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2001 Volvo V70XC

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

122 reports with mileage · 22 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

144 reports
85,000 miles · Apr 4, 2005
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED. I BLOCKED TRAFFIC ON SC 278 FOR ~ 30 SEC. THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. I COULD RUN THE ENGINE BUT NO POWER MADE IT TO THE WHEELS. IT FINALLY LIMPED TO A PARKING LOT. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. CAROLINA VOLVO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REMANUFACTURED ONE…

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TRANSMISSION FAILED. I BLOCKED TRAFFIC ON SC 278 FOR ~ 30 SEC. THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. I COULD RUN THE ENGINE BUT NO POWER MADE IT TO THE WHEELS. IT FINALLY LIMPED TO A PARKING LOT. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. CAROLINA VOLVO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REMANUFACTURED ONE FROM VOLVO.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116346

58,000 miles · Mar 28, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

1) ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE (ETM) SHUTS DOWN THE GAS PEDAL WHERE YOU HAVE NO CONTROL ON ACCELERATION 2) ETM SHUTDOWN COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT 3) REPLACE THE ETM AT $1100 THE OWNERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED UNDER WARRANTY TO CLEAN THE ETM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10115937

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2004
Electrical System

FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE ON VOLVO 2001 XC V70. THE ELECTRONIC MODULE CONTROLS THE THROTTLE. THE FAILURE OF THIS ELECTRONIC AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED CAN CAUSE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER OR A SURGE IN POWER RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE PREVALENT IN VOLVO CARS. THE RESOLUTION IS EXPENSIV…

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FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE ON VOLVO 2001 XC V70. THE ELECTRONIC MODULE CONTROLS THE THROTTLE. THE FAILURE OF THIS ELECTRONIC AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED CAN CAUSE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER OR A SURGE IN POWER RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE PREVALENT IN VOLVO CARS. THE RESOLUTION IS EXPENSIVE ($1K). I AM SURPRISED THAT A RECALL WAS NOT MADE FOR THIS FAULTY COMPONENT WHICH HAS SAFETY CONSEQUENCES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10104147

8,000 miles · Feb 5, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

COOLING FAN FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A VERY BUSY FREEWAY. THE CAR OVERHEATED SUDDENLY, STOPPED RUNNING AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. THE COOLING FAN WAS REPLACED BY A VOLVO DEALERSHIP. ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION IN NOVEMBER 2001 WHILE DRIVING ON A DESOLATE MOUNTAIN ROAD AT NIGHT THE CAR STOPPED AS THOUGH IT WAS OUT OF FUEL. THE…

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COOLING FAN FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A VERY BUSY FREEWAY. THE CAR OVERHEATED SUDDENLY, STOPPED RUNNING AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. THE COOLING FAN WAS REPLACED BY A VOLVO DEALERSHIP. ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION IN NOVEMBER 2001 WHILE DRIVING ON A DESOLATE MOUNTAIN ROAD AT NIGHT THE CAR STOPPED AS THOUGH IT WAS OUT OF FUEL. THERE WAS AT LEAST AN 1/8 OF A TANK OF FUEL. THERE WAS A FUEL LINE DEFECT. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER TWO HOURS AWAY AND THE DEFECT WAS REPAIRED. BOTH INCIDENTS CREATED A LOT OF INCONVENIENCE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10056629

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2003
Child Seat

HARNESS ADJUSTER LEVER ON CHILD SAFETY SEAT CAN BE EASILY OPENED RESULTING IN A LOOSE RESTRAINT. *MR THE CHILD WAS ABLE TO PULL BACK THE VELCRO AND EASILY REACH THE LEVER WHEN IT WAS SECURED PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. ONCE THE LEVER THE LEVER WAS PULLED UP, THE BELTS BECAME LOOSE. *SCC (MODEL/WIZARD E9L0742/SERIAL#E9L07423601) …

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HARNESS ADJUSTER LEVER ON CHILD SAFETY SEAT CAN BE EASILY OPENED RESULTING IN A LOOSE RESTRAINT. *MR THE CHILD WAS ABLE TO PULL BACK THE VELCRO AND EASILY REACH THE LEVER WHEN IT WAS SECURED PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. ONCE THE LEVER THE LEVER WAS PULLED UP, THE BELTS BECAME LOOSE. *SCC (MODEL/WIZARD E9L0742/SERIAL#E9L07423601) *JB

NHTSA ODI #10044351

10,000 miles · Aug 28, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

I WAS RECENTLY TOLD MY 2001 V79XC NEEDED BALL JOINTS, THEN SWAY BARS AND SOMEONE ELSE SAID STRUTS! ALSO: I HAVE HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED, THE SYSTEM REPORTED THROTTLE MODULE ERRORS AND ELECTIRCAL OR CIRCUIT PROBLEMS; THROTTLE MODULE CLEANED, THEN REPLACED; HEADLIGHTS REPLACED 3 TIMES (WIRING CAUSES SHORTS); GAS FILTER REPLAC…

