2003 Volvo XC70 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 XC70, 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
- Fuel system621.4%
- Transmission517.9%
- Electrical414.3%
- Airbags414.3%
- Suspension310.7%
- Brakes27.1%
- Visibility13.6%
- Body & structure13.6%
- Exterior lighting13.6%
- Other / unspecified13.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED MY (2003) VOLVO XC70 IN LATE 2006 FROM I SERVICE IT REGULARLY AND DO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECKS. ABOUT A MONTH AGO THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND HESITATE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $5700. THE CAR HAS 71000 MILES ON IT. *TT
2003 VOLVO XC70 TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN CAR WITH 100,000K MILES. *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
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
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
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
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
RIGHT HAND SIDE, FRONT COIL SPRING CRACKED IN TWO. *TR
TOOK THE CAR IN TO REPLACE TIRES(FRONT TIRES PREMATURELY WORN DOWN) THE MECHANIC NOTICED BROKEN STRUT COIL SPRING AND SUGGESTED MANUFACTURER DEFECT SINCE NORMAL SHOULD NOT BROKE THE SPRING, ESPECIALLY A CAR DESIGNED FOR OFF ROAD USE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
CATASTROPHIC PARKING BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED RIGHT REAL WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. THIS COULD HAVE LED TO LOSS OF CONTROL, BUT DID NOT IN THIS INSTANCE. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER VOLVO CUSTOMERS HAVE FILED THIS SAME COMPLAINT. COST OF REPAIR IS UNREASONABLE AT OVER $1000 DUE TO POOR DESIGN AND INFERIOR MATERIALS USED. BRAKE LININGS DELAMINATION WAS THE ROOT CAUSE. THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 VOLVO XC70. *TR
VOLVO XC70 2003 TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT. NEEDS A TOTAL REPLACEMENT. HESITATES DURING SHIFTING AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T GO INTO GEAR FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. POWER BOOSTER TO THE BRAKES ALSO HAS A SEAL ISSUE CAUSING POWER BOOSTER ELECTRONIC VACUUM TO CONSTANTLY RUN. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
SHORTLY AFTER BUYING MY 2003 VOLVO 70XC I READ THAT BLACK CARS HAVE A TROUBLING HIGHER RATE OF ACCIDENTS. I HAD UNFORTUNATELY PURCHASED A BLACK VOLVO. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS NO CHROME ANYWHERE ON THE BODY, INCLUDING THE REAR. THERE ARE NO SIDE LIGHTS, NO DOOR LIGHTS (MY 1993 HAS DOOR LIGHTS WHEN THE DOOR OPENS TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS THAT THERE IS A DOOR OPEN), NOTHING TO HELP WITH SAFETY ISSUES, YET THEY ADVERTISE AS BEING SUCH A SAFE CAR. HAVING OUTSIDE INDICATORS ON A BLACK CAR IS SAFETY 101. I THINK THAT VOLVO SHOULD BE MADE TO ADD OUTSIDE SAFETY FEATURES TO THIS MODEL. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT UNDER CARRIAGE AIR DAM/SPLASH PANEL ABRUPTLY PULLED AWAY FROM CHASSIS WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED (PASSING). THIS RESULTED IN PIECES OF HEAVY DUTY PLASTIC BREAKING OFF AND BOUNCING UNDER THE CAR, CATCHING ON THE PAVEMENT. DISCONCERTING--I THOUGHT AT FIRST I BLEW A TIRE (LOUND NOISE AND THEN SUSTAINED WIND NOISE). IT APPEARED THE PLASTIC BECAME FATIGUED AND PULLED AWAY FROM THE ANCHORING BOLTS. DEALER PARTS MANAGER REPORTS THAT HE HAS REPLACED SEVERAL OF THESE...*AK
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
SHORTLY AFTER BUYING MY 2003 VOLVO 70XC I READ THAT BLACK CARS HAVE A TROUBLING HIGHER RATE OF ACCIDENTS. I HAD UNFORTUNATELY PURCHASED A BLACK VOLVO. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS NO CHROME ANYWHERE ON THE BODY, INCLUDING THE REAR. THERE ARE NO SIDE LIGHTS, NO DOOR LIGHTS (MY 1993 HAS DOOR LIGHTS WHEN THE DOOR OPENS TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS THAT THERE IS A DOOR OPEN), NOTHING TO HELP WITH SAFETY ISSUES, YET THEY ADVERTISE AS BEING SUCH A SAFE CAR. HAVING OUTSIDE INDICATORS ON A BLACK CAR IS SAFETY 101. I THINK THAT VOLVO SHOULD BE MADE TO ADD OUTSIDE SAFETY FEATURES TO THIS MODEL. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
SHORTLY AFTER BUYING MY 2003 VOLVO 70XC I READ THAT BLACK CARS HAVE A TROUBLING HIGHER RATE OF ACCIDENTS. I HAD UNFORTUNATELY PURCHASED A BLACK VOLVO. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS NO CHROME ANYWHERE ON THE BODY, INCLUDING THE REAR. THERE ARE NO SIDE LIGHTS, NO DOOR LIGHTS (MY 1993 HAS DOOR LIGHTS WHEN THE DOOR OPENS TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS THAT THERE IS A DOOR OPEN), NOTHING TO HELP WITH SAFETY ISSUES, YET THEY ADVERTISE AS BEING SUCH A SAFE CAR. HAVING OUTSIDE INDICATORS ON A BLACK CAR IS SAFETY 101. I THINK THAT VOLVO SHOULD BE MADE TO ADD OUTSIDE SAFETY FEATURES TO THIS MODEL. *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 .