RoadVitals

2003 Volvo V70 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Volvo V70, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical513.9%
  • Engine411.1%
  • Transmission38.3%
  • Exterior lighting38.3%
  • Airbags38.3%
  • Tires & wheels25.6%
  • Powertrain (other)25.6%
  • Driver assistance25.6%
  • Body & structure12.8%
  • Seat belts12.8%
  • Brakes12.8%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 20, 2017

SMELL FUEL OUTSIDE RIGHT REAR OF CAR.

NHTSA ID 10821895 · filed Jan 23, 2016
All 9 reports naming fuel system

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 22, 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 · filed Sep 24, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 20, 2017

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 · filed Nov 27, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 6, 2008

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SLIP, ENGINE REVS INCREASE AND VEHICLE LOOSES MOMENTUM. DEALER HAS WORKED ON THE CAR THREE TIMES. THE LAST REPAIR LASTED SEVERAL MONTHS BUT PROBLEM HAS RESURFACED

NHTSA ID 10096162 · filed Oct 21, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 17, 2014

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 · filed Sep 24, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 24, 2023

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 · filed Apr 7, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MICHELIN 195/65 R15 MXV4 + ENERGY RADIAL XSE DEVELOPED RADIAL CRACK ON OUTSIDE SIDEWALL OF TIRE. INSTALLED ON 2003 VOLVO V70. DIAGNOSED BY DEALER AS TIRE DEFECT (BELT SEPARATION). DEALER (DISCOUNT TIRE) REFUSED ADJUSTMENT ON TIRE WITH APPROX 9K MILES. HAD TO BUY NEW TIRE. LATER OFFERED 75% DISCOUNT AT SEARS ON NEW TIRE.

NHTSA ID 10066189 · filed Apr 14, 2004

I HAVE A LEASED 2001 VOLVO V70 T5 THAT WEARS THROUGH TIRES EVERY 3 TO 5 THOUSAND MILES. I AM TIRED OF HAVING TO DRIVE ON BALD TIRES AND HAVE ASKED VOLVO TO ALLOW ME TO TERMINATED THE LEASE. THEY REFUSED MY REQUEST CLAIMING THE PROBLEM IS THE TIRES NOT THE CAR. I DISAGREE WITH THEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS CAR THE CHOOSE TO IGNORE. COULD YOU PLEASE PROVIDE ANY HELP TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. *NLM

NHTSA ID 10017088 · filed May 6, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 8, 2014

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 · filed Nov 14, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Nov 27, 2006

WHILE EXITING THE PARKING AREA VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. DRIVER TAPPED THE BRAKES AND SPEED INCREASED. AS A RESULT, DRIVER LOST CONTROL, VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE, AND LANDED ON A SNOW BANK. DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER CHIP OF THE THROTTLE. *AK

NHTSA ID 10055598 · filed Jan 21, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 29, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER'S 3 1/2 YEAR OLD SON GOT STUCK IN HIS SEAT BELT. IT HAD BECOME DOUBLED AROUND HIS WAIST AS HE TRIED TO TAKE IT OFF. *PH

NHTSA ID 10059137 · filed Feb 13, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

BRACKET FOR EMERGENCY BRAKE COMES APART AND EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE SHIELD COMES IN CONTACT WITH TIRE. TIRE HAS WORN THROUGH THE RUBBER AND STARTED TO WEAR THROUGH THE STEEL SHIELD. THE BRACKET IS MADE OF PLASTIC. I REPLACED IT MYSELF WITH A STEEL BRACKET. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY,BUT I DID NOT WANT THE SAME BRACKET INSTALLED . ALSO THIS DEALER HAS REFUSED TO DO WARRANTY WORK ON MY CAR BEFORE.

NHTSA ID 10016470 · filed Apr 24, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .