Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2009 Volvo XC70Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints for the 2009 Volvo XC70. Most complaints involve wheels (4) and tires (3). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Jun 2020
Owner complaints
15
Top: wheels
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seat belts: front

Free remedy

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.

Seat beltsReported Jun 30, 2020NHTSA 20V378000

Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)

Free remedy

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

EquipmentReported Nov 8, 2010NHTSA 10V566000

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 5, 2006 THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2009 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE FMVSS LABEL, TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND A PAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL CONTAIN INCORRECT MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE INFLATION PRESSURE ACCORDING TO FMVSS 110.

EquipmentReported May 7, 2010NHTSA 10V190000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

15 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2009 – Dec 2025
  1. Wheels4
  2. Tires3
  3. Fuel/propulsion system2
  4. Steering2
  5. Electrical system2
  6. Visibility/wiper1
  7. Seat belts1
  8. Equipment adaptive/mobility1
  9. Service brakes1

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

By model year

Complaints for each XC70 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200324
2004106
200527
200618
200725
200839
200915
201015
201115
201214
20139
20142
20156
20167
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Wheels

4 reports
“TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FAILED. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS (4/14/14 AND 8/25/14) LOW PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE, THE STEMS DISINTEGRATED. TIRES WENT FLAT. REPLACED FLAT TIRE WITH SPARE AND DROVE TO LOCAL TIRE SHOP. THE TIRE SERVICE MECHANIC TOLD US THE REPLACEMENT PART IS THE EXACT SAME PART THAT CORRODED INITIALLY. CALLED VOLVO WITH NO SATISFACTORY RESPONSE. SAID IT WAS NOT ON ANY RECALL LIST. INFORMED THEM OF MY CONCERNS FOR A POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC SITUATION. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, FOUND THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TPMS SENOR. WHY NO RECALL? *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2014Tires, Wheels, Equipment adaptive/mobilityODI 10632524

Tires

3 reports
“TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. WHILE CHECKING THE TIRE AIR PRESSURE ROUTINELY, TWO SEPARATE TIRE VALVES BROKE OFF AND THE TIRES WENT FLAT IMMEDIATELY. VOLVO REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR ($100 PER VALVE AND PRESSURE MONITORING SENSOR). I REPLACED ALL 4 AT LOCAL TIRE SHOP. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM. WHAT IF THE VALVES BROKE OFF WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY? TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THE REPLACEMENT PARTS (VOLVO # 31302096 MADE IN FRANCE) ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AND HAVE NO CORROSION RESISTANCE OR RUBBER COVERING TO PROTECT THEM. VOLVO SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL ALL OF THESE WHEELS AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING VALVE STEMS AND SENSORS AND REPLACE THEM WITH CORROSION RESISTANT UNITS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2014Tires, WheelsODI 10606555

Fuel/propulsion system

2 reports
“VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AS IF IT IS NOT GETTING FUEL, STALLS AND SHUTS OFF. IT WILL RESTART AFTER SITTING FOR A WHILE BUT WILL ONLY GO A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE DOING IT AGAIN. FIRST OCCURENCE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH IN FAIRLY FAST MOVING TRAFFIC CREATING A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AND NOW WE DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 9, 2020Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11316997
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo · 3.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
XC70 AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152218$3,450494
XC70 AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152318$3,450494
  • XC70 AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    15 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • XC70 AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 23 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Volvo XC70 as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 5276
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 XC70 questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Volvo XC70 have?

5 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.

What are the most common 2009 Volvo XC70 problems?

Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are wheels (4), tires (3), fuel/propulsion system (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Volvo XC70 get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Volvo XC70 at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026