Volvo S70 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Volvo S70 options? We analyzed 1 model years (2000–2000) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Volvo S70 has 188 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls across model years 2000–2000. The most reported issue area is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
- Make
- Volvo
- Model
- S70
- Model years analyzed
- 2000–2000 (1 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 188
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Crash-related complaints
- 10
- Fire-related complaints
- 1
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2000 (188 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Reliability signal
- Poor
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe VOLVO S70 has 188 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. 10 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 188 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 4 federal recall campaigns
- 10 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
4 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2000–2000. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 188 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
188 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
I am filing this complaint because my 2000 Volvo S60 is experiencing a safety failure regarding the Front, driver door latch/lock. The door fails to latch properly. While there is a known safety recall (e.g., recall R89978) for this exact issue on the 2000 Volvo S60, my VIN shows as 'not affected' on the NHTSA lookup tool. My vehicle is exhibiting the exact safety defect that the recall is intended to fix, yet I am not covered. I request that NHTSA investigate why this VIN is excluded despite having the same safety defect, posing a significant risk.
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET. I ENTERED THE VEHICLE, SAT DOWN IN THE DRIVER SIDE AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE SEAT ACROSS MY BODY. I WOULD NOT MOVE, I BEGAN TUGGING AT IT AND RELEASING IT. I BROKE THE HOUSING OFF OF THE SEATBELT AND I COULD SEE INSIDE IT WAS WRAPPED IN A SPIRAL.
THE ETS LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAR ENDED UP STALLING AFTER BEING PARKED UPON TRYING TO RESTART IT. THIA IS AM ISSUE THAT ONLY THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP CAN FIX SINCE IT INVOLVES REPROGRAMMING OR REPLACING AND PROGRAMMING A NEW ETS MODULE. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED TO ME IN A PARKING LOT AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT ROWED TO A SHOP TWICE. NOW IT IS GOING TO THE DEALER.
IGNITION COIL IS MISFIRING, AND PARK NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH ALSO KNOWN AS THE TRANSMISSION POSITION SWITCH OR NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH IS HAVING ISSUES. WHEN ITS IDLING ITS REALLY ROUGH WHILE DRIVING THE CAR JOLTS AN HICCUPS. DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR IT'S GOING INTO
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED IN THE RETRACTED POSITION AND DID NOT GIVE ANY SLACK TO SECURE THE DRIVER IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CYLINDER WOULD NOT RELEASE THE TENSION TO PULL IT ACROSS THE CONTACT'S BODY. THE CONTACT EMAILED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS REFERRED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,700.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 VOLVO S70. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION THAT RESULTED IN A ROLLOVER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM INTERNAL ORGAN DAMAGE AND SEVERE PAIN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 143,000.
Read 14 more owner reports
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND AS SOON AS I REACHED 60 MPH MY ETS LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH MY BRAKE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT. MY SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO AND MY CAR WAS ACTING STRANGE. I PULLED OVER AND STOPPED AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. I TURNED OFF MY CAR. I CALLED AAA AND ASKED FOR A TOW. WHILE THE TOW TRUCK WAS COMING, I TRIED TURNING MY CAR ON AGAIN AND THE ETS LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I STARTED TO GOOGLE THIS PROBLEM AND SAW MANY PEOPLE HAD THE ETS ON THEIR VOLVO RECALLED. I CALLED VOLVO AND THEY DECLINED TO HELP ME. THEY SAID I NEED TO PAY FOR A NEW ETS MODULE. THEY SAID MY CAR DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL ON IT. I FOUND THIS TO BE NOT TRUE AFTER CHECKING YOUR WEBSITE FOR RECALLS ALONG WITH ANOTHER .GOV WEBSITE. I CALLED VOLVO AGAIN AND THE SAME GUY TOLD ME NOT TO CALL THEM ANYMORE AND HE HUNG UP THE PHONE. WHEN MY CAR WAS FINALLY AT HOME, I CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO USED TO WORK AT A DIFFERENT VOLVO (30 MILES FROM WHERE I LIVE) AND HE CAME TO LOOK AT MY CAR. WE SWITCHED OUT THE BATTERY, PUT IN A NEW STARTER, NEW ALTERNATOR, SWITCHED OUT ALL MY FUSES WITH NEW FUSES, CHANGED SPARK PLUGS AND SPARK WIRES, PUT NEW COILS ON AND DID AN OIL CHANGE. THE CAR STARTED, HOWEVER THE ETS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON EVER SINCE AND WHEN I REACH HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IT DOES THE SAME THING. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE. THE ETS IS RECALLED FOR MY VOLVO WHEN I ENTERED THE VIN. I NEED HELP WITH GETTING VOLVO TO FIX THE RECALL OR DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THE STATE PATROL DID COME BEHIND ME TO ASK IF EVERYTHING WAS OKAY AS I WAS WAITING FOR THE TOW TRUCK. I DON'T HAVE ANY POLICE REPORTS BUT I DO HAVE THE OFFICERS CARD IF NEEDED.
