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2005 Volvo XC70

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

21 reports with mileage · 6 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Power Train complaints

8 reports
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120,000 miles · Oct 7, 2015
Power Train

THE AWD SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TO SPIN THE FRONT WHEELS CONSTANTLY. ALSO TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE WANTS TO DRIFT INTO THE OTHER LANES ON ITS OWN. DEALER TELLS ME IT IS THE ANGLE GEAR SLEEVE ON THE TRANSFER CASE OR THE TRANSFER CASE GEAR. TO ME ITS OBVIOUS THAT VOLVO DESIGNED THE PART TO FAIL. HOW CAN…

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THE AWD SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TO SPIN THE FRONT WHEELS CONSTANTLY. ALSO TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE WANTS TO DRIFT INTO THE OTHER LANES ON ITS OWN. DEALER TELLS ME IT IS THE ANGLE GEAR SLEEVE ON THE TRANSFER CASE OR THE TRANSFER CASE GEAR. TO ME ITS OBVIOUS THAT VOLVO DESIGNED THE PART TO FAIL. HOW CAN GEAR THAT IS SEALED FAIL WITH NORMAL USE? SO THE REPAIR WILL COULD COST UP TO $3600. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB. THIS IS SO COMMON ITS RIDICULES. NEVER BUY A VOLVO AGAIN. I BOUGHT THIS CAR TO HAVE A SAFE AWD. OH IT S SAFE... AS LONG AS ITS IN YOUR DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #10780469

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2014
Power TrainSteering

SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENTS RE 2005 XC70 VOLVO STEERING SHAFT BROKEN. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR IMPACT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE STEERING SHAFT TO BREAK. HE WAS SIMPLY MAKING A RIGHT TURN, ONTO HIS STREET WHEN THE STEERING STOPPED WORKING. *JB THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $4,000. UPDAT…

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SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENTS RE 2005 XC70 VOLVO STEERING SHAFT BROKEN. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR IMPACT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE STEERING SHAFT TO BREAK. HE WAS SIMPLY MAKING A RIGHT TURN, ONTO HIS STREET WHEN THE STEERING STOPPED WORKING. *JB THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $4,000. UPDATED 10/01/14. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10638924

80,000 miles · Jul 13, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION STARTED CLANKING ON THE GO AGAIN WHENEVER AFTER AN ABRUPT STOP. IT HAS PROBLEM SWITCHING IN THE LOW GEARS, BUT IS FINE ON THE HIGH GEARS WHEN IN HIGHWAY. IT HAS DIFFICULTY GOING BETWEEN DRIVE AND REVERSE ALSO. IT MAKES A LOUD NOISE AS IF A HAMMER HIT IT. THIS CAR WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS REGULARLY SERVICED …

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TRANSMISSION STARTED CLANKING ON THE GO AGAIN WHENEVER AFTER AN ABRUPT STOP. IT HAS PROBLEM SWITCHING IN THE LOW GEARS, BUT IS FINE ON THE HIGH GEARS WHEN IN HIGHWAY. IT HAS DIFFICULTY GOING BETWEEN DRIVE AND REVERSE ALSO. IT MAKES A LOUD NOISE AS IF A HAMMER HIT IT. THIS CAR WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS REGULARLY SERVICED BY THE DEALER. BUT WHEN THIS PROBLEM WAS FIRST REPORTED TO THEM WHEN IT FIRST STARTED, THEY GAVE THE USUAL SUGGESTION LIKE THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE WHICH I DECLINED AFTER READING OTHER OWNERS' STORIES OF ITS INEFFECTIVENESS. THEY FURTHER REFUSED TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY SIMPLY DO NOT DO THAT. AND WHEN QUESTION IF THE PROBLEM COULD BE FIXED IF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT PROMISE THAT EITHER. THE CAR WAS THEN TAKEN TO A REPUTABLE LOCAL MECHANIC. HE REFUSED TO WORK ON THE CAR. A 2ND MECHANIC CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BUT DID NOT REALLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE VOLVO DEALER SHOULD HAVE CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IF AND WHEN NEEDED DURING THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE SERVICES. BUT THEY NEVER DID BECAUSE IT WAS CHARACTERIZED AS UNNECESSARY. BASED ON ALL THESE FACTS, I HIGHLY SUSPECT THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS 2005 XC70 IS A FAULTY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT FAILS PREMATURELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10412094

