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration35
101
Electrical System22
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission19
101
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine9
000
Power Train · transmission7
000
Unknown or Other3
000
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs3
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery · fuel system3
000
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights · headlights3
000
Suspension › Front2
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan04V451000
Filed Sep 13, 2004149,799 vehiclesVolvo Cars of N.A. LLC.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SOME ELECTRIC COOLING FANS MAY OVERHEAT POTENTIALLY CAUSING HEAT DAMAGE AND, IN RARE INSTANCES, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Risk. A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

All 1 campaign on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Jan 31, 2018148,000 milesVA

AT 148,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL TO UPSHIFT AFTER GETTING WARMED UP (ABOUT 20 MINUTES DRIVING) THEN FAILED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. DEALER SAID NO REPAIR/REBUILD WAS AVAILABLE AND SUGGESTED COMPLETE REPACEMENT. ESTIMATED COST WAS MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE.

Power Train
Filed Nov 24, 2017155,698 milesIN

AT ABOUT 155K MILES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 40 MILES AN HOUR THE TRANSMISSION ON MY V70 XC WENT OUT IM TOLD ALMOST ALL CARS THIS YEAR MODEL AND TRIM HAVE THIS PROBLEM BETWEEN 20K AND 150K MILES MY CAR IS PRISTINE EXCEPT FOR THIS ISSUE THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS IN AND OUT OF GEARS LURCHES FORWARD DOESN'T MOVE QUICK ENOUGH TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC VOLVO KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND SO DO THE OWNERS OF THESE CARS AND AT A 4000 DOLLAR PRICE TAG TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THESE TRANSMISSIONS WHO CAN AFFORD THAT

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 17, 2017187,000 milesNC

CAR STALLS WHILE TURNING OR GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS. THE CAR COMPLETELY LOSES POWER WHEN MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS. IT HAS ALSO OCCURRED IN PARKING LOTS WHILE DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS. THIS USUALLY TAKES PLACE DURING ACCELERATION. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON STATE HIGHWAYS, LOCAL, AND PARKING LOTS. I DO NOT DRIVE THE AUTOMOBILE ON A REGULAR BASIS; IT IS ONLY DRIVEN OCCASIONALLY (ONCE A WEEK). I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY SO FAR THAT NOBODY HAS REAR-ENDED ME.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 26, 2016118,000 milesCA

CRACK IN THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE. SAME PROBLEM AS DEC 18, 2009 RECALL. WAS FIXED ON 10/14/10. GAS DRIPPING ON GROUND, INSIDE SMELLS OF GAS.

Power Train
Filed Mar 22, 2015101,050 milesKY

TRANSMISSION HARSH SHIFTING AND GOING ON LIMP MODE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 3, 201498,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70XC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED FORCEFULLY. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Suspension
Filed Apr 5, 2014135,347 milesNY

FRONT DRIVER SIDE SPRING SNAPPED AND TORE APART THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. *TR

EngineFire
Filed Sep 5, 2013160,000 milesUT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70XC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE COMPARTMENT AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CONTAINED THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Service Brakes
Filed May 1, 2013134,000 milesCA

I OWN A 2001 XC 70 VOLVO WHICH I JUST BOUGHT WITH 133900 MILES LAST FRIDAY APRIL 26, 2013. THE DEALER SHOWED ME THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS INCLUDING A 3 MONTH OLD CALIFORNIA SAFETY INSPECTION REPORT. ON APRIL 27, 2013, I WAS DRIVING ON A DOWNHILL STRETCH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR ENGINE LOST POWER, KICKED LIKE IT WANTED TO JUMP AHEAD OF ME, ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS FLASHED, AND THE CAR STALLED AND SHUT DOWN RENDERING THE BRAKE AND STEERING SYSTEM INOPERABLE. I HAD NO MEANS TO CONTROL THE CAR AS IT ROLLED DOWN HILL. I ENGAGED THE REVERSE GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP. I CALLED DEALER RIGHT AWAY. HE TOLD ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC THE FOLLOWING MONDAY ON 04/29/2013. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND TEST-DROVE IT AND COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. HE PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER TEST AND GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE INDICATING AN AIR INTAKE PROBLEM. HE ASKED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING MORNING SO HE CAN TEST DRIVE IT MORE AND FIND OUT MORE. WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE PROBLEM RECURRED AGAIN, THIS TIME IN THE MIDDLE OF A FREEWAY. IT WAS DANGEROUS...LUCKILY I WAS IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE, SO IMMEDIATELY I COASTED TO THE SIDE, WITH MY HAZARDS LIGHTS ON AND PULLED TO THE SIDE WHERE THE VEHICLE STOPPED ITSELF. IMAGINE DRIVING 80MPH ON A CALIFORNIA FREEWAY, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER, THE ENGINES KICK JUMPS, AND WITHOUT YOUR INPUT, ATTEMPTS TO ENGAGE A HIGHER GEAR BUT THEN STALLS AND IMMEDIATELY SHUTS DOWN AND THE BRAKES AND THE STEERI

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Apr 2, 2013130,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70XC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED HOWEVER, THE EXTERIOR LOWER BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE FOR THE 2002 V70 MODEL YEARS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V051000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT NOT FOR THE 2001 MODEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Seats
Filed Mar 10, 2013123,700 milesCO

