Volvo XC70
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History
10 model years analyzed (2007–2016). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database — the same data used by federal regulators.
Checking a specific Volvo XC70? Run a VIN check for its exact history.
⭐ 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.
AI Interpretation
High ConfidenceAverageNHTSA complaint data for the 2007–2016 Volvo XC70 shows 145 total complaints, with the highest concentration in the 2008 model year (39 complaints). The most frequently reported component is VISIBILITY/WIPER (17 complaints), followed by ENGINE (14). Recalls total 32, and crash-related complaints are low at 4.
- VISIBILITY/WIPER is the most complained-about component with 17 complaints.
- The 2008 model year accounts for the highest number of complaints (39).
- ENGINE and SEAT BELTS each have over 10 complaints (14 and 13 respectively).
- SEAT BELTS: 13 complaints suggest potential issues with seat belt functionality or reliability.
- VISIBILITY/WIPER: 17 complaints indicate possible problems with wiper performance or visibility components.
- ENGINE: 14 complaints point to engine-related issues that buyers may want to investigate.
The 2008 model year has the highest complaint count (39), driven largely by VISIBILITY/WIPER and ENGINE complaints. 2007 and 2009 also show elevated numbers.
Model years 2014–2016 show the fewest complaints (2, 6, and 7 respectively), suggesting these later years may have fewer reported issues.
- Inspect SEAT BELTS for proper operation and recall status.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for VISIBILITY/WIPER, ENGINE, and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
32 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.
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Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2007–2016. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 145 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
145 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.
The seatbelts on the front driver and passenger side have failed to release when trying to unbuckle. This is a hazard. If there was a moment where it's imperative to leave the car (fire, water, etc) Driver and passenger could get locked in their seatbelts without the ability to exit the vehicle. Volvo would have covered it if the factor warranty was still active. My complaint wa ignored while the vehicle was under warranty. Now that it is out of warranty I am forced to replace the failed parts out of my pocket.
VOLVO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO A DEFECTIVE ENGINE.
We have experienced three major defects with this vehicle. First and most concerning is the intermittent blackout of the driver's instrument panel (aka driver's information module, DIM). Second most conerning is the defect in the trailer lighting control module that leaves stop, running and signal lighting on our trailer unreliable. Both of these defects appear to be design or manufacturing defects that can be corrected by upgrading the relevent parts. The third defect is in the design of the traction control system that has no physical switch readily accessible to the driver for temporary use in emergency situations, but rather is buried in the MyCar software selection, labeled "Sport Mode." This design requres a driver to override the traction control during the entire driving session, leaving the car without traction control when it might be needed during the same inclement road conditions that would warrant momentary deactivation of the system. Ie, in icy conditions one would want traction control on most times, but not when starting on ice or mounting snow berms at driveway exits, etc.
Car stalled at an intersection twice. We took it to a repair shop after the first instance and they told us the battery had died, though they were able to charge it and it restarted fine. They could not find any other issues. We continued to drive it and two days later the car died at another intersection just after my wife had picked up our kids from school. We had it towed to the dealer this time. I relayed the recall information for an earlier or different model of my car that sounded like the same issue: the starter motor fuse. I believe this to be the same issue even though my car did not show up on the recall.
THE BACKUP CAMERA IS MALFUNCTIONING NOW BECAUSE THE VIEW FIELD IS PARTIALLY BLOCKED BY THE VEHICLE BODY. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE'RE SOME OTHER CARS (INCLUDING SOME NEW CARS AT DEALER) HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I VISITED THE RETAILER AND THEN CONTACTED THE CUSTOM CARE CENTER OF VOLVO. HOWEVER, THE RESPONSE IS DISAPPOINTING (HONESTLY, UNACCEPTABLE) BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT VOLVO CANNOT FIX IT.
WHEN COLD SOMETIMES NOT ABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO ANY OTHER GEAR OR NEUTRAL. AFTER DRIVING, ABLE TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE OR REVERSE BACK TO PARK BUT GET MESSAGE SAYING "CAR IS NOT IN PARK - SHIFT TO PARK". WHEN IN NEUTRAL SOMETIMES NOT ABLE MOVE SHIFTER FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE OR PARK. WHEN CONTACTED DEALER FOR SERVICE THEY SEEMED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. MY CONCERNS ARE NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE CAR ON DEMAND, AS WELL AS NOT KNOWING IF CAR IS TRULY IN PARK OR NOT.
OWNER ON INTERSTATE AT POSTED SPEED (65) HEARD EXPLOSIVE SOUND OF THE SUNROOF EXPLODING. NO OTHER CARS WERE AHEAD OR ALONGSIDE, AND NO EVIDENCE OF A THROWN OR DROPPED OBJECT WAS APPARENT AT THAT TIME OR AFTERWARD. FORTUNATELY THE SUNSHADE SHIELDED HER FROM MOST OF THE BROKEN GLASS. DEALER CALLED IT AN 'ACT OF GOD' AND WOULD NOT HONOR A WARRANTY CLAIM FOR THE DAMAGE ' ESTIMATED AT OVER $1,100. INSURANCE COMPANY IS COVERING ALL COSTS, INCLUDING RENTAL CAR, UNTIL REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED.
Rain is coming in from the top of the windshield, making it difficult to see out of the windshield while driving.
