RoadVitals

2010 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.
15
Latest Nov 23, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
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.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 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

  • Other / unspecified637.5%
  • Powertrain (other)212.5%
  • Engine212.5%
  • Tires & wheels16.3%
  • Transmission16.3%
  • Airbags16.3%
  • Visibility16.3%
  • Interior & seats16.3%
  • Seat belts16.3%

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

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SAFETY ISSUE THE TIRE PRESSURE LABEL ON OUR XC70 (VIN: [XXX]) LIST THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE AS BEING 33 PSI. AT THIS PRESSURE THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. THIS RENDERS THE FEDERAL MANDATED TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ESSENTIALLY NON-FUNCTIONING AND PLACES THE DRIVER AT RISK. VOLVO OF NORTH AMERICA HAS REVIEWED THIS ISSUE AND HAS CONFIRMED THE 33 PSI VALUE, NOT THE HIGHER VALUE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, IS CORRECT. VOLVO HAS CONFIRMED THEIR RECALL TO REPLACE THE INCORRECT 33 PSI LABELS ON THE 08-10 XC70 DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE. SINCE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE AND THE TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN SAFE DRIVING, VOLVO NEED TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10670523 · filed Jan 6, 2015

CAR JACK FAILED DURING TIRE CHANGING. THE CAR JACK FAILED CAUSING JACK TO BEND. *TR

NHTSA ID 10615718 · filed Jul 23, 2014

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2010 Volvo XC70. The contact stated that the rear differential was making an abnormal sound. The bearings were spalling metal into the gears. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ID 11450730 · filed Feb 7, 2022

I would appreciate your deepest consideration for assistance with the problematic rear differential on the 2010 XC70 Volvo. I have spent considerable funds to maintain my vehicle at top working order through maintenance at Volvo. I have always asked the Volvo advisors for service recommendations on the vehicle to keep my car running economically to ensure main components did not fail due to lack of maintenance. Therefore, when I learned that my rear differential is failing and there is no recommended service on that particular part which can be seen on the Maintenance Service manual below, there seems to be a lack of knowledge shared on this part. Unfortunately, I just started to look into this matter once my rear differential starting to fail, this knowledge was not shared to me during regular periodic maintenance, my Volvo Service advisors never recommended changing the rear differential oil. Moreover, it is a known defect for Volvo cars built throughout the years of 2008-2014. Volvo and Land Rover use the same part and there are many examples of this happening to Volvo owners around the mid-90K mile range. The cost is extremely expensive at an estimated $5,580.00. Please look in to this matter, this should be a national recall for this vehicle!

NHTSA ID 11434699 · filed Sep 28, 2021

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

OUR CAR HAS ABOUT 93,000 MILES ON IT. BEGINNING AT 60,000 MILES, THE CAR BEGAN TO USE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE LOW OIL INDICATOR COMES ON AND WE NEED TO ADD ONE OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL AT EACH 3,000 TO 3,500 MILES. THE CAR DEALER TELLS US IT IS "NORMAL" FOR SOME CARS TO USE THIS AMOUNT OF OIL AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. I NOTICED A RECALL NOTICETSB #TJ30021 COVERED SOME 2011 VOLVO XC 70S FOR OIL LOSS. WHY DOES IT NOT COVER THE 2010 CARS? THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE? I HAVE RECORDS FOR MY OIL CHANGES FROM THE CAR DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID 10928614 · filed Nov 29, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, SHE REALIZED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS. THE CONTACT MERGED ONTO THE EXIT RAMP AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM TO TREAT INJURIES RESULTING FROM INHALING LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE. NO OTHER PERSONS WERE INJURED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT DRIVEABLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THERE WERE EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 17,000.

