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2002 Volvo V70XC

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Compare all V70XC years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

22 reports with mileage · 5 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

27 reports
104,000 miles · Apr 4, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO V70XC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLANK FRACTURED AND BOTH THE FLANK AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO V70XC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLANK FRACTURED AND BOTH THE FLANK AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ODI #10853346

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

1) FUEL SMELL, AND HARDER TO START ENGINE. ENGINE CRANK W/O PROBLEM. SYMPTOMS STARTED AROUND JULY 4TH LAST YEAR, GETTING SEVER AND MORE OFTEN. TOOK MY CAR TO LOCAL VOLVO, BUT THEY SAID "NO RECALL FOR THIS CAR" EVEN THOUGH MULTIPLE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS ARE REPORTED, THEN TOOK MY CAR TO LOCAL AUTO REPAIR GARAGE FINALLY, TODAY …

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1) FUEL SMELL, AND HARDER TO START ENGINE. ENGINE CRANK W/O PROBLEM. SYMPTOMS STARTED AROUND JULY 4TH LAST YEAR, GETTING SEVER AND MORE OFTEN. TOOK MY CAR TO LOCAL VOLVO, BUT THEY SAID "NO RECALL FOR THIS CAR" EVEN THOUGH MULTIPLE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS ARE REPORTED, THEN TOOK MY CAR TO LOCAL AUTO REPAIR GARAGE FINALLY, TODAY MECHANIC CALLS AND SAYS "FUEL PUMP FAILURE". 2) TRANSMISSION SLIP, "SHOCK" WHEN SHIFT UP, AROUND 2ND TO 3RD GEAR, ALSO MANY USER COMPLAIN AISIN-MADE TRANSMISSION SLIPS/SHOCK WHEN SHIFT UP, PROGRAM/SOFTWEAR UPDATE SOLVES SOME USERS BUT NO ALL, LOCAL DEALER SAYS "UPDATE COSTS ABOUT 200 DOLLARS, BECAUSE OF NO RECALL", ALSO THEY SAY "BUT MAY NOT SOLVE PROBLEM" WHY THEY DON'T SEE ANY RECALL FOR MY CAR, OR WHY I CANNOT GET ANY SUPPORT FROM VOLVO, EVEN MANY USER COMPLAIN SAME SYMPTOMS?

NHTSA ODI #10725454

105,000 miles · Feb 24, 2015
Power Train

MY TRANSMISSION IS JERKING BETWEEN REVERSE AND DRIVE. THE CAR HESITATES AND THEN SLAMS FORWARD. I HAVE READ ALL OVER THE INTERNET WHERE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10690309

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

THE VEHICLE SMELLED OF GASOLINE AND NEEDED TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP REPAIRED, SPENDING 700 DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10678401

160,000 miles · Oct 2, 2014
Electrical System

FIRST, I GOT A MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SAYING "SRS AIRBAG URGENT." A FEW DAYS LATER, THE PANEL STARTED TO INTERMITTENTLY WORK. WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK, I HAVE NO WORKING SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, ODOMETER, BLINKERS (ALTHOUGH THEY STILL WORK OUTSIDE THE CAR), OR ANY OTHER LIGHT THAT WOULD NORMALLY BE SHOWN ON THE PANEL. OCCAS…

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FIRST, I GOT A MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SAYING "SRS AIRBAG URGENT." A FEW DAYS LATER, THE PANEL STARTED TO INTERMITTENTLY WORK. WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK, I HAVE NO WORKING SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, ODOMETER, BLINKERS (ALTHOUGH THEY STILL WORK OUTSIDE THE CAR), OR ANY OTHER LIGHT THAT WOULD NORMALLY BE SHOWN ON THE PANEL. OCCASIONALLY EVERYTHING COMES ON, THEN IT FREEZES, AND EVENTUALLY TURNS BACK OFF. TOOK IT TO SHOP AND THEY TRIED A DIFFERENT PANEL BUT IT HAS TO BE CODED IN AND THE SOFTWARE WAS NOT COMPATIBLE. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP AND THEY SAID THEY COULD TRY TO SEND IT TO SOMEONE IN CANADA WHO REBUILDS THEM AND RECODES THEM SO THEY CAN BE REINSTALLED, BUT THE MECHANIC SAID TO WAIT UNTIL HE HAS MORE INFORMATION. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR ME TO HAVE TO GUESS WHAT SPEED I'M GOING AND TO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE LEFT. BOTH MECHANICS HAVE NOT SEEN THIS IN THIS MODEL BEFORE AND SEEM TO THINK IT IS A FAULTY PANEL. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. *NOTE: MILEAGE IS ESTIMATED SINCE I CAN NOT ACTUALLY CHECK THE ODOMETER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640852

