NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 89 owner complaints for the 2004 Volvo V70. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (22) and electrical system (12). The EPA rates it 19–22 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.
“DRIVING HOME FROM DETROIT TO INDIANAPOLIS ON HIGHWAY... CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN WENT OUT A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD... LATER CAME ON AGAIN... ENGINE WAS RUNNING FINE... THEN SUDDEN POWER LOSS....ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED... COASTED TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY WITH NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES... RESTARTED ENGINE... ENGINE RAN WELL ENOUGH TO GET ME TO NEXT EXIT BEFORE LOSING POWER AGAIN... THIS TIME IT WOULDN'T RUN WELL ENOUGH TO DRIVE IT AFTER RESTARTING.... AFTER EXPENSIVE TRIP TO DEALER FOR REPAIR, FOUND OUT ISSUE WAS A FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR THAT FAILED... THIS IS KIND OF LIKE HAVING YOUR CAR LOSE POWER AND STOP RUNNING BECAUSE YOUR COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED... ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SHOULD NOT SHUT CAR OFF IN RESPONSE TO THIS FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR FAIL... THIS GAUGE IS USED TO OPTIMIZE FUEL CONSUMPTION... IT'S NOT A PRESSURE REGULATOR... UNEXPECTED AND COMPLETE POWER LOSS ON A HIGHWAY CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS... ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SHOULD NOT BE PROGRAMMED IN THIS WAY... *TR”
“AFTER INVESTIGATION, I DISCOVERED THAT USED VEHICLE JUST PURCHASED (2004 VOLVO V70) HAD A BAD REM MODULE; RENDERING FUEL GAUGE, REAR DOOR LOCKS, FUEL DOOR LATCH, AND HATCHBACK LOCK INOPERATIVE. THE REAR HATCHBACK HAS NO MANUAL METHOD TO LOCK IT; MAKING VEHICLE UNSECURABLE. INVESTIGATION ONLINE INDICATES THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. DEALER WANTS AROUND $200 TO UPDATE SOFTWARE TO FIX PROBLEMS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, SINCE AT LEAST TWO CRITICAL ITEMS (HATCHBACK AND FUEL DOOR LATCHES) DEPEND ON FUNCTIONING REM TO SECURE THEM. I BELIEVE THESE ITEMS SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDLESS OF AGE.”
“WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN, THERE IS OFTEN A LOSS OF POWER AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD FOR UP TO 5 TO 10 SECONDS. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL ALREADY BUT MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE WITH MY VIN IS NOT COVERED. HOWEVER OUR VEHICLE IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING AS THE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I HAVE SPOKEN TO VOLVO BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNWILLING TO WORK WITH US TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. I FEEL AS THOUGH THE PREVIOUS RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED BUT I AM UNSURE. THANK YOU *TR”
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 | 28 | 22 | $3,600 | 404 |
| V70 FWD Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,600 | 404 |
| V70 FWD Auto 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,800 | 423 |
| V70 AWD Auto 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,000 | 444 |
| V70 FWD Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | $4,000 | 444 |
| V70 FWD Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| V70 R AWD Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| V70 R AWD Man 6-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 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 |
6 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 89 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (22), electrical system (12), fuel system, gasoline (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2004 Volvo V70 at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).