I SMELLED SOMETHING LIKE ACETONE AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER NEARLY BURNED MY LEG BEFORE IT WENT COLD ON THE LEFT HALF. THE LEATHER WAS BURNT AND PUCKERED ON THE LEFT OUTSIDE. WHEN I WENT TO MY MECHANIC, I HAD THEM UNPLUG THE ELEMENT SO FURTHER DAMAGE OR INJURY WOULD NOT OCCUR IF THE SEAT HEATER WERE ACCIDENTALLY TURNED ON. PEDERSEN VOLVO WANTS AT LEAST $230 TO REPAIR DAMAGE I DID NOT INDUCE OR CAUSE WEAR TO AN EXTREME OUT OF ABNORMAL USE. VOLVO SHOULD HONOR THE QUALITY OF THE CARS IT SELLS BY REPAIRING THIS DANGEROUS MECHANISM THAT SHOULD SIMPLY WORK SAFELY IN GOOD FAITH FOR FREE. THIS HAS BEEN A PATTERN FOR MANY VOLVO OWNERS, OFTEN INCLUDING SIGNIFICANT INJURY. HTTP://FORUMS.SWEDESPEED.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?156901-SEAT-WARMER-AND-HEATED-SEAT-DEFECT-RECALL-(PLEASE-RESPOND)/PAGE4. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 10, 2013125,163 milesCO

I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH VOLVO CARS NORTH AMERICA DUE TO A LEAK AT THE HOSE AND MY POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. I STATED THE FOLLOWING: IS MY CAR ELIGIBLE FOR RECALL REPAIR OF POWER STEERING LEAK? MY POINTS OF REFERENCE ARE AUTOMD.COM AND HTTP://WWW.AUTOSAFETY.ORG/NODE/39837 POST FOR 2001 VOLVO V70 FAILING COMPONENT(S): 016000 STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, BULLETIN 229826 NHTSA: 10022614, ACTION NUMBER: 10022614, SERVICE BULLETIN #: 229826 ON 08/27/07. ALSO, UNDER A WARRANTY CLAIM - LABOR OP 64357-2, LABOR DESCRIPTION "RELPACE SUCTION HOSE, FLUID RESERVOIR, PS PUMP," WITH .4 HOURS LABOR. THEY RESPONDED AS SUCH, YET MY CAR IS EXPERIENCE THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOM THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A SAFETY ISSUE: WE HAVE RESEARCHED YOUR 2001 VOLVO XC70, VIN- XXXXX AND MAY CONFIRM THERE ARE NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS ON YOUR VEHICLE. YOUR VEHICLE WAS MARKED FOR TWO RECALLS WHICH HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, DETAILS LISTED BELOW. RECALL 141 FOR AN ELECTRIC COOLING FAN; COMPLETED 09/01/05 AT RICKENBAUGH VOLVO. RECALL 155 FOR A SOFTWARE UPGRADE FOR THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM; COMPLETED 01/17/07 AT RICKENBAUGH VOLVO. WE HOPE THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN HELPFUL. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 2, 201276,000 milesCT

I NOTICED A HISSING NOISE COMING FROM MY BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT IT IS THE BRAKE BOOSTER, BUT THAT IT IS NOT A PART THAT NEEDED REPLACING. HOWEVER, 18 MONTHS LATER THE BRAKES ARE NOT RESPONDING AT INITIAL PRESSURE. THE CAR IS ALSO HESITATING AT ACCELERATION AND STALLING AT IDLE, MAKING THE CAR A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM AS THE INTERNET IS LOADED WITH MESSAGE BOARDS PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE. I AM SURPRISED THAT ONLY ONE OTHER OWNER HAS FILED A COMPLAINT. I ASKED ANOTHER MECHANIC, NOT WITH VOLVO, FOR A SECOND OPINION. HE WAS SURPRISED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED AS THIS IS MOST UNCOMMON. FOR THE SAFETY ISSUE I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ITEM. I CANNOT BELIEVE OTHERS HAVE PAID $1,200 FOR A REPAIR TO A PART THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED IN THE FIRST PLACE. VOLVO SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBLILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PART. THE RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR

Seats
Filed Feb 4, 2012WI

MY 2001 V70 DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT BURNED A HOLE RIGHT THROUGH THE LEATHER. *KB

Power Train
Filed Nov 2, 201151,309 milesVA

TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR WHEN SHIFTING AT LOW GEARS. SHIFTING IS VIOLENT. CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY OR PREDICTABLY . TOOK IT TO THE DEALER , COMPLETED ROAD TEST, AND INDICATED ON SERVICE WRITE UP " NO SLIPPAGE, OPERATED TO SPECS " , THEY DIDN'T CHECK FOR CODES. I RECALL THE SERVICE MANAGE TELLING ME " THE CAR RETAINS A HISTORY OF HOW IT IS DRIVEN AS THE REASON THE CAR IS JERKING INTO GEARS 1 TO 3." CAR CONTINUED TO HAVE FLARE UPS, I WAS TOLD BY INDEPENDENT SVC STATION NOT TO DRIVE IT OUT OF THE OUR CITY. VA BEACH DEALERSHIP CONTINUED TO NOT BE ABLE TO DUPLICATE COMPLAINT THEY FOUND OTHER ISSUES WITH THE DRIVING OF THE CAR, FIXED THEM, BUT NONE ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE. REQUESTED THEY CONTACT THE MFG , THEY WOULDN'T. FINALLY , WHEN THE CAR WAS SIGNIFICANTLY BEYOND THE WARRANTY, I WAS TOLD THE CAR NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE SIGNS WERE THERE WHICH THEY IGNORED. I'VE SUBSEQUENTLY READ ON VOLVO FORUMS SUCH AS BRICKBOARD, AND SWEDESPEED "THAT THE XC70'S ARE NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE SOFTWARE FEATURE CALLED STOP NEUTRAL , PUTS THE TRANS IN NEUTRAL WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED. WHILE THIS MAY SOUND GREEN AND GOOD, IT KILLS THE TRANSMISSION OVER TIME FOR HARSH SHIFTING WHEN ACCELERATING. ", I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON SAFECAR AS WELL AND THE PROBLEMS IS PERVASIVE IN THIS MODEL AS IT WAS IN XC90 EARLY YEARS. NUMEROUS TOO COUNT ON SAFERCAR.GOV ; ON HTTP://RUSMACKEDVOLVO.COM/ABOUT/ - FAULTY TRANSMISSION BLOG: DEALERSHIP AND VOLVO NORTH AMERICAS' INVOLVEMENT IN R

