Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2001. 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: 2015.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 XC70 | 7 | 2 |
| 2015 XC70 | 6 | 1 |
| 2014 XC70 | 2 | 2 |
| 2013 XC70 | 8 | 2 |
| 2012 XC70 | 14 | 2 |
| 2011 XC70 | 15 | 3 |
| 2010 XC70 | 15 | 5 |
| 2009 XC70 | 15 | 5 |
| 2008 XC70 | 39 | 8 |
| 2007 XC70 | 25 | 2 |
| 2006 XC70 | 18 | 2 |
| 2005 XC70 | 27 | 2 |
| 2004 XC70Most complaints | 101 | 3 |
| 2003 XC70 | 24 | 4 |
| 2002 XC70 | 35 | 4 |
| 2001 XC70Most complaints | 66 | 5 |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Power train71
- Fuel/propulsion system44
- Suspension43
- Electrical system43
- Fuel system, gasoline35
- Vehicle speed control34
- Air bags24
- Seat belts23
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 38 XC70 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 19 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 | 0 |
| 2014 | 2 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 | 2 |
| 2012 | 6 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | 4 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 | 0 |
| 2005 | 5 | 4 |
| 2004 | 11 | 7 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 6 model-year variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2016 Volvo XC70 SW AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2015 | 2015 Volvo XC70 SW AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2014 | 2014 Volvo XC70 SW AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2013 | 2013 Volvo XC70 SW AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2012 | 2012 Volvo XC70 SW AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2011 | 2011 Volvo XC70 SW AWD | — | 0.0 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 14 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 8.8–13.7 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | XC70 T5 · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.3 | 7.6 | 9.1 |
| 2015 | XC70 T5 · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.8 | 7.6 | 8.8 |
| 2014 | XC70 AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.9 | 9.3 | 11.3 |
| 2013 | XC70 AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 13.1 | 9.3 | 11.4 |
| 2012 | XC70 3.2 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.7 | 9.3 | 11.1 |
| 2011 | XC70 3.2 AWD · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 13.2 | 9.6 | 11.6 |
| 2010 | XC70 T6 AWD · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.6 | 10.6 | 12.8 |
| 2009 | XC70 3.2 AWD · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 15.3 | 10.4 | 13.1 |
| 2008 | XC70 3.2 AWD · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 16.1 | 10.9 | 13.7 |
| 2007 | XC70 AWD Turbo · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 14.4 | 10.4 | 12.6 |
| 2006 | XC70 AWD Turbo · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 13.8 | 9.9 | 12.1 |
| 2005 | XC70 AWD Turbo · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 14.5 | 10.5 | 12.7 |
| 2004 | XC70 AWD Turbo · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 14.2 | 10.4 | 12.5 |
| 2003 | XC70 AWD Turbo · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 14.3 | 10.2 | 12.4 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
489 XC70 cars are on the New Zealand register; 50% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2015 | 42 | 41 | 1 |
| 2014 | 25 | 22 | 2 |
| 2013 | 8 | 6 | 2 |
| 2012 | 14 | 9 | 5 |
| 2011 | 17 | 8 | 9 |
| 2010 | 29 | 14 | 15 |
| 2009 | 29 | 14 | 15 |
| 2008 | 73 | 31 | 42 |
| 2007 | 47 | 18 | 27 |
| 2006 | 63 | 26 | 35 |
| 2005 | 81 | 24 | 57 |
| 2004 | 29 | 6 | 20 |
| 2003 | 30 | 16 | 13 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
9,301 XC70 cars are on Dutch roads; 40% arrived later as imports, and 631 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 648 | €57,290 |
| 2015 | 649 | €59,925 |
| 2014 | 662 | €60,843 |
| 2013 | 429 | €63,335 |
| 2012 | 580 | €57,764 |
| 2011 | 446 | €59,930 |
| 2010 | 367 | €67,443 |
| 2009 | 358 | €70,908 |
| 2008 | 1,092 | €70,574 |
| 2007 | 965 | €64,182 |
| 2006 | 811 | €63,882 |
| 2005 | 949 | €62,244 |
| 2004 | 791 | €59,840 |
| 2003 | 496 | €52,614 |
| 2002 | 58 | €54,310 |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
7,711 XC70 cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 13% petrol, 87% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 635 | 245,000 km |
| 2015 | 867 | 251,000 km |
| 2014 | 711 | 269,000 km |
| 2013 | 501 | 286,000 km |
| 2012 | 482 | 307,000 km |
| 2011 | 573 | 316,000 km |
| 2010 | 393 | 335,000 km |
| 2009 | 272 | 338,000 km |
| 2008 | 804 | 378,000 km |
| 2007 | 801 | 366,000 km |
| 2006 | 492 | 362,000 km |
| 2005 | 504 | 374,000 km |
| 2004 | 346 | 384,000 km |
| 2003 | 261 | 400,000 km |
| 2002 | 64 | 405,000 km |
| 2000 | 5 | 384,000 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, 167 XC70 cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 3 of those collisions were fatal and 45 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 | 33 | 2 | 8 |
| 2024 | 28 | 0 | 14 |
| 2023 | 37 | 0 | 8 |
| 2022 | 30 | 0 | 7 |
| 2021 | 39 | 1 | 8 |
Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
15,369 XC70 cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 12 | 4 |
| 2016 | 990 | 9 |
| 2015 | 1,556 | 20 |
| 2014 | 1,654 | 25 |
| 2013 | 1,490 | 32 |
| 2012 | 1,266 | 39 |
| 2011 | 1,691 | 71 |
| 2010 | 1,274 | 79 |
| 2009 | 917 | 58 |
| 2008 | 831 | 91 |
| 2007 | 1,009 | 202 |
| 2006 | 868 | 246 |
| 2005 | 930 | 276 |
| 2004 | 514 | 209 |
| 2003 | 309 | 138 |
| 2002 | 57 | 56 |
| 1999 | 1 | 1 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
18,057 XC70 cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 69% passed first time, against 64% 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 | 1,024 | 80% |
| 2015 | 1,616 | 80% |
| 2014 | 1,729 | 77% |
| 2013 | 1,562 | 76% |
| 2012 | 1,347 | 71% |
| 2011 | 1,833 | 71% |
| 2010 | 1,436 | 68% |
| 2009 | 1,041 | 69% |
| 2008 | 1,027 | 68% |
| 2007 | 1,359 | 59% |
| 2006 | 1,267 | 56% |
| 2005 | 1,375 | 58% |
| 2004 | 827 | 55% |
| 2003 | 513 | 53% |
| 2002 | 101 | 60% |
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 | XC70 | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 13.5% | 15.8% |
| Suspension | 10.7% | 13.2% |
| Brakes | 8.1% | 9.2% |
| Tyres | 6.1% | 7.0% |
| Steering | 4.1% | 2.7% |
| Visibility | 3.8% | 5.7% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.6% | 5.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.2% | 4.4% |
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
98,180 new Volvo XC70 cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2018, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2018 the largest markets were Sweden (7), Italy (3), Ireland (1).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 11 | 164 (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 42 | 147 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 15,172 | — |
| 2015 | 20,244 | — |
| 2014 | 16,695 | — |
| 2013 | 12,786 | — |
| 2012 | 11,929 | — |
| 2011 | 11,811 | — |
| 2010 | 9,490 | — |
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 XC70 in 11 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.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…
Owing to a faulty gas generator, the driver airbag may only partially deploy in the event of a road accident leading to an increased risk of injury for the driver.
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 …
The wire harness under the driver and/or passenger seat may not have been properly affixed to the seat frame during vehicle assembly. As such, the harness may get caught by the audio and/or back-up camera amplifier (mounted under either of the front seats) whe…
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
19 campaigns cover the XC70; 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 Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting when necessary.
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2014 S60, S80, XC60 and XC70 vehicles equipped with keyless ignition. In the affected vehicles, the Central Electronic Module (CEM) will not perform as intended. As a result, the front windshield wipers might run continuously when the ignition is on. Also, the turn signals, high beams, and headlight switch might not work.
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S80 and XC70 vehicles. A software error within the Central Electronic Module (CEM) will result in the "TPMS Service Required" message appearing after approximately 15 minutes of accumulated driving over 25 mph. The error will prevent the Tire Pressure Monitoring System from warning the driver that a tire needs air. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. IN THESE VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED PROPERLY TO THE SEAT FRAME. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED TO ADJUST THE SEATING POSITION, THE WIRE HARNESS MAY GET PULLED, CAUSING IT TO DISCONNECT.
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, S80, S60, XC70 AND XC60 VEHICLES. THE SOFTWARE CALIBRATION FOR THE FUEL CUT-OFF FUNCTIONALITY IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) IS TOO SENSITIVE.
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 2010 XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 5, 2006 THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2009 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE FMVSS LABEL, TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND A PAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL CONTAIN INCORRECT MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE INFLATION PRESSURE ACCORDING TO FMVSS 110.
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 MY 2008-2010 S80, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2010 XC60 VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE SOFTWARE WITHIN THE CENTRAL ELECTRONIC MODULE (CEM) MAY NOT SEND A SIGNAL TO THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE (PEM). THIS MISSING SIGNAL TO THE PEM INHIBITS THE START OF THE FUEL PUMP. THE DRIVER MAY BE ABLE TO START THE ENGINE IN SPITE OF THE FUEL PUMP NOT BEING ACTIVATED DUE TO RESIDUAL PRESSURE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. IN SOME CASES, THE DRIVER MAY BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE AT IDLE BUT THEN THE ENGINE MAY STALL.
NHTSA recalls