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2005 Volvo XC70 problems

The most common problem on the 2005 Volvo XC70 is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 120,000 miles. It has 1.5 times the complaints of a typical XC70 model year.

Typical year1.5x the typical complaints
Year score
57/100
Owner complaints
27
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
181
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
19mpg

The worst 2005 Volvo XC70 problems

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

  • Transmission
    8
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Electrical
    3
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Airbags
    2

Problems by type

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

  • Transmission
    8
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Electrical
    3
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Suspension
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Engine
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Tires
    1

Recalls 2

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

See all 2 recalls for the 2005 Volvo XC70

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Volvo XC70 181

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

See all 181 bulletins for the 2005 Volvo XC70

2005 Volvo XC70 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 5‑cyl4WD162219

What 2005 Volvo XC70 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 2, 2022 · Airbags · OR

The contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC70. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V800000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Dec 20, 2021 · Airbags · IL

The contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC70. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V800000 ( Air Bag ) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable till approximately 2 weeks to 2 months. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle was displaying a warning message that stated "Safety Check," however, they were not sure if it was or was not directly related to the air bags. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000. Vin tool confirms parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Dec 6, 2018 · 165 miles · NM

My check engine light flashed while driving on tuesday november 20th at about 4:45pm. I was nearest my local mechanic shop (eldorado automotive) and the tech plugged in the computer gadget that reads what is happening and told me a housing under the hood needed to be removed to investigate further. I took the car in the next morning and found out the my timing belt was about 1/2 shredded and ready to break at any moment. I was told I couldn't drive it and that the repairs would not be completed until tuesday november 27 following the thanksgiving holiday. I have a 2005 wagon and the timing belt was replaced by volvo at 125k. The car now has 165k miles. I was very lucky that I did not have a catastrophic failure and a ruined engine. It was just coincidence that this unrelated issue required a more thorough investigation of the housing where the timing belt is. Timing belts are not warrantied by the volvo 2015 lifetime warranty plan (no surprise there) but an average belt lasts upwards of 100k miles and is recommended to be replaced at/near that time. I have all documents showing when the belt was replaced and yet volvo is not standing behind this product. I don't see any grey area here. This could in no way be something that was done by me. It looks as though the local volvo dealer either did not install the belt at 125k or it was clearly a faulty unit. I submitted a claim to volvo corporate for reimbursement and was denied. I have requested a written accounting of why the claim was denied. I have been unable to speak with anyone other than a customer service rep who has zero authority to do anything. I have also requested names of the persons in management who made the decision. Feels like a huge safety risk. Thanks in advance for your help.

Filed Oct 25, 2017 · Tires · 115,000 miles · FL

Tire info primewell valera touring 215/65/r16 98h made in china. Dot #5wa6 00a 4813 in march 2016 I got a new/used certified car from a dealer in orlando fl the car came with new tires. Not sure where the tires were sold/installed, but after I drove about 11 000 miles, one of the rear tire starts to lose pressure about 1 psi/day. On 8/14/2016 I took the car to local tire plus store in gainesville fl for inspection address: 2605 sw 34th st, gainesville, fl 32608, phone: (352) 231-8422-the technician checked the tire and said it is fine and some air loss is normal-even I told him that only one tire does that and I have to pump air every week to prevent running flat. One month later 10/16/2017 on the highway going 70mph I suddenly I felt an explosion/strong vibration and lost control. The road was clear I did not hit any debris that can affect the tires. I was lucky there was no other cars around me, so I could pull on the shoulder safely. The police officer(collins)car that stopped to see if I am ok ,saw the tire and told me it was defective and I was lucky to be alive since the defective tire was on the back not on the front and traffic was light. I discovered the same rear tire I had problems with before exploded, lost part of the tread due to the break of internal steel belt . I changed the tire with the reserve and I took the car again to tire plus store for replacement. The technician recognized the tire is defective but refused to replaced because it was not on the last recall from primaewell .(17t-013) so I had to pay over $190 for a new pair tire since the car is awd and cannot have different tire and store do not sell anymore this brand(wander why?) probably more of this primewell valera touring tires are defective not only those listed on the recall, chinese manufacturing is famous for killing consumers with american business complicity-this is another such case.. I am concerned that other 2 similar tires still on my car today and I fear they will explode

Filed Aug 22, 2016 · Fuel system · NY

Egnission turns but turns off after a half second after turning key to start car. Half tank still won't start. It was parked and trying to start car. The day before the car was in park and in park with AC runing and car was making noise as shuttering or going in and out of gears. Code reads fule pump modal

Filed Oct 7, 2015 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · MA

The awd system is not working. The vehicle was to spin the front wheels constantly. Also traveling on the highway, the vehicle wants to drift into the other lanes on its own. Dealer tells me it is the angle gear sleeve on the transfer case or the transfer case gear. To me its obvious that volvo designed the part to fail. How can gear that is sealed fail with normal use? So the repair will could cost up to $3600. After doing some research on the web. This is so common its ridicules. Never buy a volvo again. I bought this car to have a safe awd. Oh it s safe... As long as its in your driveway.

Filed Oct 3, 2015 · Engine · 800,000 miles · CA

Car occasionally looses power or stall when driving on high way, check engine light on and off. Symptoms off and on. Dangerous driving on freeway because it lost power for 2 seconds then regain more power in accelerating speed. It had recalled no 181 on 2004 model, mine is 2005 sold on 2005 january. The report describes as fuel sensor problem

Filed Oct 2, 2014 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · IL

My wife's 2005 volvo xc70 problem is that periodically when you shut off the car and attempt to remove the key you can't. The car makes a noise like it continues to run for several minutes and sometimes you can then remove the key. Unfortunately this problem is happening more frequently.

Filed Sep 24, 2014 · Steering, Transmission · NY

Submission from constituents re 2005 xc70 volvo steering shaft broken. *smd the consumer stated there was no collision or impact that could have caused the steering shaft to break. He was simply making a right turn, onto his street when the steering stopped working. *jb the transmission was replaced at a cost of $4,000. Updated 10/01/14.

Filed Jul 14, 2014 · Electrical, Visibility · 115,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo xc70. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the instrument panel failed and the ABS, alternator, and urgent warning system indicators illuminated. During the failure, the windshield wipers activated and could not be turned off. An independent mechanic stated that the central electrical module was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 115,000.

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Questions about the 2005 Volvo XC70

Is the 2005 Volvo XC70 reliable?

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 2005 Volvo XC70, 1.5 times a typical XC70 model year.

What is the 2005 Volvo XC70 year score?

The 2005 Volvo XC70 scores 57 out of 100 (below average). 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 2005 Volvo XC70?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 8 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles. Next is acceleration (3).

How many recalls does the 2005 Volvo XC70 have?

2 recalls, covering air bags and equipment.

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).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Volvo XC70 get?

Official estimates for the 2005 Volvo XC70 range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 5-cyl, 4WD) gets 16 city and 22 highway.

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