VehicleVerdict

2001 Volvo XC70 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 77 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.7 times the median XC70 year — the 2001 model ranks #2 of 16 XC70 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 22 reports (29% of the total).

77

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other XC70 years?

XC70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted118 complaints2001: 77 complaints2002: 46 complaints2003: 28 complaints2004: 118 complaints2005: 31 complaints2006: 22 complaints2007: 37 complaints2008: 54 complaints2009: 20 complaints2010: 17 complaints2011: 18 complaints2012: 17 complaints2013: 9 complaints2014: 3 complaints2015: 9 complaints2016: 7 complaints
XC70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XC70 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Volvo XC70 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission2229%
Speed Control1519%
Engine1317%
Fuel System912%
Electrical System68%
Suspension68%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Latches & Locks11%
Other11%
Seat Belts11%
Body & Structure11%
Brakes11%

Does the 2001 Volvo XC70 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.

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.

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.

“I HAD EXPERIENCED SOME INSTANCES OF A DELAY IN RESPONSE BY THE THROTTLE IN MY 2001 XC70 FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. MOST TIMES IT WAS FOLLOWING AN EXIT FROM A FREEWAY AND THE SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTED ACCELERATION AFTER STOP WAS VERY HESITANT AND FELT AS IF THE CLUTCH WAS SLIPPING. I HAD AN ETM DIAGNOSTIC RUN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 7, 2008 · crash

“DT: VEHICLE STALLED/DIED, AND LOST POWER DUE TO THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. *AK WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HOLDING AT A CONSTANT SPEED. THIS OCCURRED WHETHER THE CONSUMER USED THE CRUISE CONTROL OR MANUALLY OPERATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 19, 2004

“VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING ON I695, NEAR TOWSON, MD. WAITED 30 MINUTES AND RE-STARTED VEHICLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ETM THROTTLE MODULE NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. MECHANIC ALSO SAID THAT THE ETM SHOULD BE REPLACED, AS HE HAD SEEN MANY OTHER VOLVO ETM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 1, 2005

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO XC70. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REFUEL THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE, THE CONTACT STATED GASOLINE CONTINUED TO SPEW OUT FROM THE FILLER NOSE AND THE EMISSIONS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS A SPIDER WEB IN THE VENT WELL OF THE FUEL TANK AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 8, 2010 · fire

“CAR STALLED (POWER LOST) SEVERAL TIMES EVEN AFTER DRIVING FOR AWHILE. STALLED OUT AT STOP SIGN, RED LIGHT, AND WHILE DRIVING AT LOW RATE OF SPEED. TOOK TO MARTENS VOLVO DEALER. THEY CHARGED US $400+ TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE AND SOME PART NEAR THE THROTTLE. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 10, 2005

2001 Volvo XC70 — common questions

Is the 2001 Volvo XC70 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 77 complaints put the 2001 model at #2 of 16 XC70 years. It is one of the XC70 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 XC70 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (22 complaints), speed control (15 complaints), engine (13 complaints).

Does the 2001 Volvo XC70 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Volvo XC70. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Volvo XC70 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volvo XC70 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the XC70 years to avoid are 2004, 2001, 2008, 2002, 2007. The cleanest record among XC70 years belongs to 2014.

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.