FaultScore

Volvo V70 suspension problems

28 of the 1,177 complaints filed about the Volvo V70 are about the suspension — 2% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1998.

28

Complaints

2%

Share of all complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

Suspension complaints by model year

1997 V70 1 3.6%
1998 V70 8 28.6%

Median failure at 151,000 miles

1999 V70 5 17.9%

Median failure at 65,000 miles

2000 V70 1 3.6%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

2001 V70 7 25.0%

Median failure at 132,750 miles

2002 V70 2 7.1%

Median failure at 21,000 miles

2004 V70 4 14.3%

Median failure at 63,000 miles

What owners said

2000 Volvo V70 at 100,000 miles Tucson, AZ Crash 1 injured

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS REAR ENDED AT 45 MPH AND A VOLVO ADVERTISEMENT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH SPECIAL SEATS TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURIES WHEN A CRASH OCCURRED. WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED THE CONTACTS HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL, BROKE THE STEERING WHEEL, THE HEAD REST AND THE SEAT. THE IMPACT FROM THE REAR END COLLISION CAUSED THE REAR SEATS TO BE PUSHED CLOSER TOWARDS THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SEATS. THE IMPACT ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE INCLUDING A CREASE IN THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE IN A V-SHAPE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT DURING A REAR END CRASH THE AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCONSCIOUS AND ANOTHER DRIVER PASSING BY CALLED THE AMBULANCE ON HIS BEHALF. THE FIREMAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ALTHOUGH HE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE THEY FOUND HIM UNCONSCIOUS IN THE BACK SEAT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE, A DEVIATED SEPTUM, A SEVERE CASE OF ASTHMA, HEART DISEASE, AND WAS COMPLETELY INCAPACITATED AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE T7 AND T9 THORACIC VERTEBRAE WERE FRACTURED. THE CRASH HAD CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LIVE WITH A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. THE MANUFACTURER DISPATCHED A TECHNICIAN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, HE WOULD NOT PROVIDE THE CONTACT, THE INSURANCE COMPANY OR HIS ATTORNEY WITH COPIES OF THE REPORT OR PHOTOS TAKEN DURING THE INVESTIGATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10593692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Volvo V70 at 151,000 miles Gwynn OAK, MD

SUSPENSION

I JUST PURCHASED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO A 1998 VOLVO V70 USED ON 4/3/2014 FOR 3000.00 . THE VEHICLE DROVE JUST FINE UP UNTIL TWO WEEKS AGO WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING. WHILE I WAS RIDING ON I695 AND WAS GOING ABOUT SIXTY MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR JERKED AND CUT OFF, MEANING BLINKING IN AND OUT OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALONG WITH THE ENGINE AS I WAS PULLING OVER ON THE SHOULDER, WHICH IS TERRIBLY UNSAFE. I ASSUMED AND THOUGHT VOLVO'S WERE GREAT ON MILES AND TRANSMISSION SO I DIDN'T EXPECT IT TO BE HAVING THESE TYPE OF ISSUES. I AM A FIRST TIME VOLVO PURCHASER AND HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED AND IT'S TO EXPENSIVE FOR ALL THE HASSLES. ALL OF THE MINOR ISSUES WERE EXPECTED BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE BEING A USED CAR. ALSO, I CANNOT EVEN CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVELS IN ORDER TO SEE IF ALL I NEED IS SOME TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE DIPSTICK THAT LEADS TO THE TRANSMISSION IS STUCK, AS IN I HAVE TRIED PULLING, TWISTING AND TURNING BUT TO NO AVAIL. AFTER PURCHASING A 300 DOLLAR KEY PAD FROM THE DEALER I EXPECT MORE FROM THE MANUAL AND AT LEAST TO BE ABLE TO CHECK ALL FLUIDS ON THE VEHICLE. IF THESE MINOR ISSUES DIDN'T EVOLVE INTO MAJOR ISSUES WITH MY VOLVO VEHICLE I WOULD NOT HAVE AN ISSUE. YET THE PROBLEM IS THAT THESE MINOR ISSUES ARE INDEED CAUSING MAJOR REPAIRS WHICH IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE AND CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS THAT COULD INDEED AFFECT THE LIFE OF MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTEN AND HOPEFULLY DIRECTLY ADDRESSING MY CONCERNS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 12/8/2014

NHTSA complaint #10592530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Volvo V70 at 167,000 miles Vandalia, OH

SUSPENSION

I OWN A 2001 VOLVO XC AND BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR ITS RELIABILITY AND AS A FAMILY VEHICLE. I USE THIS VEHICLE TO COMMUTE 150 MILES PER DAY FOR MY JOB. DROVE THE CAR ON JUNE 3, 2012 WITH MY SON TO RUN ERRANDS AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. THE NEXT DAY, JUNE 4, 2012 I GOT IN THE CAR TO GO TO WORK IN THE MORNING. THE MINUTE I STARTED PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE CAR. I GOT MY HUSBAND AND HAD HIM LOOK AT THE CAR SINCE IT WAS FINE THE DAY BEFORE. HE DISCOVERED THE BROKEN SPRING. LUCKILY THE SPRING BROKE OVERNIGHT WHILE IT WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND NOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY. WE HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS PART BREAKING AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER VOLVO OWNERS WHO HAVE ALSO HAD THIS PART BREAK.

NHTSA complaint #10460544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Volvo V70 at 190,000 miles South Haven, MI

SUSPENSION

TURNING LEFT OUT OF DRIVEWAY, RIGHT (PASSENGER) BALL JOINT SEPARATED, PULLING THE CV JOINT APART AND DAMAGING THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER. I MOVED A TOTAL OF THREE FEET.

NHTSA complaint #10433524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo V70 at 63,000 miles Enosburg Falls, VT

SUSPENSION:REAR

WE RECENTLY HEARD A LOUD "GROWL" COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. THE NOISE GREW FROM A SLIGHT WHINE TO A MODERATE GROWL AS WE HEADED HOME, A JOURNEY OF ~700 MILES. THE SHOP REPLACING THE BEARING STATED THEY HAD HAD A HUGE INCREASE IN VOLVO AWD REAR BEARINGS OF LATE. MODELS FROM '02 THROUGH 07 WITH MILEAGE OF 40-90,000 BEING ABNORMALLY AFFECTED. HAD THE BEARING BEEN ALLOWED TO GET WORSE, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN DEATHS. EVER SEEN A WHEEL FALL OFF AT 60 MPH?

NHTSA complaint #10218523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Volvo V70 Brea, CA

SUSPENSION

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SUSPENSION CONTINUED TO FRACTURE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ONCE EVERY YEAR. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED A PART WITHIN THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHICH PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10175249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Volvo V70 at 98,500 miles Crystal Lake, IL

SUSPENSION

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BROKE OFF AS A RESULT OF BALL JOINT BREAKING LEADING TO AN AXLE BREAK. ALSO DAMAGED WERE BUMPER AND FENDER WHEN HIT BY THE WHEEL BREAKING OFF. MY WIFE WAS LEAVING O'HARE AIRPORT AT AROUND 9:00 PM ON 6/27/06. WHEN CRUISING AT 20-30 MPH SHE HEARD A CRACKING NOISE AND THEN SUDDENLY THE CAR TURNED RIGHT. SHE STEPPED ON A BRAKE PEDAL TRYING NOT TO HIT CARS ON THE NEXT LINE. WHEN SHE STOPPED AND GET OUT OF THE CAR SHE REALIZED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF. IT WAS KEPT IN PLACE JUST BY THE SHOCK ABSORBER. SHE AND MY TWO SONS (AGE 3 AND 6) SPENT NEARLY TWO HOURS ON A HIGHWAY WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK TO COME. THE CAR HAS 5 YEARS AND 98,500 MILES ON IT. THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS ALREADY REPAIRED TWICE. ONCE 2 YEARS AGO AND THEN HALF A YEAR AFTER THAT. BEFORE THE ACCIDENT DESCRIBED ABOVE THERE WERE NO SIGNALS/NOISES THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY PROBLEMS WITH NEITHER THE WHEEL NOR THE SUSPENSION. THE CAR WAS ALWAYS DRIVEN ON NORMAL STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. NO OFF ROAD ADVENTURES OR REALLY BAD ROADS. I HAD MANY CARS IN MY LIFE BUT I'VE NEVER HAD SUCH A PROBLEM BEFORE. HOW CAN VOLVO CLAIM THAT THEY MAKE RELIABLE AND SAFE CARS WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENS? I SENT AN E-MAIL TO VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM. NOW I HAVE TO PAY OVER $2,500 IN REPAIR FEES ($1000 TO REPAIR BROKEN BALL JOINT AND AXLE PLUS ADDITIONAL $1500 TO REPAIR BUMPER AND FENDER). I DO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT, SURPRISE SURPRISE, THEY SAID THEY CAN ONLY COVER THE COST OF REPAIRING THE BALL JOINT. EVERYTHING ELSE, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS DAMAGED BECAUSE OF THE BALL JOINT, THEY WOULD NOT COVER. AND, OF COURSE, THE COST OF REPLACING THE BALL JOINT IS LESS THAN MY DEDUCTIBLE SO ... THEY WASHED THEIR HANDS.

