2003 Volvo V70 recalls and problems

The 2003 Volvo V70 has 5 safety recalls and 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volvo dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
32
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2003 Volvo V70 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2003 Volvo V70 recalls

Recall 21V-800: Air Bags

Reported Oct 14, 2021 · 194,546 vehicles affected · Volvo Car USA, LLC

Problem: Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2007 V70 and XC70 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10136.

Recall 10V-566: Equipment

Reported Nov 8, 2010 · 416 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Problem: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (Gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.

Risk: An overheated battery could lead to a fire.

Fix: Volvo advises owners to please stop using the garmin portable GPS device immediately, and visit the garmin website to determine if their unit is affected. The unit's battery will be replaced with a new battery and a spacer will be inserted on top of the battery next to the pcb. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 18, 2010. Owners may contact garmin at 866-957-1981 or visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.

Recall 09V-483: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Dec 18, 2009 · 158,733 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Problem: Volvo is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 s80, model year 2001-2004 v70, s60, xc70 and model year 2003-2005 xc90 vehicles sold in or registered in the states of alabama, arizona, arkansas, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, kentucky, louisiana, mississippi, nevada, new mexico, north carolina, oklahoma, south carolina, tennessee, texas, utah, virginia and the U.S. Territories. When exposed to certain environmental conditions (Hot climate and temperature cycling) over time and in combination with varying fuel quality, the fuel pump can develop cracks in the fuel pump flange.

Risk: If the condition occurs vehicle owners may notice fuel smell and/or fuel leak which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel pump installed in the vehicle, and if necessary replace the fuel pump with a part of a modified design. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on january 15, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

Recall 07V-226: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Jun 5, 2007 · 32,189 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pressure sensor located on the left end of the fuel rail may, at times, transmit incorrect signal regarding the fuel pressure to the engine control module. If the signal is outside of the pre-programmed allowable limits, a diagnostic trouble code may be set and the check engine light will come on. The soldered joints on the circuit board of the fuel pressure sensor may crack due to temperature changes and excessive vibrations.

Risk: Misfire may occur during driving that, in turn, will reduce the engine torque and in the worst case scenario, the engine may stall without warning. In certain traffic situations this could cause an unsafe situation and possibly a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pressure sensor free of charge. The recall began on june 29, 2007. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

Recall 03V-284: Equipment

Reported Aug 1, 2003 · 220,407 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Problem: Certain passenger cars fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the second isofix guide was not installed in these vehicles and, in certain cases, the owner's manual isofix information is incorrect.

Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.

Fix: Owners will receive a letter/package consisting of the second isofix guide with installation instructions, and in certain cases, the corrected owner's manual may be provided. If the owner wants to take their vehicle to a volvo dealer for installation of the guide, it will be performed at no charge to the owner. Owner notification began on december 19, 2003. Owners should contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

2003 Volvo V70 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Fuel System, Gasoline6
Power Train5
Electrical System5
Exterior Lighting3
Engine and Engine Cooling3
Air Bags3
Tires2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Parking Brake1
Seat Belts1
Fuel System, Other1

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 3
  • Parking Brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and Cable — 1
  • Tires › Tread/Belt — 1
  • Vehicle Speed Control › Linkages — 1
  • Tires › Sidewall — 1
  • Seat Belts › Integrated Child Seat — 1
  • Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator — 1
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 63,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2003 Volvo V70 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported May 24, 2023
I live 5 hours from the closest Volvo dealership so I called to see if they could send me the the air bag that has been recalled. The airbag is very easy to be replaced in less then 10 minutes. Because of this it is absolutely absurd for me to travel for ten hours to get something done that I can do myself in 10 minutes. They said I can buy the airbag and they could send it. But this being a recall is'nt it their responsibility to fix it in any way possible. I just feel like this is wrong that they are doing this and am addressing it in this compliant.
Air Bags · reported Apr 7, 2022
This is subject to a recall R10136 NHTSA Recall 21v-800 We have set appointments twice to have this done only to be told that the parts are not available and we would be contacted when they are. The local dealer is Maple Hill in Kalamazoo. I started a chat with Volvo and the suggestion was to try another dealer. If the part is not available I fail to see how that will help.
Air Bags · reported Jan 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2003 Volvo V70. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V800000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact called the local dealer who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Engine · at 134,066 miles · reported Jan 20, 2017
The contact owns a 2003 volvo v70. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds below 30 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09v483000 (Fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,066.
Structure · at 5 miles · reported Jul 29, 2016
The driver side interior door latch has disconnected four times in the past five years. As a driver, I AM literally stuck in the car, and I have to exit thhrough passenger side of the vehicle. This repair(S) does not work, and the door latches are faulty in these cars. As a person that is driving in florida, with three kiddos, I can't be stuck in my car if for some reason the car goes into the water. The spring in the handle of the car does not work, and there should be a recall of the assembly of the door handle. Yes, this is an unsafe condition, as I can't exit my car, especially in the…

Other Volvo V70 years

Compare all Volvo V70 years · All Volvo models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Volvo V70 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2003 Volvo V70: 21V-800 (air bags), 10V-566 (equipment), 09V-483 (fuel system, gasoline), 07V-226 (engine and engine cooling), 03V-284 (equipment). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Volvo V70?

Owners report fuel system, gasoline problems most often (6 reports), followed by power train (5). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 63,000 miles.

Are Volvo recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Volvo dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.