2006 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 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BINDS AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE FRONT PASSENGER TO DO UP SEAT BELT. *JB
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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 .