NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 221 owner complaints for the 2001 Volvo V70. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (61) and power train (45). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.
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.
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“I STARTED THE CAR, PLACED THE CAR IN DRIVE GEAR AND IDLED THROUGH THE PARKING LOT TRAFFIC TO THE INTERSECTION BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION THOUGH THE CONDITION RESTORED AFTER I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED IT. THEN THE ACCELERATOR FUNCTIONED NORMALLY.HAD A SEMI TRUCK BEEN COMING ALONG, I WOULD NOT BE HERE TO WRITE YOU THIS LETTER. *TR”
“WHEN I AM DRIVING IN 5TH GEAR THE TRANSMISSION WILL DROP INTO 4TH GEAR, AT THAT TIME I LOOSE 1ST, 3RD AND 5TH GEARS I CAN SHIFT BETWEEN 4TH AND 2ND. THE SHIFT IS VERY HARD AND CAUSES A JERK AND CLUNKING NOISE. I HAVE TO STOP AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. I TURN THE CAR IMMEDIATELY BACK ON AND ALL THE GEARS ARE FUNCTIONAL. I'M NOT SURE WHY THERE'S SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE YET NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN TO FIX THIS PROBLEM”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE MELTING AND BLACK SMOKE WAS EMERGING FROM THE SEATS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING SMELL EMERGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE CIRCUITS TO THE SEATS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V70 FWD Auto 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,800 | 423 |
| V70 FWD Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,800 | 423 |
| V70 FWD Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,800 | 423 |
| V70 FWD Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,000 | 444 |
| V70 FWD Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,000 | 444 |
| V70 FWD Auto 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,000 | 444 |
| V70 AWD Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
9 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 221 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (61), power train (45), electrical system (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Volvo V70 at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).