AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2003 Volvo XC70
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 24 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Volvo XC70, most frequently naming the fuel system, transmission and electrical categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 175 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2003 | 1 | 1 |
| Jul 2005 | 1 | 2 |
| Dec 2008 | 1 | 3 |
| Oct 2009 | 1 | 4 |
| Apr 2010 | 1 | 5 |
| Aug 2010 | 2 | 7 |
| Sep 2010 | 2 | 9 |
| Nov 2010 | 1 | 10 |
| Jan 2011 | 2 | 12 |
| Apr 2011 | 1 | 13 |
| May 2011 | 1 | 14 |
| Jun 2011 | 1 | 15 |
| Sep 2011 | 1 | 16 |
| Feb 2012 | 1 | 17 |
| May 2013 | 1 | 18 |
| Dec 2013 | 1 | 19 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 20 |
| Jan 2015 | 1 | 21 |
| Dec 2015 | 2 | 23 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 24 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Fuel system621.4%
- Transmission517.9%
- Electrical414.3%
- Airbags414.3%
- Suspension310.7%
- Brakes27.1%
- Visibility13.6%
- Body & structure13.6%
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
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.govEQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE HESITATION WITH STARTING AND DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
- NHTSA ID
- 10823551
- Incident
- Jan 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO FUEL VISIBLE ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10811992
- Incident
- Dec 18, 2014
- Mileage
- 140,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC70. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10810285
- Incident
- Sep 1, 2015
- Mileage
- 170,000 mi
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, A CAR WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN ACROSS FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC. THE PERSON, APPARENTLY, DID NOT SEE ME AND STRUCK THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE BREAKING THE TIRE ROD AND DOING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER FRONT AND BACK DOORS. THE GLOVE BOX WAS EVEN DIFFICULT TO OPEN. IN ALL OF THIS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY SON WHO IS 14 AND IS 170 POUNDS WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AT THE TIME. HE IS QUITE SORE ALONG HIS ARM AND NECK. IN 2012, I POSTED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE CAR HAVING A DIM PROBLEM AND HOW THE VOLVO MECHANIC SAID THE DIM PROBLEM COULD CAUSE AIRBAG PROBLEMS, BUT AFTER HAVING THE DIM PROBLEM FIXED, I WAS TOLD THE AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY. IN 2012, I POSTED THE FOLLOWING COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA AND CAN BE READ ONLINE: "I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 VOLVO XC70 AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT (55MPH) WHEN THE DASHBOARD SUDDENLY WENT BLACK AND ALL OF THE GAUGES, INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, GAS GAUGE, AND CLOCK STOPPED WORKING. EVERY WARNING LIGHT LIT UP. THE VOLVO DEALER ADMITTED THEY HAD SEEN THIS ISSUE BEFORE. THE COST TO REPLACE THE DIM WAS OVER $1400.00 AND I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY IT SINCE I WAS NOT GOING TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH NO SPEEDOMETER OR GAS GAUGE. THE DIM REPLACEMENT IS NOW ONLY WARRANTED FOR TWO YEARS, SO I MAY FIND MYSELF IN THE EXACT SAME BOAT IN THE FUTURE IF THE NEW DIM ALSO FAILS. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY FOR 2003 VOLVO MODELS. AFTER FINDING THE NHTSA WEBSITE, I ALSO FOUND THAT SOMEONE ELSE HAD RECENTLY REPORTED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND ALSO NOTED THAT THE DIM FAILURE COULD IMPACT THE PROPER OPERATION OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM...." *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10671821
- Incident
- Jan 11, 2015
- Mileage
- 170,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10597024
- Incident
- Jun 6, 2014
- Mileage
- 169,000 mi
