RoadVitals

1999 Volvo V70XC 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.
79
Latest Sep 10, 2018
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
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.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 Volvo V70XC, 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

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

Driver assistance

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

29
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CAR WENT INTO A "LIMP HOME MODE" AS I WAS PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, CAUSING SEVERAL CARS TO HAVE TO SWERVE TO KEEP FROM HITTING ME. I CALLED VOLVO AND THEY SAID THE 99 & 00 ( WHICH I OWN BOTH ) MODELS HAD A RECALL ON THE PART. I CARRIED THE CAR TO THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS ONLY TO INSTALL A SOFTWARE UPDATE, NOT TO REPLACE THE PART ITSELF. WELL, THEY DID THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE AND ABOUT HALF WAY HOME, 5 MILES OR LESS, THE ETC LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE CAR WENT INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE AGAIN, BARELY MAKING IT HOME. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE MODULE ITSELF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL ????? THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE BETWEEN $1200-$1300 TO REPLACE. THIS IS EXTREMELY WRONG AND DANGEROUS. AS MUCH AS I CAN GATHER FROM READING COMPLAINTS ON VOLVO FORUMS, THIS IS A PROBLEM VOLVO HAS KNOWN ABOUT SINCE AT LEAST 2004 AND HAS AFFECTED ABOUT 200,000 CARS. IS THERE NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS MATTER ?? PLEASE ADVISE.. PS. THE VIN ON MY 2000 V70 XC IS [XXX] , HAS 145,000 MILES AND HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THE 1999 MODEL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10493074 · filed Jan 15, 2013

1999 VOLVO XC V70. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE THE WOULD HESITATE AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS CONCERNING THE ETM COMPONENTS. *JB

NHTSA ID 10325290 · filed Apr 12, 2010
All 29 reports naming driver assistance

Electrical

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

18
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CAR OUT OF NOWHERE JUST STOPPED MOVING. THE CAR DID NOT DIE JUST NO POWER. AFTER HAVING SOMEONE LOOK AT IT AND THE ETS LIGHT CAME ON I LEARNED OF THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IN MOST VOLVOS FROM 99 - 01. *JB

NHTSA ID 10160711 · filed Jun 25, 2006

I OWN A 1999 VOLVO V70 XC. ON OCTOBER 27, 2005, WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING BEGAN TO STALL. I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR TO NO AVAIL. I WAS ABLE TO COAST OUT OF TRAFFIC. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, STARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE HOME. ALTHOUGH IT APPEARED TO DRIVE A LITTLE BETTER, IT CONTINUED TO JERK AND SPUTTER. *JB

NHTSA ID 10141188 · filed Oct 29, 2005
All 18 reports naming electrical

Fuel system

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

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO V70XC. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK CAUSING IT TO FAIL INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ID 10410476 · filed Jul 5, 2011

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1999 VOLVO V70XC, SHORTLY AFTER, THE CAR WENT INTO WHAT'S CALLED LIMP HOME MODE. I LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE WHAT WOULD CAUSE THIS AND SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2006 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED VOLVO TO SEE IF MY CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE, I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS REPAIRED. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A THROTTLE MODULE, THE SAME REASON FOR THE RECALL IN 2006. THE MODULE WAS REPLACED AND NEW SOFTWARE INSTALLED AND NOW THE CARD RUNS GOOD. SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW MODULE, $900 SINCE THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED ON THE INITIAL RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ID 10295038 · filed Dec 9, 2009
All 13 reports naming fuel system

Brakes

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

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ABS CONTROL MODULE REPLACED AT 115K MILES IN AUGUST 2007 FOR A COST OF $1,000 DUE TO MALFUNCTION INDICATION AND RECOMMENDATION OF MECHANIC. IS THIS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE 1999 VOLVO V70? *TR

NHTSA ID 10288829 · filed Oct 18, 2009

REAR BRAKE ROTORS WEAR DOWN QUICKLY. WE HAD THEM REPLACED IN THE SUMMER OF 2007 AND THEY ARE WORN DOWN NOW, DEC 2008. *TR

NHTSA ID 10252750 · filed Dec 24, 2008
All 9 reports naming brakes

Engine

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

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY VOLVO V70 WAS ON A TEST DRIVE BY THE MECHANIC BEFORE RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO ME AFTER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE CAR HAD 59,800 MILES. THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE ALLEGEDLY DUE TO AN OIL GASKET DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A LOCAL ROAD IN WAINSCOTT, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK.

