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 106 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Volvo XC70, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 23 | 22% |
| Suspension | 16 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 10% |
| Fuel system | 10 | 9% |
| Power train | 10 | 9% |
| Air bags | 6 | 6% |
| Seats | 4 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I own a 2004 Volvo XC70 that is experiencing the same fuel pump defect described in Recall R220 / NHTSA Campaign 09V483000 (fuel pump leak). My vehicle exhibits fuel system problems consistent with the recall description
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
My car kept getting a light for its coolant levels despite me filling it with proper coolant-I noticed a leak of coolant on the ground & upon getting it inspected from an independent service center, they told me the issu
NHTSA complaint: Seats
I received a recall notice for the defective driver airbag. The nearest dealership is 10 hours away. I called Customer care and they said I would be responsible to transport my Volvo to the dealership in Billings Monta
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I've been waiting for a recall repair (Recall R10136: Driver Airbag) for 5 months and a local Volvo dealer said that they haven't received necessary parts for months. This is a matter of safety and Volvo should prioritiz
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I REQUESTED VOLVO CARS OF SEATTLE AND CUSTOMER CARE/VOLO TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE AS PER THE RECALL NOTICE OF 1214/2021 AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS REQUIRED ARE ON BACK ORDER AND I WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN THEY COME IN. TO DATE I HA
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Fuel pump seal leak/ flange broke. Smelled gas, saw a puddle under the car. Upon fuel pump inspection a failed repair combined with original broken seal flange. We live in a state where the recall was not listed so our n
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I requested Danbury, CT Volvo to have the repairs done as per the recall notice on Jan 25 and was told the parts required are on back order and they do not know when the parts will be in. I would like to know if I am in
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DEF
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2004 Volvo XC70. 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
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.
| Reliability raw | 72 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 66 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 34 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel/propulsion system is the most reported area with 23 of them (22%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 72/100 (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 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 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.