Total Complaints
28 filings
VOLVO XC70 · model year
28 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003VOLVOXC70 carries 28 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 XC70 is power train:automatic transmission with 5 filings, followed by air bags (4) and fuel system, gasoline (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 XC70. 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.
Total Complaints
28 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 5 |
| AIR BAGS | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 3 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR | 1 |
| PARKING BRAKE | 1 |
| VISIBILITY | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 1 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAI
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
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.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE HESITATION WITH STARTING AND DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO FUEL VISIBLE ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Mileage: 140,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC70. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Mileage: 170,000
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 NHTSA 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
Mileage: 170,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.
Mileage: 169,000
I PURCHASED THIS 2003 VOLVO XC70 RECENTLY AND A FEW WEEKS AFTER DRIVING IT I NOTICED A BAD SMELL OF GAS. I LOOKED AROUND AND DID NOT SEE ANYTHING LEAKING. I KEPT DRIVING DAILY AND SMELLED GAS EVERY SINGLE TIME THE CAR WAS ON. I BECAME VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE I DRIVE WITH MY 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. AFTER SOME TIME I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A GAS LEAK COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR AND THIS BECAME A VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AUTOMATICALLY DROVE TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC SHOP AND GOT THE CAR LOOKED AT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN NOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE THE CAR CAN CATCH FIRE OR EVEN EXPLODE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH AND AFTER HEARING BACK FROM THE MECHANIC I LEARNED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP ON THIS MODEL CAR AND THIS IS EXACTLY THE PROBLEM. I REACHED OUT TO VOLVO AND THEY TELL ME THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL AND THAT THEY WILL ONLY PAY FOR THE PART. I HAVE PLENTY OF PICTURES SHOWING THE DEFECT IN THE FUEL PUMP. I FIND THIS RI
Mileage: 102,600
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! *TR
Mileage: 115,105
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 NHTSA 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 SHOU
Mileage: 116,000
I PURCHASED MY (2003) VOLVO XC70 IN LATE 2006 FROM I SERVICE IT REGULARLY AND DO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECKS. ABOUT A MONTH AGO THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND HESITATE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $5700. THE CAR HAS 71000 MILES ON IT. *TT
Mileage: 71,000
2003 VOLVO XC70 TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN CAR WITH 100,000K MILES. *TR
Mileage: 100,000
THE DRIVER INFORMATION MODULE (DIM) ON MY 2003 VOLVO XC70 BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY GOING OUT. DURING THIS TIME, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE DIM WAS BAD AND WOULD NEED TO BE RE-MANUFACTURED AS IT IS A "CAR SPECIFIC" PART. THE COST OF THE JOB WAS GOING TO BE AROUND $1,400.00. I COULD NOT AFFORD THE REPAIR. AWHILE LATER, THE DIM WENT COMPLETELY OUT LEAVING WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO SEE HOW FAST I'M DRIVING, HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE, WARNING LIGHTS, ETC. WHEN THE DIM WENT COMPLETELY OUT, I BEGAN DOING A GREAT DEAL OF RESEARCH OB THIS PROBLEM TO SEE IF I COULD HAVE THE DIM REPAIRED/REPLACED CHEAPER THAN I WAS QUOTED BY THE DEALER. UPON RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT A GREAT NUMBER OF 2003 VOLVO XC70 OWNERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. MANY VOLVO MECHANICS AND OWNERS, REFER TO THIS PROBLEM AS NOT BEING UNUSUAL. IN ADDITION, NOT HAVING A DIM POSES MANY, OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS, SUCH AS SPEEDING, CAR BREAKING DOWN ON THE ROAD, ETC. ALSO, I WAS TOLD B
Mileage: 128,000
RIGHT HAND SIDE, FRONT COIL SPRING CRACKED IN TWO. *TR
Mileage: 135,460
