RoadVitals

2006 Volvo XC70 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.
18
Latest Jul 5, 2022
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
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.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 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

  • Suspension628.6%
  • Seat belts314.3%
  • Airbags29.5%
  • Electrical29.5%
  • Visibility29.5%
  • Other / unspecified14.8%
  • Powertrain (other)14.8%
  • Driver assistance14.8%
  • Steering14.8%
  • Body & structure14.8%
  • Fuel system14.8%

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

Suspension

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

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2006 Volvo XC70. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the front suspension springs fractured. The contact heard a loud clicking sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who confirmed the fracture of the suspension springs. The passenger’s side suspension springs were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ID 11472382 · filed Jul 5, 2022

MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE WAS 115K WHEN THIS HAPPENED: MY WIFE STARTED TO BACK THE CAR STRAIGHT OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY (FROM A STOPPED POSITION, IN REVERSE GEAR) WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG WHICH CAME FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND PLACED IT IN PARK. AFTER REMOVING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, I DISCOVERED THAT THE SUSPENSION COIL (OR SPRING) AS PART OF THE MACPHERSON STRUT ASSEMBLY, HAD SNAPPED IN TWO AT THE LOWER END. THE BROKEN OFF PART OF THE SPRING WAS SITTING ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, WHILE THE OTHER PART WAS STILL SURROUNDING THE STRUT. THAT PART OF THE SPRING WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SLASHING THE TIRE WHEN IT FAILED. WE WERE THANKFUL THAT THIS HAPPENED ON OUR DRIVEWAY AND NOT GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. BUT WE WERE ALSO ASTOUNDED THAT SUCH A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A SUSPENSION PART LIKE THIS WOULD OCCUR IN THE FIRST PLACE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS THAT WE WERE AWARE OF AND NOTHING IN THE SERVICE SCHEDULE ABOUT REPLACING THESE SPRINGS AT THE GIVEN MILEAGE.

NHTSA ID 11183986 · filed Mar 4, 2019

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

When rear seats are folded to make more room for cargo, the seat belts retract more inwards due to the retractable hardware that retracts the belts. The button clips that are clamped into the belt that stops them from happening break apart easily due to the retracting force of the belt and when trying to fold back the seats the belts get locked and are unable to fold back to the original position, the only way to fix this is to unbolt the belts and fold back the seats and bolt back the seat belts. When this is done, passengers are not able to buckle in the rear seats due to the belt retractable hardware being locked. Is a safety issue because the passenger can not buckle and, when the belt works and are able to buckle, sometimes when braking hard the belt retrieves a little to keep the passenger in place and when this happens the belts lock back again having the passenger being tightened by the belt and unable to move freely and having difficulty trying to unbuckle in case of an emergency.

NHTSA ID 11470492 · filed Jun 22, 2022

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BINDS AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE FRONT PASSENGER TO DO UP SEAT BELT. *JB

NHTSA ID 10169826 · filed Oct 3, 2006

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2006 Volvo XC70. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V800000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID 11446872 · filed Jan 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 Volvo XC70. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V800000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that parts were arriving sporadically. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID 11446305 · filed Jan 5, 2022

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

IN HEAVY TRAFFIC MY VOLVO XC70 STA. WAGON (36K MI) SUDDENLY, AND W/OUT WARNING, SHUT DOWN. HAD BEEN DRIVING NON-STOP FOR 4-5 HRS. WD. NOT RESTART UNTIL 1.5 HRS. LATER. GRINDING NOISE NOTED WHEN KEY TURNED OVER. NO PRIOR HISTORY OF SAME. EXT. WARRANTY. DEALER "FOUND NO PROBLEMS" WHEN EXAMINED NEXT DAY. ONLY DROVE CAR 26MI. TO FURTHER TEST. VOLVO REP ALSO "TESTED" VEHICLE W/ OWN EQUIPMT. SHD. BE NOTED THAT, REPORTEDLY, DEALERSHIP'S COMPUTER HAD PROBLEM FUNCTIONING TWO DAYS LATER W/ ANOTHER CAR'S TESTING. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT PROBLEM HAD BEEN CORRECTED AND THAT MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN RETESTED. DAVID WHEELER VOLVO FEELS THEY HAVE FULFILLED THEIR OBLIG. TO US AND HAS ASKED US TO DRIVE IT OFF THE LOT. WE REFUSE TO DRIVE IT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10231331 · filed Jun 17, 2008

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON RAINY ROAD CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ENGINE STALLED AND ALL DASH BOARD INFORMATION DISAPPEARED AS WELL. NO WARNING SIGNALS ALERTED THE CONTACT PRIOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE USED TO STOP IT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO POWER BRAKE ACTION EITHER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED ONLY THE HORN AND THE EMERGENCY FLASHER LIGHTS STILL WORKED. THE DEALERSHIP TOWED THE VEHICLE, WHO REMOVED THE ELECTRONIC MODULE, HOWEVER NO RESOLUTION HAD BEEN DETERMINED YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED BUT HAD NOT COMMUNICATED ANY RESOLUTION EITHER. THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 11/09/06. *JB

NHTSA ID 10171452 · filed Oct 20, 2006

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF GLASS FRACTURED AND COMPLETELY SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE SUN ROOF GLASS WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,000.

