RoadVitals

2003 Volvo V70 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Apr 24, 2003

What this page shows

Our database holds 32 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Volvo V70. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 32 · page 1 of 2

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
Electrical
Filed Dec 22, 2012

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN FLASHED BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THEN THE DISPLAY INDICATED THE SEAT BELTS WEREN'T WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10489516
Incident
Dec 21, 2012
Mileage
161,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 14, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, HE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10484631
Incident
Jun 13, 2012
Mileage
63,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Sep 24, 2012

THE DIM/DRIVER INFORMATION MANUAL/DASHBOARD DISPLAY BROKE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE LOSS OF WARNING LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL DISPLAYS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10476922
Incident
Dec 14, 2011
Mileage
117,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 3, 2009

1. STRONG FUEL ODOR AROUND VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT IN GARAGE. 2. LEAKING FUEL PUMP ON TOP OF FUEL TANK. 3. FUEL PUMP REPLACED BY VOLVO DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10294391
Incident
Nov 11, 2009
Mileage
99,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 23, 2009

NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM MY 2003 VOLVO V70. MY MECHANIC FOUND THE ISSUE BEING A LEAKING FUEL PUMP. VOLVO HAS ISSUED RECALL NOTICES ON 2001 TO 2002 VOLVO V70, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE 2003 MODELS. THE ISSUES APPEAR TO BE EXACTLY THE SAME EVEN THOUGH VOLVO DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS ISSUE WITH THE 2003 MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10293242
Incident
Nov 3, 2009
Mileage
62,775 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 10, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO V70 .THE LIGHTING AND THE GAUGES OF THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL HAVE FAILED. AS A CONSEQUENCE SHE CAN NOT READ ANY OF THE DISPLAY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000 . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ID
10291684
Incident
Sep 1, 2009
Mileage
91,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 30, 2009

MY 2003 VOLVO V70 WITH ~127,000 MILES STARTED LEAKING FUEL FROM THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING. THE PLASTIC HOUSING FAILED ON ITS OWN. STRONG GASOLINE FUMES ENTERED THE CAR EVEN THOUGH THE ACCESS PANEL AND SEAL WERE INTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEVER HAD ANY SERVICE REPAIR WORK ON OR NEAR THE FUEL TANK. I'VE HAD SEVERAL CARS OVER THIS MILEAGE WITH NEVER A FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY FAILURE OF ANY TYPE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A PREMATURE FAILURE THAT IS EITHER A DESIGN, QUALITY OR ASSEMBLY PROBLEM.*TR

NHTSA ID
10290427
Incident
Oct 15, 2009
Mileage
127,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 22, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY SUCKS UP RAW GAS, WHICH CAUSES A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. THE CONTACT USED A RAG TO SOAK UP THE GAS AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FUEL RETURNS TO THE PUMP ASSEMBLY. HE FEELS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE COULD CATCH FIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ID
10269747
Incident
Sep 2, 2008
Mileage
62,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 18, 2008

GASOLINE OVERFLOWS FROM THE FILL NECK SPILLING DOWN THE CAR AND ONTO THE GROUND. THIS IS A FIRE RISK AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH VARIOUS PUMPS AT VARIOUS GAS STATIONS. THIS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME WITH ANY OTHER CAR IN 30 YEARS. I HAVE FOUND OTHERS REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE WEB. *TR

NHTSA ID
10242872
Incident
Aug 18, 2008
Mileage
95,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 9, 2008

CAR WOULD NOT START. MY MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AT MY OWN EXPENSE - A LENGTHY REPAIR THAT COST MORE THAN $1000. ALTHOUGH VOLVO RECALL 181 DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE, I WONDER WHETHER THE FUEL PUMP ISSUE IN VOLVO RECALL 181 SHOULD APPLY TO MORE VEHICLES SUCH AS MY OWN. THIS MAY BE WORTH MORE INVESTIGATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10241655
Incident
Aug 28, 2008
Mileage
62,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 6, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO V70. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR DRIVING ON AN INCLINE, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE POWERTRAIN AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

NHTSA ID
10220237
Incident
Jan 1, 2008
Mileage
6,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Nov 27, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON VARIOUS ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL VEHICLE POWER FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE WAS EASILY RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #06V441000, REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ID
10174390
Incident
Nov 27, 2006
Mileage
109,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 31, 2006
1 injury reported

