Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60–25K
525–50K
1850–75K
1875–100K
22100–150K
15150K+
84 reports with mileage · 17 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.
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
101 reports
143,225 miles · Jun 23, 2012
Electrical System
THE CAR WAS GOING 60-63MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY THERE WAS A SUDDEN HARD CLUNK IN THE TRANSMISSION AND MY GUAGE CLUSTER WENT DEAD AND LOST ALL POWER OPTIONS. WAS ALMOST HIT AS I TRIED TO PULL OVER WITH NO BLINKERS, FLASHERS, ETC. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND THE DASH CAME BACK BUT SRS WARNING WAS UP ON TH…
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THE CAR WAS GOING 60-63MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY THERE WAS A SUDDEN HARD CLUNK IN THE TRANSMISSION AND MY GUAGE CLUSTER WENT DEAD AND LOST ALL POWER OPTIONS. WAS ALMOST HIT AS I TRIED TO PULL OVER WITH NO BLINKERS, FLASHERS, ETC. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND THE DASH CAME BACK BUT SRS WARNING WAS UP ON THE INFO CLUSTER. TOOK MY CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP (AUTHORIZED VOLVO REPAIR) AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO CODES PRESENT. THEY DROVE THE CAR FOR A WEEK AND SAME THING HAPPENED TO THEM. THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE CEM VOLVO PART NUMBER 30657629 WAS NO GOOD. TO REPLACE IT WOULD BE 1300$ AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER VOLVO OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME OCCURRENCE, AND EVEN BEEN IN ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS FAILURE AT DIFFERENT INTERVALS IN MILEAGE RANGING FROM 50K AND UP. SEEMS TO ME THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND SOME REPAIRS MADE TO THE CEM ON THE V70, XC70, S90, S40 ETC AS THEY ALL SEEM TO DO IT. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462844
151,000 miles · Mar 15, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC70. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP) BUT AS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC70. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP) BUT AS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000. UPDATED 04/19/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER AT A REASONABLE PRICE. VOLVO PAID FOR THE PARTS. UPDATED 04/27/12
NHTSA ODI #10451843
88,000 miles · Jan 1, 2012
Power Train
DURING ACCELERATION THE GEARING SLIPS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR CAUSING A VERY HARD SHIFT (DUE TO ENGINE ACCELERATION) WHEN THE 2ND GEAR ENGAGES. IT IS DANGEROUS AT TIMES IN ICE OR SNOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10442012
90,000 miles · Jun 24, 2011
Suspension
24 JUNE 2011, GOT IN TO MY 2004 VOLVO XC70, APPX 90000 MILES ON GERMAN ROADS, TO DRIVE OFF TO WORK IN THE MORNING. HEARD LOUD SCREECHING NOISE NEAR THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL WHEN I PLACED THE CAR ON DRIVE TO MOVE FORWARD. NEXT THING YOU KNOW, I HAVE A SEVERE AIR LEAK IN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. JUST A DAY PRIOR, THE CAR WAS DRIVEN TH…
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24 JUNE 2011, GOT IN TO MY 2004 VOLVO XC70, APPX 90000 MILES ON GERMAN ROADS, TO DRIVE OFF TO WORK IN THE MORNING. HEARD LOUD SCREECHING NOISE NEAR THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL WHEN I PLACED THE CAR ON DRIVE TO MOVE FORWARD. NEXT THING YOU KNOW, I HAVE A SEVERE AIR LEAK IN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. JUST A DAY PRIOR, THE CAR WAS DRIVEN THROUGH THE DAY WITHOUT ANY SYMPTOMS OF PROBLEM AND PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY WITH NO ISSUES. WHEN I PULLED THE TIRE OFF, I FOUND THE SPRING SNAPPED IN TWO PIECES WITH SHARP ENDS. GOOD THING THIS DID NOT HAPPENED ON THE AUTOBAHN. WE COULD HAVE HAD ANOTHER AMERICAN SOLDIER OR FAMILY ON THE FRONT PAGE OF GERMAN AND AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS AND DIGITAL MEDIA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10408809
129,600 miles · Jun 9, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY 2004 VOLVO XC70 DIED TWICE NIGHT AND ONCE DURING THE DAY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON TWO CROWDED HIGHWAYS AROUND NEW YORK CITY. THE ENGINE TOTALLY SHUT OFF, THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND LUCKILY I WAS GOING FAST ENOUGH TO ROLL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THIS IS A CAR I KEEP REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT A VOLVO DEALER SERVICE CENTER AS W…
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MY 2004 VOLVO XC70 DIED TWICE NIGHT AND ONCE DURING THE DAY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON TWO CROWDED HIGHWAYS AROUND NEW YORK CITY. THE ENGINE TOTALLY SHUT OFF, THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND LUCKILY I WAS GOING FAST ENOUGH TO ROLL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THIS IS A CAR I KEEP REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT A VOLVO DEALER SERVICE CENTER AS WELL. SOMEONE MADE ME AWARE OF A VOLVO CUSTOMER BLOG WHERE SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10405701
68,000 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Suspension
2004 VOLVO XC70: I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE AND IMMEDIATELY HEARD A GRINDING SOUND. I THEN HEARD A WHOOSHING SOUND. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPRING COIL CRACKED AND PUNCTURED (AND RUINED) A FOUR WEEK OLD TIRE. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I WOULD H…
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2004 VOLVO XC70: I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE AND IMMEDIATELY HEARD A GRINDING SOUND. I THEN HEARD A WHOOSHING SOUND. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPRING COIL CRACKED AND PUNCTURED (AND RUINED) A FOUR WEEK OLD TIRE. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE HAD A SUDDEN TIRE BLOWOUT. SUBARU HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH SPRING COILS AND HAD A RECALL TO INSTALL SHIELD TO PROTECT TIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10405514
69,500 miles · May 10, 2011
Suspension
LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING CRACK AND FAILURE, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10399735
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2011
Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC70 EQUIPPED WITH GOOD YEAR ASSURANCE TRIPLETRED TIRES, SIZE 215/65/R16. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY EXPLODED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND THEN COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC70 EQUIPPED WITH GOOD YEAR ASSURANCE TRIPLETRED TIRES, SIZE 215/65/R16. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY EXPLODED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND THEN COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A TIRE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE IRE POSSIBLY WAS NOT PROPERLY INFLATED, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000.
NHTSA ODI #10397116
89,223 miles · Mar 30, 2011
Suspension
BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRING ON DRIVERS SIDE. OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH POPPED TIRE, AND REQUIRED STABILIZER LINK TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10394548
115,000 miles · Mar 29, 2011
SeatsFire
SEAT HEATER SHORTED OUT CAUSING FIRE IN SEAT FOAM RUBBER BURNING THROUGH SEAT COVER.
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.
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.
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.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2004 Volvo XC70 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year