NHTSA ID 11115086 · filed Aug 1, 2018

FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE ASSEMBLY CAUSING VERY POOR DRIVABLE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND SEVERE THAT THE CAR CAN NOT SAFELY BE DRIVEN IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT A RISK OF ACCIDENT. BRIEF CHRONOLOGY: I HAVE A VERY EARLY PRODUCTION 1999 VOLVO V70XC. IT HAD DRIVABLE PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. NEVER WAS FIXED. (SUPPOSEDLY) REPLACED ETM THE FIRST TIME IN ~ 2004, USING PART WHOSE DESIGN WAS KNOWN TO BE FAULTY. LATER DID SOFTWARE UPDATE (CAMPAIGN 155). DRIVABLE IMPROVED SLIGHTLY, BUT WAS NEVER CORRECT. REPLACEMENT MODULE IS NOW FAILING. CAR CAN NOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY. ENGINE RUNS POORLY, RPM LIMITED TO < 2000, ALWAYS IN "LIMP HOME MODE". YOU ARE AWARE (I BELIEVE) THAT THERE IS A RECALL/REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY FOR THIS PART. HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT PART HAS THE SAME DESIGN FLAW AS THE ORIGINAL. (I AM ALREADY ON A "SUPPOSEDLY" REPLACED MODULE). VOLVO IS PRETENDING TO HONOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHILE EITHER: 1) CHANGING THE MODULE'S SOFTWARE TO POSTPONE OR HIDE THE ACTUAL (MECHANICAL) FAILURE MECHANISM. 2) REPLACING A FAILED MODULE WITH ONE HAVING THE SAME FLAWED DESIGN WHICH HAS THE SAME POTENTIAL FOR FAILURE AS BEFORE. THIS RESULTS IN A SERIOUS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE BEING QUITE LIKELY TO OCCUR TO A CUSTOMER LIKE MYSELF IN THE FUTURE. WORSE YET, THIS IS OCCURRING JUST AS A NUMBER OF THE VEHICLES ARE NEARING THE END OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE END RESULT OF THIS IS THEY LEAVE A SERIOUS DRIVEABILITY PROBLEM UNSOLVED, AND DUCK THE ACTUAL PROBLEM BY USING A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO GET THE CUSTOMER JUST PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD. IN CONCLUSION, THEY ARE CONTINUING TO SUPPLY UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE PARTS UNDER THE GUISE OF HAVING PROVIDED A SAFE, RELIABLE, AND WARRANTED REPAIR. THEY NEED TO BE FORCED TO: ISSUE A FULL RECALL FOR ALL VEHICLES USING THE CURRENT ETM DESIGN, ANNOUNCE A FULL RECALL FOR ALL CARS USING THIS DESIGN, AND SUPPLY ONLY A RE-DESIGNED ETM AS PART OF ALL FUTURE REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10289881 · filed Oct 26, 2009
All 8 reports naming engine

Transmission

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

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY 1999 V70R WITH 122,000 MILES HAS HAD THE MOST PROBLEMS OF ANY VOLVO I HAVE OWNED IN 44 YEARS; HEATER CORE, ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE, STEERING RACK, WHEEL BEARINGS, LOWER CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINTS, PARKING BRAKE FAILURE, BRAKE LINES AND HOSES, AND NOW? THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED COMPLETELY AFTER A 105,000 MILE CHECKUP BY THE DEALER SHOWED NO ISSUES. 2 MONTHS LATER - WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR AND BUCKS LIKE A HORSE. WHY DO I READ ABOUT MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BUT SEE NO ACTION - RECALL OR REIMBURSEMENT OR FIX FROM VOLVO? *TR

