VOLVO C70 · model year

2004 VOLVO C70

21 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004VOLVOC70 carries 21 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 C70 is electrical system with 4 filings, followed by power train (4) and air bags (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 28 investigation files overlapping the 2004 C70. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

21
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

21 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
POWER TRAIN4
AIR BAGS3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
VISIBILITY1
EQUIPMENT1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
WHEELS1
ENGINE1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1

Recent Complaints

20191106ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR GOT A LITTLE SLUGGISH AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WENT BLACK I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT SO I NOTICED IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT EVERYTHING ON THE DASH THAT WAS ILLUMINATED LOST LIGHT AND THE CAR STALLED AND THEN SPUTTER AND STALL IT JUST WAS NO LONGER RUNNING PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD PUT IT IN PARK TURN THE KEY OFF WAITED ABOUT 2 MINUTES TURN THE KEY BACK ON TO SEE IF I HAD LIGHTS BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND I HAD LIGHTS AND THEN I TRIED AGAIN THE IGNITION AND IT STARTED SUPER RANDOM THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE I HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH NEEDING A JUMP LEADING UP TO THIS BUT I HAVE A BRAND NEW BATTERY AND I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THAT PROBLEM

Mileage: 118,000

20190707POWER TRAIN

HARD SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST & 2ND GEAR. CAUSES THE TIRES TO SKID FEELING LIKE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. THIS HAPPENS AFTER THE VEHICLE WARMS UP AND IN A STOP AND GO ENVIRONMENT.

Mileage: 60,000

20181107AIR BAGS

THE AIRBAG SYMBOL APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AS WELL. EVEN WHEN I GET IT(ELECTRICAL) REPAIRED: IT REAPPEAR AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS.{WHILE DRIVING THESE SYMBOLS APPEAR STILL AS OF THIS DAY. PLEASE CAN YOU ADVICE ME WHERE I SHOULD HAVE IT FIX. I LIVE IN MARENGO, IOWA 52301

Mileage: 1,270,000

20181107ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE AIRBAG SYMBOL APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AS WELL. EVEN WHEN I GET IT(ELECTRICAL) REPAIRED: IT REAPPEAR AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS.{WHILE DRIVING THESE SYMBOLS APPEAR STILL AS OF THIS DAY. PLEASE CAN YOU ADVICE ME WHERE I SHOULD HAVE IT FIX. I LIVE IN MARENGO, IOWA 52301

Mileage: 1,270,000

20170809VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I THOIGHT MY TRANMISSION WAS GOING AT FITST THE CSR WOULD BUCK. THE OTHER DAY THE CSR JUMPED FORWARD. RACED LIKE BRIEFLY. TODAY MY ETS LIGHT WENT ON. ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SERVICE LIGHT. READING UP ON THIS STATES PROBLEMS NOTED BUT DEALERSHIP SAYS I HAVE TO PAY REPLACEMENT PARTS AND LABOR. I FEEL IT SHOULD B A RECALL. THIS IS DADANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE

Mileage: 165,000

20150519AIR BAGS

I HAD ENTERED THE CAR, WHICH WAS IN PARK AND NOT TURNED ON, REACHED FOR MY SEAT BELT AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR REASON FOR THE DEPLOYMENT. THE DEPLOYMENT CAUSED A MINOR INJURY TO LEFT ARM.

Mileage: 135,000

20140901ENGINE

THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHIFT HARD. NOW AT LESS THAN 125, IT NEEDS A NEW ONE. *TR

Mileage: 98

20140901POWER TRAIN

THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHIFT HARD. NOW AT LESS THAN 125, IT NEEDS A NEW ONE. *TR

Mileage: 98

20140707POWER TRAIN

HARD UP SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND DOWN SHIFTING WHEN CAR IS WARM. DRIVES FINE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *JS

