RoadVitals

2015 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.
6
Latest Sep 16, 2025
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.
1
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 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Volvo XC70, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and powertrain (other) categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 312 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

  • Engine337.5%
  • Fuel system225.0%
  • Powertrain (other)225.0%
  • Seat belts112.5%

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

1 campaign 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

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

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Sep 16, 2025

My engine oil light came on recently so I took my car to the auto service center to check. The auto repair staff performed and inspection and found excessive oil consumption stemming from a defect in the pistons, piston rings and piston heads. They gave me a copy of Quality Bulletin from Volvo regarding the extended warranty P10207: VEP4 Oil Consumption Test; Model Year 2015-2016. Volvo provided an extended warranty for this defect but never informed me of the defect. Initially, Volvo said they would provide coverage for 10 years which would have covered my vehicle but Volvo decreased the period of coverage to October 2024. Now Volvo won't pay for the repairs which are estimated at $10,000. It should have been a recall, according to the auto service center. Apparently, auto companies don't like recalls due to the negative publicity. Instead the auto manufacturers provide so-called warranties for defects of automobiles for a limited time period. Had I I would have taken my car to the dealer for repair if I received such a letter from Volvo. My car is only worth $12,000 at this point since it is 10 years old but I have only 66,000 miles on my car which is low (particularly for a Volvo). I have written Beyer Volvo in Falls Church, VA, asking them to pay for the repairs, as well as Volvo North America. Both declined to provide any payment for repair of my vehicle. There are class action lawsuits against Volvo for not informing their customers of this defect. NHTSA should have issued a recall. Can NHTSA help me with this problem now? My car is not safe to drive since the oil will leak from the pistons into the rest of the engine. I can't afford to buy a car right now. It is wrong that Volvo is getting away with this defect without paying for the repairs of my cars. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11687723
Incident
Aug 18, 2025
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 6, 2024

I replaced a catalytic converter and 2 O2 sensors a few months ago. Check engine light came on. Oil was pooling into the catalytic converter from the engine. Technician checked pistons. Said there was unusual wear and oil was coming in through the pistons.

NHTSA ID
11623856
Incident
Oct 28, 2024
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 20, 2023

My Volvo XC70 has had a sudden and significant increase in oil consumption. I believe this is due to the pistons which Volvo is now acknowledging. They refuse to issue a recall or to repair my very well maintained vehicle. Continue operation requires up to 2 quarts of oil every 500 miles! It also presents an ongoing risk of sudden engine malfunction and dangerous stoppage, I have all my records which shows my car has been maintained and the cause is faulty pistons. Volvo must be held accountable.

NHTSA ID
11508128
Incident
Jan 15, 2022
Seat belts
Filed Oct 26, 2021

At age 6 years (53K mi.), the front passenger seatbelt clasp began to refuse to latch when the belt buckle was inserted. Using a jeweler's headset, I could not see any foreign object causing interference. To rule out a bent buckle, I tested the clasp (after its removal) with 5 other buckles, and all failed to latch into the clasp every time. The clasp failure-to-latch showed no signs of gradual failure. The first notice was when a passenger tried to buckle up, and noticed it didn't latch. The car was still parked. The Volvo part that failed is 31369706 Front Right Seatbelt Clasp. I successfully replaced the part with a genuine Volvo replacement part from a Volvo dealer. A clasp latch-failure on this vehicle carries the extra hazard of inhibiting air-bag deployment, as the latch assy. embeds a strain gauge which casts a necessary vote for air-bag activation. If interested, email me. Question: Would NHTSA care to have me ship the failed clasp to do a mechanical failure analysis? It would be surrendered to NHTSA with no conditions.

NHTSA ID
11438268
Incident
Sep 30, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Oct 25, 2021

Fuel gauge doesn’t show actual fuel level. When full, it shows 50% left, and gauge doesn’t start to move till half the tank is empty.

NHTSA ID
11438027
Incident
Aug 1, 2021
Filed Dec 23, 2016

FACTORY INSTALLED HITCH ALMOST FAILED. AFTER 16,000 MILES OF TOWING A 21 FOOT TRAVEL TRAILER, THE HITCH APPEARED TO HAVE EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT. WHEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC IN BRANSON MISSOURI, IT WAS FOUND THAT 2 OF 4 NUTS HAD FALLEN OFF AND THE REMAINING 2 WERE SIGNIFICANTLY LOOSE. HAD THEY FALLEN OFF TOO, A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED, WITH THE HITCH FALLING OFF, ALONG WITH THE REAR BUMPER AND A PORTION OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE TRAILER COULD HAVE DROPPED OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PLEASE CONSIDER A RECALL TO FORCE AN INSPECTION OF ALL FACTORY INSTALLED HITCHES ON VOLVO XC70, YEAR 2015.5.

NHTSA ID
10937274
Incident
Dec 7, 2016
Mileage
28,700 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

37536

This is a TJ text, only no attachments - If the Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) does not work in Sensus Connect vehicle, follow advice under "Service".
 This Technical Journal is only valid for vehicles with VDN: VI07 TRAFFIC INFORMATION RTTI + TMC P

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.

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
2015Viewing610
2014220
2013820
2012142038.0
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.