NHTSA complaint #10162239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo V70 SUN City, AZ

SUSPENSION

2000 V70XCAW CROSS COUNTRY WAGON ETM SYSTEM FAILED. *TS THE AC HOSE COMPRESSOR CONDENSER WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GAS AND THE O-RING SEAL ON THE PUMP SENDER WAS REPLACED. THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WAS INOPERABLE WHEN TRYING TO USE THE MASTER CONTROLS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE SWITCH. THE ENGINE WOULD WHINE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHILE ACCELERATING. THE BATTERY, OIL PAN, UPPER TORQUE MOUNT, ANGLE GEAR, ROTORS, FUEL PUMP, FUEL TANK, FUEL SEAL AND STRUTS WERE ALL REPLACED. THE CV BOOT WAS LEAKING. THE TURBO CHARGER WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF AN OIL LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #10159455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Volvo V70 at 65,000 miles Edina, MN

SUSPENSION

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES TO HAVE THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER REPAIRS MADE. THE VEHICLE SURGES AND STUTTERS VIOLENTLY THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK THE DOOR LATCH WAS BROKEN. A LOOSE BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED. THE DRIVERS WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP. UPDATED 01/25/06.

NHTSA complaint #10146582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Volvo V70 at 57,431 miles Toronto Ontario, 00

SUSPENSION

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING VOLVO ELECTRONIC THROTTLE DEFECT. *TS UPDATED 11/7/2005 - WHILE DRIVING THE PERFORMANCE REDUCED LIGHT AND SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER AGREE TO REPLACED THE THROTTLE FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. DURING INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE FRONT CONTROL ARM AND UPPER SPRING SEAT BROKEN. THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED DUE TO A FAULTY HOSE CLAMP.

NHTSA complaint #10142138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo V70 Black Mountain, NC

SUSPENSION

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. *MR THE PROBLEM WAS SO-CALLED CORRECTED, BUT THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT PROBLEM RETURNED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER 4-5 TIMES TO CORRECT THE STEERING SAFETY ISSUE. ON THE LAST VISIT, THE LEFT FRONT MCPHERSON STRUT SPRING WAS CHANGED. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10089726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo V70 Buxton, NC

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

THE NUT SECURING THE FRONT CONTROL ARM TO THE SPINDLE MAY LOSE ITS INITIAL AXIAL TENSION WHICH COULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO GO OUT OF ALIGNMENT. *PH IT ALSO LEADS TO A POTENTIAL FRONT END NOISE. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL REGARDING THE NUT; HOWEVER, AS CONSUMER CALLED DEALER AND SAID THAT THEY CAN PERFORM REPAIRS AS PER AGREEMENT WITH NHTSA. CONSUMER IS JUST ASKING TO GET THE NUT AND LET A LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORM THE REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10066621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Volvo V70 at 21,000 miles South Harpswell, ME

