2001 Volvo V70
The Verdict
The 2001 Volvo V70 has 220 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (78 complaints) and engine (54 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 50/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Volvo V70, consider the 2009 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2009 has 98% fewer complaints
View the 2009 Volvo V70 dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 2
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: WAGONS. THE BOLTED JOINT, USED FOR ATTACHING THE BRACKET THAT IS PART OF THE INSTALLATION HARDWARE FOR THE ISOFIX-TYPE CHILD RESTRAINT, MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED.
Risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ANCHORAGE BOLTS AND TIGHTEN TO THE CORRECT TORQUE LEVEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SE...
Reported Apr 11, 2026
Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2007 V70 and XC70 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after lon...
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's ...
Reported Apr 11, 2026
Get notified if a recall hits this car.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
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Worst Problems
Complaints
The contact owns a 2001 Volvo V70. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the engine caught fire. The air bag warning light was illuminated. There was damage to the garage. There were no reported injuries. The fire department extinguished the fire and confirmed the origin of the fire was the engine. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.
Been trying to get the airbags serviced and replace since I received the notice from Volvo on Dec.14 2021. I have made several appointments in my area to get this matter fixed, Dealers in my area either don't have replacement in stock or don't know of the recall contract Volvo CarUSA LLC they could not help me, now I am receiving text message on dash saying SRS Airbag service Urgent. Any help would be appreciated. Sincerely [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Received an airbag recall. There is no local dealer but there are authorized non-dealer service shops that do replace airbags. Under the recall a Volvo dealer must do the replacement. The nearest Volvo dealer is 300 miles away. Volvo will only reimburse for 25 miles of towing. The recall states "If you are unable to have this procedure performed without charge....". Towing cost would be approximately $800.00. How do I, and several others in my area, resolve this issue?
I was notified of the recall. Because I live 300 miles away from the nearest volvo dealership, there is no option for me to replace the airbag free of charge. Additionally, there is no plan in place to provide me with a safe vehicle until such a time that my volvo can be repaired. Until I undertake a great risk by traveling 300 miles at great inconvenience and expense, to have this problem resolved, I am expected to take a daily risk by driving this unsafe vehicle.
Heater core burst causing severe burn on drivers right foot. An inch and a half deep puddle of boiling hot antifreeze poured out with no warning from center console over gas pedal. Passenger floor area also had boiling antifreeze. Daughter was driving and taken to hospital treated for second degree burns.
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT ROLL SMOOTHLY EITHER BEING PULLED OUT OR ALLOWED TO RETRACT.WHEN YOU PULL OUT ' OR RELEASE TO RETURN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT, IT CATCHES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SLOT IN THE SIDE POST WHERE IT CURVES FORWARD SO THAT IT EITHER WON'T COME OUT FAR ENOUGH TO LATCH, OR IF YOU CAN PULL IT OUT AND INSERT IT IN THE LATCH, IT STICKS WHEN YOU LET IT GO SO THAT IT STAYS SLACK AND DOES NOT RETRACT TO KEEP THE BELT TIGHT. EVEN IF YOU MANAGE TO GET IT OUT AND PROPERLY INSERTED, IT WILL NOT RETRACT WHEN RELEASED. . THE BELT HAS TO BE KEPT UP IN THE HIGHEST PART PF THE SLOT IN THE POST THAT IT COMES OUT OF, OR IS RETRACTED BACK INTO, WITH MY LEFT HAND WHILE BEING PULLED OUT OR ALLOWED TO RETRACT, OR ELSE IT GETS STUCK IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SLOT.. IT IS NOT SAFE. EVEN IF PROPERLY CLICKED IN, YOU COULD NOT COUNT ON IT TO RETRACT TIGHTLY IF THERE IS A COLLISION OR SUDDEN STOP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR AROUND AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE MELTING AND BLACK SMOKE WAS EMERGING FROM THE SEATS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING SMELL EMERGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE CIRCUITS TO THE SEATS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED STATING CHECK REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V051000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND DID NOT OFFER FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000.
