Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2010 Volvo XC70Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints for the 2010 Volvo XC70. Most complaints involve wheels (4) and power train (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

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 S80, XC70, MODEL YEAR 2011 XC60 AND MODEL YEAR 2010 V70 VEHICLES. THERE MAY BE AN INTERMITTENT FAULT IN THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM.

Air bagsReported Oct 13, 2010NHTSA 10V489000
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 · Apr 2010 – Nov 2023
  1. Wheels4
  2. Power train3
  3. Engine2
  4. Equipment2
  5. Seat belts1
  6. Visibility/wiper1
  7. Latches/locks/linkages1
  8. Tires1
  9. Air bags1

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
1
Injuries reported
1
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
“THERE IS A VOLVO RECALL 226 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #10V190000) TO REPLACE AN INCORRECT FMVSS LABEL THAT SHOWS TIRE PRESSURE OF 33 PSI AND TO REPLACE A PAGE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL THAT SHOWS THE PRESSURE SHOULD BE 35 PSI. THE CORRECT PRESSURE IS 36 PSI. THIS IS INFORMATION IS ALSO CONTAINED IN A LETTER FROM VOLVO TO NHTSA DATED 4 MAY 2010 (10V-190 3 PAGES). ACCORDING TO VOLVO, OUR XC70 (MFD 8/09) IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL. HOWEVER, THE TIRE PRESSURE ON THE FMVSS LABEL AND LISTED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL MATCH THE INFORMATION IN THE RECALL. SINCE THE INFORMATION ON THE FMVSS LABEL DOES NOT MATCH WHAT IS LISTED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR OUR XC70, VOLVO NEEDS TO 1) INCLUDE OUR XC70 IN THE RECALL OR; 2) ISSUE A NEW RECALL OR; 3) INFORM US HOW THE TWO DIFFERENT PRESSURES (ON THE FMVSS LABEL AND OWNERS MANUAL) ARE CORRECT. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2014WheelsODI 10585438

Power train

3 reports
“The contact owns a 2010 Volvo XC70. The contact stated that the rear differential was making an abnormal sound. The bearings were spalling metal into the gears. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2022Power trainODI 11450730

Engine

2 reports1 fire
“OUR CAR HAS ABOUT 93,000 MILES ON IT. BEGINNING AT 60,000 MILES, THE CAR BEGAN TO USE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE LOW OIL INDICATOR COMES ON AND WE NEED TO ADD ONE OR MORE QUARTS OF OIL AT EACH 3,000 TO 3,500 MILES. THE CAR DEALER TELLS US IT IS "NORMAL" FOR SOME CARS TO USE THIS AMOUNT OF OIL AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. I NOTICED A RECALL NOTICETSB #TJ30021 COVERED SOME 2011 VOLVO XC 70S FOR OIL LOSS. WHY DOES IT NOT COVER THE 2010 CARS? THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE? I HAVE RECORDS FOR MY OIL CHANGES FROM THE CAR DEALERSHIP.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 29, 2016EngineODI 10928614
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
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 · All-Wheel Drive
162118$3,450494
XC70 AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · All-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
  • XC70 AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • XC70 AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    16 city · 22 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 2010 Volvo XC70 as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 5517
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

2010 XC70 questions

How many recalls does the 2010 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 2010 Volvo XC70 problems?

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

What MPG does the 2010 Volvo XC70 get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Volvo XC70 at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026