2001 Volvo XC70 V70 XC AWD from North America - Comments

2001: Parking lights would not go off - Replaced Central Electronic Module;

Replaced Right and Left Brake Light bulbs;

2002: Replaced faulty door lock remotes;

Replaced right and left headlight bulbs and harness;

Replaced two burned out headlamp bulbs;

Replaced license plate bulb;

Replaced head light bulbs again;

Noisy suspension noted, but no repairs made by dealer.

2003: Headlights and taillights stopped working, replaced all bulbs again;

Electronic Control Module failed, rush hour traffic, $100.00 towing bill. Electronic Control Module was recalled and replaced by Volvo ($1,200.00 repair) ;

Severe hesitation after pushing accelerator before car begins to move. Cause not determined. No repair;

Right front suspension failure ($1,600.00 repair covered by Volvo rather than the dealer) ;

2005: Plastic Glove box frame broken ($300.00 repair) ;

Right front headlamps burned out and replaced again.

Fan motor recalled and replaced by Volvo ($250.00 repair) ;

2006: A/C compressor failed ($1,100.00 repair) ;

90,000 mile service cost $2,200.00 - very expensive for a regular service;

Idle speed oscillations and delay in acceleration treated by new software in the electronic control module (hesitation in acceleration stopped for one week and then returned;

Ignition coil failed ($120.00 repair & $100.00 towing fee) ;

Front control arm bushings torn ($400.00 repair) ;

Automatic transmission failed ($3,200.00 repair at my cost) ;

2007: Second automatic transmission failure (under dealer warranty, but the towing cost was around $100.00 and was not reimbursed).

Upper engine mount bushing torn ($150.00 repair).

Side marker lamp failure on both sides of the car ($80.00 repair).

2007: Leak in sun roof. Interior damage to leather seats in the amount of $500.00.

I have babied this car more than any other car I've owned. This list includes a 1988 Mercedes 560 SL and a 1969 Jaguar XKE coupe, etc. I accelerate easy, I break easy, turn easy and drive it like I have a glass of water poised on top of the dash board.

Nevertheless, I've experienced so many mechanical failures that the car easily compares to the horrible reputation of the old Jaguars and MG’s from British Leland I drove years ago. No car I have every owned has left me stranded on the side of the road waiting on a tow truck as much as the Volvo V70 XC.

Regular maintenance and all fluid changes were performed on time and through a Volvo dealer. No non-Volvo parts were used. I’ve experienced a constant series of electronic problems, issues with hesitation in acceleration and idling along with two automatic transmission failures and failures of suspension components that simply shouldn't fail given the mileage on the car.

Fit & finish is perfect, but components of the car that simply shouldn’t break, do break. It’s as if its components are made of cheap plastic or too low grade of pot metal.

Also, the dealer charges for parts and repairs are very expensive compared too many other similar foreign makes (except for Mercedes). I’ve been told that Volvo charges a subscription rate of around $8,000.00 plus a yearly maintenance fee for a garage to subscribe to their online repair reference database and service guides. So much for anyone buying a Chilton’s shop manual for do-it-yourself repairs. Most non-dealer or independent garages can’t afford this exorbitant fee. This allows the Volvo dealerships to charge far above market rates for repairs in addition to inflated charges for Volvo parts. Throw in the current dismal exchange rate for the dollar compared to the Euro and the costs become extreme. For example. One Gallon of Volvo Antifreeze cost me $18.00. Of course, the owners manual warns you against using any other brand.

This is one of the most comfortable cars I have owned. It's also proved overly expensive to maintain and prone to a large variety of malfunctions that I have not encountered with even much less expensive cars.

I too own a Volvo XC V70 from 2001. Last January I had to replace the radiator. So too this January. Today, the car won't start - just looking for sob stories similar to my own. And no, I will NEVER buy another Volvo.

We purchased a 2001 Volvo XC V70 cross country wagon, my wife and I, and we can't understand, Volvo is supposed to be a great, tough, durable vehicle, and very safe for women to drive. Anyway, in a matter of 6 months we've already replaced the radiator, a full set of brake rotors, including brake pads, the 2 rear door locks won't work anymore, we are experiencing problems with the suspension system, and here and there it hesitates to run when you hit the accelerator.

I have one too. A lot of expensive repairs, luckily, most of the first 100000 were covered under extended certified warranty. 151000 now, Front brake caliper seized, motor mounts have gone, etc. Piece of crap.

I have owned my XC70 for nearly two years, and have had to repair more stuff on this car than any other car I have owned! I had approx 60K miles and had to replace the transmission which included 3 or more trips to the dealer (45 min drive for me one way). Once the transmission was replaced, the dealer returned the car to me and the car died an hour later again. I called the dealership and they said they don't understand because they had hooked it up to the computer they had, and it did not report anything wrong.

In conclusion, my friends and family are baffled at how many times I have had to get a rent a car, drive to the dealer and fork over money left and right on top of regular maintenance costs. I bought this car due to the reputation of the safety and reliability (if regular maintenance is kept up). I was also told that "Volvos last forever if you keep them up". That is a flat out lie. I drove to another town because I specifically wanted a Volvo and was convinced that this particular was a great car. The salesman told me I was the 2nd owner (true), that the previous owner kept it well maintained (which may be true) and that this car would be safe for me and my family (LIE!!!). This car has left my small children and I stranded on the side of the road on several occassions.

I will never own another Volvo for the rest of my life. In fact, I have been trying to sell my Volvo to get a different car, but I feel guilty for anyone who owns this car again (it's a money pit!!!).

I normally don't post things on sites, but I was interested in reading all these posts/comments and felt inspired to share a little of my story.

We bought our 2001 XC70 used in 2004. It had been a one user lease, had 23K miles and CarFax reported no issues other than regular maint.

In 2005 the ignition switch lock core seized and had to be replaced.

In 2006 the transmission died and left us standing on busy intersection of roads and railroad tracks some 1600 miles from home. Towed to dealer.

We were 2K miles over the 50K warranty and Volvo wouldn't budge. The dealer was upset with Volvo North America (I listened to the Service Mgr. go from mild to obscenity laced tirade on the phone with Volvo NA---still, no budge.) We paid full price for the 'new' transmission. Volvo does not sell or install 'new' transmissions; only 'factory reconditioned' transmissions.

The 'factory reconditioned' transmission that cost $3,400 to install was shipped 'defective' from the factory. It leaked fluid the entire 1600 mile journey home. Volvo NA insisted that it was safe to drive and would not damage the transmission because the leak was minor and 'would likely solve itself'. It didn't. Our Volvo certified mechanic at home (who is honest and top notch) was not allowed to do the repairs. Volvo NA insisted the car be towed 70 miles to the nearest Official Volvo Dealer. We had to pay the tow, we had to pay rental cars...oh, and this all began the day before my father died in hospice care in Maine... so while the first tranny was being replaced, we had to pay round trip air fare back to the midwest to bury my father because Volvo NA couldn't get a transmission to the largest New England Volvo Dealership in time to get us on the road. Volvo North America was snotty, rude, mean spirited, etc. At one point, the Admin Assist for Volvo NA's Customer Service VP said, "Look, we're sorry that your father's dead, but that has nothing to do with us. People die every day. That's life."

Now our sunroof glass shattered. We're on the road again. The local dealer has had the car for 5 days because:

1) They replaced the glass, but

2) the motor was damaged by glass shards and needed to be replaced, and

3) this meant ordering a part, and

4) now that the new motor is in,

5) the 'rails' appear to have been damaged by glass shards, and

6) these parts will have to be ordered.

What a geographical oddity the Volvo XC70 is... it can only take you places where everything is two days away via FedEx!

I bought a 2001 Volvo XC70 about a month ago. I love the car...it is very luxurious and is comfortable to ride in. I have, however, noticed that the car "chugs" along, rattles (only has 72,302 miles). Additionally, one day I went into the car only to find that the air conditioner had been running for at least an hour while it was sitting (key was not in ignition) in my driveway. Does anyone know what that's about? I know that Volvo is owned by Ford, one of the worst automakers on the planet. The salesman said that Volvo still makes their own cars in Sweden and that Bosch makes the parts. I am kind of credulous about the reliability of the vehicles, though, considering that I test drove a 2001 S80 with 80,000 miles at the same dealership, which supposedly was experiencing engine problems. Any advice, feedback, or comments?

I am VERY interested by these comments. I have a 1987 Volvo 240 (where the "last for ever reputation" comes from) & a 1996 960 which is almost as good (or S90 if you're in the USA). I have been thinking about buying an XC70, but these comments have put me off. The only thing I could say is old Volvo's ARE amazing, but since Ford took over, it looks like you get cheap plastic interiors, unreliable electronics and generally less robust cars. I am a true Volvo fan and will hold onto my well-trusted older models!

A Volvo interior fan on a late model will run on its own to dry out humidity and prevent mildew. It's normal. If the fan doesn't shut off, it's not.

I have a 2000 V70. It's got about 92,000 on it. Volvo parts are expensive because there is --supposedly--no alternative to Volvo. Always try after market stuff. If you have a good independent mechanic (yeah, I know) he or she won't object to searching the Internet, which is the best place to find stuff. I've found it's about 50 to 60 percent less than "genuine" Volvo parts with no degradation in performance. I avoid dealers like the plague, although there are exceptions. This car has had some problems, but about average, in my experience. The stuff about interior parts breaking is too true. But in some cases, a tube of crazy glue is a more than adequate substitute for a $400 part.

This message is to address the one entitled: 5th June 2008 9:46. I've read all the postings and sympathize with the issues people have experienced, especially the one in which the writer lost her dad. That must have been a nightmare.