NHTSA ID 10462970 · filed Jun 25, 2012

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAD JUST PICKED UP THE CAR FROM THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS THERE FOR TWO WEEKS. I STOPPED FOR GAS AND DID SOME SHOPPING AND AS I WAS ENTERING HIGHWAY THE 'TIRE PRESSURE LOW' WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I THOUGHT IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO WORK THAT WAS DONE IN THE SHOP. I ENTERED THE HIGHWAY AND AS I WAS SPEEDING UP, I NOTICED THE NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEELS, NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FLAT. THE FLAT WAS DUE TO TPMS VALVE STEM FAILING AND AS I WAS TOLD LATER BY THE DEALERSHIP, THE LOSS OF AIR WAS VERY QUICK AND THE 13 MONTH OLD TIRE WAS DAMAGED AFTER ONLY DRIVING ON LOW PRESSURE FOR LESS THAN A MILE. AS I UNDERSTAND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS IF IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. AFTER I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED ALL TPMS SENSORS ON THE CAR DUE TO THE VOLVO TSB TJ-24767 DATED DEC 2011 TITLED 'TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM - TPMS SENSOR NUT CORROSION'. MY MAIN COMPLAINT IS THAT VOLVO KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND NEITHER THEY TRIED TO REPLACE THE TPMS SENSORS AT A FEW TIMES THE CAR WAS AT THEIR DEALERSHIP, NOR THEY TRIED TO EDUCATE THE CAR OWNERS ABOUT THE POSSIBLE RISKS. AS A RESULT, ONE OF THE TIRES WAS DAMAGED WHICH I HAVE BILLED TO PAY FOR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10523225 · filed Jul 5, 2013

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY VOLVO X70 2010 STATION WAGON HAS HAD A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS WHERE THE CAR TRANSMISSION "JUMPS" WHILE THE GAS PEDAL IS NOT ENGAGED. IT SEEMS THAT WHEN THE ENGINE IS AT IDLE, AT A STOP OR DURING A SLOW TURN, THE CAR SLIGHTLY AND SUBTLY JUMPS A BIT. MY VOLVO DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO "UPGRADE" THE SOFTWARE BUT THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH SPORADIC, RECURS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A DEFECTIVE ISSUE HERE AND THAT OTHER POTENTIAL DANGEROUS PROBLEMS MAY ARISE IN THE FUTURE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10324823 · filed Apr 10, 2010

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SRS - AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER 1,000 MILES. *TR UPDATED 10/20/10 *BF UPDATED 10/22/10

NHTSA ID 10331599 · filed May 21, 2010

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The windscreen seal has failed. Water leaking into the overhead lighting fixture and main cabin. This will ruin the car, and shouldn't happen to any car. The windscreen, when properly attached to the body, contributes to the structural integrity and crashworthiness of the vehicle. If the screen is only partly bonded, any stress could detach it and the upper part of the body would suffer reduced strength integrity. I can push the windscreen out with my hand.

NHTSA ID 11493825 · filed Nov 16, 2022

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ALERTING OF A CHILD SAFETY LOCK MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK WITH OR WITHOUT THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK ENGAGED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON HAD TO BE DEPRESSED SEVERAL TIMES TO ENGAGE THE DOOR LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK MOTOR FAILED AND A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS NEEDED FOR THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ID 10945693 · filed Jan 17, 2017

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

On two P3 Volvo cars I have owned now, the front passenger and driver side seatbelt release button sometimes does not release the seatbelt, this happens almost daily and requires the button to be forcibly pressed to release, more commonly on the passenger side. Additionally, on two separate occasions, the passenger side seatbelt has slotted into the latch but was loose when tugged on, not being able to support any tension. This happened on both cars that I owned and with different passengers, where we would arrive at our destination and then they would go to press the button and the seatbelt simply disconnected. On my newer P3 car, (With the VIN here) I replaced the seatbelt catch device on the passenger side believing this was an issue with just the car, but the new replacement also had this issue. This is a serious safety issue as it prevents passengers from exiting the vehicle during an emergency and also may give a false sense of safety with the belt being latched, when really the slightest tug releases it.

NHTSA ID 11556601 · filed Nov 23, 2023

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 .