NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
35 reports77,950 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
64,000 miles · Nov 12, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
2002 XC 70 HAS A BAD SMELL OF GAS AFTER DRIVING. THE CAR IS GETTING HARDER TO CRANK. I HAVE CHECKED THE GAS CAP AND IT SEEMS GOOD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10365532
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
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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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 OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR HOVERED IN BETWEEN GEARS FOR A SECOND OR TWO THEN CHANGED GEARS. SCARY! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352637
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
53,770 miles · Jul 9, 2010
Suspension
MY WIFE NARROWLY MISSED HAVING AN ACCIDENT ON MARCH 31, 2010 AND DOING MORE DAMAGE TO OUR 2002 XC70 VOLVO WITH 53,770 MILES (BOUGHT NEW). SHE WAS STOPPING WHEN SHE HEARD STRANGE NOISES FROM THE FRONT LEFT SIDE. THE DRIVER FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING BROKE JUST AS SHE STOPPED. SHE COULD HAVE HAD A BAD ACCIDENT HAD SHE BEEN DRIVIN…
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MY WIFE NARROWLY MISSED HAVING AN ACCIDENT ON MARCH 31, 2010 AND DOING MORE DAMAGE TO OUR 2002 XC70 VOLVO WITH 53,770 MILES (BOUGHT NEW). SHE WAS STOPPING WHEN SHE HEARD STRANGE NOISES FROM THE FRONT LEFT SIDE. THE DRIVER FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING BROKE JUST AS SHE STOPPED. SHE COULD HAVE HAD A BAD ACCIDENT HAD SHE BEEN DRIVING AT EXPRESSWAY OR NORMAL SPEED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING AFTER THE CAR WAS FLATBED TRANSPORTED TO THEM BUT THEY, VOLVO USA, AND VOLVO SWEDEN SAID "YOU PAY ALL COSTS - THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE PART IS NOT COVERED." THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN SALT WATER SUBMERGED, OR HIT POTHOLES THAT DAMAGED THE TIRE OR RIM. IT IS DRIVEN ONLY ON PAVED , NON WASHBOARD ROADS A CAR SUDDENLY PULLING TO ONE SIDE CAN AND HAS CAUSED MILD INJURY TO DEATH ACCIDENTS. IF THE WIFE DIDN'T THROW THE SPRING OUT - IT IS STILL AVAILABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10342153
73,512 miles · Apr 20, 2010
Visibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN IDLE, THE ELECTRONIC REMOTE FOR THE WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE REMOTE FAILED AGAIN ON THE NEXT DAY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT ADVISED THE DEALER THAT T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN IDLE, THE ELECTRONIC REMOTE FOR THE WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE REMOTE FAILED AGAIN ON THE NEXT DAY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT ADVISED THE DEALER THAT THE MECHANISM WOULD NOT CATCH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PART. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74000. THE FAILURE MILES WERE 73512.
NHTSA ODI #10326650
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.
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