IN EARLY MAY, 2006, MY CAR ENGINE SHUT DOWN BY ITSELF. THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY KEPT IT FOR TWO DAYS. THE DAY AFTER I PICKED IT UP(MAY 11TH, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I NARROWLY MISSED HITTING SEVERAL CARS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE CAR COOLED DOWN, I WAS ABLE TO START IT AGAIN AND MANAGED TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FACTORY INSPECTED THE CAR AND HELD IT TEN DAYS. THE SERVICE MAN CALLED ME AND STATED THE FACTORY WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND WAS REPLACING MY TRANSMISSION. I WAS ABLE TO PICK UP MY CAR ON MAY 22 AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN CORRECTED. SINCE THEN, THE ENGINE HAS SHUT DOWN ON THREE OCCASIONS, EACH TIME ON THE FREEWAY. I REPORTED THIS TO VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICE ON MAY 26TH. WHILE DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AGAIN AND I NARROWLY AVERTING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY PARKED. MY WIFE REFUSES TO EITHER DRIVE THE CAR OR RIDE INTO IT. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE DID NOT TAKE THE CAR TO LOS ANGELES AND COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE DESERT OR WORSE. I LEFT THE CAR WITH THE DEALER SINCE MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE IT FOR FEAR OF A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10158645
Incident
May 30, 2006
Mileage
31,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 9, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 10-40 MPH ON SEVEN OCCASIONS. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE STALLING AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER EACH INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A SERVICE DEALER TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALERSHIP FLUSHED OUT THE AIR CONDITIONER IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, BUT THE REMEDY OFFERED WAS INEFFECTIVE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM OR OFFER ANY OTHER REMEDIES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED A SECOND TIME FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID
10157110
Incident
May 9, 2006
Mileage
55,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 5, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT BURNS OUT AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR. THE BULB HAS BEEN REPLACED EACH TIME, BUT NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED.

NHTSA ID
10154634
Incident
Apr 5, 2006
Mileage
57,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 7, 2005

8/16/05-CAR STALLED AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER 3 TIMES WHILE CAR WAS OPERATING AT LOW SPEED ON CITY ROADS. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. EACH TIME IT STALLED, THE CAR RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO PROCEED OUT OF TRAFFIC AND, AFTER THE THIRD STALL TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. 8/17/05-8/18/05-CAR REPAIRED AT SESI VOLVO DEALERSHIP, ANN ARBOR MICHIGAN. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR REPLACED AND REAR OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED. SERVICE DEPT SAID CAR CLEARED THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND TEST DRIVE WAS OK. SERVICE PERSON INCORRECTLY WROTE ON THE SERVICE INVOICE THAT "CUSTOMER SAYS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME" THIS IS NOT CORRECT. I DID NOT AT ANY TIME SEE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON NOR REPORT THAT IT WAS ON TO SERVICE PEOPLE. 9/03/05-CAR STALLED AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING AT 65 M.P.H. ON THE HIGHWAY AT 10 PM AT NIGHT. CAR HAD TRAVELED 150 MILES FROM OWNER/DRIVER'S HOME AT TIME OF STALLING AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE STALL. DRIVER ABLE TO STEER CAR TO SHOULDER, EVEN WITH LACK OF POWER STEERING AND AVOID TRAFFIC PROCEEDING AT HIGH SPEED BEHIND VEHICLE. CAR RESTARTED FOR A FEW SECONDS 3 TIMES BEFORE FAILING TO START AT ALL. MOTORIST, 52 YEAR OLD WOMAN, TRAVELING ALONE, WAS STRANDED IN A DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCE. CAR COASTED INTO GAS STATION, MOTORIST PHONED AAA ROAD SERVICE AND CAR WAS TOWED 1 HOUR LATER TO SEGNA VOLVO NEAR COLUMBUS, OHIO. 9/7/05 SEGNA MOTORS SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS TO OWNER THAT CAR TODAY STARTS FINE, TEST DRIVES FINE AND NO COMPUTER CODES ARE SHOWING UP IN THE COMPUTER'S DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM. THEY SAY THE CAR SEEMS FINE, YET THEY ARE PLANNING TO CONTACT VOLVO CORPORATION FOR A THE COMPANY'S TECHNICAL ADVICE ON HOW TO PROCEED. OWNER SEVERELY DISSATISFIED THAT AFTER REPAIR OF PROBLEM IT RECURRED AND DRIVER WAS IN DANGEROUS POSITION OF LOSING POWER SUDDENLY AT 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY AND BEING STRANDED ALONE AT NIGHT, WILL NOT ACCEPT A DIAGNOSIS THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10135557
Incident
Sep 3, 2005
Mileage
36,136 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 18, 2005

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10115433
Incident
Mar 16, 2005

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.

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