Complaints about the 2002 Volvo XC70 peaked in 2010, with 10 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Wagon, AWD/All-Wheel Drive, built in Sweden. Owner complaints on file from Aug 18, 2003 to Aug 20, 2018.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21V-800 | Oct 14, 2021 | Driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute… | Airbags | 194,546 | Part replacement |
| 10V-566 | Nov 8, 2010 | Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units… | Equipment | 416 | Part replacement |
| 09V-483 | Dec 18, 2009 | When exposed to certain environmental conditions (hot climate and temperature cycling) over time and in combination with varying fuel quality, the… | Fuel system | 158,733 | Part replacement |
| 03V-284 | Aug 1, 2003 | Certain passenger cars fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems."… | Equipment | 220,407 | Repair or modification |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
35 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AT A VOLVO DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.
NHTSA complaint 11121047FUEL LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP. FUEL ODER IN CAN. FUEL LEAKING UNDER THE CAR
NHTSA complaint 11118612VOLVO XC V70 2002 OCEAN RACE EDITION HAS DEVELOPED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL AFTER DRIVING. THERE IS NO 1) LEAKAGE UNDER VEHICLE, 2) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OR 3) APPARENT REDUCTION IN MILEAGE OR PERFORMANCE. I ALSO REPLACED THE GAS CAP, BUT NOTHING CHANGED. WE KEEP OUR VOLVO IN THE GARAGE UNDER OUR HOUSE AND THE GASOLINE SMELL HAS BECOME SO BAD THAT WE ARE NERVOUS ABOUT LEAVING IT THERE AT NIGHT SINCE THE UPSTAIRS BEGINS TO SMELL LIKE GASOLINE. WE DO NOT KNOW IF WE ARE CREATING A REAL SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE OF THIS CAR? IN RESEARCHING 2002 VOLVO V70 XC WAGONS I FOUND THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT VOLVO FUEL PUMP RECALL IN 2009 FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR...BUT APPARENTLY ONLY IF THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IN WARMER CLIMATES?? WE WERE NEVER INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND DO NOT KNOW WHY SINCE WE DROVE THIS CAR BACK AND FORTH TO FL FOR YEARS AFTER THIS. NOT SURE WHY WE DID NOT QUALIFY? NONE OF OUR OTHER VOLVOS HAVE EVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. ANY WAY, WE ARE NOW BEING ADVISED THE FUEL PUMP MUST BE REPLACED AND DO NOT KNOW HOW BIG A SAFETY CONCERN THIS ISSUE IS UNDERNEATH OUR HOUSE. ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND/OR RESPONSE TO OUR CONCERN ARE APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint 11072312TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA complaint 10854800TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
NHTSA complaint 10765049TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
NHTSA complaint 10681156FUEL PUMP CRACKED, SLOW LEAK ON TO GAS TANK CAUSING EXTREME FUMES, MYSELF, 5 MONTH OLD GRANDDAUGHTER AND HER MOTHER WERE SICK FROM THESTRONG FUMES. I AFTER THAT TRIP I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE AND WE ALL WOULD HAVE GONE UP IN FLAMES. THIS PUMP IS UNDER THE REAR SEAT WHERE THE TWO PASSENGERS WHERE SITTING. ON MARCH 22, 2014, THE THREE OF US WENT TO ARRUNDEL MILLS MALL CLOSE TO BALTIMORE ON THE WAY HOME TO ALEXANDRIA VA., WE SMELT STRONG GAS FUMES. EVEN WITH ALL THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF OPEN THE FUMES DID NOT DISSIPATE. I CALLED DON BEYER VOLVO AND FAIRFAX VOLVO AND BOTH STATED THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED SO THIS REPLACEMENT IS NOT COVERED. I WAS NOT AWARE THAT RECALL NOTICES EXPIRED! I WAS TOLD IF I HAD BROUGHT THE CAR IN WHEN THERE WAS NO PROBLEM THEY WOULD NOT HAVE REPLACED THE PUMP EVEN FOR SAFETY REASONS. SO WHAT GOOD IS A RECALL THERE SHOULD BE A STATEMENT ON RECALLS " YOU MUST KEEP UP YOUR WARRANTY UPDATED ON ALL VEHICLE PARTS". BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN 2012, 10 YEARS FROM 2002, I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2004, THE RECALL CAME OUT IN 2009, I WAS STILLUNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME. IF I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO GET REPAIRED, BOTH VOLVO DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENTS STATED THEY WOULD NOT HAVE REPLACED THE PART BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AT THAT TIME. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I OWN MY DAUGHTER CANNOT DRIVE AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER IS ONLY 5 MOS. OLD, WILL VOLVO, DON BEYER, OR FAIRFAX VOLVO PAY FOR THREE FUNERAL EXPENSES, IS THAT WHAT IT WILL TAKE. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10574785I OWN A 2002 VOLVO XC70 CROSS COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING, AND ESPECIALLY DURING DOWN SHIFTS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE ITS CONNECTION TO THE DRIVE SHAFT, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV UP AND THE VEHICLE TO JERK AS IT GRABBED BACK INTO GEAR. THE JERKING HAS CONSEQUENTLY CAUSED ME TO BREAK MY MOTOR MOUNTS. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER AGREED THAT THIS WAS THE ONLY SOLUTION. ALL SOFTWARE UPDATES HAVE BEEN DONE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED, AS THEY ARE A CHINESE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AROUND 85,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 125,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. NOT FAIR TO THE OWNER. MANUFACTURER SHOULD CORRECT THIS COMMON, EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10442138MY WIFE DROVE OUR CAR A 2002 VOLVO XC70 STATION WAGON FROM OUR SECOND HOME APPROXIMATELY TEN MILES TO SAN LUIS OBISPO CALIF. FOR SHOPPING. SHE PARKED THE CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AND WENT INTO A STORE. SHE CAME BACK OUT, STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. WHEN SHE PUT THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IN DRIVE THE ENGINE WENT TO FULL RPM AND LURCHED FORWARD, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH COULD NOT HOLD THE HIGH ENGINE SPEED PULLING THE CAR FORWARD. SHE QUICKLY SHUT THE ENGINE OFF WITH THE KEY AVOIDING A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON AND THERE WERE NO OBJECTS I.E., FLOOR MATS OR OTHER ITEMS, NEAR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THANK GOD MY WIFE OR NO ONE ELSE WAS INJURED OR KILLED. I AM A RETIRED FIRE CAPTAIN AND PRIVATE FIRE INVESTIGATOR WITH 30+ EXPERIENCE. THIS SCARED THE HELL OUT OF US AND WE DO NOT TRUST THE CAR. I PREVIOUSLY TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REPORTED THE TRANSMISSION 'CLUNKING' THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I DRIVE IT TILL IT FAILED BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COSTS INVOLVED. NOW, I AM READING REPORTS OF COIL SPRING FAILURES AND BEARING PROBLEMS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR SPECIFICALLY FOR THE SAFETY FEATURES; NOW I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND EXTREMELY CONCERNED. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10441237TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED BETWEEN GEARS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE DUE TO ANTI GLARE SEPARATION WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AND ALSO MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.