THE ENTIRE WHEEL AND TIRE SUDDENLY CAME OFF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT. THE WHEEL LUGS HAD SEVERED OFF /BROKEN OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A 40 MPH SPEED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THIS CAR WAS VERY WELL MAINTAINED BY INDEPENDENT VOLVO MECHANIC AND HAD NEVER BEEN WRECKED OR INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE.
ON 8/22//2015 WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN TEXAS WHEN NOTICED FRONT LEFT TIRE DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW, BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. LOOKS LIKE THE TREAD CAME AWAY FROM THE TIRE WITH SIDEWALL CRACKING TOO. NO CAR DAMAGE, NOBODY HURT. CALLED A LOCAL TIRE SERVICE WHICH CAME AND REPLACED TIRE TO ENABLE TRIP COMPLETION. MICHELIN PRIMACY MXV4 DOT# APDA 3VXX 2612 SIZE P195/60R15 TIRES WERE NEW ON 12 31/2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S70. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ETS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND THE CODE WAS SHOWING THAT THE THROTTLE BODY DISPLAYED AN INVALID ERROR CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
PURCHASED VEHICLE USED SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. WHILE PERFORMING FINE DURING TEST DRIVE, WITHIN HOURS VEHICLE DEVELOPED ISSUE WHERE IT ATTEMPTS TO SURGE FORWARD WHILE BRAKING (AT STOP LIGHT, IN DRIVEWAY, ETC.) WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS. OTHER TIMES, WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR HESITATES AND ALMOST STALLS BEFORE ACCELERATING, CAUSING DANGEROUS CONDITIONS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. BRAKES INSPECTED AND ARE PERFECT AS IS FUEL PUMP, FUEL INJECTORS, ENGINE, ETC.; MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THIS IS RELATED TO A RECALL VOLVO ISSUED IN 2006 REGARDING THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE. VOLVO INFORMED ME THAT IT IS NO LONGER HONORING THIS RECALL. *TR
I HAVE A 2000 VOLVO S70 WITH ETS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. THE CAR STALLS AND SURGES/LUNGES AT ALL RATES OF SPEED AND IS VERY UNSAFE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND RAN THE VIN#. THEY STATED THE RECALL WAS DONE IN 2009. I CALLED VOLVO CORP. CUSTOMER CARE LINE AND THEY STATED THAT MY CAR WAS TOO OLD AND NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY/RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR A FAULTY PART BY THE OEM MANUFACTURE WHEN THEY REPLACED THE FAULTY PART WITH FAULTY PARTS. IN MY RESEARCH I FOUND OUT IF MY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACE IT WOULD HAVE A YELLOW LABEL ON IT. MINE DOES NOT. IT HAS THE ORIGINAL WHITE LABEL ON IT. I BELIEVE THAT IT MAY HAVE HAD THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE AND CLEANED BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THE ACTUAL UNIT WAS REPLACED. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE LOCAL VOLVO STORE IN WINTER PARK FL WHERE I WAS CHARGED A TOTAL OF $127 AND SOME CHANGE TO TELL ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY AND WOULD REQUIRE A NEW SOFTWARE UPGRADE. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR $880.00 AND QUOTE DOES NOT SAY THAT THE SOFTWARE UPDATE IS INCLUDED. I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR. I BOUGHT IT WITH 75,000 MILES AND CURRENTLY HAVE 92,000 MILES. VOLVOS EFFORTS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS NOT WORKING AND IF IT DOES WORK IT DOES NOT FIX THE CAR FOR VERY LONG. WHY IS IT THAT THE WARRANTY FOR THE RECALL PART IS BASED ON THE TOTAL VEHICLE MILEAGE AND AGE INSTEAD OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE REPLACEMENT PART OR FROM THE TIME THE RECALL WAS ISSUED? I DO NOT HAVE ANY FAITH THAT SPENDING THE MONEY TO FIX THE CAR WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM ONLY DELAY IT FROM RECURRING WITH IN MONTHS OR FEW THOUSAND MILES. THIS IS STILL AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR AND VOLVO DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE THAT THEY ARE PUTTING LIVES IN DANGER. *TR
I WAS UNABLE TO START THE VOLVO S70 2000 ENGINE AT ALL ON 7/2/12 AND AFTER CHECKED BY TECHNICIAN THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT WORKING AND REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED. THIS PROBLEMS HAD OCCURRED MANY TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, YET I WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE AFTER SEVERAL TRIES. THIS TIME, THE ENGINE WAS NOT STARTED AT ALL EVEN WITH MANY TRIES THAT THE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT IS DEFINITELY NEEDED AND IT COSTS ME $732 TO FIX IT ON 7/3/12. BASED ON THE VOLVO RECALLS HISTORY, VOLVO S70 FROM 2001 FORWARDS MODELS WERE RECALLED. BUT I WONDER WHY WAS NOT FOR MY S70 2000 WHICH HAD THE SIMILAR PROBLEM. PLEASE INSTRUCT AND ASSIST ON HOW TO RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FROM VOLVO THE COST OF THE FUEL REPLACEMENT SINCE THIS WAS THE SIMILAR PROBLEM IN THE RECALLS FOR VOLVO S70 FROM 2001 FORWARDS MODELS. *JS