149,137 miles · Jul 6, 2011
Power Train

1. LEAK FOUND IN PASSENGER-SIDE TRANSMISSION SEAL WHILE CAR WAS GETTING REGULAR SERVICE 2. TOOK CAR TO CERTIFIED VOLVO MECHANIC 3.VOLVO USA TOLD MECHANIC THAT THE PART, AS SUCH, IS NOT AVAILABLE AS A PART FOR REPAIR ; INSTEAD THAT THE ENTIRE LARGER PART,THE BEZEL GEAR, WHICH IS WORKING QUITE WELL, WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT …

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1. LEAK FOUND IN PASSENGER-SIDE TRANSMISSION SEAL WHILE CAR WAS GETTING REGULAR SERVICE 2. TOOK CAR TO CERTIFIED VOLVO MECHANIC 3.VOLVO USA TOLD MECHANIC THAT THE PART, AS SUCH, IS NOT AVAILABLE AS A PART FOR REPAIR ; INSTEAD THAT THE ENTIRE LARGER PART,THE BEZEL GEAR, WHICH IS WORKING QUITE WELL, WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2000! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10410664

130,000 miles · Nov 30, 2010
Power Train

PURCHASED 2005 VOLVO AND NOW HAVE 75,000 MILES AND BEGAN TO HAVE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I TOOK TO DEALER AND SPENT OVER $3000 TO FIX SOFTWARE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND THEN JUMPS INTO GEAR. I ALMOST CRASHED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I SUSPECT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS AND HOPEFULLY NO GETS …

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PURCHASED 2005 VOLVO AND NOW HAVE 75,000 MILES AND BEGAN TO HAVE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I TOOK TO DEALER AND SPENT OVER $3000 TO FIX SOFTWARE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND THEN JUMPS INTO GEAR. I ALMOST CRASHED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I SUSPECT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS AND HOPEFULLY NO GETS HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368455

125,000 miles · Aug 11, 2010
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON DOWNSHIFT FROM 3,2 TO 1 CLUCKS AND CLUCKS AGAIN WHEN RESTARTING. IT MAKES A HARD STOP AND YOU SCARES YOU THINKING YOU GOT HIT WITH SOMEONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10348720

78,000 miles · Jun 26, 2010
Power Train

OUR XC70 BEGAN OVERHEATING AND WAS TAKEN IN FOR DIAG. IT NEEDS A TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS BUILT INTO THE RADIATOR AND IT BEGAN EXCHANGING ENGINE COOLANT WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS IS A HORRIBLE DESIGN. WHY WOULD THEY NOT BE SEPARATE LIKE MY VW TOUAREG. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE AND N…

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OUR XC70 BEGAN OVERHEATING AND WAS TAKEN IN FOR DIAG. IT NEEDS A TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS BUILT INTO THE RADIATOR AND IT BEGAN EXCHANGING ENGINE COOLANT WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS IS A HORRIBLE DESIGN. WHY WOULD THEY NOT BE SEPARATE LIKE MY VW TOUAREG. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE AND NOW I AM LOOKING AT A $7000 REPAIR. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT AFTER TALKING TO THE DEALER AND CORPORATE VOLVO THAT NOTHING WILL BE DONE. THE CAR HAS 78,000 MILES ON IT. I'M SO UPSET BY THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10340224

63,000 miles · Sep 11, 2006
Power Train

TRANSMISSION HAD A JERK TO IT WHEN YOU CAME OUT OF A STOP. WHEN YOU ACCELERATED FROM A STOP THE ENGINE THEN WOULD STOP. WE HAVE THE DEALER SHIP VOLVO ( BARRIER LOOKING AT THE PROBLEM AND HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. THERE IS STILL HOWEVER A SMALL JERK IN THE TRANSMISSION AND A SLIGHT HESITATION IN THE ENGINE TO ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSI…

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TRANSMISSION HAD A JERK TO IT WHEN YOU CAME OUT OF A STOP. WHEN YOU ACCELERATED FROM A STOP THE ENGINE THEN WOULD STOP. WE HAVE THE DEALER SHIP VOLVO ( BARRIER LOOKING AT THE PROBLEM AND HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. THERE IS STILL HOWEVER A SMALL JERK IN THE TRANSMISSION AND A SLIGHT HESITATION IN THE ENGINE TO ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167920

Official recalls

2

21V800000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Oct 14, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

10V566000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

Nov 8, 2010

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

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

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 NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.