I PURCHASED THIS 2003 VOLVO XC70 RECENTLY AND A FEW WEEKS AFTER DRIVING IT I NOTICED A BAD SMELL OF GAS. I LOOKED AROUND AND DID NOT SEE ANYTHING LEAKING. I KEPT DRIVING DAILY AND SMELLED GAS EVERY SINGLE TIME THE CAR WAS ON. I BECAME VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE I DRIVE WITH MY 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. AFTER SOME TIME I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A GAS LEAK COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR AND THIS BECAME A VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AUTOMATICALLY DROVE TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC SHOP AND GOT THE CAR LOOKED AT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN NOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE THE CAR CAN CATCH FIRE OR EVEN EXPLODE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH AND AFTER HEARING BACK FROM THE MECHANIC I LEARNED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP ON THIS MODEL CAR AND THIS IS EXACTLY THE PROBLEM. I REACHED OUT TO VOLVO AND THEY TELL ME THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL AND THAT THEY WILL ONLY PAY FOR THE PART. I HAVE PLENTY OF PICTURES SHOWING THE DEFECT IN THE FUEL PUMP. I FIND THIS RIDICULOUS SINCE THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THESE CARS. MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE DIED FROM BEING IN THIS CAR GOD FORBID AND NOW I AM STUCK WITH THIS BILL FROM THE MECHANIC DUE TO VOLVO'S FAILURE/DEFECT. VOLVO IS KNOWN FOR HAVING THE SAFEST CARS IN THE WORLD WHICH IS WHY I DECIDED TO PURCHASE THIS CAR FOR MY FAMILY, AND NOW I AM STUCK WITH A BILL FOR THERE DEFECT AND CAN NOT FIND HELP OR ANSWERS. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10554719
- Incident
- Nov 23, 2013
- Mileage
- 102,600 mi
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY MY GAS GAUGE DROPPED BELOW EMPTY AND ALL MY GAUGES STOPPED WORKING INCLUDING THE CLOCK, BLINKERS, SPEEDOMETER AND THE DIGITAL INFORMATION COMPUTER PANEL THAT INDICATES HOW MANY MILES LEFT TO A GALLON, ETC. THIS WAS QUITE DANGEROUS AS I COULD NO LONGER SEE THE SPEED OF TRAVEL, HOW MUCH GAS I HAD LEFT, THE TIME NOR COULD I USE MY BLINKERS TO INDICATE LANE CHANGES. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR INDICATION THAT THE SPEEDOMETER PANEL WOULD JUST DIE OUT! *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10510254
- Incident
- Apr 29, 2013
- Mileage
- 115,105 mi
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 VOLVO XC70 AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT (55MPH) WHEN THE DASHBOARD SUDDENLY WENT BLACK AND ALL OF THE GAUGES, INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, GAS GAUGE, AND CLOCK STOPPED WORKING. EVERY WARNING LIGHT LIT UP. THE VOLVO DEALER ADMITTED THEY HAD SEEN THIS ISSUE BEFORE. THE COST TO REPLACE THE DIM WAS OVER $1400.00 AND I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY IT SINCE I WAS NOT GOING TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH NO SPEEDOMETER OR GAS GAUGE. THE DIM REPLACEMENT IS NOW ONLY WARRANTED FOR TWO YEARS, SO I MAY FIND MYSELF IN THE EXACT SAME BOAT IN THE FUTURE IF THE NEW DIM ALSO FAILS. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY FOR 2003 VOLVO MODELS. AFTER FINDING THE NHTSA WEBSITE, I ALSO FOUND THAT SOMEONE ELSE HAD RECENTLY REPORTED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND ALSO NOTED THAT THE DIM FAILURE COULD IMPACT THE PROPER OPERATION OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. CLEARLY, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS AFFECTING MORE THAN JUST A FEW ISOLATED VOLVO OWNERS. VOLVO SHOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM, ISSUE A RECALL AND PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. THE DIM MODULE IS A COMPUTER PART AND ITS FAILURE IS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE RESULT OF EXPECTED "WEAR AND TEAR." INSTEAD, IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE PART THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS THAT CAN BE CAUSED BY THE SUDDEN LOSS OF THE DASHBOARD SYSTEM AND POSSIBLE NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THE OPERATION OF THE AIRBAGS. PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN TO HAVE VOLVO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10448849
- Incident
- Feb 15, 2012
- Mileage
- 116,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
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.
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
This is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.
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.
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.
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
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.