RoadVitals

2011 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 May 5, 2022
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
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 2011 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

  • Visibility212.5%
  • Other / unspecified212.5%
  • Powertrain (other)212.5%
  • Seat belts212.5%
  • Body & structure212.5%
  • Interior & seats212.5%
  • Brakes16.3%
  • Driver assistance16.3%
  • Steering16.3%
  • Suspension16.3%

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

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The windshield seal has failed causing rain water and melting snow and ice to come in the car and flow down the windshield and impair vision through the windshield. This has become a safety concern when driving in snow and rain. The water dripping down on the controls is also a safety concern and distraction while driving.

NHTSA ID 11451398 · filed Feb 10, 2022

Windshield sealant is deteriorating and glass is no longer fully attached to frame. Water is coming directly in from openings along driver's side roof and pooling under pedals.

NHTSA ID 11446438 · filed Jan 6, 2022

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CAR MAKES A LOUD ROARING SOUND AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS "PROBABLY THE TIRES" BUT DOING SOME RESEARCH THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND ADD TO THIS IT RANDOMLY DOWNSHIFTS WHILE BRAKING (OR MAYBE IT IS THE BRAKES) WHEN COMING TO A STOP WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO LOSE CONTROL ON A SNOW/ICE/SLIPPERY SITUATION, THIS HAPPENS AT A SLOWER SPEED AND ONLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT ABOUT 10-15 MPH. I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OUT ON THE INTERNET AND NO REAL SOLUTIONS.

NHTSA ID 11025157 · filed Sep 23, 2017

WENT TO THE LOCAL SERVICE STATION ABOUT A LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING. THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT CONTINENTAL AND MICHELIN TIRES HAVE HAD AN ISSUE OF TIRE ROT. THE AIR COMES RIGHT THROUGH THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRES. HE RECOMMENDED NEW TIRES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HE ALSO RECOMMENDED AND AMERICAN MANUFACTURED IN THE USA.

NHTSA ID 10874270 · filed Jun 14, 2016

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

"TAKATA RECALL" AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ARE JERKY. I TOOK INTO VOLVO SERVICE WHITE PLAINS NY. THEY FOUND ERROR CODE TCM-P074468 AND RESET. THEY TOLD ME IF PROBLEM PERSISTS I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE IS IN GREAT CONDITION AND WELL MAINTAINED WITH 104063 MILES. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. I THEN DID FURTHER RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MY VECHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THAT SAME PROBLEM AND ERROR MESSAGE. BUT MY VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. VOLVO IS NOT ACKNOWLEGING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. I'VE ENCLOSED MY VEHICLE SERVICE INVOICE WHICH SHOWS THE CODE AND THE RECALL LETTER FROM VOLVO SHOWING THE SAME CODE. PLEASE ADVISE, THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID 11155873 · filed Dec 4, 2018

THE CAR MAKES A LOUD ROARING SOUND AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS "PROBABLY THE TIRES" BUT DOING SOME RESEARCH THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND ADD TO THIS IT RANDOMLY DOWNSHIFTS WHILE BRAKING (OR MAYBE IT IS THE BRAKES) WHEN COMING TO A STOP WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO LOSE CONTROL ON A SNOW/ICE/SLIPPERY SITUATION, THIS HAPPENS AT A SLOWER SPEED AND ONLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT ABOUT 10-15 MPH. I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OUT ON THE INTERNET AND NO REAL SOLUTIONS.

NHTSA ID 11025157 · filed Sep 23, 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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WIFE WAS RIDING IN PASSENGER SEAT. WE HAD TAKEN HER CAR AND I WAS DRIVING. SUDDENLY THE SHOULDER HARNESS GOT TIGHT, SHE TRIED TO ROLL IT BACK TO RELEASE IT AS IS NORMAL BUT, IT STUCK HALFWAY OUT, TOO SHORT TO USE AND CANNOT BE EXTENDED. DEALER SAID IT WAS A BAD SEAT BELT RE TRACTOR. PRICE TO FIX $700. THIS IS THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT ON A 54K MILE CAR. IT RARELY GETS USED AS WIFE IS USUALLY THE DRIVER AN SOLE OCCUPANT. THAT BELT PROBABLY HASN'T BEEN USED 500 TIMES. CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW, NO CRASHES, WELL MAINTAINED. THIS SHOULD NEVER FAIL, LET ALONE WITH HARDLY ANY USE. AT THE TIME OF HAPPENING I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. . WE WERE ON AN HOUR'S DRIVE, RETURNING FROM RELATIVES HOUSE.

