Reliability
Volvo

V70 (P2)

2001-2007 · Midsize Wagon · 4 engines
666 NHTSA Complaints
13 Recalls
17 Fire Reports
24 Crash Reports
Data covers 3 NHTSA model names
CROSS COUNTRYV70V70XC
View all 3 generations of the Volvo V70 → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

3.9 / 10

Reliability score

Many more owner complaints than similar midsize wagons

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

Complaints of a failed or replaced engine, transmission or drive unit run well above similar vehicles. They set this score.

Owners filed 306 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize wagon fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 280.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 1.8 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall306 complaints against about 280 for similar vehicles
6.8
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced73 complaints against about 22 for similar vehicles
3.6
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.

By model year
  • 20016.0
  • 20027.6
  • 20036.7
  • 20046.5
  • 20057.9
  • 20068.5
  • 20078.2

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 · from NHTSA's files, not reviewed by hand

Recall07V226
Engine And Engine Cooling · 8,327 vehicles (7% of those built)

Complaints by Engine Code

B5244T3

449 complaints 59.8 per year
9 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
97
other
90
fuel system
61
electrical
59
engine
59

B5244S

2.4L 5-cyl
110 complaints 15.7 per year Gasoline
7 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

fuel system
30
engine
20
other
16
electrical
16
cooling
15

Same engine used in

B5234T3

2.3L 5-cyl
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

Same engine used in

B5254T3

2.5L 5-cyl / 217 hp
11 complaints 5.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
4
cooling
3
interior
2
electrical
2
fuel system
2
Show 2 additional engine variants 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.

B5254T

2.4L 5-cyl
4 complaints 1.3 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
2
electrical
2
engine
1
transmission
1
brakes
1

B230FS1

4-cyl
2 complaints 2.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires
2

Same engine used in

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Volvo V70, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Transmission: 127 owner complaints
Fuel System: 105 owner complaints
Engine: 94 owner complaints
Electrical System: 91 owner complaints
Cooling System: 79 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2001-2007 Volvo V70

On a used 2001-2007 Volvo V70, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (127), the fuel system (105) and the engine (94). 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.

  1. Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 127 owner complaints on the 2001-2007 Volvo V70 about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
  2. Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 105 owner complaints on the 2001-2007 Volvo V70 about the fuel system, all engines combined.
  3. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 94 owner complaints on the 2001-2007 Volvo V70 about the engine, all engines combined.
  4. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 91 owner complaints on the 2001-2007 Volvo V70 about the electrical system.
  5. With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 79 owner complaints on the 2001-2007 Volvo V70 about the cooling system, all engines combined.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2001-2007 Volvo V70

Recalls (13)

21V800000Oct 14, 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.

10V566000Nov 8, 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 18, 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.

07V226000Jun 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.

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.

Show 8 older recalls
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.

06V375000Oct 3, 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.

04V451000Sep 13, 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 2, 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.

04V029000Jan 16, 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.

03V284000Aug 1, 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 26, 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 26, 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 complaints?

Owners have filed 666 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001-2007 Volvo V70. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the fuel system and the engine.

Is the 2001-2007 Volvo V70 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 666 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001-2007 Volvo V70. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

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

NHTSA has 666 owner complaints on file for the 2001-2007 Volvo V70 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 2001-2007 Volvo V70?

NHTSA lists 13 recalls covering some 2001-2007 Volvo V70 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 V70?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the fuel system and the engine, 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 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. 666 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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