Mileage: 118,000

20130802CrashAIR BAGS

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 VOLVO C70 WHEN I DRIFTED OFF INTO A HIGH CURB. THIS CAUSED MY PASSENGER AIRBAG TO DEPLOY.THE LOUD AND DISRUPTING NOISE THEN CAUSED ME TO LOOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE CAR. AS I THEN RAN THROUGH A FENCE AND TREES BEFORE I CAME TO A STOP. I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE CAR. SO WHY DID THE EMPTY PASSENGER SEAT BAG DEPLOY. AND WHY DID THE DRIVERS AIRBAG NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

20130802CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 VOLVO C70 WHEN I DRIFTED OFF INTO A HIGH CURB. THIS CAUSED MY PASSENGER AIRBAG TO DEPLOY.THE LOUD AND DISRUPTING NOISE THEN CAUSED ME TO LOOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE CAR. AS I THEN RAN THROUGH A FENCE AND TREES BEFORE I CAME TO A STOP. I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE CAR. SO WHY DID THE EMPTY PASSENGER SEAT BAG DEPLOY. AND WHY DID THE DRIVERS AIRBAG NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

20130802CrashWHEELS

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 VOLVO C70 WHEN I DRIFTED OFF INTO A HIGH CURB. THIS CAUSED MY PASSENGER AIRBAG TO DEPLOY.THE LOUD AND DISRUPTING NOISE THEN CAUSED ME TO LOOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE CAR. AS I THEN RAN THROUGH A FENCE AND TREES BEFORE I CAME TO A STOP. I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE CAR. SO WHY DID THE EMPTY PASSENGER SEAT BAG DEPLOY. AND WHY DID THE DRIVERS AIRBAG NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

20120723ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE START THEN DIE OR JUST CRANK AND NO START. AT THE TIME PROBLEM THOUGHT TO BE FUEL PUMP RELAY. IMMOBILIZER WAS CHECKED BUT NOTHING DONE. IMMOBILIZER CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM (AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED); KEYS HAVE BEEN REPLACED/RECODED, IMMOBILIZER CONTROL MODULE FOUND FAULTY AND REPLACED, ANTENNA RING FOUND FAULTY AND REPLACED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRING; IT JUST WILL NOT START WHEN THE KEY IS PUT INTO THE IGNITION (COULD BE DAY OR NIGHT - YOU ARE JUST STUCK!) RECENTLY, ON 7-16-2012 THE VEHICLE REPEATED THIS ACTION THREE (3) TIMES ON THE SAME DAY. IN THE LAST TWO (2) MONTHS I HAVE RECORDED NOT LESS THAN TEN (10) INCIDENTS. HAD I CALLED FOR A ROAD ASSIST EACH TIME I WOULD NOT HAVE ANY MORE AVAILABLE CALLS. FOR SOME REASON THE TRANSMITTER AND RECEIVER (TRANSPONDER) ARE NOT IN SYNCH (ANTI-THEFT DEVICE IS OVERDOING ITS JOB). VOLVO.COM WAS CONTACTED BUT SO FAR HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO ADDRESS THIS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY R

Mileage: 11,341

20120723FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

VEHICLE START THEN DIE OR JUST CRANK AND NO START. AT THE TIME PROBLEM THOUGHT TO BE FUEL PUMP RELAY. IMMOBILIZER WAS CHECKED BUT NOTHING DONE. IMMOBILIZER CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM (AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED); KEYS HAVE BEEN REPLACED/RECODED, IMMOBILIZER CONTROL MODULE FOUND FAULTY AND REPLACED, ANTENNA RING FOUND FAULTY AND REPLACED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRING; IT JUST WILL NOT START WHEN THE KEY IS PUT INTO THE IGNITION (COULD BE DAY OR NIGHT - YOU ARE JUST STUCK!) RECENTLY, ON 7-16-2012 THE VEHICLE REPEATED THIS ACTION THREE (3) TIMES ON THE SAME DAY. IN THE LAST TWO (2) MONTHS I HAVE RECORDED NOT LESS THAN TEN (10) INCIDENTS. HAD I CALLED FOR A ROAD ASSIST EACH TIME I WOULD NOT HAVE ANY MORE AVAILABLE CALLS. FOR SOME REASON THE TRANSMITTER AND RECEIVER (TRANSPONDER) ARE NOT IN SYNCH (ANTI-THEFT DEVICE IS OVERDOING ITS JOB). VOLVO.COM WAS CONTACTED BUT SO FAR HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO ADDRESS THIS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY R

