VehicleVerdict

2004 Volvo V70 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 118 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 14.8 times the median V70 year — the 2004 model ranks #4 of 21 V70 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (28), fuel system (23), and electrical system (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

118

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other V70 years?

V70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 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, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all V70 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Volvo V70 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2824%
Fuel System2319%
Electrical System1311%
Steering98%
Seats87%
Transmission65%
Airbags43%
Brakes43%
Seat Belts43%
Suspension43%
Other33%
Tires & Wheels33%
Lighting33%
Speed Control33%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Body & Structure11%

Does the 2004 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.

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.

07E023000BrakesMarch 29, 2007 · 13,128 units

Defect

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

04V029000SteeringJanuary 16, 2004 · 29,986 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY AND, AS A RESULT, THE STUD AND NUT THAT SECURE THE ARM TO THE SPINDLE MAY LOSE THEIR INITIAL AXIAL TENSION. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE STEERING MAY BECOME LESS RESPONSIVE AND THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE STEERING WHEEL PLAY.

Consequence

THIS DRIVING CONDITION COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SEPARATION BETWEEN THE FRONT CONTROL ARM AND THE SPINDLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TYPE OF NUT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MY VOLVO V70 IS STALLING DURING DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PAID THE $875 TO REPLACE THE MASS FLOW SENSOR. THE STALLING HAS CONTINUED. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO VOLVO AMERICA. THEY TOLD ME THAT MODEL YEAR WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECENT RECALL FOR ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 2, 2011

“WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR WE DROVE IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE IT STARTED SURGING FORWARD AND STALLING A LOT. MY FIANC AND I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER, PARK THE CAR, HAVE TO TURN THE KEY THREE TIMES BEFORE STARTING. WOULD HAVE TO REPEAT PROCESS EVERY 5 MINUTES. SO WE TOOK IT TO PARAMOUNT VOLVO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 7, 2016 · crash

“MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER CAUGHT ON FIRE TODAY AND SMOLDERED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT. I WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE MORNING AROUND 9:15AM.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 6, 2017 · fire

“PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. *MR THE PROBLEM WAS SO-CALLED CORRECTED, BUT THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT PROBLEM RETURNED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER 4-5 TIMES TO CORRECT THE STEERING SAFETY ISSUE. ON THE LAST VISIT, THE LEFT FRONT MCPHERSON STRUT SPRING WAS CHANGED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 1, 2004

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SMELL A FAINT BURNING ODOR FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT WAS SMOKING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE SHE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · February 15, 2011 · fire

2004 Volvo V70 — common questions

Is the 2004 Volvo V70 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 118 complaints put the 2004 model at #4 of 21 V70 years. It is one of the V70 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 V70 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (28 complaints), fuel system (23 complaints), electrical system (13 complaints).

Does the 2004 Volvo V70 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 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.