VOLVO V70 · model year

2003 VOLVO V70

36 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003VOLVOV70 carries 36 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 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 2003 V70 is fuel system, gasoline with 6 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (3) and electrical system (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. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 28 investigation files overlapping the 2003 V70. 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.

36
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

36 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE6
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
AIR BAGS3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
POWER TRAIN2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES1
TIRES:SIDEWALL1
SEAT BELTS:INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS1

Recalls (5)

09V48300018/12/2009

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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 CAROLIN

21V80000014/10/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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.

10V56600008/11/2010

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

07V22600005/06/2007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR LOCATED ON THE LEFT END OF THE FUEL RAIL MAY, AT TIMES, TRANSMIT INCORRECT SIGNAL REGARDING THE FUEL PRESSURE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. IF THE SIGNAL IS OUTSIDE OF THE PRE-PROGRAMMED ALLOWABLE LIMITS, A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE MAY BE SET A

03V28400001/08/2003

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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.

Recent Complaints

20230524AIR BAGS

I live 5 hours from the closest Volvo dealership so I called to see if they could send me the the air bag that has been recalled. The airbag is very easy to be replaced in less then 10 minutes. Because of this it is absolutely absurd for me to travel for ten hours to get something done that I can do myself in 10 minutes. They said I can buy the airbag and they could send it. But this being a recall is'nt it their responsibility to fix it in any way possible. I just feel like this is wrong that they are doing this and am addressing it in this compliant.

20220407AIR BAGS

This is subject to a recall R10136 NHTSA Recall 21v-800 We have set appointments twice to have this done only to be told that the parts are not available and we would be contacted when they are. The local dealer is Maple Hill in Kalamazoo. I started a chat with Volvo and the suggestion was to try another dealer. If the part is not available I fail to see how that will help.

20220103AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2003 Volvo V70. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V800000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact called the local dealer who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20170120ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS BELOW 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,066.

Mileage: 134,066

20170120FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS BELOW 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,066.

Mileage: 134,066

20160729STRUCTURE:BODY

THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH HAS DISCONNECTED FOUR TIMES IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS. AS A DRIVER, I AM LITERALLY STUCK IN THE CAR, AND I HAVE TO EXIT THHROUGH PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS REPAIR(S) DOES NOT WORK, AND THE DOOR LATCHES ARE FAULTY IN THESE CARS. AS A PERSON THAT IS DRIVING IN FLORIDA, WITH THREE KIDDOS, I CAN'T BE STUCK IN MY CAR IF FOR SOME REASON THE CAR GOES INTO THE WATER. THE SPRING IN THE HANDLE OF THE CAR DOES NOT WORK, AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE DOOR HANDLE. YES, THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION, AS I CAN'T EXIT MY CAR, ESPECIALLY IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.

Mileage: 5

20160123FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SMELL FUEL OUTSIDE RIGHT REAR OF CAR.

Mileage: 88,000

20140708POWER TRAIN

WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THE TRANSAXLE DOWNSHIFTS FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR, IT WILL LURCH AND A LOUD 'CLUNK' SHAKES THE VEHICLE. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATING, SHIFTING FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR; THE TRANSAXLE WILL HESITATE, ENGINE WILL REV AND MAKES A LOUD 'CLUNK' THAT SHAKES THE VEHICLE WHEN THE GEAR CHANGE FINALLY OCCURS. ALSO, IF I NEED TO STEP ON THE BRAKES SUDDENLY AND THEN RE-ACCELERATE, IT REALLY MAKES A LOUD 'CLUNK' AS THE ENGINE WILL REV AND GO NOWHERE, EVENTUALLY SLAMMING ITSELF INTO 2ND GEAR AND FRIGHTENING THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE LOUD NOISES AND LURCHING. *JS

Mileage: 119,000

20140317EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE TURN SIGNAL IS SOMEHOW NOT CONNECTED PROPERLY TO THE VEHICLE. EVERY TIME THE DRIVER USES THE TURN SIGNAL, THE BRIGHTS TO THE CAR GO ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY, AS THE DRIVER FLASHES BRIGHTS TO OTHER DRIVERS AS THE TURN SIGNAL GOES ON WITH THE BRIGHTS TO THE CAR. TRIED TO FIX THE ISSUE ONCE, AND THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER. WILL FIX THE PART AGAIN. *TR

