Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Volvo S70, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 64 | 34% |
| Electrical system | 24 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 15 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 14 | 7% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 2% |
| Air bags | 4 | 2% |
| Power train | 4 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 2% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I am filing this complaint because my 2000 Volvo S60 is experiencing a safety failure regarding the Front, driver door latch/lock. The door fails to latch properly. While there is a known safety recall (e.g., recall R899
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET. I ENTERED THE VEHICLE, SAT DOWN IN THE DRIVER SIDE AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE SEAT ACROSS MY BODY. I WOULD NOT MOVE, I BEGAN TUGGING AT IT AND RELEASING IT. I BROKE THE HOUSING
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
THE ETS LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAR ENDED UP STALLING AFTER BEING PARKED UPON TRYING TO RESTART IT. THIA IS AM ISSUE THAT ONLY THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP CAN FIX SINCE IT INVOLVES REPROGRAMMING OR REPLACING AND PROGR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
IGNITION COIL IS MISFIRING, AND PARK NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH ALSO KNOWN AS THE TRANSMISSION POSITION SWITCH OR NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH IS HAVING ISSUES. WHEN ITS IDLING ITS REALLY ROUGH WHILE DRIVING THE CAR JOLTS AN HICCU
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED IN THE RETRACTED POSITION AND DID NOT GIVE ANY SLACK TO SECURE THE DRIVER IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT T
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 VOLVO S70. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION THAT RESULTED IN A ROLLOVER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTEN
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND AS SOON AS I REACHED 60 MPH MY ETS LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH MY BRAKE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT. MY SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO AND MY CAR WAS ACTING STRANGE. I PULLED OVER AND STOPPED AND H
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE ENTIRE WHEEL AND TIRE SUDDENLY CAME OFF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT. THE WHEEL LUGS HAD SEVERED OFF /BROKEN OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A 40 MPH SPEED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THIS CAR W
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2000 Volvo S70. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
Fix: 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.
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 FAI
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THERE COULD BE INADEQUATE CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET WHICH COULD CAUSE THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL NOT TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED.
Risk: THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN AN APPROACHING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.
Risk: THE HEAD LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR NO HEADLIGHT FUNCTION. THIS COULD IMPAIR A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: ON VEHICLES WITH AN ORIGINAL OEM SWITCH, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE IF THE SWITCH HAS EEN DAMAGED AND REPLACE ONLY IF NECESSARY. TH
| Reliability raw | 67 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 84 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 39 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 64 of them (34%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 67/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.