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 22, 201195,000 milesOR

'01 XC70 AWD WAGON, WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SO AUTOMATIC THAT IT PUT ITSELF IN DRIVE WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VOLVO LURCHED FORWARD AT A DAYCARE FACILITY RATHER THAN BACKING OUT AS WAS HOPED A WORKING TRANSMISSION WOULD DO. UPON A CURSORY GLANCE ON THE INTERNET, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC OF THE 2001 MODEL XC70 SINCE BUILT. VOLVO SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE RUBBISH THEY ARE SELLING, AND I ASSURE YOU, WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE IF THIS SAME SITUATION OCCURS FOR SOMEONE ELSE AND THERE IS A LOSS OF LIFE. I HAVE NEVER BOTHERED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE RANDOM ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT HAVE PLAGUED THIS LEMON SINCE WE HAVE OWNED IT, RANDOM DOOR LOCKS, WINDOW SWITCHES, DOZENS AND DOZENS OF LIGHT BULBS BURNED OUT, BUT THE FACT THAT MY WIFE AND INFANT DAUGHTER WERE LEFT STRANDED WITHOUT REVERSE OR REALLY A FUNCTIONING TRANSMISSION, ON A 90+ DEGREE DAY, MAKE THIS A CAUSE I WILL NEVER BE SILENT ABOUT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 9, 2011ID

A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT MY 2001 VOLVO V70 XC THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING HARD, LUNGING BETWEEN SHIFTS AND AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF DRIVING IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THE SERVICE TRANNY LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BOTH CAME ON AFTER A VIOLENT SHIFT FROM 3-2. TOOK CAR TO LYLE PEARSON VOLVO IN BOISE. NATE TOLD ME THE COMPUTER NEEDED RE-PROGRAMING FROM VOLVO AND AN ADAPTIVE DRIVE TEST WAS NEEDED. I PAID THE $149.00 FOR 45MIN (WOW)! THE NEXT DAY IT STARTED AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME ALL SHIFTS WERE "VIOLENT"! I CALLED A VOLVO DEALER IN A DIFFERENT CITY AND THEY SAID THE DRIVE TEST WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY. I THEN CALLED NATE AT LYLE PEARSON AND HE SAID TO REPLACE THE B4 PISTON COVER. 2 DAYS LATER AND THE B4 PISTON COVER WAS REPLACED AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. WHEN I CALLED NATE AGAIN HE ACTUALLY SAID " I WISH I NEVER EVEN LOOKED AT IT" AND REFUSED TO RE-DO THE ADAPTIVE DRIVE TEST. SENDING CAR TO AN AUCTION. THIS IS CRIMINAL. *TR

Power Train
Filed May 5, 2011122,500 milesCA

TRANSMISSION FAILED TO UPSHIFT WHEN ACCELERATED AND FAILED TO DOWNSHIFT WHEN DECELERATED. VEHICLE JERKED SEVERELY WHEN SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE, OR FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, OR FROM REVERSE TO PARK. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 13, 2011119,900 milesIA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD BETWEEN GEARS AT LOWER SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS NOT CHARGING AND THERE WAS A LACK OF POWER; THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,900.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 8, 2011149,000 milesGA

THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATION #EA05021 VOLVO V70XC 2001 PLACED INTO SERVICE ON JUNE 19, 2001. THE CAR DISPLAYS ALL SYMPTOMS OF ETM FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN THE NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS REGARDING THIS SUBJECT. THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, LUNGES FORWARD WHILE SLOWING DOWN AND IDLES ERRATICALLY AS IF I WERE APPLYING THE GAS PEDAL OVER AND OVER. I BELIEVE DYER AND DYER VOLVO IS ATTEMPTING TO "WAIT ME OUT" UNTIL THE 10 YEARS HAS PASSED FOR THE WARRANTY SINCE THERE IS ONLY TWO MONTHS LEFT ON THE CLOCK. I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED AND TOOK IT TO DEALER ON THE VERY NEXT DAY WITH THESE COMPLAINTS. THEY INDICATED THAT THE CAR RECEIVED THE RECALL SERVICE "SOFTWARE UPDATE" IN 2006. THEY LIED TO ME AND TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD REPLACE THE ETM BUT ONLY AFTER I PAID THEM $600 TO CLEAN REPLACE THE PCV FLAME TRAP. THE TECHNICIAN [XXX] LITERALLY TOLD ME, THAT IF I WOULD PAY FOR THE FLAME TRAP REPLACEMENT, THEN HE COULD GET THE ETM REPLACED FOR FREE UNDER WARRANTY - THAT THIS "JUST HAD TO BE RULED OUT TO SATISFY VOLVO HQ." I NEXT TOOK THE CAR TO NORTHPOINT VOLVO AND THEY CLEANED THE INTAKE UNDER THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY BUT STILL REFUSED TO REPLACE THE FAULTY ETM. THEY INDICATED THAT THE FLAME TRAP DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A REPLACEMENT ETM BUT THAT "VOLVO CORPORATE" WOULD NOT APPROVE A REPLACEMENT ETM - ONLY A CLEANING. AGAIN I BELIEVE I AM JUST BEING WAITED OUT. I ALSO HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT VOLVO-AUTHORIZED AND CE

