2001 Volvo V70

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2001 Volvo V70
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volvo V70 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2001 highlighted. 1996: 1 complaints 1996 1997: 3 complaints 1998: 187 complaints 1999: 169 complaints 1999 2000: 93 complaints 2001: 221 complaints 2001 2002: 76 complaints 2002 2003: 32 complaints 2004: 83 complaints 2005: 21 complaints 2005 2006: 21 complaints 2007: 7 complaints 2008: 11 complaints 2008 2009: 4 complaints 2010: 4 complaints 2011: 0 complaints 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2013: 0 complaints 2014: 0 complaints 2014 2015: 0 complaints 2016: 0 complaints 2016
2001: 221 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19961
19973
1998187
1999169
200093
2001221
200276
200332
200483
200521
200621
20077
200811
20094
20104
20110
20120
20130
20140
20150
20160

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 26%

26% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 58 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

INITIALLY NOTICED ERRATIC ACCELERATION, THEN MY WIFE WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY LOST ACCELERATION AND SHE WAS HIT BEHIND BY A PICKUP TRUCK. THE DASH READOUT SHOWED THE MESSAGE "PERFORMANCE REDUCED".

NHTSA ODI report, 20051101

POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 27 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE CAR LOST POWER OCCASIONALLY WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, BUT IT REVVED TO OVER 6,000 RPMS. THE CAR WOULD PULL BACK AND THEN LUNGE INTO GEAR. IT HAD A WHIPLASH EFFECT ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050804

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 23 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE MELTING AND BLACK SMOKE WAS EMERGING FROM THE SEATS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190531

POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 14 distinct reports on file.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 5%

5% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 11 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

2001 — complaint volume: 221
R 20010507 — seat belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: WAGONS. THE BOLTED JOINT, USED FOR ATTACHING THE BRACKET THAT IS PART OF THE INSTALLATION HARDWARE FOR THE ISOFIX-TYPE CHILD RESTRAINT, MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ANCHORAGE BOLTS AND TIGHTEN TO THE CORRECT TORQUE LEVEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVI

Campaign 01V101000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010507 — seat belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDANS AND WAGONS. THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BOLTS MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ANCHORAGE BOLTS AND TIGHTEN TO THE CORRECT TORQUE LEVEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERV

Campaign 01V100000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20031219 — equipment

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

Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TA

Campaign 03V284000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20041129 — engine and engine cooling

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SOME ELECTRIC COOLING FANS MAY OVERHEAT POTENTIALLY CAUSING HEAT DAMAGE AND, IN RARE INSTANCES, A FIRE IN THE ENGIN

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

Campaign 04V451000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050726 — PE (closed 20051207)

THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION

I 20051206 — EA (closed 20061212)

THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION

R 20061229 — vehicle speed control

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Campaign 06V441000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070402 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

Campaign 07E023000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100115 — fuel system, gasoline

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, CALIF

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL

Campaign 09V483000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20101118 — equipment

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

Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A N

Campaign 10V566000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20211214 — air bags

Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2007 V70 and XC70 vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10136.

Campaign 21V800000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2001 Volvo V70 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (58 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 01V101000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V100000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V284000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V451000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V441000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E023000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V483000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V566000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V800000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2003 ▲ 2002 ▲ 2004

WORST YEARS

■ 1998 ◆ 1999 ● 2000

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2001 Volvo V70 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Volvo V70 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Volvo V70?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2001 Volvo V70 have?

9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.