Volvo

V70 (P2)

2001-2007 · Midsize Wagon ยท 4 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (3.6)
664 NHTSA Complaints
13 Recalls
17 Fire Reports
23 Crash Reports
Includes data from: CROSS COUNTRYV70V70XC
View all 2 generations of the Volvo V70 → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

B5254T3

2.5L 5-cyl / 217 hp
โœ… Recommended (3.6)
11 complaints 5.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
4
cooling
3
interior
2
electrical
2
fuel system
2

Known Issues

Engine Issues (4 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (3 complaints)
Interior Issues (2 complaints)

B5234T3

2.3L 5-cyl
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.3)
90 complaints 22.5 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
26
transmission
18
electrical
12
fuel system
11
engine
10

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (18 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (12 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (11 complaints)

Same engine used in

B5244S

2.4L 5-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.6)
114 complaints 15.7 per year Gasoline
7 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

fuel system
31
engine
21
other
18
electrical
18
cooling
16

Known Issues

Fuel System Issues (31 complaints)
Engine Issues (21 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (18 complaints)

Same engine used in

B5244T3

โŒ Avoid (1.0)
447 complaints 59.8 per year
9 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
97
other
89
fuel system
61
electrical
59
engine
59

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (97 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (61 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (59 complaints)

Same engine used in

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

B230FS1

4-cyl
โœ… Recommended (4.2)
2 complaints 2.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires
2

Known Issues

Wheels & Tires Issues (2 complaints)

Same engine used in

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Volvo V70 regardless of engine variant.

Transmission Issues (125 complaints)
transmission critical
Fuel System Issues (103 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Engine Issues (94 complaints)
engine critical
Electrical System Issues (89 complaints)
electrical critical
Cooling System Issues (79 complaints)
cooling critical

Recalls (13)

21V800000Oct 13, 2021critical
Air Bags

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 long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

10V566000Aug 10, 2010serious
Equipment

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

09V483000Dec 17, 2009serious
Fuel System

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 S80, MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 V70, S60, XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES SOLD IN OR REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, UTAH, VIRGINIA AND THE U.S. TERRITORIES. WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (HOT CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE CYCLING) OVER TIME AND IN COMBINATION WITH VARYING FUEL QUALITY, THE FUEL PUMP CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE.

07E023000Mar 28, 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.

07V226000May 5, 2007serious
Engine & Cooling

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR LOCATED ON THE LEFT END OF THE FUEL RAIL MAY, AT TIMES, TRANSMIT INCORRECT SIGNAL REGARDING THE FUEL PRESSURE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. IF THE SIGNAL IS OUTSIDE OF THE PRE-PROGRAMMED ALLOWABLE LIMITS, A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE MAY BE SET AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. THE SOLDERED JOINTS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR MAY CRACK DUE TO TEMPERATURE CHANGES AND EXCESSIVE VIBRATIONS.

06V441000Nov 14, 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.

06V375000Mar 9, 2006serious
Equipment

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE LABEL DENOTING THE TIRE AND LOADING PRESSURE INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.

04V029000Jan 15, 2004serious
Steering

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY AND, AS A RESULT, THE STUD AND NUT THAT SECURE THE ARM TO THE SPINDLE MAY LOSE THEIR INITIAL AXIAL TENSION. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE STEERING MAY BECOME LESS RESPONSIVE AND THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE STEERING WHEEL PLAY.

04V451000Sep 12, 2004serious
Engine & Cooling

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.

04V051000Feb 1, 2004serious
Exterior Lighting

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 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.

03V284000Jan 7, 2003cosmetic
Equipment

CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.

01V101000Mar 25, 2001serious
Seat Belts

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.

01V100000Mar 25, 2001serious
Seat Belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDANS AND WAGONS. THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BOLTS MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED.

Alternatives in Midsize Wagon

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2001-2007 Volvo V70 problems?

The 2001-2007 Volvo V70 has accumulated 664 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Transmission, Fuel System, Engine. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Volvo V70 engine is most reliable?

The 2001-2007 Volvo V70 was offered with 5 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.5L 5-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2001-2007 Volvo V70 a good used car?

The 2001-2007 Volvo V70 can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 664 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001-2007 Volvo V70 have?

The 2001-2007 Volvo V70 has 664 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2001-2007 Volvo V70?

There are 13 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2001-2007 Volvo V70 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Volvo V70?

Before buying a used Volvo V70, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Transmission, Fuel System, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the V70 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2001-2007 Volvo V70. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 664 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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