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 4, 201194,000 milesMI

CAR HAS APPROX 94,000 MILES. STANDARD STREET AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO TIRE PUNCTURE. THANKFULLY, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE MOVING. REPLACED BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 8, 2010120,000 milesTX

TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR WHEN SHIFTING AT LOW GEARS. SHIFTING IS VIOLENT. CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY OR PREDICTABLY, MAKING IT UNSAFE TO OPERATE. HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. TOOK IT TO VOLVO DEALER, THEY RECOMMENDED REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION (REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS NOT AVAILABLE). TOOK IT TO AAMCO AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. PROBLEM CONTINUED FOR 7 MONTHS. CONTINUED TAKING IT BACK AND THEY CONTINUED TO WORK ON IT UNTIL THEY WERE FINALLY ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

Power Train
Filed Nov 15, 2010115,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70XC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR DURING MOMENTS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING LOW RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 4, 2010120,000 milesAZ

TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 2001 VOLVO V70XC CROSS COUNTRY WAGON CAUSES CAR TO INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING AND NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. I UNDERSTAND THIS TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE THAT MAY WARRANT TAKING ACTION AGAINST VOLVO TO ISSUE A RECALL OR COVER THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPAIR. I BELIEVE THE "GEARTRONIC" TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ADAPTIVE SYSTEM IN THE TRANSMISSION TO BE AT FAULT. I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION RECENTLY ONLY TO HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES WITH HESITATION LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS A BIGGER ISSUE INHERENT IN THIS PARTICULAR MAKE/MODEL. *TR

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices
Filed Aug 17, 2010131,000 milesTX

THE ORIGINAL REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS A SPECIAL COATING TO MAKE IT UNNECESSARY TO FLIP THE MIRROR UP AND DOWN TO REDUCE GLARE FROM HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. THE COATING ON THIS MIRROR APPEARS TO HAVE "MELTED" WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED NORMALLY OUTSIDE OUR TEXAS HOME, RESULTING IN WARPED, OBSTRUCTED VISION IN THIS MIRROR BOTH DAY AND NIGHT. PASSENGERS SEATED IN THE REAR SEAT APPEAR TO HAVE ELONGATED FACES WHEN OBSERVED IN THE MIRROR, AND THE UNEVEN, IRREGULAR VIEW OF THE STREET BEHIND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO FOCUS AND DETERMINE WHERE ONCOMING CARS ARE LOCATED. AN AREA OF THE MIRROR APPROXIMATELY 3X1 INCHES NO LONGER HAS ANY COATING, BUT STILL DOES NOT REFLECT CLEARLY. THE REMAINDER OF THE MIRROR STILL HAS THE DAY/NIGHT COATING, BUT IMAGES IN THIS AREA ARE PARTICULARLY DISTORTED. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 15, 2010140,000 milesMA

MY 2001 VOLVO XC V70 TRANSMISSION IS ALSO SLIPPING AND LURCHING. LATELY THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON A DAILY BASIS. I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS, BUT WHEN IT SLIPS AND HESITATES WHILE PULLING ONTO A MAIN ROAD MY HEART SKIPS A BEAT HOPING I WON'T LOSE TRANSMISSION POWER WITH NO WAY TO GET OUT OF ANOTHER VEHICLES PATH. MY MECHANIC, WHO WORKS STRICTLY ON VOLVO AND SAABS, HAS TOLD ME HE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT REPAIRS OR ADJUSTMENTS WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THAT CHANGES COULD POSSIBLY MAKE MATTERS WORSE (I.E., COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE). I WILL BE TRADING THIS CAR IN TO A DEALER IN NEXT WEEK OR TWO. FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN ON THIS FORUM, VOLVO IS NOT OWNING UP TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO HAD POWER STEERING ISSUES SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING USED. LOTS OF NOISE IN FRONT AND AT PARKING SPEEDS, TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING POWER. *TR

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 16, 201015,000 milesTN

2001 VOLVO V70XC. TRANSMISSION LURCHES AND SLIPS. VEHICLE INVOLVED IN MAJOR ACCIDENT IN 2002. VOLVO INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND NO ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER ON TWO ADDITIONAL VISITS WITH SAME CONCERN. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO MADE AN ADJUSTMENT TO TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE AGAIN LURCHING AND SLIPPING. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND INFORMED A SERVICE REPORT NOW INDICATED WE NEEDED TO REPLACE A VALVE ASSEMBLY. COST: $1,100-1,800. CALL DEALERSHIP AND INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT HELP. PHONED VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA. INFORMED THE ONLY RECALL WAS ON FUEL PUMP AND THE ONLY RECALL ON TRANSMISSIONS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS ON THEIR V90. BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE THEY COULD NOT ASSIST ME IN RESOLVING THIS CLAIM. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 4, 2010824,440 milesVT

TOTAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FAILURE IN A 2001 VOLVO V70 CROSS COUNTRY ALL WHEEL DRIVE WAGON MODEL. I HAD TO WAIT NEARLY SIX WEEKS FOR A REPLACEMENT PART BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE DEALER EVEN SAID THAT THERE WAS SUCH A DEMAND FOR THIS TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THEY FAIL CONSISTENTLY DUE TO A SOFTWARE SIGNAL THAT BURNS OUT THE INADEQUATE TRANSMISSION. THIS REPAIR IS COSTING ME NEARLY $4000 ON A MODEL WITH LESS THAN 65K MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE BLOGS ARE FULL OF STORIES JUST LIKE MINE. MOST USED CAR DEALERS WON'T ACCEPT THIS MODEL BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT WAS THE FIRST YEAR OF A TOTAL VEHICLE REDO. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS TO HAVE AFFECTED NEARLY ALL THE 2001 V70 WAGONS. I HAVE TRIED TO BRING THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF VOLVO NORTH AMERICA TO NO AVAIL. PERHAPS YOU CAN HELP ALL OF US FRUSTRATED OWNERS OF THIS MODEL! *JB THANK YOU.

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 8, 2010108,500 milesMA

BACKING OUT OF GARAGE. LEFT FRONT ROAD SPRING BROKE IN TWO APPROX. 1/2 COIL FROM BOTTOM. FAILURE WAS CORRECTED BY REPLACING BOTH FRONT SPRINGS. SPRINGS ARE AVAILABLE. RUST EXTENDS APPROX. 1 MM INTO FRACTURE INDICATING SPRING WAS CRACKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE. INTERNET SOURCES (INCLUDING NHTSA) INDICATE THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT AFFECTING NUMEROUS 2001-2004 VOLVO XC70S (AKA V70XC). SOME FAILURES ARE REPORTED TO HAVE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE ARE ALSO REPORTS OF THE FAILED SPRING CUTTING OPEN A TIRE. VOLVO IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT, INCREDIBLY, TAKES THE POSITION THAT SUDDEN SPRING FAILURE IS NORMAL AND REPLACING BROKEN ROAD SPRINGS IS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. PLEASE OPEN AN INVESTIGATION (AND ORDER A RECALL) BEFORE THIS DEFECT MAIMS OR KILLS SOMEONE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 1, 200960,000 milesCA

I PURCHASED THIS 2001 VOLVO V70 XC NEW FROM SWEDEN, FACTORY DELIVERY.THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED @ 19,000MI I HAVE SINCE THEN HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR VARIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SUDDEN SURGES, HARSH UP SHIFTING AND DOWN SHIFTING. THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS DOES EVERYTHING EXCEPT REPLACING IT AGAIN, I.E. SOFTWARE ISSUES ONLY. BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THEY ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION NO LONGER GOES TO NEUTRAL WITH THE BRAKE ON. THAT FEATURE WAS ORIGINALLY ENGINEERED FOR THESE TRANSMISSIONS, FOR FUEL ECONOMY. VOLVO DECIDED THAT THIS FEATURE WAS MORE TROUBLE THAN IT IS WORTH. I STILL HAVE THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THE SURGES, AND HARSH SHIFTING, AND SOON I SHOULD HAVE ANOTHER COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WITH ALL OF THESE SIMILAR TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS FROM 100'S OF VOLVO CUSTOMERS SHOULDN'T VOLVO OF NORTH AMERICA ADMIT THAT THERE TRANSMISSION IS JUST NO GOOD PAY FOR THE COSTS. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 29, 200895,000 milesIL

RECURRING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR JERKS AND STALLS REPEATEDLY AT LOW SPEEDS. LOUD CLUNK FOLLOWED BY SUDDEN ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. DEALER HAS BEEN INEFFECTIVE AT SOLVING THE PROBLEM. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 4, 200895,000 milesWA

I PURCHASED MY CAR NEW. AT 95,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. BECAUSE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE FAILED TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW ONE, I TOOK IT TO AAMCO TO INSTALL A USED TRANSMISSION. THE CAR NOW HAS 120,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AGAIN. I HEAR CONSISTENTLY FROM OWNERS, THE LOCAL DEALER PARTS DEPARTMENT, AND MY REPAIR SHOP THAT THIS FAILURE IS COMMON IN THIS MODEL AND YEAR. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO BE DYSFUNCTIONAL. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 16, 2008100,054 milesAZ

TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES AT LOW RPM (AT ABOUT 20MPH) WITH SLIGHT PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL - FEELS LIKE THE CAR WANTS TO UPSHIFT TO THE NEXT HIGHER GEAR (POSSIBLY 2ND GEAR), TRANSMISSION THEN DISENGAGES...THE ENGINE RPMS SURGE TO 3,000-4,000 AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES WITH A HUGE CLUNK AND SURGES FORWARD. WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITHOUT ANY GAS PEDAL PRESSURE, TRANSMISSION DOES NOT DISENGAGE, BUT SEEMS TO SHIFT INTO THE LOWEST GEAR AND SURGES FORWARD WHILE TRYING TO STOP THE CAR AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. AGAIN, THERE IS NO PRESSURE ON THE GAS, THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY DOWNSHIFT MAKING A LOUD CLUNK AND THEN THE ENGINE SURGES AND PULLS THE CAR FORWARD. AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF THE CAR TRYING TO PULL FORWARD WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES THE GEAR AND RETURNS TO A "NEUTRAL" SETTING WHILE THE CAR IS STOPPED. TRANSMISSION DISENGAGEMENT AND ENGINE SURGING ARE CONSISTENT WHETHER THE CAR IS HOT OR COLD AND THE PATTERN IS CONSISTENT - ALWAYS AT LOW RPMS WHEN THE CAR'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EITHER WANTS TO SHIFT UP OR DOWN IN GEARS. IT SEEMS LIKE THE ISSUE IS ALWAYS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEARS. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE CAR SEEMS FINE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 19, 200870,000 milesNY

TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES AT LOW RPM (AT ABOUT 20MPH) WITH SLIGHT PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL - FEELS LIKE THE CAR WANTS TO UPSHIFT TO THE NEXT HIGHER GEAR (POSSIBLY 2ND GEAR), TRANSMISSION THEN DISENGAGES...THE ENGINE RPMS SURGE TO 3,000-4,000 AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES WITH A HUGE CLUNK AND SURGES FORWARD. WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITHOUT ANY GAS PEDAL PRESSURE, TRANSMISSION DOES NOT DISENGAGE, BUT SEEMS TO SHIFT INTO THE LOWEST GEAR AND SURGES FORWARD WHILE TRYING TO STOP THE CAR AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. AGAIN, THERE IS NO PRESSURE ON THE GAS, THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY DOWNSHIFT MAKING A LOUD CLUNK AND THEN THE ENGINE SURGES AND PULLS THE CAR FORWARD. AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF THE CAR TRYING TO PULL FORWARD WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES THE GEAR AND RETURNS TO A "NEUTRAL" SETTING WHILE THE CAR IS STOPPED. TRANSMISSION DISENGAGEMENT AND ENGINE SURGING ARE CONSISTENT WHETHER THE CAR IS HOT OR COLD AND THE PATTERN IS CONSISTENT - ALWAYS AT LOW RPMS WHEN THE CAR'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EITHER WANTS TO SHIFT UP OR DOWN IN GEARS. IT SEEMS LIKE THE ISSUE IS ALWAYS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEARS. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE CAR SEEMS FINE. *TR

Air Bags › Side/WindowCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 12, 200895,000 milesCA

AFTER A SIDE IMPACT THE SIDE/CURTAIN AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IMPACT TO THE PASSENGER REAR AND FRONT DOOR. THE IMPACT WAS BETWEEN 30-35 MILES PER HOUR. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 21, 200867,397 milesMN

2001 VOLVO V70XC WITH SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL LOSE POWER WHILE SHIFTING. CONSUMER STATES THAT IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED MOMENTARILY BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. *JB

Power Train
Filed Feb 11, 2008IL

2001 VOLVO V70XC WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT PULLED BACK AND WENT FORWARD. SECOND INCIDENT THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED AND WENT FROM ABOUT 65 MPH TO 40 MPH AND THEN LUNGED FORWARD. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND TIME THE INCIDENT HAPPENED, THERE WAS NO THIRD GEAR. AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE THROUGH FIRST, SECOND OR THIRD GEAR. IT WOULD START OUT IN FOURTH GEAR WHICH WAS TOO SLOW TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Jan 7, 2008CT

WAS NEARLY HIT IN REAR WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN DUE TO FAILURE OF BRAKE LAMPS TO LIGHT AND WARN DRIVER BEHIND ME. DRIVER BEHIND ME SKIDDED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE FLAGGED ME DOWN TO ADVISE ME THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2001 VOLVO XC70 DID NOT WORK. FOR THIS I WAS THANKFUL. INVESTIGATION AS TO WHY THE BRAKE LAMPS FAILED TO LIGHT, LED TO REPLACEMENT OF BOTH LOWER LAMPS AND CHECKING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FOR PROPER CONTINUITY. BRAKE LIGHTS STILL DO NOT WORK. APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL RESULTS IN NO POWER BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE LAMPS. THE SWITCH IS SUPPLYING POWER BUT NOT TO THE LAMPS. FURTHER INVESTIGATION HAS SHOWN THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM FOR THE 2002 MODEL, NHTSA CASE 04V051000, VOLVO RECALL R131. THE RESOLUTION IS THE REPLACEMENT OF RELAYS MANUFACTURED BY TYCO ELECTRONICS WHICH DO NOT MEET THE ORIGINAL VOLVO DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT MY VEHICLE AND OTHERS HAVE PROBABLY BEEN EQUIPPED WITH THESE SAME DEFECTIVE RELAYS AND, AFTER CALLING VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE, VOLVO REFUSES TO RESOLVE THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BY NOT INCLUDING MY VEHICLE IN THIS RECALL, WHICH IS THE FIRST YEAR OF THIS MODEL DESIGN CHANGE OVER. I AM GOING TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON MAKING THE APPROPRIATE REPAIRS FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Jan 3, 2008152,000 milesTX

