MYRModel Year Report

2002 Volvo V70

▲ Better than typical
2002 Volvo V70
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:39:23.819Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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
76
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

1996: 1 complaint 1996 1997: 3 complaints 1998: 187 complaints 1999: 169 complaints 1999 2000: 93 complaints 2001: 221 complaints 2002: 76 complaints 2002 76 2003: 32 complaints 2004: 84 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
1996: 1 complaint 1996 1997: 3 complaints 1998: 187 complaints 1998 1999: 169 complaints 2000: 93 complaints 2000 2001: 221 complaints 2002: 76 complaints 2002 76 2003: 32 complaints 2004: 84 complaints 2004 2005: 21 complaints 2006: 21 complaints 2006 2007: 7 complaints 2008: 11 complaints 2008 2009: 4 complaints 2010: 4 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints 2012: 0 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints 2014: 0 complaints 2014 2015: 0 complaints 2016: 0 complaints 2016
1996: 1 complaint 1996 1997: 3 complaints 1997 1998: 187 complaints 1998 1999: 169 complaints 1999 2000: 93 complaints 2000 2001: 221 complaints 2001 2002: 76 complaints 2002 76 2003: 32 complaints 2003 2004: 84 complaints 2004 2005: 21 complaints 2005 2006: 21 complaints 2006 2007: 7 complaints 2007 2008: 11 complaints 2008 2009: 4 complaints 2009 2010: 4 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints 2013 2014: 0 complaints 2014 2015: 0 complaints 2015 2016: 0 complaints 2016

2002: 76 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19961
19973
1998187
1999169
200093
2001221
200276
200332
200484
200521
200621
20077
200811
20094
20104
20110
20120
20130
20140
20150
20160

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

22% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle shaft.

CRASH

Vehicle speed control

16% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASH

Fuel/propulsion system

9% · 7 reports
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Volvo V70. The contact stated that the vehicle smelled of gasoline.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-19

Air bags

9% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

"Takata recall" I was driving east bound on arlington blvd in Virginia and proceeded to stop on a yellow light when a car driving over 55 MPH hit my 2002 Volvo from the rear and my vehicle spun out of control and hit another car front/side from the...

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-15

Also filed under Seat belts

The consumer was making a left hand turn when the driver's side air bag inadvertently deployed. The consumer managed to pull vehicle over and had it towed to dealership.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-03

Exterior lighting

9% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing brake lights and back up lights.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Volvo V70. While driving, the exterior lighting failed to illuminate, which included the headlights, brake lights, and turn signals.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-05-24

Consumer was unable to see child in the rear view mirror and as a result he ran his son over.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-25

Also filed under Visibility

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2003-12-19Equipment03V284000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2004-02-23Exterior lighting04V051000 On certain sport utility vehicles, the rear left and right brake light relays may not function when the brake pedal is depressed or may stay on continuously. The high positioned brake light and…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake light relay with two relays of a modified design. Owner notification began on February 23, 2004. Owners should contact Volvo AT 1-800-458-1552.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2005-07-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-12-07 Throttle control malfunction
  4. I
    2005-12-06Engineering analysisClosed 2006-12-12 Throttle control malfunction
  5. R
    2006-12-29Vehicle speed control06V441000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2010-01-15Fuel system, gasoline09V483000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2010-11-18Equipment10V566000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2021-12-14Air bags21V800000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Volvo V70 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 17 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 7 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V284000 · Equipment
  • Recall 04V051000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06V441000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 09V483000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 10V566000 · Equipment
  • Recall 21V800000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Volvo V70 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Volvo V70 is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Volvo V70?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Volvo V70 have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.