2003 Volvo V70XC Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 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
- Airbags315.0%
- Electrical315.0%
- Engine210.0%
- Interior & seats210.0%
- Tires & wheels210.0%
- Driver assistance210.0%
- Seat belts210.0%
- Powertrain (other)15.0%
- Fuel system15.0%
- Suspension15.0%
- Exterior lighting15.0%
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DASHBOARD AND SPEEDOMETER WENT BLANK SRS WARNING LIGHT ON. *TR
THE VEHICLES LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. I REPLACED BOTH OF THE BULBS AND THEY STILL DO NOT WORK. THERE ARE MANY ADDITIONAL OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ACCORDING TO VOLVO FORUMS ON THE INTERNET. *TR THE VEHICLES INFORMATION SYSTEM CONTINUALLY READS THAT THERE IS AN AIRBAG PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH THE AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN ACTIVATED/DEPLOYED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DASH LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
DASHBOARD AND SPEEDOMETER WENT BLANK SRS WARNING LIGHT ON. *TR
MY DRIVER INSTRUMENT MODULE BEGAN TO FAIL, ON AND OFF, NOW IT IS COMPLETELY OFF. I CALLED VOLVO BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COST OF REPAIR 1400.00, THEY OFFERED ME 200.00 VERY QUICKLY ALMOST TOO QUICK, SOUNDS TO ME AS IF THEY KNOW THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND ARE TRYING TO KEEP IT ON THE DOWN LOW. I PLAN TO MAKE ANOTHER CALL TO THEM AND REPORT THE PROBLEM TO EVERY AGENCY I CAN. I HAVE NO IDEA IF MY AIRBAGS ARE WORKING, BRAKES, COOLING SYSTEM, HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE, MILEAGE IS NOT CALCULATING PROPERLY NOTHING WORKS. *JS
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE REVS UP AND THE CAR ACCELERATES AT A HIGH RATE. LUCKILY, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND I COULD STOP THE CAR. I HAD TO PRESS DOWN QUITE HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. A COUPLE OF SECONDS AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE RETURNS TO A NORMAL IDLE SPEED. THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES OVER, APPROXIMATELY, THE LAST SIX MONTHS. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS TODAY, AUGUST 21, 2014. I ESTIMATED THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN FEBRUARY OF 2014. *TR
THE CAR IS SHIFTING HARD AND NOW WONT SHIFT AT ALL MECHANICS SAY IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. SO I EMAIL VOLVO FOR HELP IN REGARDS TO THIS ISSUES WITH NO HELPING RESPONSE FROM THEM OTHER THAN SORRY HERE IS A LIST OF DEALERS NEAR YOU THAT DO SERVICE. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
2 SEPARATE SEAT BELT LATCHES/CATCHES ON DIFFERENT SEATS HAVE FAILED ON MY 2003 VOLVO XC70 SINCE MARCH OF 2009. IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AND REPAIRED UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR COLLISION ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURES. I FIND IT VERY STRANGE THAT 2 DIFFERENT SEAT BELT CATCH ASSEMBLIES WOULD FAIL ON THE SAME CAR. I WILL BE SUBMITTING SEPARATE COMPLAINTS FOR EACH INCIDENT, AS THEY HAPPENED ON DIFFERENT DATES TO DIFFERENT PARTS. DECEMBER 2010 - DRIVER SEAT BELT CATCH ASSEMBLY DID NOT WORK; SEAT BELT WOULD NOT CONNECT. ON DECEMBER 22, 2010 DEALER CONFIRMED CATCH ASSEMBLY NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY AND REPLACED WITH A NEW PART - PART #9191817. SEAT BELT HAS BEEN WORKING FINE SINCE REPAIR. THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. I PAID FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL, IF THE PROPER REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE.
2 SEPARATE SEAT BELT LATCHES/CATCHES ON DIFFERENT SEATS HAVE FAILED ON MY 2003 VOLVO XC70 SINCE MARCH OF 2009. IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AND REPAIRED UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR COLLISION ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURES. I FIND IT VERY STRANGE THAT 2 DIFFERENT SEAT BELT CATCH ASSEMBLIES WOULD FAIL ON THE SAME CAR. I WILL BE SUBMITTING SEPARATE COMPLAINTS FOR EACH INCIDENT, AS THEY HAPPENED ON DIFFERENT DATES TO DIFFERENT PARTS. MARCH 2009 - PASSENGER REAR OUTER SEAT BELT CATCH ASSEMBLY DID NOT WORK; SEAT BELT WOULD NOT CONNECT. ON MARCH 11, 2009 DEALER DEEMED THE SEAT BELT CATCH ASSEMBLY DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED WITH A NEW PART - PART #9191997. SEAT BELT HAS BEEN WORKING FINE SINCE REPAIR. THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. I PAID FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL, IF THE PROPER REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEAKING ANGLE GEAR ON 2003 VOLVO XC70. *TR
WHEN WE BROUGHT OUR 2003 VOLVO XC V70 WAGON INTO THE DEALER AT 62,000 MILES WE COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE AS WE DROVE IT. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REPEAT IT AND NOT TO WORRY. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT BACK AT 69,000 FOR AN OIL CHANGE WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE THAT MEANT WE NEEDED A WHEEL BEARING REPLACED. SO WE MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THAT CHANGED. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, AT THAT VISIT WE WERE TOLD TO HAVE EACH WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AND WE WERE TOLD THE ANGLE GEAR WAS STRIPPED AND ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD TO HAVE THE WHEEL BEARING REPLACED ON MY OLD MAZDA 323 WHEN IT HAD ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON IT SO I KNOW IT IS A BIG DEAL. HOW CAN IT BE THAT WE NEEDED ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME? HOW DID THEY MISS IT AT THE EARLIER CHECKUP? WERE THE WHEEL BEARINGS THE REASON WE NEEDED THE ANGLE GEAR REPLACED AS WELL? IS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VOLVOS XC WAGONS? THIS WAS VERY EXPENSIVE, SHOULD WE HAVE TO PAY ALL THE COSTS?*JB
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACTIVATING THE PARKING BRAKES. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT THEN DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER VOLVO CARS OF BETHESDA SERVICE CENTER (5415 BUTLER RD, BETHESDA, MD 20814, (301) 750-6100) WHO HAD AN EMPLOYEE TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AND WAS RETURNED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 280,582.
WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE REVS UP AND THE CAR ACCELERATES AT A HIGH RATE. LUCKILY, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND I COULD STOP THE CAR. I HAD TO PRESS DOWN QUITE HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. A COUPLE OF SECONDS AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE RETURNS TO A NORMAL IDLE SPEED. THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES OVER, APPROXIMATELY, THE LAST SIX MONTHS. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS TODAY, AUGUST 21, 2014. I ESTIMATED THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN FEBRUARY OF 2014. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
2 SEPARATE SEAT BELT LATCHES/CATCHES ON DIFFERENT SEATS HAVE FAILED ON MY 2003 VOLVO XC70 SINCE MARCH OF 2009. IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AND REPAIRED UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR COLLISION ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURES. I FIND IT VERY STRANGE THAT 2 DIFFERENT SEAT BELT CATCH ASSEMBLIES WOULD FAIL ON THE SAME CAR. I WILL BE SUBMITTING SEPARATE COMPLAINTS FOR EACH INCIDENT, AS THEY HAPPENED ON DIFFERENT DATES TO DIFFERENT PARTS. DECEMBER 2010 - DRIVER SEAT BELT CATCH ASSEMBLY DID NOT WORK; SEAT BELT WOULD NOT CONNECT. ON DECEMBER 22, 2010 DEALER CONFIRMED CATCH ASSEMBLY NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY AND REPLACED WITH A NEW PART - PART #9191817. SEAT BELT HAS BEEN WORKING FINE SINCE REPAIR. THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. I PAID FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL, IF THE PROPER REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE.
2 SEPARATE SEAT BELT LATCHES/CATCHES ON DIFFERENT SEATS HAVE FAILED ON MY 2003 VOLVO XC70 SINCE MARCH OF 2009. IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AND REPAIRED UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR COLLISION ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURES. I FIND IT VERY STRANGE THAT 2 DIFFERENT SEAT BELT CATCH ASSEMBLIES WOULD FAIL ON THE SAME CAR. I WILL BE SUBMITTING SEPARATE COMPLAINTS FOR EACH INCIDENT, AS THEY HAPPENED ON DIFFERENT DATES TO DIFFERENT PARTS. MARCH 2009 - PASSENGER REAR OUTER SEAT BELT CATCH ASSEMBLY DID NOT WORK; SEAT BELT WOULD NOT CONNECT. ON MARCH 11, 2009 DEALER DEEMED THE SEAT BELT CATCH ASSEMBLY DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED WITH A NEW PART - PART #9191997. SEAT BELT HAS BEEN WORKING FINE SINCE REPAIR. THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. I PAID FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL, IF THE PROPER REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR IS SHIFTING HARD AND NOW WONT SHIFT AT ALL MECHANICS SAY IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. SO I EMAIL VOLVO FOR HELP IN REGARDS TO THIS ISSUES WITH NO HELPING RESPONSE FROM THEM OTHER THAN SORRY HERE IS A LIST OF DEALERS NEAR YOU THAT DO SERVICE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE REVS UP AND THE CAR ACCELERATES AT A HIGH RATE. LUCKILY, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND I COULD STOP THE CAR. I HAD TO PRESS DOWN QUITE HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. A COUPLE OF SECONDS AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE RETURNS TO A NORMAL IDLE SPEED. THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES OVER, APPROXIMATELY, THE LAST SIX MONTHS. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS TODAY, AUGUST 21, 2014. I ESTIMATED THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN FEBRUARY OF 2014. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN WE BROUGHT OUR 2003 VOLVO XC V70 WAGON INTO THE DEALER AT 62,000 MILES WE COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE AS WE DROVE IT. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REPEAT IT AND NOT TO WORRY. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT BACK AT 69,000 FOR AN OIL CHANGE WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE THAT MEANT WE NEEDED A WHEEL BEARING REPLACED. SO WE MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THAT CHANGED. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, AT THAT VISIT WE WERE TOLD TO HAVE EACH WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AND WE WERE TOLD THE ANGLE GEAR WAS STRIPPED AND ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD TO HAVE THE WHEEL BEARING REPLACED ON MY OLD MAZDA 323 WHEN IT HAD ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON IT SO I KNOW IT IS A BIG DEAL. HOW CAN IT BE THAT WE NEEDED ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME? HOW DID THEY MISS IT AT THE EARLIER CHECKUP? WERE THE WHEEL BEARINGS THE REASON WE NEEDED THE ANGLE GEAR REPLACED AS WELL? IS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VOLVOS XC WAGONS? THIS WAS VERY EXPENSIVE, SHOULD WE HAVE TO PAY ALL THE COSTS?*JB
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLES LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. I REPLACED BOTH OF THE BULBS AND THEY STILL DO NOT WORK. THERE ARE MANY ADDITIONAL OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ACCORDING TO VOLVO FORUMS ON THE INTERNET. *TR THE VEHICLES INFORMATION SYSTEM CONTINUALLY READS THAT THERE IS AN AIRBAG PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH THE AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN ACTIVATED/DEPLOYED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DASH LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. *TR
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .