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?