NHTSA ID 10272972 · filed Jun 5, 2009

HERE IS THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM THAT I POSTED ON SWEDESPEED FORUMS > V70 & V70XC & XC70 (2001-CURRENT) REGARDING SUN GLARE IN OUR NEW XC70 VOLVO THAT IS SO DISTRACTING THAT I FEEL IT IS A HAZARD: POST TITLE: XC70 LIGHT INTERIOR REFLECTION ON DRIVER'S WINDOW POSTED BY: GRETAMAX AT 2:28 PM 7-31-2006 WE JUST BOUGHT A 2006 XC70 WITH A TAUPE INTERIOR. WHEN DRIVING ON A SUNNY DAY THE REFLECTION OF THE DASH ON THE DRIVER'S WINDOW IS STRONG ENOUGH TO BE A DISTRACTION. WEARING GOOD SUNGLASSES HELPS A LOT. VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS IT'S THE DESIGN AND IS SUGGESTING PUTTING A DARK CLOTH OVER THE DASH. ANYBODY ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM? ANY CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS? HERE ARE A FEW OF THE RESPONSES I RECEIVED FROM OTHER VOLVO OWNERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM: POST TITLE: RE: XC70 LIGHT INTERIOR REFLECTION ON DRIVER'S WINDOW (DUGUMS) POSTED BY: KASUMI AT 8:00 AM 8-1-2006 I THOUGHT MY WIFE WAS CRAZY WHEN SHE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE REFLECTION IN OUR 2004 V70. THEN I TRIED TO DRIVE - VERY DISTRACTING. ITS NOT AWFUL, BUT ON A REALLY BRIGHT DAY, IT CAN DEFINITELY AFFECT YOUR VIEW. POST TITLE: RE: XC70 LIGHT INTERIOR REFLECTION ON DRIVER'S WINDOW (MADEINJAPAN) POSTED BY: FREEWORLD AT 12:26 PM 8-12-2006 DITTO, DITTO, AND DITTO! YOU ARE NOT MAKING THIS UP. MY S60 HAS THE BLACK OVER THE COWL AND THAT REDUCES REFLECTION IN THAT AREA. MY WIFES XC70 IS ALL LIGHT AND THE GLARE IS HUGE. MY POLARIZED SUNGLASSES HELP A LOT, BUT I NOW HAVE TO BUY HER A PAIR SINCE THE XC70 WAS MY IDEA. *NM

NHTSA ID 10165892 · filed Aug 17, 2006

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

MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE WAS 115K WHEN THIS HAPPENED: MY WIFE STARTED TO BACK THE CAR STRAIGHT OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY (FROM A STOPPED POSITION, IN REVERSE GEAR) WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG WHICH CAME FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND PLACED IT IN PARK. AFTER REMOVING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, I DISCOVERED THAT THE SUSPENSION COIL (OR SPRING) AS PART OF THE MACPHERSON STRUT ASSEMBLY, HAD SNAPPED IN TWO AT THE LOWER END. THE BROKEN OFF PART OF THE SPRING WAS SITTING ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, WHILE THE OTHER PART WAS STILL SURROUNDING THE STRUT. THAT PART OF THE SPRING WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SLASHING THE TIRE WHEN IT FAILED. WE WERE THANKFUL THAT THIS HAPPENED ON OUR DRIVEWAY AND NOT GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. BUT WE WERE ALSO ASTOUNDED THAT SUCH A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A SUSPENSION PART LIKE THIS WOULD OCCUR IN THE FIRST PLACE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS THAT WE WERE AWARE OF AND NOTHING IN THE SERVICE SCHEDULE ABOUT REPLACING THESE SPRINGS AT THE GIVEN MILEAGE.

NHTSA ID 11183986 · filed Mar 4, 2019

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

TRANSMISSION ISSUES, FIRST NOTED IN REPORTS FROM VOLVO DEALERSHIP FROM ORIGINAL OWNER AT 107K MILES. HARD SHIFTING, REVVING INTO THE NEXT GEAR. NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION ACCORDING TO THE SHOP I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOOK AT IT 2 DAYS AFTER BUYING THE CAR. I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTS FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WHICH I FOUND IN THE GLOVE BOX, IN WHICH HE SPENT OVER $15K IN REPAIRS FOR THIS CAR OVER THE 8 YEARS HE OWNED IT SINCE NEW. *TR

