Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 1998. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2006.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 V70 | 0 | 1 |
| 2015 V70 | 0 | 1 |
| 2014 V70 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 V70 | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 V70 | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 V70 | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 V70 | 4 | 3 |
| 2009 V70 | 4 | 3 |
| 2008 V70 | 11 | 4 |
| 2007 V70 | 7 | 2 |
| 2006 V70 | 21 | 3 |
| 2005 V70 | 21 | 3 |
| 2004 V70Most complaints | 84 | 5 |
| 2003 V70 | 32 | 5 |
| 2002 V70Most complaints | 76 | 6 |
| 2001 V70Most complaints | 221 | 8 |
| 2000 V70Most complaints | 93 | 5 |
| 1999 V70Most complaints | 169 | 4 |
| 1998 V70Most complaints | 187 | 5 |
| 1997 V70 | 3 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Vehicle speed control160
- Electrical system142
- Engine and engine cooling111
- Power train107
- Fuel system, gasoline88
- Service brakes, hydraulic75
- Exterior lighting63
- Air bags51
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 45 V70 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 35 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 | 0 |
| 2007 | 3 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 | 1 |
| 2004 | 8 | 3 |
| 2003 | 3 | 3 |
| 2002 | 7 | 5 |
| 2001 | 11 | 9 |
| 2000 | 4 | 4 |
| 1999 | 1 | 2 |
| 1998 | 3 | 3 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 13 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 10.6–12.6 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | V70 3.2 · Station wagon: Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.7 | 9.0 | 11.6 |
| 2009 | V70 3.2 · Station wagon: Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 14.3 | 9.3 | 12.0 |
| 2008 | V70 3.2 · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 14.9 | 9.8 | 12.6 |
| 2007 | V70 2.4 · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.3 | 8.8 | 10.7 |
| 2006 | V70 2.4 Wagon · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.3 | 8.8 | 10.7 |
| 2005 | V70 · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.3 | 8.8 | 10.7 |
| 2004 | V70 · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.3 | 8.5 | 10.6 |
| 2003 | V70 2.4 · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.3 | 8.5 | 10.6 |
| 2002 | V70 Wagon · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.5 | 9.3 | 11.0 |
| 2001 | V70 Wagon · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.5 | 9.3 | 11.0 |
| 2000 | V70 · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.6 | 8.9 | 10.9 |
| 1999 | V70 Wagon · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.7 | 9.0 | 11.0 |
| 1998 | V70 Wagon · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.4 | 8.9 | 11.4 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
552 V70 cars are on the New Zealand register; 73% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2012 | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| 2011 | 10 | 2 | 7 |
| 2010 | 38 | 2 | 34 |
| 2009 | 44 | 4 | 40 |
| 2008 | 74 | 8 | 65 |
| 2007 | 43 | 6 | 37 |
| 2006 | 60 | 2 | 56 |
| 2005 | 54 | 5 | 49 |
| 2004 | 22 | 7 | 13 |
| 2003 | 37 | 22 | 12 |
| 2002 | 40 | 21 | 19 |
| 2001 | 42 | 22 | 20 |
| 2000 | 29 | 11 | 17 |
| 1999 | 22 | 13 | 8 |
| 1998 | 14 | 4 | 9 |
| 1997 | 9 | 3 | 6 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
48,861 V70 cars are on Dutch roads; 31% arrived later as imports, and 3,293 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 225 | €46,384 |
| 2016 | 1,913 | €46,684 |
| 2015 | 2,020 | €51,030 |
| 2014 | 2,092 | €50,029 |
| 2013 | 1,852 | €47,810 |
| 2012 | 2,855 | €47,916 |
| 2011 | 3,668 | €47,385 |
| 2010 | 2,425 | €51,089 |
| 2009 | 2,268 | €48,989 |
| 2008 | 3,396 | €55,954 |
| 2007 | 3,556 | €50,509 |
| 2006 | 2,630 | €47,589 |
| 2005 | 2,722 | €47,554 |
| 2004 | 2,514 | €56,154 |
| 2003 | 2,463 | €52,183 |
| 2002 | 2,910 | €42,680 |
| 2001 | 3,063 | €45,780 |
| 2000 | 2,617 | €37,275 |
| 1999 | 1,520 | €42,590 |
| 1998 | 1,304 | €42,292 |
| 1997 | 848 | €43,994 |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
43,300 V70 cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 45% petrol, 52% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 9 | 256,000 km |
| 2016 | 703 | 258,000 km |
| 2015 | 1,806 | 260,000 km |
| 2014 | 2,027 | 302,000 km |
| 2013 | 1,841 | 308,000 km |
| 2012 | 1,850 | 320,000 km |
| 2011 | 2,298 | 336,000 km |
| 2010 | 2,876 | 352,000 km |
| 2009 | 2,221 | 363,000 km |
| 2008 | 3,724 | 376,000 km |
| 2007 | 3,587 | 348,000 km |
| 2006 | 3,375 | 355,000 km |
| 2005 | 3,017 | 369,000 km |
| 2004 | 2,602 | 381,000 km |
| 2003 | 2,692 | 394,000 km |
| 2002 | 2,511 | 410,000 km |
| 2001 | 1,939 | 397,000 km |
| 2000 | 2,438 | 388,000 km |
| 1999 | 767 | 393,000 km |
| 1998 | 628 | 385,000 km |
| 1997 | 389 | 390,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Road collisions in Great Britain
From 2021 to 2025, 479 V70 cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 4 of those collisions were fatal and 117 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.