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR LOT ON SATURDAY, TWO DAYS AGO. LAST NIGHT I WAS HAMMERED BY THE PRESENCE OF A NAUSEATINGLY INTENSE FUEL SMELL, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR HOURS OR IF I'VE BEEN DRIVING IT, THE SMELL IS EQUALLY INTENSE AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT, I AM FRIGHTENED FOR MY SAFETY. I HAVE NO RECOURSE WITH THE CAR LOT, "AS IS" SEEMS TO COVER SELLING ME A DEATH TRAP. NOW I FIND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE EXACT MAKE AND MODEL OF MY VEHICLE BUT SOMEHOW VOLVO HAS GOTTEN AWAY WITH NOT COVERING THE KNOWN ISSUE IN ALL BUT A FEW STATES. IS IT GOING TO REQUIRE A FIREY DEATH OF A FAMILY BEFORE THIS IS ADDRESSED?? THERE ARE POSTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET OF OTHER PEOPLE FACING THE SAME PROSPECT. I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW VEHICLE, NOW THAT I HAVE BOUGHT THIS ONE. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE THE POSSIBLE MEANS OF MY DESTRUCTION. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!!! WHY HAVE THEY NOT BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE? WHY ARE ONLY CERTAIN STATES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL?? *TR
The sunroof seal isn't working. It lifts when going through a car wash, and water is getting in.
All of a sudden , the right rear door will not open either from outside or inside. Similar problem was a recall on S60 Volvos.
Top windshield seal leaks, causing water running down windshield, and excess condensation creating visibility issues. Known problem by Volvo USA and dealers.
Windshield seal failure. Water/rain/carwash now leaks into the cabin of the car down the inside of the windshield directly in front of the driver's field of vision, obscuring visibility while driving. This is a clear safety hazard that is well chronicled on Volvo owner-sites. Volvo needs to issue a recall, as this affects the entire P3 platform (S60/V70/XC70)
WINDSHIELD LOOSE AT TOP SEALING SURFACE PER MECHANIC. LEAKS AT TIMES DURING CAR WASH, HEAVY RAIN.
WHEN I AM DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAS POPPED OPEN 3 TIMES NOW. AND THE DOOR WAS CLOSED AND LOCKED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 42 MPH, A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DEER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO THE OFF POSITION, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITH FORCE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT AND THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT TO BE PUSHED OUT OF POSITION AND INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,009.
NEW VOLVO WAS PURCHASED IN CARLSBAD CA. ON JUNE 21, 2013. TOOK A TRIP FROM L.A. TO MONTEREY CA. ON RETURN MY ATTENDANT AT FULL SERVE IN L.A. CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED VERY LITTLE STEERING FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR. TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL VOLVO DEALER IN L.A...GALPIN VOLVO..THEY HAVE ORDERED A NEW STEERING BOX TO BE INSTALLED NEXT WEEK. LOTS OF TROUBLE FOR A BRAND NEW CAR! *TR
My engine oil light came on recently so I took my car to the auto service center to check. The auto repair staff performed and inspection and found excessive oil consumption stemming from a defect in the pistons, piston rings and piston heads. They gave me a copy of Quality Bulletin from Volvo regarding the extended warranty P10207: VEP4 Oil Consumption Test; Model Year 2015-2016. Volvo provided an extended warranty for this defect but never informed me of the defect. Initially, Volvo said they would provide coverage for 10 years which would have covered my vehicle but Volvo decreased the period of coverage to October 2024. Now Volvo won't pay for the repairs which are estimated at $10,000. It should have been a recall, according to the auto service center. Apparently, auto companies don't like recalls due to the negative publicity. Instead the auto manufacturers provide so-called warranties for defects of automobiles for a limited time period. Had I I would have taken my car to the dealer for repair if I received such a letter from Volvo. My car is only worth $12,000 at this point since it is 10 years old but I have only 66,000 miles on my car which is low (particularly for a Volvo). I have written Beyer Volvo in Falls Church, VA, asking them to pay for the repairs, as well as Volvo North America. Both declined to provide any payment for repair of my vehicle. There are class action lawsuits against Volvo for not informing their customers of this defect. NHTSA should have issued a recall. Can NHTSA help me with this problem now? My car is not safe to drive since the oil will leak from the pistons into the rest of the engine. I can't afford to buy a car right now. It is wrong that Volvo is getting away with this defect without paying for the repairs of my cars. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I replaced a catalytic converter and 2 O2 sensors a few months ago. Check engine light came on. Oil was pooling into the catalytic converter from the engine. Technician checked pistons. Said there was unusual wear and oil was coming in through the pistons.
My Volvo XC70 has had a sudden and significant increase in oil consumption. I believe this is due to the pistons which Volvo is now acknowledging. They refuse to issue a recall or to repair my very well maintained vehicle. Continue operation requires up to 2 quarts of oil every 500 miles! It also presents an ongoing risk of sudden engine malfunction and dangerous stoppage, I have all my records which shows my car has been maintained and the cause is faulty pistons. Volvo must be held accountable.
Showing 20 of 145 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check a Specific Volvo XC70
This page shows fleet averages across all 10 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.
📖 Understanding This Data
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 XC70 has 145 complaints on record across 10 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 XC70 has 32 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. 4 of the Volvo XC70's 145 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 AI Rating Calculated?
The AI reliability rating (Average) 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. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision — always verify with 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 XC70 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Volvo XC70 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 XC70 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.