NHTSA ID 10395580 · filed Apr 12, 2011

CAR WAS GETTING POOR GAS MILEAGE. FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION MARCH 27, 2006. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR AT ALL AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL. I HAD TO PURCHASE A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AT A TOTAL COST OF $4004.04. THIS REPRESENTS 20% OF THE PURCHASE PRICE NOT INCLUDING THE ADDITIONAL EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS "CHECKED OUT" AT 82,000 MILES WITH NO APPARENT ISSUES. THIS WAS THE ENDING MILEAGE FORTHE EXTENDING WARRANTY. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 89,330 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ID 10160919 · filed Jun 27, 2006

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

DT: CONTACT STATES THE HEADLIGHTS ON HIS VEHICLE WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING, HEADLIGHT: SWITCH, CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V504000. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL WORK ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY SAID THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO PHYSICAL DAMAGE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. *NM

NHTSA ID 10142754 · filed Nov 15, 2005

HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, RECENTLY REPLACED AS A RECALL, WITHIN ONE WEEK OF BEING REPLACED UNDER RECALL THE SWITCH FAILED AGAIN. WE WERE DRIVING IN MOUTAINS WITH FAMILY WHEN THE HEADLLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS NO LONGER WORKED.

NHTSA ID 10128491 · filed Jul 12, 2005

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

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DT: 1999 VOLVO WAGON VXC. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER . THE CAR DID NOT STALL EXCEPT AT A STOP SIGN WHEN GIVING IT A LOT OF GAS TO GET IT GOING. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY FOR TWO MONTHS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $1753.00 TO FIX IT. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY WOULD PUT IN A NEW STEERING ROD/ FRONT END ALIGNMENT/ VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR/ THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY/ AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND DRAIN AND REFILL THE COOLANT. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID 10131054 · filed Aug 26, 2005

FROM FEBRUARY 2004 TO APRIL 2005, I HAVE HAD VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 VOLVO XC70 AND HAVE LITTLE HELP FROM THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP IN THE MATTER. I TWICE HAD TO CALL AAA BECAUSE I STALLED MY CAR AT SCHOOL. ORIGINALLY, I THOUGHT IT MAY BE AN IGNITION PROBLEM, BUT AFTER TWO TRIPS TO JIM CULLIGAN, IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A STEERING CONMPONENT PROBLEM. FURTHERMORE, AS THE RECORDS AT JIM CULLIGAN WILL CLEARLY DOCUMENT (AND MY OWN), I CAME BACK WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND TOLD THEM SO, BUT THEY SAID MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. ALL TOLD, I PROBABLY SPENT CLOSE TO $1500 ON THIS PROBLEM BY THE MANUFACTURE. *NM

NHTSA ID 10131903 · filed Aug 8, 2005

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

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING, DRIVERS WINDOW WAS LOWERED AND THEN WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. VEHICLE HAD TO BE DRIVEN FOR 20 MILES WITH WINDOW OPEN IN COLD WEATHER UNTIL IT WAS IN A SHELTERED LOCATION AND BY MULTIPLE FORCING ATTEMPTS, THE WINDOW RAISED. THE REPAIR FACILITY INDICATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. *NM

NHTSA ID 10152080 · filed Mar 7, 2006

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

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ELECTRIC FRONT SEATS WORK SPORADICALLY. SAFETY HAZARD WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER DRIVES THE CAR. SOMETIMES CANNOT ADJUST SEATS. PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASING CAR. *NM

