Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2011 Volvo XC70, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Seat belts2
- Wheels2
- Power train2
- Structure2
- Visibility/wiper2
- Latches/locks/linkages2
- Unknown or other2
- Suspension1
- Steering1
- Service brakes1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2011 Volvo XC70 failed the safety check 2.67% of the time — 8% more often than the average 2011 passenger car (2.49%). Median odometer at inspection: 127,030 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2011
11,811 new Volvo XC70 cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2011; the largest markets were Sweden (4,297), the United Kingdom (2,023), Germany (1,224).
- Average mass
- 1,882 kg
- Average power
- 134 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 99% · Petrol 1.4%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2011 Volvo XC70 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 diesel (120 kW, 161 hp), 2.4 diesel (158 kW, 212 hp) and 2.4 diesel (151 kW, 202 hp), out of 5 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 diesel | 120 kW 161 hp | 233 |
| 2.4 diesel | 158 kW 212 hp | 59 |
| 2.4 diesel | 151 kW 202 hp | 55 |
| 3.0 petrol | 224 kW 300 hp | 48 |
| 2.4 diesel | 120 kW 161 hp | 23 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
446 first registered in 2011 are on Dutch roads; 37% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €59,930.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde190
- Band onvoldoende profiel161
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)111
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt93
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan91
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm79
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld74
- Veer gebroken of gescheurd61
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,691 cars built in 2011 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 71 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 1,833 of these cars first registered in 2011 took their annual MOT test. 71% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2011 the figure was 63%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2011 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 12.1% | 16.0% |
| Suspension | 10.4% | 14.1% |
| Tyres | 6.3% | 7.3% |
| Brakes | 4.1% | 8.6% |
| Steering | 3.4% | 2.7% |
| Visibility | 2.6% | 5.4% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
573 of these cars first registered in 2011 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 316,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
17 2011 cars are on the New Zealand register; 53% arrived as used imports, 47% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Volvo XC70 SW AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2011 Volvo XC70 SW FWD | — | 0.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane departure warning
- Optional
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 11.6–12.5 L/100 km (about 19–20 mpg US), CO₂ 267–288 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| XC70 3.2 AWD · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 13.2 | 9.6 | 11.6 |
| XC70 T6 AWD · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.2 | 10.4 | 12.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2011 Volvo XC70.
| 2020298 30 Jun 2020 | Seats And Restraints Issue: On certain vehicles, the flexible steel cable that attaches the seat belt to the outside of the front seats may weaken over time. As a result, the seat… |
| 2010416 18 Nov 2010 | Engine On certain vehicles, the engine and transmission software calibration is too sensitive. When the driver brakes during city driving, and/or releases the acceler… |
| 2010350 13 Oct 2010 | Airbag On certain vehicles, there may be an intermittent fault in the driver's airbag clockspring wiring connector for the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). If thi… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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 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 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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volvo told its dealers about the 2011 Volvo XC70: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11007925 | Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service |
| 10249398 | Left front LED flickers after turning car off - Check outer position bulbs |
| 10249191 | This is a Technical Journal: 12V Battery Testing Method |
| 10241661 | COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADE C00009 DESCRIPTION. |
| 10241651 | Rubber cushion |
| 10234826 | Left front LED flickers after turning car off |
| 10234760 | Customer may experience ?Low oil pressure light? coming on. No external leakage. High engine oil consumption may occur. Follow the instructions under ?Service?. |
| 10234736 | Sensus screen freezes/system locks up |
| 10234735 | Front brake pads, early or uneven wear on right side on 16" and 16.5" brakes |
| 10234685 | Wind deflector net clogged |
| 10234675 | SiriusXM Tuner Replacement Process |
| 10219421 | Engine Control Module (EMS) Software (MSW) Information August 2022; Improvement List (Change Log) - US21+OBD22 (13L VGT, TC) And US17+OBD22 (11L) Emissions |
| 10219302 | Part information for AMT input shaft repair kits and the shim kit that is required for repair. |
| 10213887 | Center wheel caps, removal instruction |
| 10213885 | The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to be updated as products and repair methods evolve. |
| 10213883 | ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations |
| 10213882 | Battery Charger/maintainer requirement |
| 10212892 | Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS) |
| 10212891 | VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App |
| 10203167 | Volvo Chassis 2008 And Up LED Headlight Conversion Programming Procedure |
| 10192877 | There is a new process for upgrading maps on cars with Sensus (IAM2.1) navigation. Map updates for Sensus navigation systems in MY2011-2015A cars (identified as shown in attached picture) can now be downloaded online and transferred to the car via a USB flash drive in the same way as current models. Updating via DVDs is no longer possible. |
| 10190794 | Create PB with attached word doc. |
| 10190559 | This is to inform you that we have procured Rebuilders Automotive Supply (RAS) to handle the returns of the recalled Front Seat Belt Fastener Pretensioner for Recall R10029. RAS has created instructions for the pretensioner shipping procedures. You MUST review and inform your staff as to the requirements for handling the returns. There are specific measures as these pretensioners are classified as hazardous materials. A Parts Bulletin with this same information has also been created to ensure your Parts Department will receive these instructions in case they will be handling the returns. |
| 10190558 | This is to inform you that we have procured Rebuilders Automotive Supply (RAS) to handle the returns of the recalled Front Seat Belt Fastener Pretensioner for Recall R10029. RAS has created instructions for the pretensioner shipping procedures. You MUST review and inform your staff as to the requirements for handling the returns. There are specific measures as these pretensioners are classified as hazardous materials. A Parts Bulletin with this same information has also been created to ensure your Parts Department will receive these instructions in case they will be handling the returns. |
| 10188881 | Volvo?s Warranty Department tracks Retailer warranty spending by utilizing the Warranty Retailer Counseling Process (WRCP). The WRCP is used to gauge individual retailer performance on objective measures over time. By setting clear performance expectations and parameters and assisting retailers in focusing on individual processes and procedures, all retailers are provided with adequate tools to help achieve the ultimate goal of qualifying for self-authorization status. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)