THE LEFT & RIGHT BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO COME ON WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED. THE HIGH POSITION LIGHT STILL COMES ON. THIS FAILURE OF THE BRAKES LIGHTS CAN RESULT IN A WRECK. VOLVO REPLACED A FAULTY RELAY WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT IS ADDRESSED IN A VOLVO RECALL (SEE BELOW) FOR 2002 MODELS OF THIS VEHICLE.THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE 2001 MODEL. THE REAR LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT RELAYS MAY NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. THE HIGH POSITIONED BRAKE LIGHT AND ALL OTHER TAIL LIGHTS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED. CONSEQUENCE: IF THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO COME ON, THERE WILL BE NO LOWER BRAKE LIGHTS TO INDICATE TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES THAT THE VEHICLE IS DECELERATING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT RELAY WITH TWO RELAYS OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. VOLVO RECALL NO. R131. *CN

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Dec 12, 2007114,662 milesCA

NOTICED A RHYTHMIC RUBBING TYPE NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND INCREASES ITS TEMPO AS SPEED INCREASES. I TOOK IT TO VOLVO OF CERRITOS TO INVESTIGATE NOISE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ANGLE GEAR ASSEMBLY THAT PROPELS THE RIGHT AND REAR WHEELS IS FAULTY SO, I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN VOLVO CARS FOR A SECOND OPINION AND I WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. I HAD THE ANGLE GEAR ASSEMBLY REPLACED BY THE INDEPENDENT SHOP AT A COST OF $2,565 AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS BONE DRY AND RUSTY INSIDE AND THE BEARINGS WERE BROKEN. THE CAR HAS 114,600 MILES ON IT AND IT GETS THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE MAINTENANCE EVERY 7,500 MILES. THERE WAS NEVER ANY OCCASION WHERE AN OIL LEAK WAS NOTICED SO I AM ASSUMING THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I WONDER HOW MANY VOLVO CARS OF THIS MODEL HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THE POWER TRAIN. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 24, 2007MO

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED ON AN INTERSTATE MY CAR LOST POWER COMPLETELY. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER SAFELY AND CALL VOLVO ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHERE IT SAT FOR A MONTH BECAUSE THE PROBLEM COULDN'T BE DETERMINED. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME. ABOUT SIX MONTHS LATER THE SAME EXPERIENCE OCCURRED, ONCE AGAIN WHILE TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE "PROBLEM" WAS FIXED AGAIN. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP FOR VARIOUS REASONS FOR YEARS. WHEN I WAS FINALLY FED UP WITH IT AND DECIDED TO SELL IT, IT NEEDED MORE ELECTRICAL WORK. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT A DEALERSHIP LISTENED TO THE PROBLEMS I HAD WITH THE CAR OVER THE YEARS AND FELT THAT IT WARRANTED A CALL TO THE VOLVO REP. I GAVE HIM ALL WORK ORDERS WHICH I HAVE FROM THE PURCHASE DATE OF THE CAR. HE WAS TOLD BY THE VOLVO REP THAT SINCE ALL REPAIR WORK HAD NOT BEEN DONE AT A VOLVO DEALERSHIP THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. NORMAL WORK SUCH AS OIL CHANGES, ETC. WERE DONE BY A MECHANIC WHO ONLY WORKS ON SAABS AND VOLVOS. UPON LOOKING FOR THE NAMES OF VOLVO EXECS THAT I COULD WRITE A LETTER TO I STUMBLED ON A WEBSITE ABOUT VOLVO PROBLEMS AND PEOPLE WHO WERE TRYING TO HOLD THE COMPANY ACCOUNTABLE FOR MECHANICAL FAILURES OF ANY TYPE. I WROTE TO THE INDIVIDUAL WHO STARTED THE WEBSITE AND HE SUGGESTED THAT I SEND MY E-MAIL TO STEPHEN MCHENRY AT NHTSA WHICH I DID. AFTER TRYING FOR MANY DAYS TO DO SO AND FAILING TO CONNECT BECAUSE OF SOME PROBLEM WITH THE MESSAGE TRYI

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 1, 200776,430 milesAZ

VEHICLE OUTPUT SENSORS CODES SHOWED UP, AND THE TRANSMISSION SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. REPLACED SPEED SENSORS, AND 4 DAYS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SERVICE LIGHT CAME BACK ON, AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL NOW. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 26, 200771,000 milesCO

I HAVE A 2001 VOLVO V70 AWD STATION WAGON. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 2 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR. AS I WAS LURCHING ALONG CARS WERE PASSING ME AT 55+ MILES PER HOUR, MY FAMILY AND I WERE PLACED IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND OUR SAFETY WAS JEOPARDIZED. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE I WAS REAR ENDED OR HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I TOOK MY VOLVO TO THE LOCAL VOLVO DEALER 2 PREVIOUS TIMES REGARDING MY TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND THE CAR LURCHING, BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD THAT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETECTED. ?? THIS LAST TIME THEY HAD TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM EXISTS BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I ONLY HAVE 71,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND I NOW HAVE TO PAY $4,000 DOLLARS FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY SERVICE WRITER SAID HE CONTACTED VOLVO NORTH AMERICA AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR COSTS. MY CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE AND HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE SHOP WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR TO BE COMPLETED. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE PERVASIVE IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE. VOLVO NORTH AMERICA NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM EXISTS AND HELP TO REPAIR THESE VEHICLES, THAT JEOPARDIZE THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 8, 2007102,500 milesVA

