RoadVitals

2001 Volvo C70

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
7
Latest Dec 27, 2012
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Mar 29, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Volvo C70, most frequently naming the driver assistance, tires & wheels and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 176 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance444.4%
  • Tires & wheels222.2%
  • Electrical111.1%
  • Fuel system111.1%
  • Other / unspecified111.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Mar 29, 2007
13,128 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
The risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
CARDONE INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Nov 15, 2006
170,099 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
The 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.
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.Manufacturer number R155View on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Dec 6, 2000
245,894 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THERE COULD BE INADEQUATE CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET WHICH COULD CAUSE THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL NOT TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED.
The risk: THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN AN APPROACHING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET.
VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.Manufacturer number 101View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA05021ClosedEngineering Analysis

THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION

Opened Dec 6, 2005
Closed Dec 12, 2006

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.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLLed to recall 06V441000
PE05041ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION

Opened Jul 26, 2005
Closed Dec 7, 2005

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.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Driver assistance
Filed Dec 27, 2012

CAR SUDDENLY LURCHES FORWARD, STUMBLES, STALLS, GOES INTO LIMP MODE, NEARLY REAR-ENDED ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY WIFE AND CHILD ON BOARD. VOLVO SAYS PREVIOUS OWNER HAD SOFTWARE UPDATED PER RECALL, SO NOTHING CAN BE DONE. "THAT PART PROBABLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED". BOUGHT CAR AT CARMAX, WHO WILL NOT DO ANYTHING AS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND WARRANTY EXPIRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10490241
Incident
Dec 24, 2012
Mileage
125,012 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 17, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO C70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V411000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 6/6/12 *CN

NHTSA ID
10458815
Incident
May 8, 2012
Mileage
189,790 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Nov 18, 2005

MY 2001 VOLVO C70 ETM MODULE MALFUNCTIONED....

NHTSA ID
10143076
Incident
Nov 1, 2005
Mileage
44,900 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 16, 2005

1. ETS (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM) WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAN AFFECT DRIVABILITY OF A VEHICLE. 2. THROTTLE BODY FOR VOLVO 2001 C70 HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1075. 3. THIS IS WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH VOLVO CARS MADE FROM 1999 TO 2001 AFFECTING MODELS S70, V70, C70, S80 AND S60, BUT VOLVO REFUSES TO COMPENSATE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS OR ISSUE A RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10133101
Incident
Aug 1, 2005
Mileage
62,227 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 3, 2005

DT: VOLVO WAS STALLING AT IDLING AT LOW SPEEDS AS IT WERE ABOUT TO DIE . ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON/OFF. CONSUME RTOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO REPLACED ELECTRICAL THROTTLE BODY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10131363
Incident
Jun 27, 2005
Mileage
52,470 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 23, 2004

LTR FM [XXX] (NY) ON BEHALF OF HER MOTHER-IN-LAW [XXX] RE DEFECTIVE TIRES ON A 2001 VOLVO (VIN #[XXX]), REQUEST A DEFECT INVESTIGATION TO NEW YORK, NY OFC. *PH TIRE EQUIPMENT HAS SUFFERED NUMEROUS BLOW OUTS.*MR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10059216
Incident
Feb 23, 2004
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Oct 26, 2001

CONSUMER FEELS THAT THERE IS A COMPATIBILITY DEFECT WITH THE 17 INCH RIMS AND THE 17 INCH TIRES, TWO TIRES AND ONE RIM HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER HITTING A VERY SMALL POT HOLE, A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER, 3 MORE RIMS WERE FOUND TO BE BENT INCLUDING THE ONE THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED ONLY EIGHT WEEKS PRIOR, CONSUMER STATES NO DIPS, POTHOLES, OR BUMPS WERE HIT FOR THE RIMS TO BEND AND NEED REPLACEMENT AGAIN. *SLC

NHTSA ID
563792
Incident
Jun 8, 2001

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

37809.1.1

This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. This TJ will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval.
 Current items under prior approval are listed in the "Service" section

19245

This is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.

8501

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a remote session:
 •Connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in VIDA is between 12.5V and 14.9V.
 •Connect to the vehicle over a wired connection using a VOE (Volvo OBD to Ethernet) adapter and perform a NEW vehicle readout.

S10303

Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles.
 Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob.
 As a result, there is a possibility that the customer’s key fob is not paired to the vehicle.
 The corrective action is to download SP Software.
 S10303 affects 151 vehicles in the U.S and 5 in Canada.

S10303

Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles.
 Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob.
 As a result, there is a possibility that the customer’s key fob is not paired to the vehicle.
 The corrective action is to download SP Software.
 S10303 affects 151 vehicles in the U.S and 5 in Canada.

37175

This is a Technical Journal: Vehicle/Connectivity report checklist. To provide timely and high-quality feedback to the appropriate department or factory

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volvo C70 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014000
2013110027.4
2012231040.6
2011121037.6
2010420
2009103039.1
2008223061.3
2007174040.6
2006920
2005000
2004150036.8
2003400
2002511
2001Viewing732
2000264359.3
1999233351.8
1998741
1997000
1996000
1995000
1994000
1993000
1992000

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.