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I WAS RECENTLY TOLD MY 2001 V79XC NEEDED BALL JOINTS, THEN SWAY BARS AND SOMEONE ELSE SAID STRUTS! ALSO: I HAVE HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED, THE SYSTEM REPORTED THROTTLE MODULE ERRORS AND ELECTIRCAL OR CIRCUIT PROBLEMS; THROTTLE MODULE CLEANED, THEN REPLACED; HEADLIGHTS REPLACED 3 TIMES (WIRING CAUSES SHORTS); GAS FILTER REPLACED  TWO JUNES IN A ROW GAS PROPELLED OUT OF THE TANK BACK AT ME UPON PUMPING (SOMETHING ABOUT AIR INTAKE LINE WAS CLOGGED), THE BRACKETS UNDERNEATH THE CAR ARE TOTALLY RUSTED  NOT STAINLESS STEEL! I HAD THE COOLING FAN REPLACED, CAR OVERHEATED INTO THE RED! I TOO HAVE HAD LITTLE TIME TO ENJOY MY CAR. THE E BRAKE STICKS IN THE WINTER, BECAUSE THE COATING ON THE LINES/CABLES IS CRACKED, BROKEN/BURNED DUE TO IMPROPER SUSPENSION. MY SUN ROOF, INTERIOR LIGHTS AND REAR HATCH DOOR WORKS INTERMITTENTLY IN COLD WEATHER. THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT WAS RATTLING LOUDLY AND THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM TRIED TO FIX IT AND TOLD ME I HAD TO LIVE WITH IT! OF COURSE ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FIXED IT OUTRIGHT. THE SEATBELT FREQUENTLY STICKS AND DOESNT TAKE UP THE SLACK INTERMITTENTLY ONLY TO GET SHUT IN THE DRIVERS DOOR FREQUENTLY, WHEN I JUST ABOUT THINK IT HAS CORRECTED ITSELF. AND, THERE IS A STRANGE DRAFT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW THAT GETS QUITE COLD IN THE WINTER. THE SEAL SEEMS FINE AND ITS ANOTHER PROBLEM NO SHOP SEEMS TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT.

NHTSA ODI #10036737

48,000 miles · Jun 12, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2001 VOLVO V70 CROSS COUNTRY. 2 WEEKS AGO IT OVERHEATED. PROBLEM BEING - A DEFECTIVE COOLING FAN. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THIS PART IS ON AN INDEFINITE NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THUS, EVEN NOW, I STILL HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WILL ARRIVE AND WHEN I WILL BE ABLE TO USE MY CAR AGAIN. THE DEALER HAS ALSO TOLD ME THERE …

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I HAVE A 2001 VOLVO V70 CROSS COUNTRY. 2 WEEKS AGO IT OVERHEATED. PROBLEM BEING - A DEFECTIVE COOLING FAN. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THIS PART IS ON AN INDEFINITE NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THUS, EVEN NOW, I STILL HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WILL ARRIVE AND WHEN I WILL BE ABLE TO USE MY CAR AGAIN. THE DEALER HAS ALSO TOLD ME THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CARS IN THE LOT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM NOT ALONE. GIVEN THAT THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE IT SEEMS TO ME THAT VOLVO SHOULD BE RUNNING A NATIONAL RECALL ON THIS PART. I SUSPECT THE REASON THAT THEY ARE NOT, IS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART AND ARE NOT SURE WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THIS IS NO EXCUSE. FROM AN IRATE VOLVO OWNER (ONE OF MANY RIGHT NOW) WHO BOUGHT THIS CAR TO DRIVE AS OPPOSED TO SIT IN THE DEALERS LOT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10021488

25,000 miles · May 4, 2003
Electrical System

THE XC70 HAS STALLED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED TWO DIFFERENT SENSORS. THE DEALER FEELS THE CARE IS FINE, THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE READILY REPRODUCED. THE FIRST TWO TIMES IT STALLED, IT HAPPENED LAST YEAR. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRED LAST MONTH. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR DOWN A FOUR LANE HI…

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THE XC70 HAS STALLED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED TWO DIFFERENT SENSORS. THE DEALER FEELS THE CARE IS FINE, THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE READILY REPRODUCED. THE FIRST TWO TIMES IT STALLED, IT HAPPENED LAST YEAR. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRED LAST MONTH. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR DOWN A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, AND IT JUST STALLED AS SHE REMOVED HER FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I AM VERY CONCERNED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10016994

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS TANK STOPPED PROVIDING FUEL TO ENGINE, AS IF TANK WAS EMPTY, EVEN THOUGH APPROXIMATELY 2 GALLONS REMAINED IN THE TANK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #765005

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2002
StructureInjury

WHEN I WAS GETTING OUT OF THE CAR VERY SHORTLY AFTER BUYING IT, I OPENED THE DOOR ALL THE WAY AND STARTED GETTING OUT OF THE CAR. THE DOOR STARTED TO CLOSE AND INJURED MY LEG. THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME THE CAR IS ON A HILL OR WHEN THE WIND IS BLOWING. IT HAPPENDS ON ALL FOUR DOORS. I COMPARED THE FORCE NEED TO CLOSE THIS VEHICLE…