20121222ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN FLASHED BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THEN THE DISPLAY INDICATED THE SEAT BELTS WEREN'T WORKING. *TR

Mileage: 161,000

20121114POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, HE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 63,000

20120924ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE DIM/DRIVER INFORMATION MANUAL/DASHBOARD DISPLAY BROKE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE LOSS OF WARNING LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL DISPLAYS. *TR

Mileage: 117,000

20120924EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE DIM/DRIVER INFORMATION MANUAL/DASHBOARD DISPLAY BROKE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE LOSS OF WARNING LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL DISPLAYS. *TR

Mileage: 117,000

20091203FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1. STRONG FUEL ODOR AROUND VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT IN GARAGE. 2. LEAKING FUEL PUMP ON TOP OF FUEL TANK. 3. FUEL PUMP REPLACED BY VOLVO DEALER. *TR

Mileage: 99,000

20091123FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM MY 2003 VOLVO V70. MY MECHANIC FOUND THE ISSUE BEING A LEAKING FUEL PUMP. VOLVO HAS ISSUED RECALL NOTICES ON 2001 TO 2002 VOLVO V70, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE 2003 MODELS. THE ISSUES APPEAR TO BE EXACTLY THE SAME EVEN THOUGH VOLVO DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS ISSUE WITH THE 2003 MODEL. *TR

Mileage: 62,775

20091110ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO V70 .THE LIGHTING AND THE GAUGES OF THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL HAVE FAILED. AS A CONSEQUENCE SHE CAN NOT READ ANY OF THE DISPLAY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000 . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

Mileage: 91,000

20091030FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MY 2003 VOLVO V70 WITH ~127,000 MILES STARTED LEAKING FUEL FROM THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING. THE PLASTIC HOUSING FAILED ON ITS OWN. STRONG GASOLINE FUMES ENTERED THE CAR EVEN THOUGH THE ACCESS PANEL AND SEAL WERE INTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEVER HAD ANY SERVICE REPAIR WORK ON OR NEAR THE FUEL TANK. I'VE HAD SEVERAL CARS OVER THIS MILEAGE WITH NEVER A FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY FAILURE OF ANY TYPE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A PREMATURE FAILURE THAT IS EITHER A DESIGN, QUALITY OR ASSEMBLY PROBLEM.*TR

Mileage: 127,000

20090522FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY SUCKS UP RAW GAS, WHICH CAUSES A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. THE CONTACT USED A RAG TO SOAK UP THE GAS AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FUEL RETURNS TO THE PUMP ASSEMBLY. HE FEELS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE COULD CATCH FIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

Mileage: 62,000

20080918FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

GASOLINE OVERFLOWS FROM THE FILL NECK SPILLING DOWN THE CAR AND ONTO THE GROUND. THIS IS A FIRE RISK AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH VARIOUS PUMPS AT VARIOUS GAS STATIONS. THIS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME WITH ANY OTHER CAR IN 30 YEARS. I HAVE FOUND OTHERS REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE WEB. *TR

Mileage: 95,500

20080909FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CAR WOULD NOT START. MY MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AT MY OWN EXPENSE - A LENGTHY REPAIR THAT COST MORE THAN $1000. ALTHOUGH VOLVO RECALL 181 DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE, I WONDER WHETHER THE FUEL PUMP ISSUE IN VOLVO RECALL 181 SHOULD APPLY TO MORE VEHICLES SUCH AS MY OWN. THIS MAY BE WORTH MORE INVESTIGATION. *TR

Mileage: 62,000

Compare 2003VOLVOV70 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 VOLVO V70 have?
The 2003 VOLVO V70 has 36 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 VOLVO V70?
Yes, the 2003 VOLVO V70 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 VOLVO V70?
The most-complained component for the 2003 VOLVO V70 is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2003 VOLVO V70 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.