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 221 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Volvo V70, and it carries 9 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 | 46 | 21% |
| Power train | 36 | 16% |
| Fuel system | 22 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 17 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 14 | 6% |
| Visibility | 7 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 3% |
| Air bags | 5 | 2% |
| Tires | 5 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2001 Volvo V70. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the engine caught fire. The air bag warning light was illuminated. There was damage to the garage. There were no reported injuries.
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
Been trying to get the airbags serviced and replace since I received the notice from Volvo on Dec.14 2021. I have made several appointments in my area to get this matter fixed, Dealers in my area either don't have repla
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Received an airbag recall. There is no local dealer but there are authorized non-dealer service shops that do replace airbags. Under the recall a Volvo dealer must do the replacement. The nearest Volvo dealer is 300 mil
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I was notified of the recall. Because I live 300 miles away from the nearest volvo dealership, there is no option for me to replace the airbag free of charge. Additionally, there is no plan in place to provide me with a
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Heater core burst causing severe burn on drivers right foot. An inch and a half deep puddle of boiling hot antifreeze poured out with no warning from center console over gas pedal. Passenger floor area also had boiling a
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT ROLL SMOOTHLY EITHER BEING PULLED OUT OR ALLOWED TO RETRACT.WHEN YOU PULL OUT ' OR RELEASE TO RETURN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT, IT CATCHES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SLOT IN THE SIDE POST W
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR AROUND AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED TH
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE MELTING AND BLACK SMOKE WAS EMERGING FROM THE SEATS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BUR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2001 Volvo V70. 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.
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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 num
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 CAROLIN
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Risk: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Fix: 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 N
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.
| Reliability raw | 61 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 84 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 37 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other wagons in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 221 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 46 of them (21%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 61/100 (average) 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 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 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 62/100. 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.