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2016 Volvo XC70 problems

The most common problem on the 2016 Volvo XC70 is engine and cooling. It has fewer complaints than a typical XC70 model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Year score
88/100
Owner complaints
7
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
334
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
21-26mpg

The worst 2016 Volvo XC70 problems

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

  • Engine
    2
  • Electrical
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Problems by type

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

  • Engine
    2
  • Electrical
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 2

Seat belts: frontReported June 30, 2020 · 308,260 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1‑800‑458‑1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.

Recall number 20V378000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakersReported September 2, 2015 · 7,855 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting when necessary.
Risk
If the vehicle is unexpectedly unable to be started in the middle of traffic, such as when stopped at an intersection, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing starter motor fuse with a higher amperage fuse, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1‑800‑458‑1552 or by visiting http://volvo.custhelp.com. Volvo's number for this recall is R39574.

Recall number 15V555000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2016 Volvo XC70

Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Volvo XC70 334

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

See all 334 bulletins for the 2016 Volvo XC70

2016 Volvo XC70 fuel economy

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

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD233026
2.5L 5‑cylAWD192621

What 2016 Volvo XC70 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 24, 2024 · Seat belts · FL

The seatbelts on the front driver and passenger side have failed to release when trying to unbuckle. This is a hazard. If there was a moment where it's imperative to leave the car (fire, water, etc) Driver and passenger could get locked in their seatbelts without the ability to exit the vehicle. Volvo would have covered it if the factor warranty was still active. My complaint wa ignored while the vehicle was under warranty. Now that it is out of warranty I am forced to replace the failed parts out of my pocket.

Filed Apr 12, 2023 · Engine · WA

Volvo. Consumer writes in regard to a defective engine.

Filed Feb 27, 2023 · Electrical · WA

We have experienced three major defects with this vehicle. First and most concerning is the intermittent blackout of the driver's instrument panel (aka driver's information module, DIM). Second most conerning is the defect in the trailer lighting control module that leaves stop, running and signal lighting on our trailer unreliable. Both of these defects appear to be design or manufacturing defects that can be corrected by upgrading the relevent parts. The third defect is in the design of the traction control system that has no physical switch readily accessible to the driver for temporary use in emergency situations, but rather is buried in the MyCar software selection, labeled "Sport Mode." This design requres a driver to override the traction control during the entire driving session, leaving the car without traction control when it might be needed during the same inclement road conditions that would warrant momentary deactivation of the system. Ie, in icy conditions one would want traction control on most times, but not when starting on ice or mounting snow berms at driveway exits, etc.

Filed Oct 6, 2021 · Engine · CA

Car stalled at an intersection twice. We took it to a repair shop after the first instance and they told us the battery had died, though they were able to charge it and it restarted fine. They could not find any other issues. We continued to drive it and two days later the car died at another intersection just after my wife had picked up our kids from school. We had it towed to the dealer this time. I relayed the recall information for an earlier or different model of my car that sounded like the same issue: the starter motor fuse. I believe this to be the same issue even though my car did not show up on the recall.

Filed Oct 15, 2018 · Visibility · NJ

The backup camera is malfunctioning now because the view field is partially blocked by the vehicle body. I was told that there're some other cars (including some new cars at dealer) have similar problems. I visited the retailer and then contacted the custom care center of volvo. However, the response is disappointing (honestly, unacceptable) because I was told that volvo cannot fix it.

Filed Mar 22, 2018 · Transmission · 38,000 miles · NY

When cold sometimes not able to shift from park to any other gear or neutral. After driving, able to shift from drive or reverse back to park but get message saying "car is not in park - shift to park". When in neutral sometimes not able move shifter from neutral to drive or park. When contacted dealer for service they seemed to be familiar with the problem. My concerns are not being able to drive car on demand, as well as not knowing if car is truly in park or not.

Filed Mar 14, 2018 · 16,700 miles · VT

Owner on interstate at posted speed (65) heard explosive sound of the sunroof exploding. No other cars were ahead or alongside, and no evidence of a thrown or dropped object was apparent at that time or afterward. Fortunately the sunshade shielded her from most of the broken glass. Dealer called it an 'act of god' and would not honor a warranty claim for the damage ' estimated at over $1,100. Insurance company is covering all costs, including rental car, until repairs are completed.

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Questions about the 2016 Volvo XC70

Is the 2016 Volvo XC70 reliable?

Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2016 Volvo XC70, fewer than a typical XC70 model year.

What is the 2016 Volvo XC70 year score?

The 2016 Volvo XC70 scores 88 out of 100 (good). 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 2016 Volvo XC70?

Engine and cooling, with 2 complaints. Next is electrical (1).

How many recalls does the 2016 Volvo XC70 have?

2 recalls, covering seat belts and electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Volvo XC70 get?

Official estimates for the 2016 Volvo XC70 range from 21 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 23 city and 30 highway.

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