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2001 Volvo XC70 problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Volvo XC70 is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 96,000 miles. It has 3.7 times the complaints of a typical XC70 model year.

Year to avoid3.7x the typical complaints
Year score
25/100
Owner complaints
66
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
169
Worst area
Transmission
Typical repair
$1,000

The worst 2001 Volvo XC70 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Volvo XC70

Stalling 16Loss of power 11Transmission failure 7Jerking 6Coil spring 5Slipping 5

Recalls 5

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported October 14, 2021 · 194,546 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1‑888‑458‑1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10136.

Recall number 21V800000 · Recall details

Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)Reported November 8, 2010 · 416 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Risk
An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
Remedy
Volvo advises owners to please stop using the garmin portable GPS device immediately, and visit the garmin website to determine if their unit is affected. The unit's battery will be replaced with a new battery and a spacer will be inserted on top of the battery next to the pcb. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 18, 2010. Owners may contact garmin at 866‑957‑1981 or visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.

Recall number 10V566000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported December 18, 2009 · 158,733 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If the condition occurs vehicle owners may notice fuel smell and/or fuel leak which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the fuel pump installed in the vehicle, and if necessary replace the fuel pump with a part of a modified design. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on january 15, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1‑800‑458‑1552.

Recall number 09V483000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported November 15, 2006 · 170,099 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing, and/or inefficient software calibration may cause a warning lamp to light and the subsequent onset of limp home modes.
Risk
This resulted in a high number of vehicles going into the limp home mode without need.
Remedy
Dealers will install the current software upgrade onto the involved vehicles. The recall began on december 29, 2006. Owners may contact volvo at 1‑800‑458‑1552.

Recall number 06V441000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported August 1, 2003 · 220,407 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain passenger cars fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the second isofix guide was not installed in these vehicles and, in certain cases, the owner's manual isofix information is incorrect.
Risk
This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Remedy
Owners will receive a letter/package consisting of the second isofix guide with installation instructions, and in certain cases, the corrected owner's manual may be provided. If the owner wants to take their vehicle to a volvo dealer for installation of the guide, it will be performed at no charge to the owner. Owner notification began on december 19, 2003. Owners should contact volvo at 1‑800‑458‑1552.

Recall number 03V284000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2001 Volvo XC70

Defect investigations

Throttle control malfunctionOpened December 6, 2005, closed December 12, 2006

On november 14, 2006 volvo submitted a defect information report to the federal safety agency concerning etm failures in model year (my) 1999 through 2001 volvo models (not including the s40 and v40), my 2002 s60 and v70 with naturally aspirated engines and my 2002 v70s.according to volvo, ?a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing and/or inefficient software calibration may cause a warning lamp to light and the subsequent onset of limp home modes.volvo further stated that,this resulted in a high number of these vehicles going into limp home mode without need.?volvo indicated that this was the most severe consequence of an etm fault in the subject vehicles.the recall remedy is a software upgrade introduced by volvo on march 16, 2006 in a customer satisfaction program.at the time of the notification 161,202 vehicles of the population of 331,301 had already had the software uploaded and were therefore not included in the population count of the recall. Odi?s analysis of complaints to odi and volvo, volvo field reports and warranty data found that etm failure could result in (1) engine stall; (2) mechanical limp mode; (3) lunging forward during low-speed driving maneuvers; and (4) faltering during high speed merges or when crossing traffic.odi identified 12 crashes related to etm failure, with 6 caused by lunging incidents, 3 caused by stalling incidents, 2 caused by mechanical limp mode and 1 from the faltering condition.odi's analysis of complaint data and information obtained from consumer interviews identified 1,289 incidents with safety related consequences (389.1 per 100,000 vehicles), including 479 involving engine stall (144.6 per 100,000 vehicles) and 729 involving mechanical limp mode (220.0 per 100,000 vehicles).odi's analysis of warranty claim narrative text shows at least 14,965 warranty claims with codes indicating an etm fault resulting in vehicle operation in mechanical limp mode (4.5% of the subject vehicles). Volvo?s recall addresses odi?s safety concerns with etm failures.odi will continue to monitor the subject vehicles to determine if additional action is required.this engineering analysis is closed.

