43 of the
515 complaints filed about the Volvo XC70
are about the electrical system —
8% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2004.
Description of Safety Problem:This complaint is a formal report of an open safety recall remedy failure under NHTSA Campaign 21V800 (Volvo Recall R10136). On 7/8/2026, an authorized manufacturer dealership (Volvo Cars Palo Alto) replaced the driver's airbag module on my 2007 Volvo XC70. Prior to this mandatory safety service, the vehicle's Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) network functioned flawlessly with no dashboard warning lights. Shortly after picking up the vehicle, the "SRS Service Urgent" hard fault was active. Dealership diagnostics confirmed that Controller Area Network (CAN) bus codes SRS-00E5 and SRS-00E7 are present, noting that the Upper Electrical Module (UEM) mirror has proper power and ground but is actively "interrupting the CAN signal." This technical diagnosis confirms a severe internal semiconductor short circuit within the mirror's data transceiver chip, likely induced by a voltage surge during the recall's battery handling or live-component swapping process. Because the driver's airbag and the UEM mirror communicate directly over the same high-speed CAN bus data highway, a technician's failure to electrically isolate the system could send an electrical surge that fried the peripheral mirror network link. The manufacturer is currently refusing to cover the damage, demanding over $2,000 for repairs, and forcing me to operate a vehicle with limited functioning airbags as a direct consequence of a federal safety recall.Crash/Injury/Fire: No.Speed at failure: 0 mph (occurred during dealership service).
NHTSA complaint #11750222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We have experienced three major defects with this vehicle. First and most concerning is the intermittent blackout of the driver's instrument panel (aka driver's information module, DIM). Second most conerning is the defect in the trailer lighting control module that leaves stop, running and signal lighting on our trailer unreliable. Both of these defects appear to be design or manufacturing defects that can be corrected by upgrading the relevent parts. The third defect is in the design of the traction control system that has no physical switch readily accessible to the driver for temporary use in emergency situations, but rather is buried in the MyCar software selection, labeled "Sport Mode." This design requres a driver to override the traction control during the entire driving session, leaving the car without traction control when it might be needed during the same inclement road conditions that would warrant momentary deactivation of the system. Ie, in icy conditions one would want traction control on most times, but not when starting on ice or mounting snow berms at driveway exits, etc.
NHTSA complaint #11509297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Transmission issues, shifting, stop bump. Headlight issues wiring and hid ballast. Engine Evap work done. Back drivers side seat belt locking mechanism faulty. Knocking clinging under carriage in suspension areas.
NHTSA complaint #11471592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE PROBLEMS INCLUDE DOOR LATCHES QUIT WORKING AND UNABLE TO SECURE DOORS WHEN VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, DOORS COULD LATCH BUT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE LOCKS WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND UNABLE TO DRIVE OR LEAVE THE VEHICLE IF THE DOORS ARE UNABLE TO ENGAGE. THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE MIRRORS FALLING/FLYING OFF THE MOUNT WHILE IN MOTION AND THEN SHATTERING ON THE ROAD WAY. WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY THE REAR DOOR NOT CATCHING WHEN FULLY OPEN AND AUTOMATICALLY CLOSES IN RAPID MOTION. THE AM RADIO TRANSMISSION/RECEPTION MOTOR STOPPING,