VEHICLE THROTTLE BECAME UNSTABLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT MAINTAIN STEADY ACCELERATION EVEN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS IN A STEADY POSITION. DIAGNOSED AS FAILING THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. VOLVO REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY OR RECALL SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS 12 MONTHS PAST THE EXPIRATION OF THE 10 YEAR, 200,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON POWER TRAIN. VOLVO FAILED TO NOTIFY ME OF THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGISTERED AT MY CURRENT HOME ADDRESS SINCE 2006. *TR
2000 S70 VOLVO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRONIC THROTTLE AND VEHICLE SPEED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ETS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING BY ITSELF AND THEN WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. ALSO, A SOFTWARE UPGRADE WAS NEEDED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ACTUATOR, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE AND HOUSING WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
VOLVO S70, 2000 THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY, LOST SOME POWER WHEN STOPPING OR TURNING, FINALLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP CHARGED US $1100. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE AGAIN THE NEXT DAY. THAT IS TODAY, I AM TAKING IT BACK TO VOLVO TOMORROW AND RIAISING HECK TO HAVE HIS REPLACED FOR FREE. *TT
NOTICED BARE WIRES INSIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, BOTH SIDES, WHEN CHANGING BULB. WRAPPED WIRES UNTIL I COULD FIND A WIRING HARNESS. LOW BEAM WAS WORSE THAN HIGH BEAM. CHECKED WITH VOLVO, TALLAHASSEE, FL AND THEY STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS CONCERNING HEADLIGHT (OR SWITCH). RECENTLY BOUGHT TWO NEW WIRING HARNESSES AND INSTALLED BUT NOTICED THEY WERE ALSO NOT CORRECTLY INSULATED (PLASTIC) JUST LIKE THE OLD ONES (16 GAGE WIRE WITH PLASTIC, VS SILICON HIGH TEMP INSULATION.) ALSO, ON INSPECTION, NOTICED THE SAME HARNESS ON MY OTHER VOLVO, A 2002 VOLVO, HAD BEEN UPGRADED TO HEAVY DUTY WIRING WITH SILICON BASED INSULATION. DANGEROUS! BARE WIRES COULD HAVE SHORTED OUT HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT! HAVE OLD HARNESS AND PICTURES. CAN SEND/EMAIL AS REQUIRED. *TR
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ETS LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE "ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM" WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE ALL POWER AND POTENTIALLY BE DANGEROUS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THEY WOULD SEND HER A COUPON SINCE THE ACTUAL RECALL HAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,300. TB
Showing 20 of 188 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Volvo S70
These pages show model-year patterns across 1 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Volvo S70, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Volvo S70 has 188 complaints on record across 1 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Volvo S70 has 4 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 10 of the Volvo S70's 188 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Volvo S70 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Volvo S70 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Volvo S70 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Volvo S70 by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Volvo S70.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Volvo S70 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Volvo S70 reliable?
Poor. The Volvo S70 has 188 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Volvo S70 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2000 (188 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Volvo S70 problems?
Top reported issues: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (74 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (37 complaints); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (24 complaints).
Does the Volvo S70 have recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Volvo S70. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.