NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
21 reportsClear category filter85,000 miles · Feb 1, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 02/22/12 *BF T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 02/22/12 *BF THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 02/04/11. SHE MENTIONED THE FAILURE OF THE GEARS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY AND THE DEALER PERFORMED A SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD, WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE DEALER EIGHT MONTHS LATER FOR THE 9,500 MAINTENANCE SERVICE AND THE PROBLEM WAS MENTIONED AGAIN. FINALLY AT 103,000 ON JAN 31, 2012 THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED ONE. UPDATED 03/01/12
NHTSA ODI #10446172
94,000 miles · Dec 18, 2011
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BETWEEN GEARS 2-3 AND 3-4. MECHANICS RECOMMENDS TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. CAR HAS 94,000 MILES. THIS IS A FAMILY CAR AND NOT DRIVEN HARD. I'VE HAD 3 CARS OVER HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THE MOST EXPENSIVE CARE I'VE OWNED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440352
142,000 miles · Jul 6, 2011
Power Train
NORMAL DRIVING, AT APPROXIMATELY 142,000 MILES TRANSMISSION SERVICE REQUIRED LIGHT CAME ON AFTER TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND "CLUNKING". TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2001 VOLVO XC70. $4,000+ REPAIR, COMMON TO THE 2001 XC70 MODEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410792
95,000 miles · Jun 22, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10408570
129,000 miles · May 12, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE NOISE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED AND SPORADICALLY, WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
NHTSA ODI #10400638
124,000 miles · May 6, 2011
Power Train
THE FAILURE JUST BEGAN AT AROUND 100K MILES, NO SPECIFIC EVENT. THE CAR LURCHES WHEN I AM PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AFTER I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO A COMPLETE STOP. CAR JERKS WHILE DOWN SHIFTING INTO RIGHT HAND TURNS. CAR JERKS AT INTERSECTIONS WHILE SLOWING DOWN AND/OR ACCELERATING. I AM AFRAID IT IS GOING TO JERK FORWARD AND HIT…
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THE FAILURE JUST BEGAN AT AROUND 100K MILES, NO SPECIFIC EVENT. THE CAR LURCHES WHEN I AM PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AFTER I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO A COMPLETE STOP. CAR JERKS WHILE DOWN SHIFTING INTO RIGHT HAND TURNS. CAR JERKS AT INTERSECTIONS WHILE SLOWING DOWN AND/OR ACCELERATING. I AM AFRAID IT IS GOING TO JERK FORWARD AND HIT SOMETHING THAT I, AS A DRIVER, SHOULD NOT BE AT RISK OF HITTING. THIS JERKING BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY AND THE CAR WOULD RUN MORE SMOOTHLY ON THE STREETS AFTER A HIGHWAY TRIP OF SOME DISTANCE, BUT NOW IT HAPPENS ALMOST CONSTANTLY AND THE JERKING IS MORE SEVERE. TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, I SAW VOLVO AND ASKED THEM TO MAKE SURE THE SOFTWARE PKG WAS UP TO DATE - THEY ASSURED IT WAS. A YEAR LATER I RETURNED AS THE PROBLEM HAD WORSENED, VOLVO WANTED TO FLUSH MY TRANSMISSION - I DECLINED AND WENT TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. I HAVE JUST AGREED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED, AND IF NECESSARY HAVE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10399312
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2011
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD SHIFT WITH DIFFICULTY BETWEEN GEARS. SHE NOTICED THAT THE RPM'S WOULD INCREASE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE CO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD SHIFT WITH DIFFICULTY BETWEEN GEARS. SHE NOTICED THAT THE RPM'S WOULD INCREASE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED DUE TO COST. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 141,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10395761
115,000 miles · Apr 6, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT HARD WITHOUT WARNING WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 22 MPH. THE VEHICLE CORRECTED ITSELF AND DROVE AS NORMAL BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR SPORADICALLY AND WHEN BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE WAS ONGOING FOR FIVE MONTHS AND THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT HARD WITHOUT WARNING WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 22 MPH. THE VEHICLE CORRECTED ITSELF AND DROVE AS NORMAL BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR SPORADICALLY AND WHEN BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE WAS ONGOING FOR FIVE MONTHS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT AUTHORIZED DEALERS WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED BY BOTH MECHANICS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. SHE STATED THAT BOTH MECHANICS PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT DID NOT GENERATE ANY CODES INDICATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #10394391
80,126 miles · Apr 2, 2011
Power Train
I HAVE EXPERIENCE 2-3 UPSHIFT FLARE, SLIPPING OF TRANSMISSION, TACHOMETER NEEDLE JUMPING UP AND THE ENGINE RACING DURING A SHIFT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10394058
105,000 miles · Mar 23, 2011
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN INTERNAL HYDRAULIC FAILURE WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT SLOWLY, DURING ACCELERATION IT WOULD ALSO JERK AND SLIP WHEN THE CONTACT WAS TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE REPAI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN INTERNAL HYDRAULIC FAILURE WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT SLOWLY, DURING ACCELERATION IT WOULD ALSO JERK AND SLIP WHEN THE CONTACT WAS TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000. UPDATED 06/06/11 *BF UPDATED 1/17/2012 THE CONSUMER STATED THE CAR WONT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY AFTER FULL STOP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10392669
Official recalls
5Oct 14, 2021
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10136.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10136.
Air Bags:frontal
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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10136.
Nov 8, 2010
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Dec 18, 2009
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE CONDITION OCCURS VEHICLE OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Nov 15, 2006
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Aug 1, 2003
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF THE GUIDE, IT WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2003. 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
1EA05021 · 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.
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