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WHEN I WAS GETTING OUT OF THE CAR VERY SHORTLY AFTER BUYING IT, I OPENED THE DOOR ALL THE WAY AND STARTED GETTING OUT OF THE CAR. THE DOOR STARTED TO CLOSE AND INJURED MY LEG. THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME THE CAR IS ON A HILL OR WHEN THE WIND IS BLOWING. IT HAPPENDS ON ALL FOUR DOORS. I COMPARED THE FORCE NEED TO CLOSE THIS VEHICLE'S DOORS WITH THAT OF THE OTHER VOLVO WE OWN AND THE VOLVO V70XC (2001) REQUIRES MUCH LESS FORCE FOR THE DOOR TO CLOSE. I HAVE ALSO HAD TWO OTHER PEOPLE INJURED EVEN THOUGH I HAD WARNED THEM ABOUT THE DOORS NOT STAYING OPEN. I HAVE OWNED 7 OTHER VOLVO MODELS (AS WELL AS OTHER CARS) AND HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WHOSE DOORS WOULD NOT STAY OPEN. I HAVE CONTACTED VOLVO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, BUT SAY THAT THEY DON'T CONSIDER IT A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM THAT DESERVES THEIR ATTENTION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #761303

Official recalls

1

04V451000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Sep 13, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA05021 · Throttle Control Malfunction

Opened Dec 6, 2005 · Closed Dec 12, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control

ON NOVEMBER 14, 2006 VOLVO SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING ETM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2001 VOLVO MODELS (NOT INCLUDING THE S40 AND V40), MY 2002 S60 AND V70 WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINES AND MY 2002 V70S.ACCORDING TO VOLVO, ?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.VOLVO FURTHER STATED THAT,THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES GOING INTO LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.?VOLVO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE MOST SEVERE CONSEQUENCE OF AN ETM FAULT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE RECALL REMEDY IS A SOFTWARE UPGRADE INTRODUCED BY VOLVO ON MARCH 16, 2006 IN A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM.AT THE TIME OF THE NOTIFICATION 161,202 VEHICLES OF THE POPULATION OF 331,301 HAD ALREADY HAD THE SOFTWARE UPLOADED AND WERE THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED IN THE POPULATION COUNT OF THE RECALL. ODI?S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND VOLVO, VOLVO FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY DATA FOUND THAT ETM FAILURE COULD RESULT IN (1) ENGINE STALL; (2) MECHANICAL LIMP MODE; (3) LUNGING FORWARD DURING LOW-SPEED DRIVING MANEUVERS; AND (4) FALTERING DURING HIGH SPEED MERGES OR WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC.ODI IDENTIFIED 12 CRASHES RELATED TO ETM FAILURE, WITH 6 CAUSED BY LUNGING INCIDENTS, 3 CAUSED BY STALLING INCIDENTS, 2 CAUSED BY MECHANICAL LIMP MODE AND 1 FROM THE FALTERING CONDITION.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA AND INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM CONSUMER INTERVIEWS IDENTIFIED 1,289 INCIDENTS WITH SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES (389.1 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), INCLUDING 479 INVOLVING ENGINE STALL (144.6 PER 100,000 VEHICLES) AND 729 INVOLVING MECHANICAL LIMP MODE (220.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES).ODI'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY CLAIM NARRATIVE TEXT SHOWS AT LEAST 14,965 WARRANTY CLAIMS WITH CODES INDICATING AN ETM FAULT RESULTING IN VEHICLE OPERATION IN MECHANICAL LIMP MODE (4.5% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES). VOLVO?S RECALL ADDRESSES ODI?S SAFETY CONCERNS WITH ETM FAILURES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF ADDITIONAL ACTION IS REQUIRED.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

PE05041 · Throttle Control Malfunction

Opened Jul 26, 2005 · Closed Dec 7, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control

PE05-041 WAS OPENED ON JULY, 26, 2005, BASED ON 136 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGING THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI HAS NOW RECEIVED 591 COMPLAINTS OF ETM FAILURES WHICH ALLEGE SYMPTOMS WITH POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES.THESE INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE STALL, VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD WITHOUT ACCELERATOR INPUT, VEHICLE HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED TRANSITION INTO REDUCED PERFORMANCE OPERATION (LIMP MODE).VOLVO SUBMITTED OVER 2,900 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE ETM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING PE05-041.ODI'S PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 55 PERCENT WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ABOVE.ODI IS CONTINUING ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS. IN NOVEMBER 2005, TO RESOLVE AN INVESTIGATION BY THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD, VOLVO ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 10 YEARS / 200,000 MILES FOR THE ETM IN APPROXIMATELY 356,000 MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 PASSENGER CARS SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.UNDER VOLVO'S POLICY, VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCE ETM FAILURES WILL RECEIVE A VARIETY OF REPAIRS INCLUDING ETM CLEANING, REPROGRAMMING THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND/OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ETM. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-021) TO CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF ETM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.