WHEN I AM DRIVING IN 5TH GEAR THE TRANSMISSION WILL DROP INTO 4TH GEAR, AT THAT TIME I LOOSE 1ST, 3RD AND 5TH GEARS I CAN SHIFT BETWEEN 4TH AND 2ND. THE SHIFT IS VERY HARD AND CAUSES A JERK AND CLUNKING NOISE. I HAVE TO STOP AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. I TURN THE CAR IMMEDIATELY BACK ON AND ALL THE GEARS ARE FUNCTIONAL. I'M NOT SURE WHY THERE'S SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE YET NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN TO FIX THIS PROBLEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (MAPLE HILL VOLVO IN KALAMAZOO, MI) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB WOULD NOT FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, THE DOOR LOCKS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, AND THE TURN SIGNALS WORKED INDEPENDENTLY. ALSO, VARIOUS OTHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS BEGAN EXPERIENCING ISSUES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.
1.) TIRE #1 WAS PUNCTURED BY A PIECE OF GRAVEL AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES 2.) TIRE #2 MECHANIC REFUSED TO ROTATE TIRES BECAUSE BELT WAS SEPARATING FROM TIRE. TIRES WERE BOUGHT NEW AUGUST 2014. TIRES HAVE LESS THAN 34000 MILES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN ANTI FREEZE WAS ADDED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, WARM AIR EMITTED FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V451000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) YEARS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 09/22/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED "RECALLED PART COOLANT FAN MODULE" AGAIN BECAME DEFECTIVE. IT CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING A RADIATOR AND COOLANT RESERVE TANK, IN ADDITION TO REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE MODULAR/ COOLANT FAN ASSEMBLY. UPDATED 6/19/18*JB
THERE IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS 2001 VOLVO V70 XC AWD TRANSMISSION AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP. VOLVO AND THE NHTSA BOTH KNOW ABOUT THIS ONGOING PROBLEM AND REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISTION SLIPS BAD AND STOPS WORKING AND LOSES POWER AND THE DEALERS STATES THE COMPUTER UPDATES WILL FIX THE PROBLEM AS EVEN TOLD BYE THE DEALER ITS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT VOLVO REFUSES TO RECTIFY UNFORTUNATELY. BUT THIS IS A SAFTY ISSUE AT THIS POINT THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY NOTHING IS BEING DONE AFTER ALL THESE YEARS ? I WANT A REBUILT OR NEW SAFE TRANSMISSION INSTALLED AT THE COST OF VOLVO FOR NOT FIXING THE ONGOING PROBLEMS THEY KNEW ABOUT BACK IN 2001 AND THERE COMPLETE WRONG MAINTENANCE ON THE TRANSMISSION STATING NOT TO CHANGE THE FLUID UNTIL 90K. I BELIEVE THE NHTSA HAS MANY COMPLAINTS IN REFRANCE TO THIS SAME ISSUE WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE ?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FRACTURED AND LEAKING DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
TRANSMISSION HAS HAD PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS. WE WERE TRAVELING ON THE HWY AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING, THEN STOPPED. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC. NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION AND ALTERNATOR WHICH WOULD COST MORE THAN IT IS WORTH. OUR MECHANIC HAS SEEN A NUMBER OF 2001S WITH PROBLEMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED IN VOLVO FOR NOT FIXING THIS PROBLEM. NOW THIS BEAUTIFUL CAR IS SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY UNUSED.
