2015 Volvo XC70 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2015 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
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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)
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .