Volvo XC70 fuel gauge problems

Filed Oct 25, 2021 · Fuel system · NC

Fuel gauge doesn’t show actual fuel level. When full, it shows 50% left, and gauge doesn’t start to move till half the tank is empty.

Filed Feb 18, 2020 · Fuel system · 87,000 miles · OK

Although the 'cracked fuel pump flange' recall service (volvo recall r220, the federal safety agency 09v‑483) was previously performed on my vehicle, the volvo xc70 has an additional 'fuel sending unit' on the driver's side of the car. This additional fuel component has a similarly formed flange which also develops a crack. Even though the units are similarly composed and both in the same environment, I have been told the auxiliary fuel sending unit is not covered under volvo recall 220. Exactly as described in the fuel pump recall, the crack in the driver's side fuel sending unit allows gasoline to constantly ooze through the crack and slowly pour onto the ground and puddle. If a fuel pump flange crack allowing gasoline to pour onto the ground was cause for a recall, why is the exact same problem in the auxiliary fuel sending unit not also a cause for recall?

Filed Apr 8, 2019 · Fuel system · 141,000 miles · CA

Prior to a 165 mile road trip the fuel gauge read 1/4 tank - 120 miles to empty. I filled the tank to full before heading out. After refueling, I closed the gas cap but forgot to shut the fuel door. The fuel door open error light came on and the fuel gauge still read 1/4 tank - 120 miles to empty. I pulled to the side of road and with the vehicle running shut the fuel door. The fuel door open error light was still lit and the fuel gauge did not change. I drove towards home on winding mountain roads in high speed l.a. Traffic. The indicator read 50 miles to empty and the low fuel indicator came on even though there was still 3/4 of a tank of gas. At the approximately 120 mile mark while driving 65 MPH in 5 lanes of fast-moving l.a. Traffic the vehicle stopped. I was able to safely pull over through 3 lanes of traffic and stop safely on the freeway shoulder. The vehicle fuel gauge indicated the tank was empty and the fuel door open indicator remained on even though I had closed the door. The vehicle would not restart and I had it towed to the mechanic who routinely services it. I am waiting to hear the result of the diagnostic tests. I could have been killed if the vehicle had stopped on the winding mountain roads with no shoulders and no way for me to safely exit the freeway. At no time did any other vehicle warnings display other than fuel door open. I purchased a volvo for its impeccable safety record. This incident certainly does not live up to the stellar volvo reputation. I had no idea that driving with the fuel door open error displayed could result in the vehicle stopping on the highway even though the gas tank really was 3/4 full and not empty as the fuel gauge indicated. This should definitely be recalled and other drivers made aware of the safety issue associated with what appears to be a minor nuisance but is a major safety concern ultimately.

Filed Mar 2, 2016 · Fuel system · 65,000 miles · FL

Despite fuel gauge reading over 1/4 tank car stopped in middle of a highway and nearly caused a collision; thankfully no one hurt. Despite service bulletins on this issue with 2008xc70 no recall ever issued. Several others have reported this issue to the federal safety agency, I believe a recall is appropriate due to the obvious safety problems and because this only happens to the 2008 model- obviously it was fixed on all the future models.

Filed Jan 12, 2015 · Airbags · 170,000 miles · TN · crash · 1 injury

While driving down the road, a car was attempting to make a left-hand turn across four lanes of traffic. The person, apparently, did not see me and struck the side of my vehicle breaking the tire rod and doing extensive damage to the passenger front and back doors. The glove box was even difficult to open. In all of this, the passenger side airbag did not deploy. My son who is 14 and is 170 pounds was sitting in the passenger seat at the time. He is quite sore along his arm and neck. In 2012, I posted a complaint about the car having a dim problem and how the volvo mechanic said the dim problem could cause airbag problems, but after having the dim problem fixed, I was told the airbags should deploy. In 2012, I posted the following complaint with the federal safety agency and can be read online: "I was driving my 2003 volvo xc70 at the posted speed limit (55mph) when the dashboard suddenly went black and all of the gauges, including speedometer, tachometer, gas gauge, and clock stopped working. Every warning light lit up. The volvo dealer admitted they had seen this issue before. The cost to replace the dim was over $1400.00 and I had no choice but to pay it since I was not going to drive my car with no speedometer or gas gauge. The dim replacement is now only warranted for two years, so I may find myself in the exact same boat in the future if the new dim also fails. Researching this issue online, I found that this was a known problem, particularly for 2003 volvo models. After finding the federal safety agency website, I also found that someone else had recently reported the exact same problem and also noted that the dim failure could impact the proper operation of the airbag system...."

Filed May 1, 2013 · Electrical · 115,105 miles · RI

I was driving on the highway when suddenly my gas gauge dropped below empty and all my gauges stopped working including the clock, blinkers, speedometer and the digital information computer panel that indicates how many miles left to a gallon, etc. This was quite dangerous as I could no longer see the speed of travel, how much gas I had left, the time nor could I use my blinkers to indicate lane changes. There was no warning or indication that the speedometer panel would just die out!

Filed Feb 21, 2012 · Electrical · 116,000 miles · NH

I was driving my 2003 volvo xc70 at the posted speed limit (55mph) when the dashboard suddenly went black and all of the gauges, including speedometer, tachometer, gas gauge, and clock stopped working. Every warning light lit up. The volvo dealer admitted they had seen this issue before. The cost to replace the dim was over $1400.00 and I had no choice but to pay it since I was not going to drive my car with no speedometer or gas gauge. The dim replacement is now only warranted for two years, so I may find myself in the exact same boat in the future if the new dim also fails. Researching this issue online, I found that this was a known problem, particularly for 2003 volvo models. After finding the federal safety agency website, I also found that someone else had recently reported the exact same problem and also noted that the dim failure could impact the proper operation of the airbag system. Clearly, this is a safety issue that is affecting more than just a few isolated volvo owners. Volvo should assume responsibility for this problem, issue a recall and pay for these repairs. The dim module is a computer part and its failure is obviously not the result of expected "wear and tear." instead, it appears to be a defective part that the manufacturer should replace to prevent accidents that can be caused by the sudden loss of the dashboard system and possible negative effect on the operation of the airbags. Please do what you can to have volvo address this problem. Thank you.

Filed Jan 18, 2012 · Fuel system · 59,000 miles · NY

Fuel gauge erratically moves downward inappropriately. Seems to reset when car restarted, but totally undependable in terms of accuracy. Auto is 3.5 years old but out of warranty at 60k mi. Dealer recommends new fuel tank (which includes sending unit) and fuel pump. Recommended against used part as "old part has been superceded" it sounds like this is a defect which has not resulted in a recall/campaign. Note: repair with parts and labor is $2100.00.

Filed Jan 5, 2011 · Electrical · 15,000 miles · NV

Tl*the contact owns a 2009 volvo xc70. The contact stated that when the electrical system malfunctioned the speedometer and the fuel gauge stopped working; leaving the contact unaware of speed and the amount of fuel in the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had major electrical problems. The battery caused the entire electrical system to malfunction. The dealer replaced the battery; however, the vehicle continued to have electrical problems. The dealer confirmed that they would replace the audio control panel and the electronic control module. The vehicle was in the dealers possession when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 15,000.

Filed May 15, 2010 · Fuel system · 30,010 miles · MA

A 2008 volvo xc70 with approximately 30,000 miles stalled while driving about 30 MPH. The fuel gauge indicated 1/4 tank and the low fuel indicator on the dash was not on. The vehicle had run out of gas.