VehicleVerdict

2005 Volvo XC70 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2005 Volvo XC70 sits mid-pack among XC70 years: 31 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 21, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 8 reports (26% of the total).

31

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other XC70 years?

XC70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 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, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XC70 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Volvo XC70 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission826%
Fuel System413%
Speed Control310%
Electrical System310%
Airbags26%
Seat Belts26%
Suspension26%
Visibility & Wipers26%
Steering13%
Engine13%
Tires & Wheels13%
Seats13%
Other13%

Does the 2005 Volvo XC70 have recalls?

3 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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“1. LEAK FOUND IN PASSENGER-SIDE TRANSMISSION SEAL WHILE CAR WAS GETTING REGULAR SERVICE 2. TOOK CAR TO CERTIFIED VOLVO MECHANIC 3.VOLVO USA TOLD MECHANIC THAT THE PART, AS SUCH, IS NOT AVAILABLE AS A PART FOR REPAIR ; INSTEAD THAT THE ENTIRE LARGER PART,THE BEZEL GEAR, WHICH IS WORKING QUITE WELL,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 6, 2011

“EGNISSION TURNS BUT TURNS OFF AFTER A HALF SECOND AFTER TURNING KEY TO START CAR. HALF TANK STILL WON'T START. IT WAS PARKED AND TRYING TO START CAR. THE DAY BEFORE THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND IN PARK WITH AC RUNING AND CAR WAS MAKING NOISE AS SHUTTERING OR GOING IN AND OUT OF GEARS. CODE READS FULE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 22, 2016

“MY WIFE'S 2005 VOLVO XC70 PROBLEM IS THAT PERIODICALLY WHEN YOU SHUT OFF THE CAR AND ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE KEY YOU CAN'T. THE CAR MAKES A NOISE LIKE IT CONTINUES TO RUN FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND SOMETIMES YOU CAN THEN REMOVE THE KEY. UNFORTUNATELY THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 10, 2013

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. THE HARDER THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THE FASTER THE ENGINE WOULD REV AND LURCH FORWARD, UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE IGNITION WAS SWITCHED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 10, 2006 · crash

“The contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC70. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V800000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 14, 2021

2005 Volvo XC70 — common questions

Is the 2005 Volvo XC70 reliable?

It is close to typical for the XC70: 31 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2005 XC70 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (8 complaints), fuel system (4 complaints), speed control (3 complaints).

Does the 2005 Volvo XC70 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Volvo XC70. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.