7/26/07 TRAVELING ON I-77 AND THE CAR RAN GREAT. SUDDENLY, IN SAME MANNER AS CAR DID APPROX 2 YRS AGO ON SAME INTERSTATE RPMS DROPPED, CAR LOST SPEED, NO RESPONSE AT THROTTLE, AND WITHIN A FEW SECONDS WE LOST POWER, BRAKES, STEERING. SINCE THIS SEEMED JUST LIKE 2 YRS AGO (WE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT IN 2005) WE THOUGHT MAYBE THE CAR WILL START IN 10-15M. AFTER 15-20 M OF ATTEMPTS WHERE CAR STARTED & IMMEDIATELY STALLED CAR DID START AND RAN FINE. SINCE 2 YEARS AGO DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE & CORRECT WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THAT EVENING AND AGAIN THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE CAR STALLED AGAIN ON I-? NEAR ATLANTA, BUT THIS TIME IN MORE TRAFFIC WITH DIFFICULTY GETTING CAR TO SIDE SAFELY. AGAIN CAR STARTED LIKE THE EVENING BEFORE. AGAIN-SIMILAR FUEL LEVEL. WE TRAVELED 2 1/2 MORE HOURS ON INTERSTATE. AT DESTINATION AND LOCAL DEALER FOUND NO FAULTS SO NO CORRECTION WAS MADE. AFTER THIS 2ND OCCURRENCE WE FILLED UP MORE OFTEN 1/2 FULL OR MORE. 2 DAYS LATER AND 7 MORE HRS ON ROAD WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM.. AS WE ARRIVE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ALTHOUGH CAR RAN FINE WE TOOK CAR TO LOCAL DEALER 1 HOUR AWAY. THEY SAID THEY HAD A CATALYTIC CONVERTER ERROR BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ONE IN STOCK. I TOLD THEM I WASN'T SURE THIS WAS THE PROBLEM THAT WAS CAUSING THE STALLING BECAUSE IT STALLED 2X (+1X 2 YEARS AGO) BEFORE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER TO DISCUSS AND HE SAID HE DIDN'T THINK THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS CAUSING THE STALLING. AGAIN, NO DEFINITIVE

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 24, 200786,492 milesMA

2001 VOLVO V70 XC CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND WAS SHAKING**NAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO GET TO THE DEALER TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHILE HER 2 CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DID NOT WANT TO ENTER THE VEHICLE FOR FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED THE REPAIRS BUT THE MECHANIC WHO ASSISTED THE CONSUMER IN GETTING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS REQUESTED $60 FOR HIS TIME IN THE MATTER. THE CONSUMER STATED WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE OUTPOCKET $60 PAID TO THE MECHANIC. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF REPAIR INVOICE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 23, 200764,000 milesNH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70XC. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS SURGING AND HESITATING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. A WEEK LATER, SHE DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR HOSE. HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. SHE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT TRIGGER THE WARNING LIGHT, THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE DAMAGED PART. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THEY WILL NOT REPAIR HER VEHICLE. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 71,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

Steering › Rack and PinionCrash
Filed Mar 15, 200799,549 milesVT

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE ATTEMPTING A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN WHILE TRAVELING APPROX 15/20 MPH AND HIT A GUARD RAIL THEN A SNOW BANK. UPON INVESTIGATION I NOTICED THAT BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE POINTING INWARD. ORIGINAL SUSPECT WAS THE TIE RODS. REPAIR FACILITY FOUND THE RACK/PINION HAD SEVERED.*JB

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Mar 4, 200754,724 milesCA

IN DEC 2005, MY VOLVO WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE HAD 48,300 MI. DEALERSHIP NOTED THAT FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN OFF ROAD. IT IS PRIMARILY A SHORT DISTANCE COMMUTER CAR. AT TIME, COULD NOT AFFORD REPAIRS. WAITED ONE YEAR (FEB 2007 - 54,000MI) AND TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY VERIFIED THAT THE FRONT LOW CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE BROKEN OFF, REAR SWAY BAR LINK WAS BROKEN, ALL PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT THE SAME TIME, REPAIR SHOP NOTICED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD FAILED. OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE EXHAUST AND CAR WAS DEEMED TO BE INOPERABLE AT ANY MOMENT. UPON CALL TO VOLVO TO PURCHASE PART, IT WAS LEARNED THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE W/ FAULTY REAR DIFFERENTIAL. DEALERSHIP WAS OUT OF STOCK ON THE PART DUE TO THE NUMBER OF DIFFERENTIALS THAT NEEDED REPLACING. MY PART WAS SPECIAL ORDERED. AUTO REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY FOR A REAR DIFFERENTIAL TO FAIL ON A VEHICLE W/ SUCH LOW MILEAGE. IN ADDITION, I WENT BACK THROUGH PREVIOUS SERVICE RECORDS AND FOUND THAT VOLVO HAD PATCHED A LEAK IN THE DIFFERENTIAL JUST PRIOR TO WARRANTY EXPIRING. IN TOTAL, THE REPAIRS FOR THE SUSPENSION AND DIFFERENTIAL COST $4,600 AND I WAS W/O A VEHICLE FOR 4 DAYS. *JB

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jan 1, 200784,600 milesCT

HIGHWAY DRIVING, NO POT HOLES. SUSPECT METAL FAILURE. REPLACED COIL SPRING. *NM

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jan 1, 2007124,340 milesCT

HIGHWAY DRIVING, NO POT HOLES. SUSPECT METAL FAILURE. REPLACED LEFT COIL SPRING. *NM

Complaints 1-50 of 144, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2001
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20074000Routine
20063000Routine
20053000Routine
20045010Routine
200312000Routine
200227100Routine
2001 — this page144111Fatalities reported
2000103210Routine
199979210Routine
199831110Routine

Compare every V70xc year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Sep 13, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.