RoadVitals

2003 Volvo V70

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.
32
Latest May 24, 2023
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.
5
Latest Oct 14, 2021
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.
0
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 32 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Volvo V70, most frequently naming the fuel system, electrical and engine categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 205 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

  • Fuel system925.0%
  • Electrical513.9%
  • Engine411.1%
  • Transmission38.3%
  • Exterior lighting38.3%
  • Airbags38.3%
  • Tires & wheels25.6%
  • Powertrain (other)25.6%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
21V800000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Oct 14, 2021
194,546 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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 Car USA, LLCManufacturer number R10136View on NHTSA.gov
10V566000

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

Nov 8, 2010
416 units potentially affected
The defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
The risk: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
The 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 CARS OF N.A. LLC.Manufacturer number R231View on NHTSA.gov
09V483000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Dec 18, 2009
158,733 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.Manufacturer number R220View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 32
Airbags
Filed May 24, 2023

I live 5 hours from the closest Volvo dealership so I called to see if they could send me the the air bag that has been recalled. The airbag is very easy to be replaced in less then 10 minutes. Because of this it is absolutely absurd for me to travel for ten hours to get something done that I can do myself in 10 minutes. They said I can buy the airbag and they could send it. But this being a recall is'nt it their responsibility to fix it in any way possible. I just feel like this is wrong that they are doing this and am addressing it in this compliant.

NHTSA ID
11523665
Incident
May 24, 2023
Airbags
Filed Apr 7, 2022

This is subject to a recall R10136 NHTSA Recall 21v-800 We have set appointments twice to have this done only to be told that the parts are not available and we would be contacted when they are. The local dealer is Maple Hill in Kalamazoo. I started a chat with Volvo and the suggestion was to try another dealer. If the part is not available I fail to see how that will help.

NHTSA ID
11460039
Incident
Dec 14, 2021
Airbags
Filed Jan 3, 2022

The contact owns a 2003 Volvo V70. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V800000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact called the local dealer who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11445936
Incident
Oct 14, 2021
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 20, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS BELOW 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,066.

NHTSA ID
10946690
Incident
Jan 17, 2017
Mileage
134,066 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 29, 2016

THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH HAS DISCONNECTED FOUR TIMES IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS. AS A DRIVER, I AM LITERALLY STUCK IN THE CAR, AND I HAVE TO EXIT THHROUGH PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS REPAIR(S) DOES NOT WORK, AND THE DOOR LATCHES ARE FAULTY IN THESE CARS. AS A PERSON THAT IS DRIVING IN FLORIDA, WITH THREE KIDDOS, I CAN'T BE STUCK IN MY CAR IF FOR SOME REASON THE CAR GOES INTO THE WATER. THE SPRING IN THE HANDLE OF THE CAR DOES NOT WORK, AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE DOOR HANDLE. YES, THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION, AS I CAN'T EXIT MY CAR, ESPECIALLY IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.

NHTSA ID
10891540
Incident
Jul 26, 2016
Mileage
5 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 23, 2016

SMELL FUEL OUTSIDE RIGHT REAR OF CAR.

NHTSA ID
10821895
Incident
Jan 22, 2016
Mileage
88,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 8, 2014

WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THE TRANSAXLE DOWNSHIFTS FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR, IT WILL LURCH AND A LOUD 'CLUNK' SHAKES THE VEHICLE. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATING, SHIFTING FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR; THE TRANSAXLE WILL HESITATE, ENGINE WILL REV AND MAKES A LOUD 'CLUNK' THAT SHAKES THE VEHICLE WHEN THE GEAR CHANGE FINALLY OCCURS. ALSO, IF I NEED TO STEP ON THE BRAKES SUDDENLY AND THEN RE-ACCELERATE, IT REALLY MAKES A LOUD 'CLUNK' AS THE ENGINE WILL REV AND GO NOWHERE, EVENTUALLY SLAMMING ITSELF INTO 2ND GEAR AND FRIGHTENING THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE LOUD NOISES AND LURCHING. *JS

NHTSA ID
10608955
Incident
Apr 3, 2011
Mileage
119,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 17, 2014

THE TURN SIGNAL IS SOMEHOW NOT CONNECTED PROPERLY TO THE VEHICLE. EVERY TIME THE DRIVER USES THE TURN SIGNAL, THE BRIGHTS TO THE CAR GO ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY, AS THE DRIVER FLASHES BRIGHTS TO OTHER DRIVERS AS THE TURN SIGNAL GOES ON WITH THE BRIGHTS TO THE CAR. TRIED TO FIX THE ISSUE ONCE, AND THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER. WILL FIX THE PART AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10572931
Incident
Mar 17, 2014

Manufacturer communications

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

35526.1.8

ENGINE

This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure
 Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.

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.

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 V70 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017000—
2016010—
2015010—
2014010—
2013010—
2012010—
2011010—
2010430—
2009430—
2008114048.0
2007720—
2006214043.9
2005214044.0
2004836052.6
2003Viewing325046.4
2002766259.6
20012219257.2
2000936361.5
19991694555.7
19981875563.6
1997301—
1996101—
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.