NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Volvo V70 Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Volvo V70 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 32 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volvo dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Volvo V70. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2003 Volvo V70 owner complaints

Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Volvo V70, describing incidents dated March 12, 2003 to May 24, 2023.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 9 complaints
Electrical System 5 complaints
Power Train 5 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Air Bags 3 complaints
Exterior Lighting 3 complaints

Of the 32 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 32 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11523665 · Filed May 24, 2023
I live 5 hours from the closest Volvo dealership so I called to see if they could send me the the air bag that has been recalled. The airbag is very easy to be replaced in less then 10 minutes. Because of this it is absolutely absurd for me to travel for ten hours to get something done that I can do…
ODI #11460039 · Filed April 7, 2022
This is subject to a recall R10136 NHTSA Recall 21v-800 We have set appointments twice to have this done only to be told that the parts are not available and we would be contacted when they are. The local dealer is Maple Hill in Kalamazoo. I started a chat with Volvo and the suggestion was to try…
ODI #11445936 · Filed January 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2003 Volvo V70. 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 called the local dealer who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the…

Read all 32 complaints

Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #21V800000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported October 14, 2021 · Volvo Car USA, LLC

Potentially affected: 194,546 vehicles

Repair completion: 26.27% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volvo campaign R10136 · Owners notified December 14, 2021 · Vehicles built January 10, 2000 – September 15, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

760 PORTABLE AUTOMOTIVE GPS UNITS/GARMIN

NHTSA #10V566000 · Equipment — Electrical — Navigational System(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) · NHTSA notice

Reported November 8, 2010 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Potentially affected: 416 vehicles

Volvo campaign R231 · Owners notified November 18, 2010

Defect description

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

Safety consequence

AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

VOLVO SAFETY RECALL NO. R231.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FUEL PUMP LEAK

NHTSA #09V483000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported December 18, 2009 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Potentially affected: 158,733 vehicles

Volvo campaign R220 · Owners notified January 15, 2010 · Vehicles built October 9, 2000 – June 21, 2004 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THE CONDITION OCCURS VEHICLE OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

VOLVO SAFETY RECALL NO. R220.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR

NHTSA #07V226000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported June 5, 2007 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Potentially affected: 32,189 vehicles

Volvo campaign R181 · Owners notified June 29, 2007 · Vehicles built May 6, 2002 – June 5, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

MISFIRE MAY OCCUR DURING DRIVING THAT, IN TURN, WILL REDUCE THE ENGINE TORQUE AND IN THE WORST CASE SCENARIO, THE ENGINE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. IN CERTAIN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS THIS COULD CAUSE AN UNSAFE SITUATION AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

VOLVO RECALL NO.R181.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION?S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

VOLVO/ISOFIX GUIDE

NHTSA #03V284000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported August 1, 2003 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Potentially affected: 220,407 vehicles

Volvo campaign 124 · Owners notified December 19, 2003 · Vehicles built September 1, 2000 – February 28, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

VOLVO RECALL NO. 124.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2003 Volvo V70 4-DR. Wagon w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

32 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Volvo V70.

Air Bags

ODI #11523665

Incident: May 24, 2023 · Filed: May 24, 2023

I live 5 hours from the closest Volvo dealership so I called to see if they could send me the the air bag that has been recalled. The airbag is very easy to be replaced in less then 10 minutes. Because of this it is absolutely absurd for me to travel for ten hours to get something done that I can do myself in 10 minutes. They said I can buy the airbag and they could send it. But this being a recall is'nt it their responsibility to fix it in any way possible. I just feel like this is wrong that they are doing this and am addressing it in this compliant.

Air Bags

ODI #11460039

Incident: December 14, 2021 · Filed: April 7, 2022

This is subject to a recall R10136 NHTSA Recall 21v-800 We have set appointments twice to have this done only to be told that the parts are not available and we would be contacted when they are. The local dealer is Maple Hill in Kalamazoo. I started a chat with Volvo and the suggestion was to try another dealer. If the part is not available I fail to see how that will help.

Air Bags

ODI #11445936

Incident: October 14, 2021 · Filed: January 3, 2022

The contact owns a 2003 Volvo V70. 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 called the local dealer who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10946690

Incident: January 17, 2017 · Filed: January 20, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS BELOW 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,066.

Structure

ODI #10891540

Incident: July 26, 2016 · Filed: July 29, 2016

THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH HAS DISCONNECTED FOUR TIMES IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS. AS A DRIVER, I AM LITERALLY STUCK IN THE CAR, AND I HAVE TO EXIT THHROUGH PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS REPAIR(S) DOES NOT WORK, AND THE DOOR LATCHES ARE FAULTY IN THESE CARS. AS A PERSON THAT IS DRIVING IN FLORIDA, WITH THREE KIDDOS, I CAN'T BE STUCK IN MY CAR IF FOR SOME REASON THE CAR GOES INTO THE WATER. THE SPRING IN THE HANDLE OF THE CAR DOES NOT WORK, AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE DOOR HANDLE. YES, THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION, AS I CAN'T EXIT MY CAR, ESPECIALLY IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10821895

Incident: January 22, 2016 · Filed: January 23, 2016

SMELL FUEL OUTSIDE RIGHT REAR OF CAR.

Power Train

ODI #10608955

Incident: April 3, 2011 · Filed: July 8, 2014

WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THE TRANSAXLE DOWNSHIFTS FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR, IT WILL LURCH AND A LOUD 'CLUNK' SHAKES THE VEHICLE. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATING, SHIFTING FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR; THE TRANSAXLE WILL HESITATE, ENGINE WILL REV AND MAKES A LOUD 'CLUNK' THAT SHAKES THE VEHICLE WHEN THE GEAR CHANGE FINALLY OCCURS. ALSO, IF I NEED TO STEP ON THE BRAKES SUDDENLY AND THEN RE-ACCELERATE, IT REALLY MAKES A LOUD 'CLUNK' AS THE ENGINE WILL REV AND GO NOWHERE, EVENTUALLY SLAMMING ITSELF INTO 2ND GEAR AND FRIGHTENING THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE LOUD NOISES AND LURCHING. *JS

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10572931

Incident: March 17, 2014 · Filed: March 17, 2014

THE TURN SIGNAL IS SOMEHOW NOT CONNECTED PROPERLY TO THE VEHICLE. EVERY TIME THE DRIVER USES THE TURN SIGNAL, THE BRIGHTS TO THE CAR GO ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY, AS THE DRIVER FLASHES BRIGHTS TO OTHER DRIVERS AS THE TURN SIGNAL GOES ON WITH THE BRIGHTS TO THE CAR. TRIED TO FIX THE ISSUE ONCE, AND THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER. WILL FIX THE PART AGAIN. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10489516

Incident: December 21, 2012 · Filed: December 22, 2012

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN FLASHED BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THEN THE DISPLAY INDICATED THE SEAT BELTS WEREN'T WORKING. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10484631

Incident: June 13, 2012 · Filed: November 14, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, HE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Other Volvo V70 model years

Check your 2003 Volvo V70 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volvo V70 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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