NHTSA ID 10139765 · filed Oct 15, 2005

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

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

"SERVICE ENGINE SOON" (SES) LIGHT CAME ON RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH 55000 MILES ON ODOMETER. CALL TO VOLVO INDICATED THAT THIS USUALLY MEANT THAT THE ETM (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE) NEEDS CLEANING. CALL LOCAL INDEPENDANT VOLVO MECHANIC. HE HAD ME CHECK THE COLOR OF THE LABEL ON ETM. SAID THAT I HAD THE ORIGINAL ETM AND THAT CLAING DOES NO GOOD, ETM NEEDS REPLACED AS HE HAS SEEN THIS ISSUE MANY TIMES. HAD INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACE ETM AT A COST OF ~$800. FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON INTERNET FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURANCE. ALSO NOTED THAT I HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH CAR AND THAT THE WARRANTY EXPLICITLY EXLUDED ETM....COINCIDENCE? I THINK NOT.....THE ETM FAILURE IS NOT ONLY A SAFETLY HAZZARD (CAR CAN NOT GO > 20MPH WHEN SES COMES ON..) BUT FOR A CAR OF THE ALLEDGED QUALITY OF A VOLVO TO HAVE A PRT SUCH AS A THROTTLE MODULE GO BAD AT 55000 MILES IS CRAZY. IN ADDITION IT APPEARS THAT THE REPLACEMENT ETM WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE...NOTE THAT THE VIN OF THIS VEHICLE IS [XXX], 1999 VOLVO V70-XC. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 10131019 · filed Aug 2, 2005

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

1999 VOLVO V70XC'S TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 86, 000 MILES. *TS

NHTSA ID 10176443 · filed Nov 30, 2006

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

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DT: 1999 VOLVO WAGON VXC. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER . THE CAR DID NOT STALL EXCEPT AT A STOP SIGN WHEN GIVING IT A LOT OF GAS TO GET IT GOING. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY FOR TWO MONTHS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $1753.00 TO FIX IT. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY WOULD PUT IN A NEW STEERING ROD/ FRONT END ALIGNMENT/ VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR/ THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY/ AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND DRAIN AND REFILL THE COOLANT. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID 10131054 · filed Aug 26, 2005

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS DRIVING A 1999 VOLVO V70XC AND ENTERING AN INTERSECTION FROM A STOPPED POSITION. I WAS HIT BY A DODGE DURANGO, WHICH WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE DURANGO HIT THE VOLVO V70XC AT THE LOCATION OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR. THE HIT WAS DISPLACED OVER THE ENTIRE DRIVERS DOOR OF THE VOLVO, BOTH "A" & "B" PILLARS WERE COMPROMISED. THE VOLVO IS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE FRONT AIR BAG DID, WITH NO HIT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VOLVO'S DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS CRUSHED AND PUSHED APPROXIMATELY 6 TO 8" TOWARD THE DRIVER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, A TECHNICIAN SPECIALIST REPRESENTING VOLVO NORTH AMERICA, AFTER MUCH DELAY, RECENTLY EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AT A LOCAL VOLVO DEALERSHIP. AFTERWARDS, VOLVO NORTH AMERICA FORMALLY RESPONDED, IN WRITING, THAT THE 1999 VOLVO V70XC PERFORMED ACCORDING TO DESIGN. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I PURCHASED THE VOLVO FOR IT'S PROMOTED SAFETY FEATURES AND I AM DISAPPOINTED THE SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED ABOVE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE VOLVO TO SUBSTANTIATE THE VALIDITY OF CLAIM AND DESCRIBE, IN DETAIL, UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES A CONSUMER COULD EXPECT THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. IT WOULD ALSO BE EXPECTED THAT VOLVO INTRODUCE THIS INFORMATION INTO THEIR SALES AND MARKETING PROGRAM SO THAT PROSPECTIVE BUYER WOULD HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PROMOTED SIDE-AIR BAG ONLY RESPONDS UNDER CONDITIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. *JB

NHTSA ID 10016409 · filed Apr 23, 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 .