NHTSA complaint #11309652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS COMPLAINT IS FOR A 2004 VOLVO XC70. THIS CAR HAS SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ITS VARIOUS MODULES. WHEN DRIVING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THE CAR JERKED AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. AFTER THIS A WARNING LIGHT STATING "BRAKE FAILURE; PULL OVER SAFELY" ILLUMINATED. CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY IN FAST-MOVING TRAFFIC. GOT CAR TO A PARKING LOT AND WAITED ABOUT 30 MINUTES. CAR STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME, ALTHOUGH BEING ABOUT 50 MILES AWAY. CAR WENT IN TO LIMP MORE AGAIN DURING DRIVE AND LOST ALL DASH INDICATORS, INCLUDING TURN SIGNALS, SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER. LIGHT FOR "CHECK ENGINE" WAS ILLUMINATED. AFTER MECHANIC RESET CODES, HE STATED THAT IT MIGHT BE THE ECM OR TCM. I SENT OFF THE ECM FOR DIAGNOSIS AND IT CAME BACK WITHOUT ANY ERRORS. I THEN SENT OFF THE TCM AND LEARNED THAT IT NEEDED REPAIR. AFTER RECEIVING THE REPAIRED TCM UNIT, WE RE-INSTALLED AND CAR DROVE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. I TOOK THE CAR FOR A 6-HOUR ROUND TRIP DRIVE THIS PAST WEEKEND AND HAD ONE INCIDENT OF THE JERKING, BUT WITHOUT ANY OTHER ISSUES. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT IN THE DRIVE FOR AROUND 20 MINUTES, I TRIED STARTING IT ONLY TO GET ANOTHER "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT AND INOPERABLE DASH INDICATORS (SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TURN SIGNALS, ETC.). TOOK THE CAR TO A VOLVO DEALERSHIP TODAY FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO CONTACT OCCURRING WITH THEIR COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM. THEY RECOMMENDED A REPLACEMENT OF THE CEM AS A FIRST STEP WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM RESIDES IN THE THAT MODULE. THAT PART INSTALLED IS OVER $1,100. THIS IS MY FIFTH VOLVO, AND UNDOUBTEDLY, THE WORST YET. I AM CONSIDERING JUNKING IT AND LEAVING VOLVO IN MY PROVERBIAL REAR VIEW. IT IS ASTOUNDING THAT VOLVO HAS NOT OFFERED A RECALL AS THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZARD. PERHAPS IT TAKES PEOPLE DYING FOR CAR COMPANIES TO OWN UP TO FAULTY BUILDING.
NHTSA complaint #11104042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR LOCKS BY ITSELF AUTOMATICALLY WHEN KEY IS IN IGNITION AND YOU STEP AWAY FROM CAR LEAVING YOU LOCKED OUT. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THIS IS A "FEATURE" OF THIS CAR. AMONG ALL THE CARS I HAVE OWNED AND DRIVEN THIS IS THE ONLY THAT DOES THIS, VOLVO NEEDS TO CORRECT HIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11062323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AM RADIO QUIT WORKING SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I COMPLAINED TO VOLVO OF AMERICA AND I'VE LODGED A COMPLAINT PREVIOUSLY WITH NHTSA REGARDING THE SAFETY FACTOR WITH THE RADIO NOT LOCKING ONTO ANY AM STATION. IT IS MY CONCERN THAT IN THE EVENT OF A NATIONAL EMERGENCY I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE ALERT. I AM, ALSO, NOT ABLE TO TUNE TO LOCAL AREA STATION FOR EMERGENCY TRAFFIC REPORTS. MY VEHICLE, WITH THIS PROBLEM, IS NOT OF AN ISOLATED CONDITION. I HAVE CHECKED WITH A VOLVO DEALERSHIP AND THE PERSON HEARING OF MY PROBLEM STATED THAT IT IS A COMMON, AND EXPENSIVE, SITUATION THAT HAS PLAGUED VOLVO CARS. NUMEROUS STATEMENTS FROM FELLOW VOLVO OWNERS HAVE MADE THE SAME COMPLAINT ON COMPUTER WEBSITES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ASSISTANCE. THE DATE BELOW IS ONLY AN ESTIMATION OR A GUESS.
NHTSA complaint #10936118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE SIDE REAR L/R BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON ALL THE TIME CAUSING A SAFETY CONCERN, THE TOP CENTER LED BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUES TO WORK NORMALLY. TAPPING ON THE BRAKE LIGHT RELAYS INSTALLED IN THE REAR ELECTRONIC MODULE CAUSES THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO SHUT OFF. "RECALL CAMPAIGN NO.131 BRAKE LIGHT RELAY" NEEDS TO BE APPLIED TO 2004 MODELS AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10852893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE NEARLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS, INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE SRS, CHECK ENGINE, AND REAR DOOR CAR AJAR WARING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BATTERY WAS FLUSHED AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE VALET KEY NOT BE USED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE REAR DOOR MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CENTRAL ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 03/18/16
NHTSA complaint #10820973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS REPORT IS FOR MY 2004 VOLVO FOR WHICH I AM ORIGINAL OWNER AND ONLY HAS 35500 MILES. MY SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING YESTERDAY. I GOT THE FIRE OUT AND AM TOLD THAT THE SEAT WARMER DRIVER SIDE IS WHAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS OR DOES IT COME UNDER WARRANTY PERHAPS.
NHTSA complaint #10820651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,645.
