VehicleVerdict

2003 Volvo V70 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 36 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.5 times the median V70 year — the 2003 model ranks #7 of 21 V70 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 9 reports (25% of the total).

36

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other V70 years?

V70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 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, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all V70 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Volvo V70 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System925%
Transmission514%
Electrical System514%
Engine411%
Lighting38%
Airbags38%
Speed Control26%
Tires & Wheels26%
Seat Belts13%
Body & Structure13%
Brakes13%

Does the 2003 Volvo V70 have recalls?

5 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.

07V226000EngineJune 5, 2007 · 32,189 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR LOCATED ON THE LEFT END OF THE FUEL RAIL MAY, AT TIMES, TRANSMIT INCORRECT SIGNAL REGARDING THE FUEL PRESSURE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. IF THE SIGNAL IS OUTSIDE OF THE PRE-PROGRAMMED ALLOWABLE LIMITS, A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE MAY BE SET AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. THE SOLDERED JOINTS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR MAY CRACK DUE TO TEMPERATURE CHANGES AND EXCESSIVE VIBRATIONS.

Consequence

MISFIRE MAY OCCUR DURING DRIVING THAT, IN TURN, WILL REDUCE THE ENGINE TORQUE AND IN THE WORST CASE SCENARIO, THE ENGINE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. IN CERTAIN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS THIS COULD CAUSE AN UNSAFE SITUATION AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY 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.

“CAR WOULD NOT START. MY MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AT MY OWN EXPENSE - A LENGTHY REPAIR THAT COST MORE THAN $1000. ALTHOUGH VOLVO RECALL 181 DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE, I WONDER WHETHER THE FUEL PUMP ISSUE IN VOLVO RECALL 181 SHOULD APPLY TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 28, 2008

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO V70 .THE LIGHTING AND THE GAUGES OF THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL HAVE FAILED. AS A CONSEQUENCE SHE CAN NOT READ ANY OF THE DISPLAY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000 . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 1, 2009

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, HE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 13, 2012

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS BELOW 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 17, 2017

“THE TURN SIGNAL IS SOMEHOW NOT CONNECTED PROPERLY TO THE VEHICLE. EVERY TIME THE DRIVER USES THE TURN SIGNAL, THE BRIGHTS TO THE CAR GO ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY, AS THE DRIVER FLASHES BRIGHTS TO OTHER DRIVERS AS THE TURN SIGNAL GOES ON WITH THE BRIGHTS TO THE CAR. TRIED TO FIX…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · March 17, 2014

2003 Volvo V70 — common questions

Is the 2003 Volvo V70 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 36 complaints put the 2003 model at #7 of 21 V70 years. It is one of the V70 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 V70 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (9 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints), transmission (5 complaints).

Does the 2003 Volvo V70 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Volvo V70. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.