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2001-2016 · 16 model years

Volvo XC70 Problems by year

Owners have filed 139 complaints about the Volvo XC70 across 16 model years, and it has 20 recalls. The 2008 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (39). The most reported problem area is the fuel system, followed by the electrical system.

Most complaints for its age200839 complaints · 8 recallsSee the 2008
Complaints
139
Recalls
20
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Injuries
2
Deaths
0

XC70 complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20160200-A
20150100-A
20140200-A
20130200-A
20120200-A
20110300-B
201015501Wheels & tiresF
200915500Wheels & tiresF
200839821Fuel systemF
200725200Electrical systemF
200618300SuspensionD
200527320Transmission & drivetrainF
20040400-C
20030500-C
20020400-C
20010500-C

Most common XC70 problems

Volvo XC70 recalls 20

Latest XC70 complaints

2007 Volvo XC70Electrical systemAirbags

Description of Safety Problem:This complaint is a formal report of an open safety recall remedy failure under NHTSA Campaign 21V800 (Volvo Recall R10136). On 7/8/2026, an authorized manufacturer dealership (Volvo Cars Palo Alto) replaced the driver's airbag module on my 2007 Volvo XC70. Prior to this mandatory safety service, the vehicle's Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) network functioned flawlessly with no dashboard warning lights. Shortly after picking up the vehicle, the "SRS Service Urgent" hard fault was...

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active. Dealership diagnostics confirmed that Controller Area Network (CAN) bus codes SRS-00E5 and SRS-00E7 are present, noting that the Upper Electrical Module (UEM) mirror has proper power and ground but is actively "interrupting the CAN signal." This technical diagnosis confirms a severe internal semiconductor short circuit within the mirror's data transceiver chip, likely induced by a voltage surge during the recall's battery handling or live-component swapping process. Because the driver's airbag and the UEM mirror communicate directly over the same high-speed CAN bus data highway, a technician's failure to electrically isolate the system could send an electrical surge that fried the peripheral mirror network link. The manufacturer is currently refusing to cover the damage, demanding over $2,000 for repairs, and forcing me to operate a vehicle with limited functioning airbags as a direct consequence of a federal safety recall.Crash/Injury/Fire: No.Speed at failure: 0 mph (occurred during dealership service).

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bagsNHTSA 11750222
2009 Volvo XC70Visibility & wipers

When it rains, water continuously drips through the windshield. It is distracting and obstructs my vision.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11702504
2008 Volvo XC70Visibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2008 Volvo XC70. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof fractured without impact. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,400.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 11584708
2010 Volvo XC70Seats & seat belts

On two P3 Volvo cars I have owned now, the front passenger and driver side seatbelt release button sometimes does not release the seatbelt, this happens almost daily and requires the button to be forcibly pressed to release, more commonly on the passenger side. Additionally, on two separate occasions, the passenger side seatbelt has slotted into the latch but was loose when tugged on, not being able to support any tension. This happened on both cars that I owned and with different passengers, where we would arrive...

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at our destination and then they would go to press the button and the seatbelt simply disconnected. On my newer P3 car, (With the VIN here) I replaced the seatbelt catch device on the passenger side believing this was an issue with just the car, but the new replacement also had this issue. This is a serious safety issue as it prevents passengers from exiting the vehicle during an emergency and also may give a false sense of safety with the belt being latched, when really the slightest tug releases it.

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 11556601
2008 Volvo XC70Body, doors & structureVisibility & wipers

I have noticed water leaking into the inside of my windshield and also noticed that the front and rear carpets are damp and the car is developing a musty smell. Upon closer inspection it appears that the top of the windshield is unbonded from the frame and moves outward when pressure is applied against it. This is a serious safety concern as the windshield is a structural component of the vehicle and the integrity of the vehicle with an unbonded windshield compromises the vehicle safety. Beyond that structural concern, the inside windshield fogs us consistently causing impaired visibility while driving, especially in the rain.

Filed Incident Structure · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11513913
2010 Volvo XC70Visibility & wipers

The windscreen seal has failed. Water leaking into the overhead lighting fixture and main cabin. This will ruin the car, and shouldn't happen to any car. The windscreen, when properly attached to the body, contributes to the structural integrity and crashworthiness of the vehicle. If the screen is only partly bonded, any stress could detach it and the upper part of the body would suffer reduced strength integrity. I can push the windscreen out with my hand.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11493825

Questions about the Volvo XC70

Which Volvo XC70 years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2008 (39), 2005 (27), 2007 (25). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2008 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Volvo XC70 years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 2015, 2012, 2013 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other XC70 years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Volvo XC70 problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the fuel system (21), electrical system (18), transmission & drivetrain (15) most often.

How many recalls does the Volvo XC70 have?

NHTSA lists 20 recalls across all Volvo XC70 model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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