VehicleVerdict

2002 Volvo V70 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 91 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 11.4 times the median V70 year — the 2002 model ranks #6 of 21 V70 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (17), fuel system (13), and speed control (12), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

91

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other V70 years?

V70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted268 complaints1996: 3 complaints1997: 3 complaints1998: 242 complaints1999: 220 complaints2000: 116 complaints2001: 268 complaints2002: 91 complaints2003: 36 complaints2004: 118 complaints2005: 22 complaints2006: 23 complaints2007: 8 complaints2008: 13 complaints2009: 8 complaints2010: 6 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 0 complaints
V70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all V70 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Volvo V70 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission1719%
Fuel System1314%
Speed Control1213%
Lighting78%
Airbags78%
Engine67%
Electrical System67%
Seat Belts44%
Tires & Wheels44%
Other33%
Visibility & Wipers33%
Suspension22%
Steering22%
Brakes22%
Body & Structure11%
Latches & Locks11%
Seats11%

Does the 2002 Volvo V70 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V800000AirbagsOctober 14, 2021 · 194,546 units

Defect

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.

10V566000Electrical SystemNovember 8, 2010 · 416 units

Defect

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

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.

09V483000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2009 · 158,733 units

Defect

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, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, UTAH, VIRGINIA AND THE U.S. TERRITORIES. WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (HOT CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE CYCLING) OVER TIME AND IN COMBINATION WITH VARYING FUEL QUALITY, THE FUEL PUMP CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE.

Consequence

IF THE CONDITION OCCURS VEHICLE OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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 BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

06V441000Speed ControlNovember 15, 2006 · 170,099 units

Defect

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 SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.

Consequence

THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.

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.

04V051000LightingFebruary 2, 2004 · 3,242 units

Defect

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 ALL OTHER TAIL LIGHTS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.

Consequence

IF THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO COME ON, THERE WILL BE NO LOWER BRAKE LIGHTS TO INDICATE TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES THAT THE VEHICLE IS DECELERATING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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.

03V284000OtherAugust 1, 2003 · 220,407 units

Defect

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 VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

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 TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF THE GUIDE, IT WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE WHEEL SEPARATED THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND CITED THE CONSUMER. VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 22, 2003 · crash

“DEALER SAYS THROTTLE BODY IN 2002 VOLVO V70 IS FAILING AND WILL PRESENT SAFETY PROBLEM (STALLING ON X-WAY OR INABILITY TO START). DEALER SAYS $1,000 TO REPLACE.NEVER HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS IS A NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEM WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE IN OVER 35 YEARS OF DRIVING.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 8, 2005

“UPON APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. SUDDENLY, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN ENGINE REVVED, AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE ACCELERATION, BUT IT FAILED TO DO SO. VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATION WHEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 5, 2004 · crash

“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. THE "POSITION LIGHT FAILURE, STOP LIGHT AND MULTIPLE BULBS FAILURE" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · April 10, 2017 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE WHEEL SEPARATED THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND CITED THE CONSUMER. VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 22, 2003 · crash

2002 Volvo V70 — common questions

Is the 2002 Volvo V70 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 91 complaints put the 2002 model at #6 of 21 V70 years. It is one of the V70 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 V70 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (17 complaints), fuel system (13 complaints), speed control (12 complaints).

Does the 2002 Volvo V70 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Volvo V70. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Volvo V70 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volvo V70 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the V70 years to avoid are 2001, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2000, 2002, 2003. The cleanest record among V70 years belongs to 2016.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.