2001 Volvo XC70 recalls and problems

The 2001 Volvo XC70 has 5 safety recalls and 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volvo dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
66
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Volvo XC70 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Volvo XC70 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 06V-441: Vehicle Speed Control

Reported Nov 15, 2006 · 170,099 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing, and/or inefficient software calibration may cause a warning lamp to light and the subsequent onset of limp home modes.

Risk: This resulted in a high number of vehicles going into the limp home mode without need.

Fix: Dealers will install the current software upgrade onto the involved vehicles. The recall began on december 29, 2006. 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.

2001 Volvo XC70 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train22
Vehicle Speed Control15
Engine and Engine Cooling11
Fuel System, Gasoline6
Electrical System6
Suspension6
Fuel System, Other2
Engine2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Unknown or Other1
Seat Belts1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 19
  • Suspension › Front — 4
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 3
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control — 2
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery — 2
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline — 2
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper — 1
  • Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 79,000 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 2001 Volvo XC70 complaints

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

Structure · at 174,810 miles · reported Aug 17, 2016
The contact owns a 2001 volvo xc70. The contact stated that the hatchback did not open without electricity. When the vehicle's battery failed, the contact was unable to open the hatch. The contact also stated that there was no handle or any means to unlock the hatch from outside or inside the vehicle without power, making it a death trap in an emergency situation for those seated in the back rows. The contact made the manufacturer aware of the failure and was informed that his concern would be noted. The failure mileage was 174,810. Updated 01/10/2017
Engine · at 124,500 miles · reported Jan 25, 2013
This 2001 volvo xc70 has never failed to start until this occurrence when attempted to start it chugged horribly & engine failure & engine system service urgent code appeared the car died & repeated attempts to star it failed diagnosis reveals a non-service listed issue as we have always had this car properly serviced promptly as needed. The issue is a "throttle body failure". According to the volvo service shop this will cost me $800 to $1000 to fix!! Last january I had to purchase a wire harness for this car that was $1400!! I have read many complaints on this throttle body issue and wish to…
Power Train · at 85,000 miles · reported Feb 1, 2012
The contact owns a 2001 volvo xc70. The contact was driving 35 MPH when the vehicle failed to shift gears properly. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage was 103,000. Updated 02/22/12 the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer on 02/04/11. She mentioned the failure of the gears not shifting properly and the dealer performed a software download, which did not fix the problem. The consumer went back to the dealer eight months later for the 9,500 maintenance…
Power Train · at 94,000 miles · reported Dec 18, 2011
The transmission is slipping between gears 2-3 and 3-4. Mechanics recommends transmission replacement. Car has 94,000 miles. This is a family car and not driven hard. I've had 3 cars over hundred thousand miles and this is the first time I've had a transmission failure on the most expensive care I've owned.
Power Train · at 142,000 miles · reported Jul 6, 2011
Normal driving, at approximately 142,000 miles transmission service required light came on after transmission began slipping and "clunking". Transmission failure on 2001 volvo xc70. $4,000+ repair, common to the 2001 xc70 model.

Other Volvo XC70 years

Compare all Volvo XC70 years · All Volvo models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Volvo XC70 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2001 Volvo XC70: 21V-800 (air bags), 10V-566 (equipment), 09V-483 (fuel system, gasoline), 06V-441 (vehicle speed control), 03V-284 (equipment). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Volvo XC70?

Owners report power train problems most often (22 reports), followed by vehicle speed control (15). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 79,000 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.