We bought our 2002 Cross Country (same model as almost everyone else was speaking about) new- paid cash. Around a month into owning it, I swerved to avoid a deer and crashed into a very well-installed wooden fence. The airbag deployed, and the total cost to fix the car was around $13,000. I was sore the next day, very frustrated, but not hurt. About a year later, on vacation in Washington, D.C., we were hit on the left front of the car. The Volvo Dealership in Maryland described the shape of the car: "like banana." My husband was driving this time, and suffered a bruised forehead. The impact was such that the driver's door and the door behind it could not be opened. The wheels were literally at an angle that was almost comical. Everything inside the car shifted to the right. My son was in the back seat, strapped in, and I was in the front, next to my husband. At first I was a bit concerned about my husband's head, but he expressed concern that we might miss our dinner reservation, so I knew he was fine. The three of us exited the car (on foot) with no major injuries. This accident cost $12,000, not including airfare to get the car after it was fixed at the Maryland Dealership.

I don't think being on the side of the road waiting for a ride because of transmission issues qualifies as "unsafe." We had two major accidents in this vehicle and walked out unharmed. THIS IS A SAFE CAR. It is an expensive car. It is not perfect. But it is safe.

At present, the car has 109,000 miles on it. The right front spring is broken, and so both front struts and springs need replacing. It will probably cost around $800.00, using parts on-line and having them installed by a local, trustworthy mechanic. I don't like the run-around at the dealerships, either. It's very upsetting to pay so much more for simple things like oil changes and regular "service" checks. Dealers are very nice when you're BUYING, but when you return with the car, it's like they've had a personality overhaul. I too am perplexed by how, when you turn on the defrost, the car automatically switches to air-conditioning during the time the defrost is running. During the first few years of driving the car (when it wasn't being repaired), the check engine light came on constantly, causing me a lot of stress. I'd take it in to the dealership, they'd check it, and tell me nothing was wrong. On a number of occasions, they hooked it up to their machine which checks out all the computer electronic gadgetry, and then tell me nothing was wrong. I now ignore the "check engine" light and pay more attention to the way the car FEELS and SOUNDS. There are simply too many little electronic things in this car to rely on a "check engine" light to indicate anything meaningful.

I've always had the oil changed regularly, and aside from the accidents, have been very pleased with this car. "Safe" is a relative term. It's a shame that the people who swear by Volvo do not post their positive comments! You should see the pictures of the accident scenes which I took at the times we were not able to drive the car to the side of the road... The car that hit us in Washington was going about 35 mph when it slammed into my husband's side of the car- this is a good test of safety. To emerge from that with a bruise and a bit of soreness is amazing. NEVER take your own car to D.C.- fly in and take the public transit.

At the time we were looking for a new car, we looked at the comparable Mercedes station wagon, which cost about $20,000 more than the Volvo, and the "safety" features were almost indistinguishable. Why pay so much more? We went with the Volvo.

We still have the car, as the economy is terrible, and due to the accidents, it's only worth around $3000.00 (my humble estimate). The car runs well, the bells and whistles still work (such as the heated seats, locks, stereo, etc.), and I feel very fortunate to be alive and well. We'll get the springs replaced and be thankful we're around.

We have a 2001 XC V70 with 157,000 miles. We have had in the past 6 years a:

New Transmission

New engine mounts

3 times - catalytic converters

Every sensor you can name

Oil leaks from seals and gaskets

Major strut and yoke repair

Wheel bearings

And now we have an intermittent message that indicates Low Oil Pressure and that we must stop asap. This is apparently going to require engine work costing $1500 to $2000 to identify the problem and repair.

The car is wonderful to drive and gives the driver and passengers a great sense of safety.

But, I think the car is on its way to salvage.

My family and I bought a used 2001 V70 in 2003. Now we have 90,000 miles, and the transmission is going. The dealer and one other repair shop that I go to both told me that it will cost $4,000 for a new rebuilt one. They told me that you don't need to service it or add fluid to it. That doesn't make sense to me. I like the Volvo, but it's too expensive to maintain. I have a 1984 240 DL, and I am driving it. I'm very unhappy with the high cost of maintenance, and don't think that a transmission should go out this early. At least build a transmission that can be serviced regularly. I'm not going to buy another Volvo. I want to write the owner in Sweden, if you can give me their address.

2001 V70 XC - Love it. NEVER had an issue. I have a group I drive with, we all have this vehicle model, and NEVER had anything other than routine maintenance.

I'm sorry for all your troubles, but this is the best car I have ever owned!

Have a 2004 XC70 with 50,000 miles. I love this car and have had no issues other than regular maintenance. The only place I would feel safer is in a tank.

2001 Volvo V70 XC

I bought brand new a 2001 V70 XC, and as of today I have 138,000 miles. Other than routine maintenance, I have never had any problems whatsoever with it. I love this car, but was thinking of getting a newer model, but it seems like it's the luck of the draw by reading others comments. Now I don't know what to do. Should I consider myself lucky and keep this car since it's been so reliable? I'm wondering what's the upper limit in miles I can realistically expect?

Own a 99 Volvo XCv70 - a litany of failures. Thought I'd seen the end of them, now the ignition cylinder has failed and it's time for the tow truck yet again.