RoadVitals

2012 Volvo XC70

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
14
Latest Jun 27, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jun 30, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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

Overview

Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Volvo XC70, most frequently naming the visibility, body & structure and steering categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 259 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Visibility640.0%
  • Body & structure320.0%
  • Steering213.3%
  • Tires & wheels16.7%
  • Seat belts16.7%
  • Brakes16.7%
  • Other / unspecified16.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V378000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

Jun 30, 2020
308,260 units potentially affected
The defect: Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
The risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
Volvo Car USA LLCManufacturer number R10029View on NHTSA.gov
12V075000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Feb 28, 2012
32,552 units potentially affected
The defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. IN THESE VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED PROPERLY TO THE SEAT FRAME. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED TO ADJUST THE SEATING POSITION, THE WIRE HARNESS MAY GET PULLED, CAUSING IT TO DISCONNECT.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF CRASH, THE FRONT AND/OR SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY IMPROPERLY OR NOT AT ALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. ALSO, THE LAP BELT PRETENSIONER MAY NOT DEPLOY.
The remedy: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, SECURE THE SEAT WIRE HARNESS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.Manufacturer number 250View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 14
Visibility
Filed Jun 27, 2022

Windshield leaking for about 2 tears got worse and was found to be "loose windshield and mobile" and "hazardous" by technician.

NHTSA ID
11471131
Incident
Jun 27, 2022
Visibility
Filed Dec 5, 2021

Windshield seal leaking at top. This started a few weeks ago, I noticed water drips run down the inside of the windshield in front of the driver. I took a 4-hour trip last week and it rained for 30 minutes, the leak became worst causing me to need to wipe the inside of the windshield. Yesterday, I went through the car wash and water pour down onto the dashboard, instrument cluster, steering wheel, and airbag. I have to get paper towels and dry things before I could drive. Today, I drove to the grocery in light rain, not a big problem when driving at speed however when going slower or braking water runs down the inside of the windshield. I now carry a small towel to wipe and dry the windshield. This is affecting the visibility and safety of driving the car.

NHTSA ID
11442748
Incident
Nov 20, 2021
Visibility
Filed Dec 10, 2020

THE SEAL FOR THE WINDSHIELD HAS FAILED ALONG THE TOP PASSENGER SIDE. FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, ONE CAN PUSH THE WINDSHIELD ENOUGH TO SEE A GAP. WATER ENTERS WHEN RAINING; I BELIEVE THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE IS THE SEAL COMPLETELY FAILS. IT STARTED AT ABOUT 55 MONTHS AFTER DELIVERY AND 24,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID
11382865
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Mileage
24,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 3, 2020

WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HAS UNLATCHED AND THE DOOR OPENS SLIGHTLY ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASIONS. THIS HAS OCCURRED ONCE WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND 4 OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING SYSTEM TRIES TO LOCK ALL DOOR AND THE SYSTEM SIGNALS THE DOOR IS OPEN. I STOP THE CAR AS SOON A POSSIBLE, PARK AND WALK AROUND TO THE PASSENGER DOOR TO FIND THE DOOR HANDLE LOCKED. THE LOCKING SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE WORKING BUT THE LATCH IS FAILING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD ME ORDER A PART # 31253662-LOCK. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OR RECALL. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND INSIST THIS IS A RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER. I FOUND A RECALL FOR OTHER VOLVO MODELS WITH THE SAME ISSUE BUT THIS DOES NOT COVER MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11362518
Incident
Oct 2, 2020
Mileage
150,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 16, 2020

THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS AND HESITATES AND WON'T TURN. THEN IT FINALLY DOES. SOMETIMES IT SEEMS WORSE WHEN COLD. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MANY DEALERS AND MECHANICS AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. JUST RECENTLY PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I WAS USING THE GAS, AND IT WOULD NOT TURN AND I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HIT A TREE. ANOTHER TIME WHILE DRIVING N A ROTARY IT FROZE. MANY TIMES WHILE TURNIING INTO A PARKING PLACE IT LOCKS UP.

NHTSA ID
11318336
Incident
Mar 16, 2020
Mileage
25 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Dec 27, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO XC70. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN, WATER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE WINDSCREEN FAILED AND CAUSED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO BECOME UNSECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VOLVO OF MONTEREY IN SEASIDE, CA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW SEAL WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ID
11291627
Incident
Dec 25, 2019
Mileage
63,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 30, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE BEFORE SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN A BIT, BUT CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VOLVO CARS SILVER SPRING (LOCATED AT 3121 AUTOMOBILE BLVD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904, (301) 890-6200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND BOTH REAR CALIPERS WERE NOT THE CORRECT PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE. IN FEBRUARY OF 2019, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NATIONAL TIRE AND BATTERY TO HAVE THE PARTS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,898.

NHTSA ID
11210824
Incident
May 23, 2019
Mileage
131,898 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 10, 2017

I NOTICED WATER INTRUSION WHILE VIA THE TOP DRIVER SIDE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD DURING A HEAVY RAIN. AT STOP AND UPON INVESTIGATION I NOTICED WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD THE WINDSHIELD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME ALONG THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD. IN DISCUSSING THIS PROBLEM WITH A AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENT SPECIALIST (GLASSDOCTORS) THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY BEEN FIXING MANY OF THESE ISSUES FOR THE LOCAL VOLVO DEALERSHIP. THE CONCERN FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT IS THE INTEGRITY OF THE WINDSHIELD IN THE EVENT OF A FRONT END COLLISION. IT SEEMS THAT VOLVO IS NOT INDICATING A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I QUICK INVESTIGATION OF THE INTERNET INDICATES THAT IT IS A GROWING PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11053749
Incident
Nov 27, 2017
Mileage
98,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

35526.1.8

ENGINE

This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure
 Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.

37809.1.1

This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. This TJ will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval.
 Current items under prior approval are listed in the "Service" section

19245

This is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.

8501

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a remote session:
 •Connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in VIDA is between 12.5V and 14.9V.
 •Connect to the vehicle over a wired connection using a VOE (Volvo OBD to Ethernet) adapter and perform a NEW vehicle readout.

S10303

Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles.
 Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob.
 As a result, there is a possibility that the customer’s key fob is not paired to the vehicle.
 The corrective action is to download SP Software.
 S10303 affects 151 vehicles in the U.S and 5 in Canada.

S10303

Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles.
 Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob.
 As a result, there is a possibility that the customer’s key fob is not paired to the vehicle.
 The corrective action is to download SP Software.
 S10303 affects 151 vehicles in the U.S and 5 in Canada.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volvo XC70 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017000—
2016720—
2015610—
2014220—
2013820—
2012Viewing142038.0
2011153044.3
2010155047.1
2009155049.0
2008398048.6
2007252043.1
2006183039.1
2005273045.3
20041014047.8
2003245044.2
2002354148.3
2001665150.0
2000000—
1999000—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.