FIRST TIME, WAS IN A DRIVE THROUGH & JUST TOOK OFF, HOPPED THE CURB, AND HIT TALK BOX. NEXT 2 TIMES WERE STOPPED QUICKLY BY ME PUTTING IN NEUTRAL. LAST TIME WAS JUST LEAVING PARKING SPACE, AND CAR JUMPED CURB AND I STOPPED 4 FT. FROM BRICK WALL. HAVE HAD IT TESTED 2-3 TIMES BY MECHANICS W/O SUCCESS. *TR
I NOTICED THE TAIL LIGHT BRAKE BULBS WERE BURNING OUT QUICKLY. AFTER GETTING A TICKET I STOPPED DRIVING IT UNTIL I COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE. VOLVO LISTS A BRAKE RELAY RECALL. BRAKE LIGHT FUSES AND RELAYS ARE IN 4 LOCATIONS IN THE CAR. THEY ARE: 1. UNDER THE HOOD IN THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT ECU, 2.THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT A. CENTRAL CONTROL UNIT CCU AND B. FUSE PANEL BY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR POST 3. REAR CONTROL UNIT IN THE CARGO COMPARTMENT. THE PROBLEM WAS AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN WHERE A STEEL RACE THAT SURROUNDS THE TAILLIGHT BULBS TRANSFERS THE ELECTRICAL CURRENT IS DESIGNED TO FAIL. AS THE BULB HEATS UP IT TRANSFERS THE HEAT TO THE PLATE AND PLASTIC PINS THAT HOLD IT IN PLACE UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE SPRING STEEL PARTS OF THE REMOVABLE BULB SOCKET UNIT. AS THE PLASTIC PINS WEAKEN AND MOVE AWAY UNDER PRESSURE AND HEAT FROM THE BULB SOCKET SPRING STEEL KEEPERS, AND CONDUCTORS OF VOLTAGE AND CURRENT, THE CURRENT IS THROTTLED DOWN TO A PIN POINT AS THE PLATE MOVES AWAY FROM THE BULB CREATING MORE HEAT AND ARCING TO MELT THE STEEL RACE SURROUND THE BULBS THAT SUPPLY THE CURRENT. THE REPLACED BULBS SEEM TO WORK FOR A SHORT TIME AS THE CONNECTION IS REESTABLISHED WHEN THE BULB SOCKET IS REMOVED AND REPLACED, AND THE CONNECTION IS REESTABLISHED FOR A TIME, BUT IT WILL SOON OVER HEAT AND FAIL FROM THE WEAKENED AND MELTED PLASTIC LENS. BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE RESULTS NOT FROM A FAILED PART, RELAY, FUSE OR WIRE, BUT FROM AN ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW THAT WAS RECOGNIZED AND ELIMINATED IN THE 2005 MODELS. FORD AND VOLVO NEVER MENTION THIS. A RECALL COULD AMOUNT TO SIX HUNDRED TO A THOUSAND DOLLARS PER CAR FOR THE 4 LENSES WITH LABOR. THE ARCING IN THE WIRING MAY ALSO CAUSE OTHER COMPUTER FAILURES AS THE TRANSMISSION ALSO HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE KICKDOWN PROCESS THAT CAUSES AN ABNORMAL DELAY IN NEUTRAL GEAR AND HARD ENGAGEMENT OF THE LOWER GEAR. *TR
THE IGNITION IS SHUT OFF MOMENTARILY AS THE TRANSMISSION ATTEMPTS TO DOWNSHIFT CAUSING IT TO SLIP INTO NEUTRAL THEN ENGAGE THE LOWER GEAR HARD AS THE TRANSMISSIONS COMPUTER REESTABLISHES CONTROL. THIS ACTION IS RECORDED ON A VIDEO CAR CAMERA OPERATED BY THE IGNITIONS ON AND OFF POSITION. THE HARD SHIFTING PROBLEM THOUGHT TO BE FIXED BY SOFTWARE UPDATE MAY BE ADDRESSING THE SYMPTOM NOT THE CAUSE. ACCELERATION IS ALSO AFFECTED AT OTHER TIMES WHERE THE FOOT PEDAL IS INOPERABLE, BUT REESTABLISHED WHEN SHUTTING THE IGNITION OFF AND ON. THE DRIVE TRAIN BECOMES WOBBLY AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS MAKING TRAVEL BETWEEN CITIES UNSAFE. A CLUNKING SOUND FROM THE REAR, AS BROKEN SPRING OR LOOSE BOWLING BALL MAKES, IS HEARD AT TIMES OF MILD ACCELERATION AT LOWER SPEEDS. PERHAPS A GROUNDING STRAP MY ALLEVIATE STATIC BUILDUP IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM. *JS
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