NHTSA ID 11194254 · filed Apr 5, 2019

I RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE, 119,600 MILES, AND NOTED I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT LATCH NOT ALWAYS RELEASING PROPERLY. THE DEALER CONTACTED VOLVO ABOUT IT AND WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT LATCH.

NHTSA ID 11062405 · filed Jan 12, 2018

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Front Passenger side door is opening while driving. Has happened numerous times in the last couple weeks

NHTSA ID 11451853 · filed Feb 14, 2022

It started raining and then it started leaking into my car through my windshield because my windshield started become unsealed and unattached from the rest of my car. When I went to find out about this issue and how to get it fixed I was told by three different mechanics and auto shop workers and windshield glass professionals That they find this very common involve others and I feel that if it’s that big of a problem volvo should take responsibility for it. I didn’t have the money to replace my windshield but it was either that or let water leak into my car and grow mold or cause even bigger electrical issues.

NHTSA ID 11439093 · filed Nov 2, 2021

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BACK DOOR LATCH IS DEFECTIVE *TT

NHTSA ID 10421608 · filed Aug 26, 2011

BACK DOOR LATCH IS DEFECTIVE. *TT

NHTSA ID 10421605 · filed Aug 26, 2011

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CAR MAKES A LOUD ROARING SOUND AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS "PROBABLY THE TIRES" BUT DOING SOME RESEARCH THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND ADD TO THIS IT RANDOMLY DOWNSHIFTS WHILE BRAKING (OR MAYBE IT IS THE BRAKES) WHEN COMING TO A STOP WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO LOSE CONTROL ON A SNOW/ICE/SLIPPERY SITUATION, THIS HAPPENS AT A SLOWER SPEED AND ONLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT ABOUT 10-15 MPH. I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OUT ON THE INTERNET AND NO REAL SOLUTIONS.

NHTSA ID 11025157 · filed Sep 23, 2017

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

THIS CAR HAS ONLY 54K MILES! AND IS DRIVEN BY A SENIOR CITIZEN LADY, BOUGHT NEW, NO CRASHES ETC. 1. ABS AND DTSC WARNING APPEARS ON DASH. CAR TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH AND STOPS IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION, ENGINE STILL RUNNING, WILL NOT MOVE DESPITE FLOORING ACCELERATOR. IT'S AS THOUGHT THE ABS HAS APPLIED THE BRAKES AND WONT LET THE CAR MOVE. TAP BRAKES, MOVE SHIFT TO MANUAL MODE AFTER NOT MOVING FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS CAR FREES UP AND DRIVES NORMALLY BUT ABS/DTSC LIGHTS STILL ON. WENT STRAIGHT TO DEALER, WHICH WAS NEARBY. DEALER SAYS REAR ABS SENSOR IS BAD WILL ORDER PART. 2. ALSO INFORMS ME THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAS BROKEN???. WHAT? IT'S 54K MILES!... IT HASN'T HIT ANYTHING AND SHE HAS NEVER DRIVEN FASTER THAN 65 MPH.

NHTSA ID 11194253 · filed Apr 5, 2019

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 steering would randomly lock (or at least become very stiff). This occurred when the vehicle was warm and seemed to be mostly low speed sharper turns. Turning the wheel in the opposite direction freed it up. I replaced the steering rack to solve the problem.

NHTSA ID 11463439 · filed May 5, 2022

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS CAR HAS ONLY 54K MILES! AND IS DRIVEN BY A SENIOR CITIZEN LADY, BOUGHT NEW, NO CRASHES ETC. 1. ABS AND DTSC WARNING APPEARS ON DASH. CAR TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH AND STOPS IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION, ENGINE STILL RUNNING, WILL NOT MOVE DESPITE FLOORING ACCELERATOR. IT'S AS THOUGHT THE ABS HAS APPLIED THE BRAKES AND WONT LET THE CAR MOVE. TAP BRAKES, MOVE SHIFT TO MANUAL MODE AFTER NOT MOVING FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS CAR FREES UP AND DRIVES NORMALLY BUT ABS/DTSC LIGHTS STILL ON. WENT STRAIGHT TO DEALER, WHICH WAS NEARBY. DEALER SAYS REAR ABS SENSOR IS BAD WILL ORDER PART. 2. ALSO INFORMS ME THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAS BROKEN???. WHAT? IT'S 54K MILES!... IT HASN'T HIT ANYTHING AND SHE HAS NEVER DRIVEN FASTER THAN 65 MPH.

NHTSA ID 11194253 · filed Apr 5, 2019

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 .