133,226 miles · Sep 5, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL SMELL AND LEAK FROM TOP OF FUEL TANK AREA OF FUEL PUMP. VOLVO SPECIALTY SHOP CONTRACTED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD REPAIR WAS COVERED BY THIS RECALL. I CALLED SAME DEALERSHIP TO MAKE APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A 10 YR EXTENDED WARRANTY ITEM AND NOT COVERED. MY CAR HAS BEEN REGISTERED IN VA SINCE AUG 201…

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FUEL SMELL AND LEAK FROM TOP OF FUEL TANK AREA OF FUEL PUMP. VOLVO SPECIALTY SHOP CONTRACTED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD REPAIR WAS COVERED BY THIS RECALL. I CALLED SAME DEALERSHIP TO MAKE APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A 10 YR EXTENDED WARRANTY ITEM AND NOT COVERED. MY CAR HAS BEEN REGISTERED IN VA SINCE AUG 2011. IS IT COVERED BY THIS RECALL NOTICE OR NOT

NHTSA ODI #10631034

99,001 miles · Dec 19, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILS AFTER MULTIPLE REPAIRS (UPDATED SOFTWARE) IT IS STILL NOT RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440410

129,000 miles · Dec 5, 2011
Power Train

BEGAN EXPERIENCING WHAT I NOW REALIZE MANY, MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH LURCHING, REVVING HIGH AND JERKING FORWARD, AND MISSING IN DRIVE (WITH TRANSMISSION). VOLVO HAS TOLD MANY THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM...AT ALL. I HOPE THIS WILL BE INVESTIGATED SO T…

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BEGAN EXPERIENCING WHAT I NOW REALIZE MANY, MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH LURCHING, REVVING HIGH AND JERKING FORWARD, AND MISSING IN DRIVE (WITH TRANSMISSION). VOLVO HAS TOLD MANY THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM...AT ALL. I HOPE THIS WILL BE INVESTIGATED SO THAT A RECALL CAN BE ISSUED THAT WILL FIX THE PARTS/MECHANICS OF THIS RECURRENT PROBLEM, AND NOT WITH BOGUS SOFTWARE UPDATES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438604

130,000 miles · Aug 17, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO V70XC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 15 MPH AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE, HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD REV, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AFTER PULLING INTO A GARAGE AND THEN TRYING TO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO V70XC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 15 MPH AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE, HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD REV, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AFTER PULLING INTO A GARAGE AND THEN TRYING TO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10419796

151,500 miles · Aug 14, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY 2002 VOLVO XC 70 SEEMS TO SMELL LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE THE CAR. I HAVE READ ON NUMEROUS VOLVO FORUMS REGARDING VOLVO OWNERS THAT HAS THE SAME OR SIMILAR CONCERNS. THIS CANT BE GOOD FOR THE DRIVER(MYSELF) OR THE VEHICLE. ANY INSIGHT ON A RECALL WOULD BE WONDERFUL. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMA…

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MY 2002 VOLVO XC 70 SEEMS TO SMELL LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE THE CAR. I HAVE READ ON NUMEROUS VOLVO FORUMS REGARDING VOLVO OWNERS THAT HAS THE SAME OR SIMILAR CONCERNS. THIS CANT BE GOOD FOR THE DRIVER(MYSELF) OR THE VEHICLE. ANY INSIGHT ON A RECALL WOULD BE WONDERFUL. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10419378

Official recalls

1

04V051000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

Feb 2, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE REAR LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT RELAYS MAY NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. THE HIGH POSITIONED BRAKE LIGHT AND ALL OTHER TAIL LIGHTS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO COME ON, THERE WILL BE NO LOWER BRAKE LIGHTS TO INDICATE TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES THAT THE VEHICLE IS DECELERATING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT RELAY WITH TWO RELAYS OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO 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

1

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.