2004 Volvo V70: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 83 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints); the 2003 and 2005 and 2006 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 83 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The front passenger seat belt locks up. When pulled out it will not go back in causing the passenger not to be able to wear a seat belt. I think it might be the seat belt retractor I would like to have it fixed I believe it is a safety issue and I am looking for this to be covered for replacement and for file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/65/05/312F1483-F6ED-4A2B-8FEF-893294D0E482/IMG_4244.HEIC”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2022
“My control arm on the front right is coming loose and is giving less control in turning, also my car is having issues with the fuel pump. All of these problems are demonstrated while under motion on any terrain and the fuel problem is observed more during acceleration.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2018
“Vehicle warning light for airbag is alarming since my airbag didn't deploy in my 2017 car accident when my car was hit from rear, front and driver side. Car was total. Seat beat and airbag failure in vehicle during accident while moving. This vehicle had a small tap accident but airbag warning light continues to appear but airbag didn't deploy..”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving with my 2 year old...I smelled what I thought was my engine overheating, pulled over to take a look and as opened my drivers side door smoke was billowing out of my seat, melting a hole through to the left side of seat bottom, near backrest and seat adjustment buttons. Luckily, after turning the seat heater off the electrical malfunction cooled off. I went to local volve dealership and they said "your car is too old to have a valid recall status", nor did they offer to assist in any way.”Owner report · Seats · Nov 2017
“After investigation, I discovered that used vehicle just purchased (2004 volvo v70) had a bad rem module; rendering fuel gauge, rear door locks, fuel door latch, and hatchback lock inoperative. The rear hatchback has no manual method to lock it; making vehicle unsecurable. Investigation online indicates this is a known issue. Dealer wants around $200 to update software to fix problems. This is unacceptable, since at least two critical items (hatchback and fuel door latches) depend on functioning rem to secure them. I believe these items should be covered by the manufacturer regardless of age.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2017
“My driver side seat heater caught on fire today and smoldered a hole through the seat. I was driving in a residential neighborhood in the morning around 9:15am.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2017
“Prking brake friction lining delaminates from brake shoe, then gets jammed intermittently in the disk brake system, causing lurching stops. Photo available of the friction lining fragments.others on internet report that fragments have caused enormous wheel damage at highway speeds.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2015
“I have had two volvo v70 station wagons. Both of them have exhibited the following- when filling at certain gas stations (sunoco most recently) the gas pump will not shut off automatically before fuel comes pouring out of the filler. I believe it is a fuel filler problem in the car, not in the pump, because I do not have this problem with any of our other cars. I believe it is either an issue of the car's fuel filler tube shape, or dimensions. Dangerous! Approx 1 full cup of gas.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2015
“I had traveled approximately 40 miles at a speed between 55 and 70 mph, when the sunroof exploded. I was driving on highway 67 near newport arkansas. Outside temperature was in the high 90's. Nothing around my vehicle at the time of the incident and the sunroof was protruding out with a large hole blown in the glass.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2015
“Driving on freeway at 60 mph, vehicle motor quit- dash lights came on-was able to move to shoulder-where vehicle restarted in neutral then died again- since vehicle has died very often after driving with absoulutly no warning-very very dangerous- was told drive by wire problem- eltronic throttle control, electronic fuel regulator, pedal and or throttle sensors-any number of electric sensor problem--all of this is "drive by wire" unsafe design”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10136.
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TYPE OF NUT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
How other years compare
Check your exact V70 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 2004 Volvo V70 reliable?
NHTSA has 83 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Volvo V70. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Volvo V70 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Volvo V70 have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. 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.