EA05021

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Volvo XC70 169

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 169 bulletins for the 2001 Volvo XC70

What 2001 Volvo XC70 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 10, 2017 · Acceleration, Engine · 105,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo xc70. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle independently stopped. The vehicle was able to restart; however, it shook violently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (mitchell volvo cars of simsbury 384 hopmeadow street, simsbury, ct 06070) where it was diagnosed that the throttle module needed an update. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer sent an electrical specialist to the local dealer to properly diagnose the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Filed Aug 17, 2016 · Body · 174,810 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo xc70. The contact stated that the hatchback did not open without electricity. When the vehicle's battery failed, the contact was unable to open the hatch. The contact also stated that there was no handle or any means to unlock the hatch from outside or inside the vehicle without power, making it a death trap in an emergency situation for those seated in the back rows. The contact made the manufacturer aware of the failure and was informed that his concern would be noted. The failure mileage was 174,810. Updated 01/10/2017

Filed Jan 25, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 124,500 miles · OH

This 2001 volvo xc70 has never failed to start until this occurrence when attempted to start it chugged horribly & engine failure & engine system service urgent code appeared the car died & repeated attempts to star it failed diagnosis reveals a non-service listed issue as we have always had this car properly serviced promptly as needed. The issue is a "throttle body failure". According to the volvo service shop this will cost me $800 to $1000 to fix!! Last january I had to purchase a wire harness for this car that was $1400!! I have read many complaints on this throttle body issue and wish to add my complaint for this as well as the wire harness I paid so much for last year. For a car that costs this much and more than 50% more to maintenance than any other vehicle I have owned in 40yrs these kinds of failures should not be absorbed by the consumer volvo should offer some kind of compensation to help properly replace these kinds of faulty systems and bear at least 1/2 the cost.

Filed Feb 1, 2012 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo xc70. The contact was driving 35 MPH when the vehicle failed to shift gears properly. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage was 103,000. Updated 02/22/12 *bf the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer on 02/04/11. She mentioned the failure of the gears not shifting properly and the dealer performed a software download, which did not fix the problem. The consumer went back to the dealer eight months later for the 9,500 maintenance service and the problem was mentioned again. Finally at 103,000 on jan 31, 2012 the transmission was replaced with a re-manufactured one. Updated 03/01/12

Filed Dec 18, 2011 · Transmission · 94,000 miles · NJ

The transmission is slipping between gears 2-3 and 3-4. Mechanics recommends transmission replacement. Car has 94,000 miles. This is a family car and not driven hard. I've had 3 cars over hundred thousand miles and this is the first time I've had a transmission failure on the most expensive care I've owned.

Filed Jul 6, 2011 · Transmission · 142,000 miles · CA

Normal driving, at approximately 142,000 miles transmission service required light came on after transmission began slipping and "clunking". Transmission failure on 2001 volvo xc70. $4,000+ repair, common to the 2001 xc70 model.

Filed Jun 22, 2011 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo xc70. The contact stated that when attempting to drive in reverse, the vehicle would shift into drive and accelerate forward. The dealer nor manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 95,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed May 12, 2011 · Transmission · 129,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo xc70. The contact stated that the vehicle would exhibit a loud, abnormal noise when shifting gears. The noise would also occur while the vehicle downshifted and sporadically, would not accelerate over 45 MPH. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 129,000.

Filed May 9, 2011 · Suspension · 87,000 miles · NY

My 2001 volvo xc70 wagon had the coil spring snap on the driver's side front side. My wife was driving when she heard a loud noise in the front end of the vehicle. I have checked online at volvo repair sites and it appears this is a fairly common problem with this model car. It is a great concern to me as believe it is a potentially serious safety issue since the broken spring a directly above the front tire, which could cause it to puncture at high speed driving. Could you please investigate this issue and hopefully avoid someone having this happen, causing a punctured tire and potential serious accident. If possible could you let me know if this is a wide spread problem that volvo should be made aware of. Thank you!

Filed May 6, 2011 · Transmission · 124,000 miles · NC

The failure just began at around 100k miles, no specific event. The car lurches when I am pulling into a parking space after I have brought it to a complete stop. Car jerks while down shifting into right hand turns. Car jerks at intersections while slowing down and/or accelerating. I am afraid it is going to jerk forward and hit something that I, as a driver, should not be at risk of hitting. This jerking began intermittently and the car would run more smoothly on the streets after a highway trip of some distance, but now it happens almost constantly and the jerking is more severe. To correct the failure, I saw volvo and asked them to make sure the software pkg was up to date - they assured it was. A year later I returned as the problem had worsened, volvo wanted to flush my transmission - I declined and went to a local transmission specialist who identified the problem as a hydraulic and electrical malfunction. I have just agreed to have the problem fixed, and if necessary have the entire transmission rebuilt.

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Questions about the 2001 Volvo XC70

Is the 2001 Volvo XC70 reliable?

Owners have filed 66 complaints about the 2001 Volvo XC70, 3.7 times a typical XC70 model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2001 Volvo XC70 year score?

The 2001 Volvo XC70 scores 25 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volvo XC70: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Volvo XC70?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 21 complaints, typically around 96,000 miles. Next is acceleration (15).

How many recalls does the 2001 Volvo XC70 have?

5 recalls, covering air bags, equipment and fuel system, gasoline.

What year does the Volvo XC70 have bad transmission?

The Volvo XC70 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2001 (21 complaints), 2002 (14 complaints) and 2004 (11 complaints).

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