Problems · NHTSA complaints

2004 Volvo XC70 problems

Owners filed 106 complaints about the 2004 Volvo XC70 with NHTSA between Oct 2003 and Sep 2025. The most-cited component is fuel/propulsion system (26).

Complaints
106
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Fuel/propulsion system26
  2. Suspension17
  3. Electrical system14
  4. Fuel system, gasoline11
  5. Power train11
  6. Seats7
  7. Air bags6
  8. Engine3
  9. Seat belts3
  10. Vehicle speed control3
  11. Service brakes, hydraulic3
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  13. Visibility2
  14. Exterior lighting2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20031
20047
20052
20060
20076
20081
200912
201011
20119
20125
20134
20145
20157
201610
20176
20185
20192
20205
20210
20224
20231
20241
20252

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Fuel/propulsion system

26 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2025Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11687907

Suspension

17 reports
“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!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 20, 2017SuspensionODI 10990697

Electrical system

14 reports1 fire
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2018Electrical system, EngineODI 11104042

Fuel system, gasoline

11 reports1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL PUMP SEAL. THE MECHANIC LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO JIM FISHER VOLVO (2108 W BURNSIDE ST, PORTLAND, OR 97210) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A DISCOUNT TOWARDS THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 2, 2020Fuel system, gasolineODI 11377519

Power train

11 reports
“DURING ACCELERATION THE GEARING SLIPS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR CAUSING A VERY HARD SHIFT (DUE TO ENGINE ACCELERATION) WHEN THE 2ND GEAR ENGAGES. IT IS DANGEROUS AT TIMES IN ICE OR SNOW. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 1, 2012Power trainODI 10442012

Seats

7 reports4 fires
“My car kept getting a light for its coolant levels despite me filling it with proper coolant-I noticed a leak of coolant on the ground & upon getting it inspected from an independent service center, they told me the issue was my radiator so we got the part to fix it and a week later fixed the radiator and I didn’t get the light for coolant again. Although the independent service center told me that i actually had a fuel leakage due to my pump and described the issues I’ve been having with my car for a few months as signs to what problems this is causing, this meaning a funky fuel smell, my car struggling to fully turn on-needing multiple tries to actually fully turn on etc. this puts my safety at risk because fuel leakage is extremely dangerous for multiple reasons. Not inspected by manufacturer police or insurance reps. Other than the coolant light issue and the noticed continued leak after the coolant leakage was fixed. After looking into this issue online I found a recall notice from VOLVO and called them and they claimed my car wasn’t on this recall notice but my year and model is indeed listed and since im having the same problem as the recall listed its concerning me.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 8, 2025Seats, Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11665613
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.