2001 Volvo XC70: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 66 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (30% of complaints); the 2002 and 2003 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 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo xc70. The contact stated that the hatchback did not open without electricity. When the vehicle's battery failed, the contact was unable to open the hatch. The contact also stated that there was no handle or any means to unlock the hatch from outside or inside the vehicle without power, making it a death trap in an emergency situation for those seated in the back rows. The contact made the manufacturer aware of the failure and was informed that his concern would be noted. The failure mileage was 174,810. Updated 01/10/2017*ct”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2016
“The transmission is slipping between gears 2-3 and 3-4. Mechanics recommends transmission replacement. Car has 94,000 miles. This is a family car and not driven hard. I've had 3 cars over hundred thousand miles and this is the first time I've had a transmission failure on the most expensive care I've owned. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2011
“Normal driving, at approximately 142,000 miles transmission service required light came on after transmission began slipping and "clunking". Transmission failure on 2001 volvo xc70. $4,000+ repair, common to the 2001 xc70 model. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo xc70. The contact stated that when attempting to drive in reverse, the vehicle would shift into drive and accelerate forward. The dealer nor manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 95,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo xc70. The contact stated that the vehicle would exhibit a loud, abnormal noise when shifting gears. The noise would also occur while the vehicle downshifted and sporadically, would not accelerate over 45 mph. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 129,000.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2011
“I have experience 2-3 upshift flare, slipping of transmission, tachometer needle jumping up and the engine racing during a shift. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 volvo xc70. The contact stated that the transmission had an internal hydraulic failure which caused the transmission to shift slowly, during acceleration it would also jerk and slip when the contact was trying to stop the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission could not be repaired and needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 105,000 and the current mileage was 109,000. Updated 06/06/11 *bf updated 1/17/2012 the consumer stated the car wont engage immediately after full stop. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo xc70. The contact stated that when first depressing the accelerator or releasing the accelerator, the transmission would sporadically hesitate and surge abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was advised that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 140,000. Updated 03/24/11*lj the transmission fluid, coils and etm were all replaced to try and resolve the problem. Updated 09/16/11”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2010
“With 100,100 miles on the 2001 volvo xc, the dealer had replaced front strut due to wear. Picked the car up and drove the car ~3 miles home. Left front coil spring broke turning the car around in the driveway the next morning. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo xc70. The contact stated that the vehicle would shift hard without warning when driving approximately 22 mph. The vehicle corrected itself and drove as normal but the failure continued to recur sporadically and when braking to a complete stop. The failure was ongoing for five months and the vehicle was taken to two different authorized dealers where she was advised by both mechanics to replace the transmission. She stated that both mechanics performed a diagnostic test but did not generate any codes indicating that the transmission was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 125,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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.
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.
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.
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF THE GUIDE, IT WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
How other years compare
Check your exact XC70 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 2001 Volvo XC70 reliable?
NHTSA has 66 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Volvo XC70. The most complained-about area is power train (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Volvo XC70 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 79,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Volvo XC70 have open recalls?
5 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.