2000 Volvo C70: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 42 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (29% of complaints); the 1998 and 2001 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2000 Volvo C70. The contact stated that while the vehicle was started and reaching for the seat belt, the driver's side air bag was deployed inadvertently. There was smoke present in the vehicle after the air bags deployed and the contact safely exited the vehicle. The contact confirmed that there was no crash involved to have caused the air bag to deploy. The driver sustained a minor left arm injury that required medical attention via the hospital. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 271,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2024
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 volvo c70 convertible. While driving approximately 55 mph, the contact engaged the accelerator pedal and suddenly there was a reduction in the speed. In 2010, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 06v441000 (vehicle speed control). The recall remedy failed to correct the problem permanently. The vehicle had not been repaired for the most recent failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 volvo c70. The contact was driving approximately 5 mph backing out of a parking lot. The engine and electronic throttle system warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. Immediately, the vehicle was driven at a slow speed rate. The engine was turned off and restarted. The vehicle was able to operate normal. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 06v441000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer which stated the recall expired and the repair cost would be at the owner's expense. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 125,523. The current mileage was 125,909.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Irregular engine rpms at idle; car begins to stall before acceleration, and car fails to hold speed. Had car to dealer several times, only to have the "155" software update performed but no etm replacement. Now that magically the 10 year period has just expired, the dealer now claims a new etm is needed at my expense. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2010
“I own a 2000 volvo c70. The car was operating normally driving 65 mph and while driving went into what is called 'limp mode' causing a near crash. This happened a 2nd time later that day. The car now surges at various speed and is unsafe to drive. The car is at a volvo dealership right now. The dealer indicated that they are aware of this saftey issue (etm failure widespread in these cars) but volvo is being difficult in authorizing replacement of these etm units despite a 10/year 200,000 extended warranty. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2009
“Driving home from theater, smelled electrical type smell. Turned off radio, air conditioner etc...we were close to home and it was dark. Parked car. Next morning went out and looked under the hood of car and found a hole in the supplemental fuse box (melted plastic). Pried off and discovered a row of fuses burnt to a crisp. Air is now not working...obviously some type of electrical short or fire. We have had no major work done on car. I have contacted volvo. Taking car to dealership for inspection. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2007
“2000 volvo c70 convertible has needed two airbags replaced in less than 5000 miles. These are not accident related. Volvo informs me this is ordinary and they hold no responsibility. I have never had a car that needed airbag replacement. Too be such a "safe" car this doesn't seem correct. Do they have a recall or manufacturing defect? What can be done other than paying $800.00 every five thousand miles? Car has 50000 miles on it. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2006
“2000 volvo c70 while driving at 40-45 mph, the ets light illuminated on the dash and the vehicle lost power. The engine continued running, but was significantly missing and provided no power. Had to engage emergency flashers and coast out of traffic. After turning car off and restarting, the problem went away. The car was fine for the remainder of the day, driving ~100 miles. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2005
“The car suddenly lost power and decelerated when passing another vehicle. It began to happen the rest of the way home with the rpms fluctuating. The dealer reported the issue as a broken throttle control module. This is unsafe and happened at 69k miles. *nm”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2005
“Dt: the consumer complained about a throttle control module problem on his 2000 volvo c70. The vehicle hesitated/ stalled and lost power while driving between 50-70 mph. The consumer took the vehicle to dealer. They placed the vehicle on a diagnostic machine and discovered that throttle control module failed. Repairs would cost the consumer about $1000.00. *ak *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.
Remedy: ON VEHICLES WITH AN ORIGINAL OEM SWITCH, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE IF THE SWITCH HAS EEN DAMAGED AND REPLACE ONLY IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
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.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THERE COULD BE INADEQUATE CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET WHICH COULD CAUSE THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL NOT TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET.
How other years compare
Check your exact C70 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Volvo C70 reliable?
NHTSA has 42 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Volvo C70. The most complained-about area is electrical system (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Volvo C70 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 67,595 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Volvo C70 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.