RoadVitals

2013 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.
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Latest May 11, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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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.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 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

  • Visibility342.9%
  • Body & structure228.6%
  • Airbags114.3%
  • Steering114.3%

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Top windshield seal leaks, causing water running down windshield, and excess condensation creating visibility issues. Known problem by Volvo USA and dealers.

NHTSA ID 11490261 · filed Oct 21, 2022

Windshield seal failure. Water/rain/carwash now leaks into the cabin of the car down the inside of the windshield directly in front of the driver's field of vision, obscuring visibility while driving. This is a clear safety hazard that is well chronicled on Volvo owner-sites. Volvo needs to issue a recall, as this affects the entire P3 platform (S60/V70/XC70)

NHTSA ID 11449632 · filed Jan 31, 2022

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

The sunroof seal isn't working. It lifts when going through a car wash, and water is getting in.

NHTSA ID 11736936 · filed May 11, 2026

All of a sudden , the right rear door will not open either from outside or inside. Similar problem was a recall on S60 Volvos.

NHTSA ID 11655266 · filed Apr 17, 2025

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 42 MPH, A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DEER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO THE OFF POSITION, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITH FORCE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT AND THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT TO BE PUSHED OUT OF POSITION AND INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,009.

NHTSA ID 10723230 · filed Jun 3, 2015

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

NEW VOLVO WAS PURCHASED IN CARLSBAD CA. ON JUNE 21, 2013. TOOK A TRIP FROM L.A. TO MONTEREY CA. ON RETURN MY ATTENDANT AT FULL SERVE IN L.A. CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED VERY LITTLE STEERING FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR. TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL VOLVO DEALER IN L.A...GALPIN VOLVO..THEY HAVE ORDERED A NEW STEERING BOX TO BE INSTALLED NEXT WEEK. LOTS OF TROUBLE FOR A BRAND NEW CAR! *TR

NHTSA ID 10525673 · filed Jul 18, 2013

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 .