Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 2011 Volvo XC70 with NHTSA between 2011 and 2022.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 12 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 22
Against the median year of the Volvo XC70. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 57
11.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 57
33% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2011 Volvo XC70
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Other & Unspecified
211.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 18,759 mi
Doors, Latches & Locks
211.1%
Median failure at 6,900 miles
Seat Belts
211.1%
Median failure at 53,500 miles
Wheels
211.1%
Median failure at 52,000 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
211.1%
Body & Structure
211.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
211.1%
Median failure at 85,031 miles
Stability & Traction Control
15.6%
Median failure at 54,200 miles
Suspension
15.6%
Median failure at 54,200 miles
Brakes
15.6%
Median failure at 66,000 miles
Steering
15.6%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
325.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
216.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
650.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
18.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2011peak 3May 2022
Recalls on the 2011 Volvo XC70
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202029824,089 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
Issue: On certain vehicles, the flexible steel cable that attaches the seat belt to the outside of the front seats may weaken over time. As a result, the seat belt could detach. Safety Risk: A seat belt that detaches in a crash could create an increased risk of injury. Corrective Action: Volvo will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the front-outboard seat belt anchors.
Recall 20104161,087 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles, the engine and transmission software calibration is too sensitive. When the driver brakes during city driving, and/or releases the accelerator pedal, the engine idle speed may drop resulting in a sudden engine stall without any prior warning. Engine stalling could, in conjunction with traffic, road conditions and driver's reactions, increase the risk of a vehicle crash causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will update ECM and TCM software.
Recall 20103501,157 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, there may be an intermittent fault in the driver's airbag clockspring wiring connector for the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). If this condition occurs, the SRS lamp will be permanently lit and the message "AIRBAG SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED" will be displayed in the drivers information module. If the condition occurs while driving, and if the driver ignores the warning and an accident occurs where the deployment of the driver's airbag is required, the airbag may not deploy as intended or may not deploy at all. Correction: Fealers will install a metal shim in the airbag clockspring wiring connector.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 6,000 milesTucson, AZCrash1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON NOVEMBER 8, 2011, MS. JANICE CERVELLI SUSTAINED MINOR PERSONAL INJURIES AND SEVERE DAMAGE TO HER VEHICLE AS THE RESULT OF AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER MS. CERVELLI ACCIDENTLY BACKED INTO A UTILITY POLE IN THE PARKING AREA OF A PROFESSIONAL OFFICE PLAZA LOCATED AT 620 NORTH COUNTRY CLUB IN TUCSON, ARIZONA. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE LOW SPEED IMPACT WITH THE UTILITY POLE, MS. CERVELLI PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE QUICKLY ACCELERATED, AND SURGED FORWARD DESPITE THE FACT THAT MS. CERVELLI WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH ALL HER STRENGTH. MS. CERVELLI REPORTS THAT SHE COULD FEEL THE BRAKE PEDAL SURGING UNDER HER FOOT WHILE THE ENGINE RPMS CONTINUED TO RISE. THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE PARKING BARRIER, CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND RELATED SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD TO IMPACT THE PROFESSIONAL OFFICE BUILDING, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT QUARTER AND LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10437029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Newton, NJ
STEERING
The steering would randomly lock (or at least become very stiff). This occurred when the vehicle was warm and seemed to be mostly low speed sharper turns. Turning the wheel in the opposite direction freed it up. I replaced the steering rack to solve the problem.
NHTSA complaint #11463439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Liberty, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY
Front Passenger side door is opening while driving. Has happened numerous times in the last couple weeks
NHTSA complaint #11451853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Medway, MA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The windshield seal has failed causing rain water and melting snow and ice to come in the car and flow down the windshield and impair vision through the windshield. This has become a safety concern when driving in snow and rain. The water dripping down on the controls is also a safety concern and distraction while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11451398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield sealant is deteriorating and glass is no longer fully attached to frame. Water is coming directly in from openings along driver's side roof and pooling under pedals.
NHTSA complaint #11446438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lynchburg, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY
It started raining and then it started leaking into my car through my windshield because my windshield started become unsealed and unattached from the rest of my car. When I went to find out about this issue and how to get it fixed I was told by three different mechanics and auto shop workers and windshield glass professionals That they find this very common involve others and I feel that if it’s that big of a problem volvo should take responsibility for it. I didn’t have the money to replace my windshield but it was either that or let water leak into my car and grow mold or cause even bigger electrical issues.
