NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Volvo XC70 Recalls & Complaints

The 2001 Volvo XC70 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 66 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 2001 Volvo XC70. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2001 Volvo XC70 owner complaints

Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Volvo XC70, describing incidents dated November 15, 2002 to August 17, 2016.

Most-cited components

Power Train 21 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 15 complaints
Engine 12 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 9 complaints
Electrical System 6 complaints
Suspension 6 complaints

Of the 66 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire; across all 66 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11014142 · Filed August 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART; HOWEVER, IT SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (MITCHELL VOLVO CARS OF SIMSBURY 384 HOPMEADOW STREET, SIMSBURY, CT 06070) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED…
ODI #10896566 · Filed August 17, 2016
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…
ODI #10494710 · Filed January 25, 2013
THIS 2001 VOLVO XC70 HAS NEVER FAILED TO START UNTIL THIS OCCURRENCE WHEN ATTEMPTED TO START IT CHUGGED HORRIBLY & ENGINE FAILURE & ENGINE SYSTEM SERVICE URGENT CODE APPEARED THE CAR DIED & REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO STAR IT FAILED DIAGNOSIS REVEALS A NON-SERVICE LISTED ISSUE AS WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD THIS…

Read all 66 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Volvo XC70 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA05-021: THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION
Closed December 12, 2006
- Recall 06V-441

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

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 February 22, 2000 – May 4, 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 19, 2000 – June 7, 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> .

THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION

NHTSA #06V441000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice

Reported November 15, 2006 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Potentially affected: 170,099 vehicles

Volvo campaign R155 · Owners notified December 29, 2006 · Vehicles built February 22, 2000 – August 27, 2001 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

VOLVO RECALL NO. R155. CUSTOMERS 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 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).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2001 Volvo XC70. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

66 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Volvo XC70.

Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #11014142

Incident: August 7, 2007 · Filed: August 10, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART; HOWEVER, IT SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (MITCHELL VOLVO CARS OF SIMSBURY 384 HOPMEADOW STREET, SIMSBURY, CT 06070) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE MODULE NEEDED AN UPDATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

Structure

ODI #10896566

Incident: August 17, 2016 · Filed: August 17, 2016

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

Electrical System; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10494710

Incident: January 25, 2013 · Filed: January 25, 2013

THIS 2001 VOLVO XC70 HAS NEVER FAILED TO START UNTIL THIS OCCURRENCE WHEN ATTEMPTED TO START IT CHUGGED HORRIBLY & ENGINE FAILURE & ENGINE SYSTEM SERVICE URGENT CODE APPEARED THE CAR DIED & REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO STAR IT FAILED DIAGNOSIS REVEALS A NON-SERVICE LISTED ISSUE AS WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD THIS CAR PROPERLY SERVICED PROMPTLY AS NEEDED. THE ISSUE IS A "THROTTLE BODY FAILURE". ACCORDING TO THE VOLVO SERVICE SHOP THIS WILL COST ME $800 TO $1000 TO FIX!! LAST JANUARY I HAD TO PURCHASE A WIRE HARNESS FOR THIS CAR THAT WAS $1400!! I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS THROTTLE BODY ISSUE AND WISH TO ADD MY COMPLAINT FOR THIS AS WELL AS THE WIRE HARNESS I PAID SO MUCH FOR LAST YEAR. FOR A CAR THAT COSTS THIS MUCH AND MORE THAN 50% MORE TO MAINTENANCE THAN ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED IN 40YRS THESE KINDS OF FAILURES SHOULD NOT BE ABSORBED BY THE CONSUMER VOLVO SHOULD OFFER SOME KIND OF COMPENSATION TO HELP PROPERLY REPLACE THESE KINDS OF FAULTY SYSTEMS AND BEAR AT LEAST 1/2 THE COST. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10446172

Incident: September 1, 2010 · Filed: February 1, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 02/22/12 *BF THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 02/04/11. SHE MENTIONED THE FAILURE OF THE GEARS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY AND THE DEALER PERFORMED A SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD, WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE DEALER EIGHT MONTHS LATER FOR THE 9,500 MAINTENANCE SERVICE AND THE PROBLEM WAS MENTIONED AGAIN. FINALLY AT 103,000 ON JAN 31, 2012 THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED ONE. UPDATED 03/01/12

Power Train

ODI #10440352

Incident: November 23, 2011 · Filed: December 18, 2011

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

Power Train

ODI #10410792

Incident: July 6, 2011 · Filed: July 6, 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

Power Train

ODI #10408570

Incident: June 1, 2011 · Filed: June 22, 2011

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.

Power Train

ODI #10400638

Incident: May 12, 2011 · Filed: May 12, 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.

Suspension

ODI #10399694

Incident: May 1, 2011 · Filed: May 9, 2011

MY 2001 VOLVO XC70 WAGON HAD THE COIL SPRING SNAP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SIDE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE AT VOLVO REPAIR SITES AND IT APPEARS THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR. IT IS A GREAT CONCERN TO ME AS BELIEVE IT IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE BROKEN SPRING A DIRECTLY ABOVE THE FRONT TIRE, WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO PUNCTURE AT HIGH SPEED DRIVING. COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND HOPEFULLY AVOID SOMEONE HAVING THIS HAPPEN, CAUSING A PUNCTURED TIRE AND POTENTIAL SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IF POSSIBLE COULD YOU LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THAT VOLVO SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF. THANK YOU! *TR

Power Train

ODI #10399312

Incident: May 6, 2011 · Filed: May 6, 2011

THE FAILURE JUST BEGAN AT AROUND 100K MILES, NO SPECIFIC EVENT. THE CAR LURCHES WHEN I AM PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AFTER I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO A COMPLETE STOP. CAR JERKS WHILE DOWN SHIFTING INTO RIGHT HAND TURNS. CAR JERKS AT INTERSECTIONS WHILE SLOWING DOWN AND/OR ACCELERATING. I AM AFRAID IT IS GOING TO JERK FORWARD AND HIT SOMETHING THAT I, AS A DRIVER, SHOULD NOT BE AT RISK OF HITTING. THIS JERKING BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY AND THE CAR WOULD RUN MORE SMOOTHLY ON THE STREETS AFTER A HIGHWAY TRIP OF SOME DISTANCE, BUT NOW IT HAPPENS ALMOST CONSTANTLY AND THE JERKING IS MORE SEVERE. TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, I SAW VOLVO AND ASKED THEM TO MAKE SURE THE SOFTWARE PKG WAS UP TO DATE - THEY ASSURED IT WAS. A YEAR LATER I RETURNED AS THE PROBLEM HAD WORSENED, VOLVO WANTED TO FLUSH MY TRANSMISSION - I DECLINED AND WENT TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. I HAVE JUST AGREED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED, AND IF NECESSARY HAVE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. *TR

Other Volvo XC70 model years

Check your 2001 Volvo XC70 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volvo XC70 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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