2002 Volvo XC70: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 35 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (29% of complaints).
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 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2018
“Tl* 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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2015
“Tl* 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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* 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.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2011
“Tl* 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.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2011
“2002 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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2010
“70k 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”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2010
“2002 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”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2010
“Hello, 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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2010
“Recently 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”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2010
Recalls - 4 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.
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 2002 Volvo XC70 reliable?
NHTSA has 35 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Volvo XC70. The most complained-about area is power train (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Volvo XC70 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 81,443 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Volvo XC70 have open recalls?
4 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.