NHTSA complaint #11439093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,519 milesAromas, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WINDSHIELD LEAKING. WATER ON CAR FLOOR. CAR WAS PARKED. WINDSHIELD LOOSE AT TOP. CAR WAS STATIONARY.
NHTSA complaint #11287511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,500 milesN. Scituate, RI
SEAT BELTS
WIFE WAS RIDING IN PASSENGER SEAT. WE HAD TAKEN HER CAR AND I WAS DRIVING. SUDDENLY THE SHOULDER HARNESS GOT TIGHT, SHE TRIED TO ROLL IT BACK TO RELEASE IT AS IS NORMAL BUT, IT STUCK HALFWAY OUT, TOO SHORT TO USE AND CANNOT BE EXTENDED. DEALER SAID IT WAS A BAD SEAT BELT RE TRACTOR. PRICE TO FIX $700. THIS IS THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT ON A 54K MILE CAR. IT RARELY GETS USED AS WIFE IS USUALLY THE DRIVER AN SOLE OCCUPANT. THAT BELT PROBABLY HASN'T BEEN USED 500 TIMES. CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW, NO CRASHES, WELL MAINTAINED. THIS SHOULD NEVER FAIL, LET ALONE WITH HARDLY ANY USE. AT THE TIME OF HAPPENING I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. . WE WERE ON AN HOUR'S DRIVE, RETURNING FROM RELATIVES HOUSE.
NHTSA complaint #11194254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,200 milesN. Scituate, RI
SUSPENSION
THIS CAR HAS ONLY 54K MILES! AND IS DRIVEN BY A SENIOR CITIZEN LADY, BOUGHT NEW, NO CRASHES ETC. 1. ABS AND DTSC WARNING APPEARS ON DASH. CAR TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH AND STOPS IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION, ENGINE STILL RUNNING, WILL NOT MOVE DESPITE FLOORING ACCELERATOR. IT'S AS THOUGHT THE ABS HAS APPLIED THE BRAKES AND WONT LET THE CAR MOVE. TAP BRAKES, MOVE SHIFT TO MANUAL MODE AFTER NOT MOVING FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS CAR FREES UP AND DRIVES NORMALLY BUT ABS/DTSC LIGHTS STILL ON. WENT STRAIGHT TO DEALER, WHICH WAS NEARBY. DEALER SAYS REAR ABS SENSOR IS BAD WILL ORDER PART. 2. ALSO INFORMS ME THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAS BROKEN???. WHAT? IT'S 54K MILES!... IT HASN'T HIT ANYTHING AND SHE HAS NEVER DRIVEN FASTER THAN 65 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #11194253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,200 milesN. Scituate, RI
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THIS CAR HAS ONLY 54K MILES! AND IS DRIVEN BY A SENIOR CITIZEN LADY, BOUGHT NEW, NO CRASHES ETC. 1. ABS AND DTSC WARNING APPEARS ON DASH. CAR TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH AND STOPS IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION, ENGINE STILL RUNNING, WILL NOT MOVE DESPITE FLOORING ACCELERATOR. IT'S AS THOUGHT THE ABS HAS APPLIED THE BRAKES AND WONT LET THE CAR MOVE. TAP BRAKES, MOVE SHIFT TO MANUAL MODE AFTER NOT MOVING FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS CAR FREES UP AND DRIVES NORMALLY BUT ABS/DTSC LIGHTS STILL ON. WENT STRAIGHT TO DEALER, WHICH WAS NEARBY. DEALER SAYS REAR ABS SENSOR IS BAD WILL ORDER PART. 2. ALSO INFORMS ME THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAS BROKEN???. WHAT? IT'S 54K MILES!... IT HASN'T HIT ANYTHING AND SHE HAS NEVER DRIVEN FASTER THAN 65 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #11194253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,063 milesValhalla, NY
POWER TRAIN
"TAKATA RECALL" AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ARE JERKY. I TOOK INTO VOLVO SERVICE WHITE PLAINS NY. THEY FOUND ERROR CODE TCM-P074468 AND RESET. THEY TOLD ME IF PROBLEM PERSISTS I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE IS IN GREAT CONDITION AND WELL MAINTAINED WITH 104063 MILES. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. I THEN DID FURTHER RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MY VECHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THAT SAME PROBLEM AND ERROR MESSAGE. BUT MY VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. VOLVO IS NOT ACKNOWLEGING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. I'VE ENCLOSED MY VEHICLE SERVICE INVOICE WHICH SHOWS THE CODE AND THE RECALL LETTER FROM VOLVO SHOWING THE SAME CODE. PLEASE ADVISE, THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11155873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laingsburg, MI
SEAT BELTS
I RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE, 119,600 MILES, AND NOTED I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT LATCH NOT ALWAYS RELEASING PROPERLY. THE DEALER CONTACTED VOLVO ABOUT IT AND WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT LATCH.
