2005 Volvo XC70: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
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 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC70. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V800000 ( Air Bag ) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable till approximately 2 weeks to 2 months. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle was displaying a warning message that stated "Safety Check," however, they were not sure if it was or was not directly related to the air bags. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000. Vin tool confirms parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2021
“The contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC70. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V800000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2021
“Egnission turns but turns off after a half second after turning key to start car. Half tank still won't start. It was parked and trying to start car. The day before the car was in park and in park with ac runing and car was making noise as shuttering or going in and out of gears. Code reads fule pump modal”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“The awd system is not working. The vehicle was to spin the front wheels constantly. Also traveling on the highway, the vehicle wants to drift into the other lanes on its own. Dealer tells me it is the angle gear sleeve on the transfer case or the transfer case gear. To me its obvious that volvo designed the part to fail. How can gear that is sealed fail with normal use? So the repair will could cost up to $3600. After doing some research on the web. This is so common its ridicules. Never buy a volvo again. I bought this car to have a safe awd. Oh it s safe... As long as its in your driveway.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2015
“Car occasionally looses power or stall when driving on high way, check engine light on and off. Symptoms off and on. Dangerous driving on freeway because it lost power for 2 seconds then regain more power in accelerating speed. It had recalled no 181 on 2004 model, mine is 2005 sold on 2005 january. The report describes as fuel sensor problem”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2014
“Submission from constituents re 2005 xc70 volvo steering shaft broken. *smd the consumer stated there was no collision or impact that could have caused the steering shaft to break. He was simply making a right turn, onto his street when the steering stopped working. *jb the transmission was replaced at a cost of $4,000. Updated 10/01/14. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo xc70. While driving approximately 15 mph, the instrument panel failed and the ABS, alternator, and urgent warning system indicators illuminated. During the failure, the windshield wipers activated and could not be turned off. An independent mechanic stated that the central electrical module was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 115,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2014
“My wife's 2005 volvo xc70 problem is that periodically when you shut off the car and attempt to remove the key you can't. The car makes a noise like it continues to run for several minutes and sometimes you can then remove the key. Unfortunately this problem is happening more frequently. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2013
“When attempting to latch our child's car seat in rear facing position to the car's latch system anchors, one of the latch anchors broke off completely from the car. We retrieved the broken off anchor piece and it had broken off completely from the car at the solder points. *tr”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2013
“Front driver side suspension spring coil broke, probably due to corrosion! If this was when the car was driven it would have probably ripped the tire and resulted in a very serious accident. This is 7 years old volvo in as new condition. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · May 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 2005 Volvo XC70 reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Volvo XC70. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2005 Volvo XC70 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. 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.