NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
14 reportsClear category filter85,000 miles · Jan 2, 2012
Power Train
I OWN A 2002 VOLVO XC70 CROSS COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING, AND ESPECIALLY DURING DOWN SHIFTS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE ITS CONNECTION TO THE DRIVE SHAFT, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV UP AND THE VEHICLE TO JERK AS IT GRABBED BACK INTO GEAR. THE JERKING HAS CONSEQUENTLY CAUSED ME TO BREAK MY MOTOR MOUNTS. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE…
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I OWN A 2002 VOLVO XC70 CROSS COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING, AND ESPECIALLY DURING DOWN SHIFTS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE ITS CONNECTION TO THE DRIVE SHAFT, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV UP AND THE VEHICLE TO JERK AS IT GRABBED BACK INTO GEAR. THE JERKING HAS CONSEQUENTLY CAUSED ME TO BREAK MY MOTOR MOUNTS. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER AGREED THAT THIS WAS THE ONLY SOLUTION. ALL SOFTWARE UPDATES HAVE BEEN DONE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED, AS THEY ARE A CHINESE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AROUND 85,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 125,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. NOT FAIR TO THE OWNER. MANUFACTURER SHOULD CORRECT THIS COMMON, EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10442138
149,000 miles · Dec 26, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
MY WIFE DROVE OUR CAR A 2002 VOLVO XC70 STATION WAGON FROM OUR SECOND HOME APPROXIMATELY TEN MILES TO SAN LUIS OBISPO CALIF. FOR SHOPPING. SHE PARKED THE CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AND WENT INTO A STORE. SHE CAME BACK OUT, STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. WHEN SHE PUT THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IN DRIVE THE ENGINE…
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MY WIFE DROVE OUR CAR A 2002 VOLVO XC70 STATION WAGON FROM OUR SECOND HOME APPROXIMATELY TEN MILES TO SAN LUIS OBISPO CALIF. FOR SHOPPING. SHE PARKED THE CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AND WENT INTO A STORE. SHE CAME BACK OUT, STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. WHEN SHE PUT THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IN DRIVE THE ENGINE WENT TO FULL RPM AND LURCHED FORWARD, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH COULD NOT HOLD THE HIGH ENGINE SPEED PULLING THE CAR FORWARD. SHE QUICKLY SHUT THE ENGINE OFF WITH THE KEY AVOIDING A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON AND THERE WERE NO OBJECTS I.E., FLOOR MATS OR OTHER ITEMS, NEAR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THANK GOD MY WIFE OR NO ONE ELSE WAS INJURED OR KILLED. I AM A RETIRED FIRE CAPTAIN AND PRIVATE FIRE INVESTIGATOR WITH 30+ EXPERIENCE. THIS SCARED THE HELL OUT OF US AND WE DO NOT TRUST THE CAR. I PREVIOUSLY TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REPORTED THE TRANSMISSION 'CLUNKING' THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I DRIVE IT TILL IT FAILED BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COSTS INVOLVED. NOW, I AM READING REPORTS OF COIL SPRING FAILURES AND BEARING PROBLEMS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR SPECIFICALLY FOR THE SAFETY FEATURES; NOW I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND EXTREMELY CONCERNED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10441237
188,000 miles · Sep 19, 2011
Power TrainVisibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED BETWEEN GEARS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE DUE TO ANTI GLARE SEPARATIO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED BETWEEN GEARS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE DUE TO ANTI GLARE SEPARATION WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AND ALSO MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.
NHTSA ODI #10426310
77,950 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70 CROSS COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DOWN SHIFT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,950…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70 CROSS COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD DOWN SHIFT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,950. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10416244
95,000 miles · Feb 8, 2011
Power Train
FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION ON THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10381204
70,000 miles · Oct 14, 2010
Power Train
70K MILES ON 2002 VOLVO XC70 WHEN UNEXPECTED SURGING STARTED. OCCURS WHEN DRIVING UP HILL OR UP A GRADE. THIS SERIOUS AND CONCERNING PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR, WITH OR WITHOUT SETTING CRUISE CONTROL. THIS VEHICLE HAS EXCELLENT MAINTENANCE HISTORY RECORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10360542
143,000 miles · Aug 16, 2010
Power Train
2002 VOLVO CROSS COUNTRY TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS 143,000 AND TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS WHEN GEARING DOWN. I WAS GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET HIT. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT I …
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2002 VOLVO CROSS COUNTRY TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS 143,000 AND TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS WHEN GEARING DOWN. I WAS GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET HIT. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE VALVE BODY IN THE AMOUNT OF $2300. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349595
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
144,420 miles · Aug 1, 2010
Power Train
RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2002 VOLVO V70 XC70 AND AM HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES WITH GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING SMOOTHLY AND MAINTAINING CONSTANT GEARS AT CONSTANT SPEEDS. HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE CAR MAY NEED A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE WEB FROM OTHER 2002 OWNERS. WH…
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RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2002 VOLVO V70 XC70 AND AM HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES WITH GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING SMOOTHLY AND MAINTAINING CONSTANT GEARS AT CONSTANT SPEEDS. HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE CAR MAY NEED A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE WEB FROM OTHER 2002 OWNERS. WHY HAS A RECALL NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS? WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO FLIP THE BILL FOR CRUMMY MANUFACTURING? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346700
82,885 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
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 SLIPPIN…
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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
Official recalls
4Oct 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.
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
1PE05041 · 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.