Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

5 reports

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93,000 miles · Aug 29, 2010

Engine And Engine Cooling

I NOTICED ONE DAY THAT THERE WAS SUDDENLY A "PAUSE" WHEN THE LOWER AUTOMATIC GEARS WERE SHIFTING, PERHAPS FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR DURING ACCELERATION. IF MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR "LURCHED" FORWARD WITH A STARTLING, LOUD THUD WHEN THE GEAR SEEMED TO ENGAGE. IF I RECOGNIZED THIS WAS HAPPENING AND LIFTED MY FOOT …

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NHTSA ODI #10352637

101,000 miles · Aug 6, 2010

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

HELLO, I OWN A 2002 VOLVO XC70 WAGON AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED. MY COOLANT CONSTANTLY NEEDS TO BE FILLED AND I HAVE NO FLOOR HEAT IN MY CAR IN THE WINTER AND MY A/C DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY IN MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347869

82,885 miles · Feb 10, 2010

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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SLIPPING TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING ON STRAIGHT AWAYS AND UP HILLS ON BOTH OF MY VOLVO'S PURCHASED AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE'S. THE FIRST VEHICLE (2002 VOLVO S60 AWD) WAS TRADED IN BUT THE SECOND ONE (2002 VOLVO XC70 AWD) WAS REPAIRED - BOTH AFTER 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP AND WITH WARRANTIES THAT HAD JUST EXPIRED. THE SLIPPING TRANSMISSION OCCURRED CONSTANTLY WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO SLAM INTO GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING AND PROPEL THE CAR FORWARD ONCE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED. I TOOK THE VOLVO TO THE SERVICE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THERE WASN'T AN ISSUE THEN WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN THEY EXPLAINED THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN I TOOK THE XC 70 TO A CERTIFIED VOLVO TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST (NOT THE DEALER) WE TESTED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE TEST CAME BACK AS POSITIVELY SHOWING THE EXISTENCE OF RADIATOR FLUID WHICH HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VOLVO SPECIALIST EXPLAINED TO ME THAT IN RECENT YEARS VOLVO HAD MADE A CHANGE TO HOW THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS COOLED. AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THIS DESIGN CHANGE TO AWD VEHICLES (ALL AWD'S) THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS COOLED BY FLOWING THROUGH A PIPE DIRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE RADIATOR. OVER TIME THE RADIATOR FLUID CAUSED THE COOLING PIPE TO CORRODE AND AS A RESULT RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. BESIDES REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION THE RADIATOR ALSO REQUIRED REPLACEMENT BECAUSE WE HAD TO FIX THE LEAK AT THE SOURCE OR IT WOULD CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. EVEN THOUGH THE REPAIRS WERE MADE THE PROBLEM COULD PRESENT ITSELF AGAIN OVER TIME. IT TOOK ONLY 80,000 FOR MY VOLVO XC70'S TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW AND ACCORDING TO THE MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST I SPOKE WITH THEY ARE SEEING THIS PROBLEM MORE AND MORE WITH ALL AWD VOLVO'S FROM 2000 TO PRESENT DAY MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308521

54,900 miles · Aug 29, 2007

Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train

2002 VOLVO XC70 WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, BUCKING, AND JERKING WHEN SHIFTING INTO LOWER GEARS. *KB THE VEHICLE HAD A SIGNIFICANT OIL LEAK FROM THE ENGINE TURBO OIL RETURN. THE HEADLIGHT AND REAR MARKER LIGHT WOULD FLICKER WHEN THE CONSUMER DROVE OVER BUMPY ROADS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10201547

49,800 miles · Sep 26, 2005

Engine And Engine CoolingFire

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DT: THE CALLER SAID WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH COOLANT LIGHT ON DASHBOARD CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHE SAID THE LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE SHE LEFT FOR A TRIP, AND THE DEALER SAID THEY FIXED IT. THE CALLER SAID WHILE ON THE TRIP THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND SHE CALLED DEALER, AND WAS TOLD AS LONG AS THE TEMPERATURE WAS NOT RISING THE VEHICLE WOULD BE OKAY. THE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE COOLANT SENSOR. THE CALLER STATED THE TEMPERATURE DID NOT CLIMB BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, STOPPED RUNNING ,AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS A REPORT FILED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. VEHICLE WAS BADLY BURNED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10137634

Official recalls

21V800000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Oct 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

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

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

10V566000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

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.

09V483000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

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.

03V284000 · Equipment:other:labels

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

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.