| Year | Cars in injury collisions | Fatal | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 91 | 2 | 20 |
| 2024 | 82 | 0 | 25 |
| 2023 | 82 | 0 | 21 |
| 2022 | 115 | 2 | 21 |
| 2021 | 109 | 0 | 30 |
Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
35,068 V70 cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 14 | — |
| 2016 | 740 | 15 |
| 2015 | 1,955 | 22 |
| 2014 | 1,881 | 38 |
| 2013 | 1,657 | 39 |
| 2012 | 1,503 | 54 |
| 2011 | 1,957 | 112 |
| 2010 | 2,620 | 184 |
| 2009 | 3,218 | 306 |
| 2008 | 2,865 | 358 |
| 2007 | 2,225 | 389 |
| 2006 | 2,147 | 529 |
| 2005 | 2,720 | 708 |
| 2004 | 2,238 | 790 |
| 2003 | 1,911 | 895 |
| 2002 | 1,676 | 1,045 |
| 2001 | 1,134 | 925 |
| 2000 | 963 | 1,022 |
| 1999 | 708 | 910 |
| 1998 | 572 | 792 |
| 1997 | 364 | 639 |
| 1996 | 0 | 1 |
| 1995 | 0 | 1 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
45,071 V70 cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 64% passed first time, against 61% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 759 | 83% |
| 2015 | 2,017 | 82% |
| 2014 | 1,970 | 78% |
| 2013 | 1,717 | 76% |
| 2012 | 1,591 | 74% |
| 2011 | 2,132 | 71% |
| 2010 | 2,926 | 70% |
| 2009 | 3,881 | 64% |
| 2008 | 3,606 | 68% |
| 2007 | 2,931 | 61% |
| 2006 | 2,905 | 59% |
| 2005 | 3,768 | 59% |
| 2004 | 3,326 | 55% |
| 2003 | 2,900 | 54% |
| 2002 | 2,703 | 53% |
| 2001 | 1,854 | 52% |
| 2000 | 1,525 | 58% |
| 1999 | 1,073 | 62% |
| 1998 | 860 | 59% |
| 1997 | 627 | 61% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | V70 | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 18.0% | 18.1% |
| Brakes | 11.0% | 11.0% |
| Suspension | 9.5% | 14.8% |
| Tyres | 7.9% | 6.7% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 5.8% | 7.0% |
| Visibility | 4.8% | 6.5% |
| Steering | 4.1% | 3.3% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.5% | 5.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
185,234 new Volvo V70 cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Italy (1).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 164 (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1 | 179 (NEDC) |
| 2018 | 4 | 166 (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 49 | 129 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 13,066 | — |
| 2015 | 24,744 | — |
| 2014 | 24,409 | — |
| 2013 | 22,617 | — |
| 2012 | 27,451 | — |
| 2011 | 31,210 | — |
| 2010 | 41,682 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the V70 in at least 12 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
The driver airbag may be defective. As a result, fragments of the inflator inside the airbag may project out when the driver airbag is activated, causing injuries to the car occupants. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulati…
Air bubbles may remain in the engine cooling system when filling coolant. This can cause insufficient cooling and damage the engine, increasing the risk of fire in the engine compartment.
Air bubbles may remain in the engine's cooling system after filling with coolant.Consequently, the cooling of the engine might be impaired, causing the engine to overheat, leading to its damage or even to fire.
Excessive carbon deposits could build up in the intake system of the engine.Consequently, the temperature of the intake air could rise, causing the engine's intake manifold to melt and deform. This could lead to the engine to stall, increasing the risk of acci…
Excessive carbon deposits could build up in the intake system of the engine.Consequently, the temperature of the intake air could rise, causing the engine's intake manifold to melt and deform. This could lead to the engine to stall, increasing the risk of acci…
Excessive carbon deposits could build up in the intake system of the engine.Additionally, the intake valve could leak.Consequently, the temperature of the intake air could rise, causing the engine intake manifold to melt and deform. This could lead to the engi…
Excessive carbon deposits could build up in the intake system of the engine. Consequently, the temperature of the intake air could rise, causing the engine's intake manifold to melt and deform. This could lead to the engine to stop, increasing the risk of acci…
Cracks in the fuel hose may cause fuel to leak into the engine compartment. This may consequently lead to a fire.
While driving, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may reset causing the engine to momentarily cut-off and restart while driving. It could also lead to a loss of power-steering assistance.
The handbrake may under certain conditions release inadvertently.
Early wear on the belt tensioner may lead to the auxiliary belt slipping off the tensioner. Should this happen, it may lead, without any prior warning, to loss of drive resulting in immobility of the vehicle and loss of power steering assistance.
The wiper-arm mechanism may chafe against the brake booster vacuum line. If this occurs, it could lead to a gradual reduction of the power-assisted braking and more effort would need to be applied to the brake pedal than usual to slow the vehicle down. In the …
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
22 campaigns cover the V70; the latest 12 are below.
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.
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 S80, XC70, MODEL YEAR 2011 XC60 AND MODEL YEAR 2010 V70 VEHICLES. THERE MAY BE AN INTERMITTENT FAULT IN THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM.
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.
VOLVO IS RECALLING 17,614 MY 2008-2009 S80, V70, AND XC70 VEHICLES. THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING ERROR IN THE FAN CONTROL MODULE (FCM). DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CUSTOMER MAY EXPERIENCE REDUCED AIR CONDITIONING PERFORMANCE, AND/OR RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE.
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR INTEGRATED BOOSTER SEATS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE LABELING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 213, "CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS." LABELS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE MISSING WARNING INFORMATION INDICATING THAT 'DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY CAN OCCUR' IF THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT FOLLOWED WHEN USING CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS.
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.
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.
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE LABEL DENOTING THE TIRE AND LOADING PRESSURE INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SOME ELECTRIC COOLING FANS MAY OVERHEAT POTENTIALLY CAUSING HEAT DAMAGE AND, IN RARE INSTANCES, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA recalls