NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 106 owner complaints for the 2004 Volvo XC70. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (26) and suspension (17). The EPA rates it 19 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 own a 2004 Volvo XC70 that is experiencing the same fuel pump defect described in Recall R220 / NHTSA Campaign 09V483000 (fuel pump leak). My vehicle exhibits fuel system problems consistent with the recall description. However, my VIN is not included in the current recall population. When I contacted Volvo, I was told my case (ID #250827-000998) was escalated to corporate, but I was later informed that no goodwill assistance would be provided because my VIN is not covered. I specifically requested written confirmation of this determination. This defect poses a safety risk that aligns with the existing recall, and I believe additional vehicles outside the current VIN range may be affected. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether the recall should be expanded to include vehicles like mine.”
“I WAS DEPARTING MY HOME VILLAGE ABOUT A BLOCK FROM MY HOME AND I HEARD A LOUD BANG IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AT ABOUT 15 MPH!! NO BUMP.. NOTHING! I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS ISSUE AT THE INITIAL LOOK AND I DROVE ANOTHER QUARTER MILE AND HEARD A SLIGHT GRIND OR NOISE ON SMALL BUMPS... THEN A CLANK. I BACKED UP AND THERE WAS A PIECE OF THE COIL SPRING ON THE ROAD!!!! THE FRONT LEFT - DRIVERS SIDE - COIL SPRING SNAPPED IN TWO. AT 101,000 MILES. THE CLEAN BREAK AND NO RUST OR UNUSUAL CORROSION INDICATES A FAULTY METAL. HOW CAN I TRUST THE VOLVO XC AGAIN!! SAFETY AND VOLVO ARE NO LONGER WORDS THAT SHOULD BE USED TOGETHER. MY COMPLAINTS TO VOLVO AMERICA WERE RESPONDED TO WITH NO CONSIDERATION TO THE MAGNITUDE OF THE ISSUE. VOLVO DID NOT STAND BEHIND THE OBVIOUS FLAW IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE VEHICLE. MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA AND ONLINE FORUMS INDICATE A COMMON ISSUE WITH VOLVO XC SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS. SO DANGEROUS!”
“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…”
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XC70 AWD Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,050 | 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 |
4 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 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 106 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (26), suspension (17), electrical system (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2004 Volvo XC70 at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).