NHTSA complaint #11062405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesHuntsville, AL
POWER TRAIN
THE CAR MAKES A LOUD ROARING SOUND AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS "PROBABLY THE TIRES" BUT DOING SOME RESEARCH THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND ADD TO THIS IT RANDOMLY DOWNSHIFTS WHILE BRAKING (OR MAYBE IT IS THE BRAKES) WHEN COMING TO A STOP WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO LOSE CONTROL ON A SNOW/ICE/SLIPPERY SITUATION, THIS HAPPENS AT A SLOWER SPEED AND ONLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT ABOUT 10-15 MPH. I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OUT ON THE INTERNET AND NO REAL SOLUTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #11025157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesHuntsville, AL
WHEELS
THE CAR MAKES A LOUD ROARING SOUND AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS "PROBABLY THE TIRES" BUT DOING SOME RESEARCH THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND ADD TO THIS IT RANDOMLY DOWNSHIFTS WHILE BRAKING (OR MAYBE IT IS THE BRAKES) WHEN COMING TO A STOP WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO LOSE CONTROL ON A SNOW/ICE/SLIPPERY SITUATION, THIS HAPPENS AT A SLOWER SPEED AND ONLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT ABOUT 10-15 MPH. I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OUT ON THE INTERNET AND NO REAL SOLUTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #11025157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesHuntsville, AL
SERVICE BRAKES
THE CAR MAKES A LOUD ROARING SOUND AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS "PROBABLY THE TIRES" BUT DOING SOME RESEARCH THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND ADD TO THIS IT RANDOMLY DOWNSHIFTS WHILE BRAKING (OR MAYBE IT IS THE BRAKES) WHEN COMING TO A STOP WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO LOSE CONTROL ON A SNOW/ICE/SLIPPERY SITUATION, THIS HAPPENS AT A SLOWER SPEED AND ONLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT ABOUT 10-15 MPH. I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OUT ON THE INTERNET AND NO REAL SOLUTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #11025157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesSwampscott, MA
WHEELS
WENT TO THE LOCAL SERVICE STATION ABOUT A LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING. THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT CONTINENTAL AND MICHELIN TIRES HAVE HAD AN ISSUE OF TIRE ROT. THE AIR COMES RIGHT THROUGH THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRES. HE RECOMMENDED NEW TIRES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HE ALSO RECOMMENDED AND AMERICAN MANUFACTURED IN THE USA.
NHTSA complaint #10874270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesTucson, AZCrash1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON NOVEMBER 8, 2011, MS. JANICE CERVELLI SUSTAINED MINOR PERSONAL INJURIES AND SEVERE DAMAGE TO HER VEHICLE AS THE RESULT OF AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER MS. CERVELLI ACCIDENTLY BACKED INTO A UTILITY POLE IN THE PARKING AREA OF A PROFESSIONAL OFFICE PLAZA LOCATED AT 620 NORTH COUNTRY CLUB IN TUCSON, ARIZONA. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE LOW SPEED IMPACT WITH THE UTILITY POLE, MS. CERVELLI PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE QUICKLY ACCELERATED, AND SURGED FORWARD DESPITE THE FACT THAT MS. CERVELLI WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH ALL HER STRENGTH. MS. CERVELLI REPORTS THAT SHE COULD FEEL THE BRAKE PEDAL SURGING UNDER HER FOOT WHILE THE ENGINE RPMS CONTINUED TO RISE. THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE PARKING BARRIER, CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND RELATED SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD TO IMPACT THE PROFESSIONAL OFFICE BUILDING, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT QUARTER AND LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10437029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,900 milesRobbinsville, NC
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
BACK DOOR LATCH IS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10421605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,900 milesRobbinsville, NC
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
BACK DOOR LATCH IS DEFECTIVE
NHTSA complaint #10421608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.