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE DURING COLD WEATHER, THE DRIVER NOTICED A HESITATION WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND HEARD A SLIGHT "CRUNCHING" SOUND. AT A LATER DATE, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROX. 35-45 MPH ON A ROAD WITH HILLS (UP AND DOWN). WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE, THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED SAME HESITATION AND HEARD A HORRIBLE "PUNCHING" SOUND. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE ANOTHER VEHICLE RAPIDLY APPROACHED FROM THE REAR. THE OTHER VEHICLE HAD TO SWERVE SUDDENLY TO AVOID HITTING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER & PASSENGER HAD TO ROLL VEHICLE DOWN THE HILL AND CALL FOR HELP. DEALER EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT AXLE HAD PULLED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION (DUE TO A PIN THAT HAD BROKE). THE DEALER PERFORMED A TEMPORARY FIX BY BANGING AXLE BACK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO, DEALER FOUND THAT THE LEFT BALL JOINT WAS BROKEN (UNKNOWN WHEN THIS OCCURRED). DEALER LATER REPLACED ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. *MJJ CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS REGARDING SAFETY RELATED ISSUES ON VOLVO V70.

NHTSA complaint #10055370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Volvo V70 at 21,000 miles South Harpswell, ME

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE DURING COLD WEATHER, THE DRIVER NOTICED A HESITATION WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND HEARD A SLIGHT "CRUNCHING" SOUND. AT A LATER DATE, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROX. 35-45 MPH ON A ROAD WITH HILLS (UP AND DOWN). WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE, THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED SAME HESITATION AND HEARD A HORRIBLE "PUNCHING" SOUND. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE ANOTHER VEHICLE RAPIDLY APPROACHED FROM THE REAR. THE OTHER VEHICLE HAD TO SWERVE SUDDENLY TO AVOID HITTING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER & PASSENGER HAD TO ROLL VEHICLE DOWN THE HILL AND CALL FOR HELP. DEALER EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT AXLE HAD PULLED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION (DUE TO A PIN THAT HAD BROKE). THE DEALER PERFORMED A TEMPORARY FIX BY BANGING AXLE BACK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO, DEALER FOUND THAT THE LEFT BALL JOINT WAS BROKEN (UNKNOWN WHEN THIS OCCURRED). DEALER LATER REPLACED ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. *MJJ CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS REGARDING SAFETY RELATED ISSUES ON VOLVO V70.

NHTSA complaint #10055370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Volvo V70 Horse Shoe, NC

SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

STABILZER BAR ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BROKE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.

NHTSA complaint #8016724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Volvo V70 Basking Ridge, NJ

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

BOTH FRONT STRUTS WERE LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #563864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Volvo V70 Birmingham, AL

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:U-BOLT, LEAF SPRING TO AXLE

WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING U BOLT BROKE AND SHEARED OFF. VEHICLE WAS RIDING ROUGH. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8005601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Volvo V70 Basking Ridge, NJ

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

BOTH FRONT STRUTS WERE LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #563864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Volvo V70 Riverbank, CA

SUSPENSION

HEARD LOUD "KNOCKING" WHEN TURNING RIGHT AND LEFT, DECELERATING, AND ENTERING/EXITING PARKING LOTS. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES AND TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. IT WAS SIMPLY A VERY HEAVY CAR AND MIGHT MAKE THAT NOISE IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES. PROBLEM WORSENED. TOOK TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE FOUND BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS WHICH LEFT ENGINE SITTING ON TOP OF STEERING COLUMN. HE STATED IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS NOW DAMAGED THE STEERING AND POSSIBLY ALIGNMENT, SUSPENSION, ETC. ALSO NOTED THAT PLACEMENT OF ENGINE ON TOP OF STEERING COLUMN WILL PROBABLY CAUSE THE MOTOR MOUNTS TO BREAK AGAIN WITHIN SIX MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #753269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Volvo V70 Santa Cruz, CA Crash

SUSPENSION:REAR

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #752278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Volvo V70 problems