NHTSA complaint 10426310TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70 CROSS COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DOWN SHIFT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,950. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint 10416244FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION ON THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA complaint 103812042002 XC 70 HAS A BAD SMELL OF GAS AFTER DRIVING. THE CAR IS GETTING HARDER TO CRANK. I HAVE CHECKED THE GAS CAP AND IT SEEMS GOOD. *TR
NHTSA complaint 1036553270K MILES ON 2002 VOLVO XC70 WHEN UNEXPECTED SURGING STARTED. OCCURS WHEN DRIVING UP HILL OR UP A GRADE. THIS SERIOUS AND CONCERNING PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR, WITH OR WITHOUT SETTING CRUISE CONTROL. THIS VEHICLE HAS EXCELLENT MAINTENANCE HISTORY RECORD. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10360542I NOTICED ONE DAY THAT THERE WAS SUDDENLY A "PAUSE" WHEN THE LOWER AUTOMATIC GEARS WERE SHIFTING, PERHAPS FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR DURING ACCELERATION. IF MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR "LURCHED" FORWARD WITH A STARTLING, LOUD THUD WHEN THE GEAR SEEMED TO ENGAGE. IF I RECOGNIZED THIS WAS HAPPENING AND LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR HOVERED IN BETWEEN GEARS FOR A SECOND OR TWO THEN CHANGED GEARS. SCARY! *TR
NHTSA complaint 103526372002 VOLVO CROSS COUNTRY TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS 143,000 AND TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS WHEN GEARING DOWN. I WAS GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET HIT. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE VALVE BODY IN THE AMOUNT OF $2300. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10349595HELLO, I OWN A 2002 VOLVO XC70 WAGON AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED. MY COOLANT CONSTANTLY NEEDS TO BE FILLED AND I HAVE NO FLOOR HEAT IN MY CAR IN THE WINTER AND MY A/C DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY IN MY CAR. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10347869RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2002 VOLVO V70 XC70 AND AM HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES WITH GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING SMOOTHLY AND MAINTAINING CONSTANT GEARS AT CONSTANT SPEEDS. HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE CAR MAY NEED A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE WEB FROM OTHER 2002 OWNERS. WHY HAS A RECALL NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS? WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO FLIP THE BILL FOR CRUMMY MANUFACTURING? *TR
NHTSA complaint 10346700MY WIFE NARROWLY MISSED HAVING AN ACCIDENT ON MARCH 31, 2010 AND DOING MORE DAMAGE TO OUR 2002 XC70 VOLVO WITH 53,770 MILES (BOUGHT NEW). SHE WAS STOPPING WHEN SHE HEARD STRANGE NOISES FROM THE FRONT LEFT SIDE. THE DRIVER FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING BROKE JUST AS SHE STOPPED. SHE COULD HAVE HAD A BAD ACCIDENT HAD SHE BEEN DRIVING AT EXPRESSWAY OR NORMAL SPEED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING AFTER THE CAR WAS FLATBED TRANSPORTED TO THEM BUT THEY, VOLVO USA, AND VOLVO SWEDEN SAID "YOU PAY ALL COSTS - THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE PART IS NOT COVERED." THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN SALT WATER SUBMERGED, OR HIT POTHOLES THAT DAMAGED THE TIRE OR RIM. IT IS DRIVEN ONLY ON PAVED , NON WASHBOARD ROADS A CAR SUDDENLY PULLING TO ONE SIDE CAN AND HAS CAUSED MILD INJURY TO DEATH ACCIDENTS. IF THE WIFE DIDN'T THROW THE SPRING OUT - IT IS STILL AVAILABLE. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10342153TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN IDLE, THE ELECTRONIC REMOTE FOR THE WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE REMOTE FAILED AGAIN ON THE NEXT DAY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT ADVISED THE DEALER THAT THE MECHANISM WOULD NOT CATCH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PART. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74000. THE FAILURE MILES WERE 73512.
NHTSA complaint 10326650Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.