Mileage: 11,341

20110927POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH UNDER 90K MILES AND VEHICLE RECEIVING REGULAR SERVICE FROM VOLVO DEALERSHIPS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE AMONG C70 VOLVO OWNERS. *TT

20110124VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO C70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. AS HE DROVE, HE FELT A VIOLENT SHUTTER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD APPEAR AS IF IT WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE "ETM" OR ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

Mileage: 118,000

20100325FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

INTERMITTEN PROBLEM WITH FUEL PUMP/FUEL PRESSURE. NO FUEL PRESSURE SOMETIMES DURING IDLE AND START UP. VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAD WITH OUR 2003 VOLVO S80 WHICH IS NOW UNDER RECALL.

Mileage: 48,000

20081106VISIBILITY

THE SUN VISORS IN MY CAR HAVE FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES, TYPICALLY THROUGH BREAKAGE OF THE PLASTIC PIVOT SHAFT. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO MOVE THE VISOR TO THE DOWN POSITION, AND CAN PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM REDUCING GLARE WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD ISSUE. FURTHER, THE SHAFT BREAKAGE USUALLY CAUSES WIRING SHORTS THAT CAN DISCHARGE THE BATTERY, OR AT THE VERY LEAST RENDER THE MIRROR LIGHTS INOPERATIVE. I HAVE HAD REPAIRS MADE BY THE DEALER, BUT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE FAILED AS, OR EVEN MORE QUICKLY IN SOME CASES THAN THE ORIGINALS. *TR

Mileage: 20,438

20081106EQUIPMENT

THE SUN VISORS IN MY CAR HAVE FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES, TYPICALLY THROUGH BREAKAGE OF THE PLASTIC PIVOT SHAFT. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO MOVE THE VISOR TO THE DOWN POSITION, AND CAN PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM REDUCING GLARE WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD ISSUE. FURTHER, THE SHAFT BREAKAGE USUALLY CAUSES WIRING SHORTS THAT CAN DISCHARGE THE BATTERY, OR AT THE VERY LEAST RENDER THE MIRROR LIGHTS INOPERATIVE. I HAVE HAD REPAIRS MADE BY THE DEALER, BUT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE FAILED AS, OR EVEN MORE QUICKLY IN SOME CASES THAN THE ORIGINALS. *TR

Mileage: 20,438

20070324ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY WIFE AND I LEASED THIS CAR IN APRIL 2004 . SINCE THAT TIME WE HAVE HAD IT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE EIGHT TIMES FOR STARTING PROBLEMS. THE CAR CAN BE HOT OR COLD. IT WILL NOT STALL WHILE RUNNING THIS IS JUST WHEN YOU GO TO START IT. *AK SO FAR, THEY HAVE REPLACEED AN IMMOBILIZER TWO TIMES,AN ENGINE SPEED SENSOR THREE TIMES, REPLACED AN ENGINE IMMOBILZER ANTENNA RING TWO TIMES, A MAIN RELAY ONCE,TOTALLY RELOADED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ONCE,AND REPLACED AN RPM SENSOR ONCE. THIS IS BY FAR THE WORSE CAR I'VE EVER HAD. I STILL HAVE ONE YEAR TO GO ON THE LEASE AND WE DON'T EVEN FEEL LIKE DRIVING IT. I DEFIANTLY WANT TO PURSUE THE FLORIDA LEMON LAW ON THIS CAR I WANT VOLVO TO TAKE THIS INFERIOR PRODUCT BACK NOW. MY WIFE IS A FORD RETIREE AND WE LEASED THIS CAR MAINLY BECAUSE FORD OWNS VOLVO. WHAT A MISTAKE.

Mileage: 6,189

Compare 2004VOLVOC70 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 VOLVO C70 have?
The 2004 VOLVO C70 has 21 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 VOLVO C70?
The most-complained component for the 2004 VOLVO C70 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2004 VOLVO C70 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.