SHORTLY AFTER BUYING MY 2003 VOLVO 70XC I READ THAT BLACK CARS HAVE A TROUBLING HIGHER RATE OF ACCIDENTS. I HAD UNFORTUNATELY PURCHASED A BLACK VOLVO. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS NO CHROME ANYWHERE ON THE BODY, INCLUDING THE REAR. THERE ARE NO SIDE LIGHTS, NO DOOR LIGHTS (MY 1993 HAS DOOR LIGHTS WHEN THE DOOR OPENS TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS THAT THERE IS A DOOR OPEN), NOTHING TO HELP WITH SAFETY ISSUES, YET THEY ADVERTISE AS BEING SUCH A SAFE CAR. HAVING OUTSIDE INDICATORS ON A BLACK CAR IS SAFETY 101. I THINK THAT VOLVO SHOULD BE MADE TO ADD OUTSIDE SAFETY FEATURES TO THIS MODEL. *TR
SHORTLY AFTER BUYING MY 2003 VOLVO 70XC I READ THAT BLACK CARS HAVE A TROUBLING HIGHER RATE OF ACCIDENTS. I HAD UNFORTUNATELY PURCHASED A BLACK VOLVO. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS NO CHROME ANYWHERE ON THE BODY, INCLUDING THE REAR. THERE ARE NO SIDE LIGHTS, NO DOOR LIGHTS (MY 1993 HAS DOOR LIGHTS WHEN THE DOOR OPENS TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS THAT THERE IS A DOOR OPEN), NOTHING TO HELP WITH SAFETY ISSUES, YET THEY ADVERTISE AS BEING SUCH A SAFE CAR. HAVING OUTSIDE INDICATORS ON A BLACK CAR IS SAFETY 101. I THINK THAT VOLVO SHOULD BE MADE TO ADD OUTSIDE SAFETY FEATURES TO THIS MODEL. *TR
SHORTLY AFTER BUYING MY 2003 VOLVO 70XC I READ THAT BLACK CARS HAVE A TROUBLING HIGHER RATE OF ACCIDENTS. I HAD UNFORTUNATELY PURCHASED A BLACK VOLVO. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS NO CHROME ANYWHERE ON THE BODY, INCLUDING THE REAR. THERE ARE NO SIDE LIGHTS, NO DOOR LIGHTS (MY 1993 HAS DOOR LIGHTS WHEN THE DOOR OPENS TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS THAT THERE IS A DOOR OPEN), NOTHING TO HELP WITH SAFETY ISSUES, YET THEY ADVERTISE AS BEING SUCH A SAFE CAR. HAVING OUTSIDE INDICATORS ON A BLACK CAR IS SAFETY 101. I THINK THAT VOLVO SHOULD BE MADE TO ADD OUTSIDE SAFETY FEATURES TO THIS MODEL. *TR
SHORTLY AFTER BUYING MY 2003 VOLVO 70XC I READ THAT BLACK CARS HAVE A TROUBLING HIGHER RATE OF ACCIDENTS. I HAD UNFORTUNATELY PURCHASED A BLACK VOLVO. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS NO CHROME ANYWHERE ON THE BODY, INCLUDING THE REAR. THERE ARE NO SIDE LIGHTS, NO DOOR LIGHTS (MY 1993 HAS DOOR LIGHTS WHEN THE DOOR OPENS TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS THAT THERE IS A DOOR OPEN), NOTHING TO HELP WITH SAFETY ISSUES, YET THEY ADVERTISE AS BEING SUCH A SAFE CAR. HAVING OUTSIDE INDICATORS ON A BLACK CAR IS SAFETY 101. I THINK THAT VOLVO SHOULD BE MADE TO ADD OUTSIDE SAFETY FEATURES TO THIS MODEL. *TR
CATASTROPHIC PARKING BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED RIGHT REAL WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. THIS COULD HAVE LED TO LOSS OF CONTROL, BUT DID NOT IN THIS INSTANCE. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER VOLVO CUSTOMERS HAVE FILED THIS SAME COMPLAINT. COST OF REPAIR IS UNREASONABLE AT OVER $1000 DUE TO POOR DESIGN AND INFERIOR MATERIALS USED. BRAKE LININGS DELAMINATION WAS THE ROOT CAUSE. THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 VOLVO XC70. *TR
Mileage: 130,000
2003 VOLVO XC 70 WITH GEARTRONIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 75K MILES. TRANSMISSION FLARES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND MAKES CLUNKING NOISE WHEN DOWNSHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR AT STOPS. TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS BEEN CHANGED AND SOFTWARE REFLASHED, PROBLEM REMAINS. *TR
Mileage: 75,000
SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING FAILURE IN THE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM ON MY 2003 VOLVO CROSS COUNTRY WAGON. DEALER INVESTIGATED AND STATED THE CENTRAL COMPUTER ON THE AUTO HAD FAILED RESULTING IN A $1300 REPAIR. DEALER INDICATED THAT IF COMPUTER WAS NOT REPAIRED, AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT AND PRESENTS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. DEALER INDICATED AUTOMOBILE WOULD NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT COMPUTER REPLACEMENT. SINCE WHEN DO CENTRAL SRS COMPUTERS JUST STOP WORKING? I BELIEVE THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BY VOLVO AND NOT THE CONSUMER AS IT POSES SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES TO THE CONSUMER AND IS A COMPONENT OF THE AUTOMOBILE THAT SHOULD NOT REQUIRE ANY SERVICE. *TR
TOOK THE CAR IN TO REPLACE TIRES(FRONT TIRES PREMATURELY WORN DOWN) THE MECHANIC NOTICED BROKEN STRUT COIL SPRING AND SUGGESTED MANUFACTURER DEFECT SINCE NORMAL SHOULD NOT BROKE THE SPRING, ESPECIALLY A CAR DESIGNED FOR OFF ROAD USE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS. *TR
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.