NHTSA complaint #10724807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES IN 77F, SUNNY, DRY CONDITIONS, I'D COME OFF THE FREEWAY AND STOPPED FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS AT A LIGHT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. WHEN I STARTED MAKING THE LEFT, SOMEONE BLEW THROUGH THE RED LIGHT TO TURN RIGHT COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. I LET OFF THE THROTTLE BUT THE THROTTLE DID NOT RELEASE. I WAS GOING ABOUT 15-20MPH WITH THE ENGINE AROUND 2,000RPM IN, MOST LIKELY, THIRD GEAR. SINCE I WAS AT LOW SPEED, I PROMPTLY TRIED GENTLY TIPPING IN THE THROTTLE TO SEE IF I COULD CLOSE BUT IT DID NOT SO I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. THE MOTOR REVVED UP TO ABOUT 4,000RPM WHICH IS A NATURAL IDLE FOR THIS MOTOR IF THE TRANSMISSION IS IN GEAR AND THE MOTOR IS UNDER LOAD AT 2,000RPM. AFTER SEEING IT REV UP, I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE AND IT JERKED INTO GEAR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ON THROTTLE. SUDDENLY THE THROTTLE CUT AND IT RETURNED TO THE NORMAL PEDAL TRAVEL VS. ACCELERATION RESPONSE RELATION. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE CAR HAD CRUISE CONTROL ON. I COULD MAKE IT GO FASTER BUT THE MOTOR WOULDN'T ROTATE ANY SLOWER THAN ABOUT 2,000RPM.
NHTSA complaint #10714553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE IGNITION ASSEMBLY FAILED, IMMOBILIZING CAR. KEY WOULDN'T MOVE PAST "I" POSITION, PREVENTING IT FROM STARTING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND THE TRANSMISSION COULDN'T BE MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO VOLVO DEALER FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10678929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY WIFE'S 2005 VOLVO XC70 PROBLEM IS THAT PERIODICALLY WHEN YOU SHUT OFF THE CAR AND ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE KEY YOU CAN'T. THE CAR MAKES A NOISE LIKE IT CONTINUES TO RUN FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND SOMETIMES YOU CAN THEN REMOVE THE KEY. UNFORTUNATELY THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10640695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND THE ABS, ALTERNATOR, AND URGENT WARNING SYSTEM INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. DURING THE FAILURE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CENTRAL ELECTRICAL MODULE WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #10610333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ELECTRICAL POWER WAS RESTORED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,400.
NHTSA complaint #10578844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2007 VOLVO XC70. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. CONSUMER HAS ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE IN ARTEMIS WITH OTHER VEHICLES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BUMPER WAS TOO LOW, THE RADIO WOULD CUT OFF BY ITSELF, THE BACK-UP ASSIST DID NOT WORK, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DID NOT WORK TO THE CONSUMERS SATISFACTION, THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE CLEANED AND THE REAR TAILGATE LATCH DID NOT WORK. *JB THE CONSUMER ALSO WANTED TO KNOW, IF THERE WAS A HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE OLDSMOBILE AURORA, IN RELATIONS TO THE TRACTION CONTROL. UPDATED 06/5/14
NHTSA complaint #10575577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY MY GAS GAUGE DROPPED BELOW EMPTY AND ALL MY GAUGES STOPPED WORKING INCLUDING THE CLOCK, BLINKERS, SPEEDOMETER AND THE DIGITAL INFORMATION COMPUTER PANEL THAT INDICATES HOW MANY MILES LEFT TO A GALLON, ETC. THIS WAS QUITE DANGEROUS AS I COULD NO LONGER SEE THE SPEED OF TRAVEL, HOW MUCH GAS I HAD LEFT, THE TIME NOR COULD I USE MY BLINKERS TO INDICATE LANE CHANGES. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR INDICATION THAT THE SPEEDOMETER PANEL WOULD JUST DIE OUT!
NHTSA complaint #10510254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 ADD MY COMPLAINT FOR THIS AS WELL AS THE WIRE HARNESS I PAID SO MUCH FOR LAST YEAR. FOR A CAR THAT COSTS THIS MUCH AND MORE THAN 50% MORE TO MAINTENANCE THAN ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED IN 40YRS THESE KINDS OF FAILURES SHOULD NOT BE ABSORBED BY THE CONSUMER VOLVO SHOULD OFFER SOME KIND OF COMPENSATION TO HELP PROPERLY REPLACE THESE KINDS OF FAULTY SYSTEMS AND BEAR AT LEAST 1/2 THE COST.
NHTSA complaint #10494710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT RELEASE OR TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE IGNITION LOCK SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10482258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.