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 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Volvo XC70, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 7 | 26% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 11% |
| Air bags | 2 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 7% |
| Suspension | 2 | 7% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 4% |
| Tires | 1 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 4% |
| Engine | 1 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 manufactur
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC70. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V800000 ( Air Bag ) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable till approximately 2 weeks to 2 months. Th
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED WHILE DRIVING ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 20TH AT ABOUT 4:45PM. I WAS NEAREST MY LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP (ELDORADO AUTOMOTIVE) AND THE TECH PLUGGED IN THE COMPUTER GADGET THAT READS WHAT IS HAPPENING AN
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TIRE INFO PRIMEWELL VALERA TOURING 215/65/R16 98H MADE IN CHINA. DOT #5WA6 00A 4813 IN MARCH 2016 I GOT A NEW/USED CERTIFIED CAR FROM A DEALER IN ORLANDO FL THE CAR CAME WITH NEW TIRES. NOT SURE WHERE THE TIRES WERE SOL
NHTSA complaint: Tires
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
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
THE AWD SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TO SPIN THE FRONT WHEELS CONSTANTLY. ALSO TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE WANTS TO DRIFT INTO THE OTHER LANES ON ITS OWN. DEALER TELLS ME IT IS THE ANGLE GEAR SLEEVE O
NHTSA complaint: Power train
CAR OCCASIONALLY LOOSES POWER OR STALL WHEN DRIVING ON HIGH WAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND OFF. SYMPTOMS OFF AND ON. DANGEROUS DRIVING ON FREEWAY BECAUSE IT LOST POWER FOR 2 SECONDS THEN REGAIN MORE POWER IN ACCELERATING
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 REMO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 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 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 | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | 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 27 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 7 of them (26%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (excellent) 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 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 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 68/100. 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.