VehicleVerdict

2002 Volvo XC70 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 46 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median XC70 year — the 2002 model ranks #4 of 16 XC70 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 14 reports (30% of the total).

46

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other XC70 years?

XC70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 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, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XC70 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Volvo XC70 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission1430%
Speed Control715%
Fuel System715%
Engine613%
Suspension511%
Visibility & Wipers37%
Seat Belts12%
Other12%
Steering12%
Lighting12%

Does the 2002 Volvo XC70 have recalls?

4 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.

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.

“2002 VOLVO XC70 WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, BUCKING, AND JERKING WHEN SHIFTING INTO LOWER GEARS. *KB THE VEHICLE HAD A SIGNIFICANT OIL LEAK FROM THE ENGINE TURBO OIL RETURN. THE HEADLIGHT AND REAR MARKER LIGHT WOULD FLICKER WHEN THE CONSUMER DROVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 16, 2007

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 15, 2006

“MY 2002 VOLVO XC 70 SEEMS TO SMELL LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE THE CAR. I HAVE READ ON NUMEROUS VOLVO FORUMS REGARDING VOLVO OWNERS THAT HAS THE SAME OR SIMILAR CONCERNS. THIS CANT BE GOOD FOR THE DRIVER(MYSELF) OR THE VEHICLE. ANY INSIGHT ON A RECALL WOULD BE WONDERFUL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. JOE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 2, 2008

“DT: THE CALLER SAID WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH COOLANT LIGHT ON DASHBOARD CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHE SAID THE LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE SHE LEFT FOR A TRIP, AND THE DEALER SAID THEY FIXED IT. THE CALLER SAID WHILE ON THE TRIP THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND SHE CALLED DEALER,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 4, 2005 · fire

“AT 65,000 MILES THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ON MY 2002 VOLVO XC70 WENT BAD. AS WE ALL KNOW THIS CAN BE AN EXCEEDINGLY DANGEROUS CONDITION AS THE WHEELS MY FALL OFF. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THE XC70 AND THE VOLVO SUV. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 20, 2008

2002 Volvo XC70 — common questions

Is the 2002 Volvo XC70 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 46 complaints put the 2002 model at #4 of 16 XC70 years. It is one of the XC70 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 XC70 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (14 complaints), speed control (7 complaints), fuel system (7 complaints).

Does the 2002 Volvo XC70 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Volvo XC70. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 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.