NHTSA ID 10652747 · filed Nov 5, 2014

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TRAVELING NORTH ON 495 IN MASSACHUSETTS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, MY CAR STARTED LOSING SPEED. I PUSHED HARDER ON THE GAS PEDAL, BUT IT KEPT SLOWING DOWN. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED MY BLINKER ON AND PULLED TO THE SLOW LANE, THINKING I MAY BE ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AT THE NEXT EXIT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALMOST INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. MY CAR STALLED. I WAS AT THE TURN OFF FOR THE EXIT - IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I CALLED AAA FOR ASSISTANCE. A STATE POLICE OFFICER STOPPED AND SET UP FLARES TO HELP AVOID A COLLISION. FIRST LOOK FROM MY MECHANIC INDICATES A FUEL PUMP MODULE PROBLEM. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL IN OTHER 2006 VOLVO MODELS FOR THIS ISSUE BUT NOT FOR THE XC 70. I LIVE IN NH SO THE CAR IS EXPOSED TO SALT/WATER. THERE WAS FLOODING ON THE WAY IN TO WORK THAT MORNING. THIS IS A VERY CONCERNING SAFETY ISSUE, AS MY CAR LITERALLY QUIT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON 495. *TR

NHTSA ID 10566558 · filed Feb 28, 2014

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT. ALIGNMENT WAS CHECKED AND WAS SLIGHTLY OFF. IT WAS CORRECTED BUT THE CAR STILL PULLS TO THE RIGHT. I DROVE ONE OTHER XC70 THAT WAS A LOANER CAR FROM THE DEALER AND IT DROVE THE SAME. *JB

NHTSA ID 10163745 · filed Jul 27, 2006

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

HERE IS THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM THAT I POSTED ON SWEDESPEED FORUMS > V70 & V70XC & XC70 (2001-CURRENT) REGARDING SUN GLARE IN OUR NEW XC70 VOLVO THAT IS SO DISTRACTING THAT I FEEL IT IS A HAZARD: POST TITLE: XC70 LIGHT INTERIOR REFLECTION ON DRIVER'S WINDOW POSTED BY: GRETAMAX AT 2:28 PM 7-31-2006 WE JUST BOUGHT A 2006 XC70 WITH A TAUPE INTERIOR. WHEN DRIVING ON A SUNNY DAY THE REFLECTION OF THE DASH ON THE DRIVER'S WINDOW IS STRONG ENOUGH TO BE A DISTRACTION. WEARING GOOD SUNGLASSES HELPS A LOT. VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS IT'S THE DESIGN AND IS SUGGESTING PUTTING A DARK CLOTH OVER THE DASH. ANYBODY ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM? ANY CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS? HERE ARE A FEW OF THE RESPONSES I RECEIVED FROM OTHER VOLVO OWNERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM: POST TITLE: RE: XC70 LIGHT INTERIOR REFLECTION ON DRIVER'S WINDOW (DUGUMS) POSTED BY: KASUMI AT 8:00 AM 8-1-2006 I THOUGHT MY WIFE WAS CRAZY WHEN SHE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE REFLECTION IN OUR 2004 V70. THEN I TRIED TO DRIVE - VERY DISTRACTING. ITS NOT AWFUL, BUT ON A REALLY BRIGHT DAY, IT CAN DEFINITELY AFFECT YOUR VIEW. POST TITLE: RE: XC70 LIGHT INTERIOR REFLECTION ON DRIVER'S WINDOW (MADEINJAPAN) POSTED BY: FREEWORLD AT 12:26 PM 8-12-2006 DITTO, DITTO, AND DITTO! YOU ARE NOT MAKING THIS UP. MY S60 HAS THE BLACK OVER THE COWL AND THAT REDUCES REFLECTION IN THAT AREA. MY WIFES XC70 IS ALL LIGHT AND THE GLARE IS HUGE. MY POLARIZED SUNGLASSES HELP A LOT, BUT I NOW HAVE TO BUY HER A PAIR SINCE THE XC70 WAS MY IDEA. *NM

NHTSA ID 10165892 · filed Aug 17, 2006

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TRAVELING NORTH ON 495 IN MASSACHUSETTS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, MY CAR STARTED LOSING SPEED. I PUSHED HARDER ON THE GAS PEDAL, BUT IT KEPT SLOWING DOWN. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED MY BLINKER ON AND PULLED TO THE SLOW LANE, THINKING I MAY BE ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AT THE NEXT EXIT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALMOST INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. MY CAR STALLED. I WAS AT THE TURN OFF FOR THE EXIT - IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I CALLED AAA FOR ASSISTANCE. A STATE POLICE OFFICER STOPPED AND SET UP FLARES TO HELP AVOID A COLLISION. FIRST LOOK FROM MY MECHANIC INDICATES A FUEL PUMP MODULE PROBLEM. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL IN OTHER 2006 VOLVO MODELS FOR THIS ISSUE BUT NOT FOR THE XC 70. I LIVE IN NH SO THE CAR IS EXPOSED TO SALT/WATER. THERE WAS FLOODING ON THE WAY IN TO WORK THAT MORNING. THIS IS A VERY CONCERNING SAFETY ISSUE, AS MY CAR LITERALLY QUIT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON 495. *TR

NHTSA ID 10566558 · filed Feb 28, 2014

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 .