VehicleVerdict

2012 Volvo XC70 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 17 complaints on file for the 2012 Volvo XC70 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

17

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other XC70 years?

XC70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 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, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XC70 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Volvo XC70 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers635%
Body & Structure318%
Steering212%
Other212%
Tires & Wheels212%
Seat Belts16%
Brakes16%

Does the 2012 Volvo XC70 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V378000Seat BeltsJune 30, 2020 · 308,260 units

Defect

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.

Consequence

An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.

12V075000Electrical SystemFebruary 28, 2012 · 32,552 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. IN THESE VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED PROPERLY TO THE SEAT FRAME. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED TO ADJUST THE SEATING POSITION, THE WIRE HARNESS MAY GET PULLED, CAUSING IT TO DISCONNECT.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF CRASH, THE FRONT AND/OR SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY IMPROPERLY OR NOT AT ALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. ALSO, THE LAP BELT PRETENSIONER MAY NOT DEPLOY.

Remedy

VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, SECURE THE SEAT WIRE HARNESS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY 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.

“THE SEAL FOR THE WINDSHIELD HAS FAILED ALONG THE TOP PASSENGER SIDE. FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, ONE CAN PUSH THE WINDSHIELD ENOUGH TO SEE A GAP. WATER ENTERS WHEN RAINING; I BELIEVE THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE IS THE SEAL COMPLETELY FAILS. IT STARTED AT ABOUT 55 MONTHS AFTER DELIVERY AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 1, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO XC70. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN, WATER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE WINDSCREEN FAILED AND CAUSED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO BECOME UNSECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VOLVO OF MONTEREY IN SEASIDE, CA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 25, 2019

“THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS AND HESITATES AND WON'T TURN. THEN IT FINALLY DOES. SOMETIMES IT SEEMS WORSE WHEN COLD. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MANY DEALERS AND MECHANICS AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. JUST RECENTLY PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I WAS USING THE GAS, AND IT WOULD NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 16, 2020

“THIS IS SECOND OCCURRENCE WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES ON MY 2012 VOLVO XC 70. SIDE WALL SHREDDED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING 35 MPH CAUSING BLOWOUT AT 14,000 MILES FIRST BLOWOUT OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD. VOLVO REPLACED TIRE AND CHARGED ME $270 SAYING DEFECTIVE TIRES WERE NOT COVERED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 30, 2013

“THE SEAL FOR THE WINDSHIELD HAS FAILED ALONG THE TOP PASSENGER SIDE. FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, ONE CAN PUSH THE WINDSHIELD ENOUGH TO SEE A GAP. WATER ENTERS WHEN RAINING; I BELIEVE THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE IS THE SEAL COMPLETELY FAILS. IT STARTED AT ABOUT 55 MONTHS AFTER DELIVERY AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 1, 2016

2012 Volvo XC70 — common questions

Is the 2012 Volvo XC70 reliable?

The record is thin — 17 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2012 XC70 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (6 complaints), body & structure (3 complaints), other (2 complaints).

Does the 2012 Volvo XC70 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 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.