2000 Volvo S70 Reliability Score: 5.6 out of 10

158 NHTSA Complaints

4 Recalls

1 Fire Reports

7 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

5.6 / 10

Reliability score

More owner complaints than similar compact sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 45 powertrain complaints. A typical compact sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 26.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 1.5 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall45 complaints against about 26 for similar vehicles

5.6

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

B5254T

2.4L 5-cyl

67 complaints 67.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

other

electrical

engine

cooling

fuel system

Same engine used in

VOLVO V70 (2001-2007)

B5244S

2.4L 5-cyl

61 complaints 61.0 per year Gasoline

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

other

electrical

engine

fuel system

cooling

Same engine used in

VOLVO S60 (2001-2009)VOLVO V70 (2001-2007)

Volvo S70 Unidentified Engine

27 complaints 27.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

other

engine

cooling

wheels tires

electrical

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

B5234T3

2.3L 5-cyl

3 complaints 3.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical

fuel system

other

Same engine used in

VOLVO S60 (2001-2009)VOLVO V70 (2001-2007)

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Volvo S70, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical System: 33 owner complaints

Engine: 23 owner complaints

Cooling System: 20 owner complaints

Fuel System: 16 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2000 Volvo S70

On a used 2000 Volvo S70, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (33), the engine (23) and the cooling system (20). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 33 owner complaints on the 2000 Volvo S70 about the electrical system.
Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 23 owner complaints on the 2000 Volvo S70 about the engine, all engines combined.
With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 20 owner complaints on the 2000 Volvo S70 about the cooling system, all engines combined.
Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 16 owner complaints on the 2000 Volvo S70 about the fuel system, all engines combined.
Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 3 owner complaints on the 2000 Volvo S70 about the wheels and tires.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2000 Volvo S70

Recalls (4)

07E023000Mar 29, 2007serious

Service Brakes

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

06V441000Nov 15, 2006cosmetic

Vehicle Speed Control

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.

04V504000Oct 21, 2004serious

Exterior Lighting

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.

00V405000Dec 6, 2000serious

Exterior Lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THERE COULD BE INADEQUATE CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET WHICH COULD CAUSE THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL NOT TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED.

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

2 engines / 1,030 complaints

3 engines / 16 complaints

3 engines / 66 complaints

Lexus

2014-2025

9.5/10

5 engines / 177 complaints

4 engines / 109 complaints

1 engine / 285 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2000 Volvo S70 complaints?

Owners have filed 158 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Volvo S70. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the engine and the cooling system.

Is the 2000-2000 Volvo S70 a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 158 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Volvo S70. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2000 Volvo S70 have?

NHTSA has 158 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2000 Volvo S70 as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2000-2000 Volvo S70?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2000-2000 Volvo S70 vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Volvo S70?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the engine and the cooling system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the S70 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000 Volvo S70. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 158 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.