Overall Repair Frequencies Powertrain and Chassis Repair Frequencies Reliability Trends Overall Reliability Powertrain and Chassis Reliability Odds of No Repairs Powertrain and Chassis Odds Repair Histories Most Common Problems Gas Mileage Pros and Cons Pricing Features Photos Vehicle Specs Recommendations Get a Dealer Quote Volvo XC70 repairs by problem area
Engine (29%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (8%)
Brakes and Traction Control (8%)
Suspension and Steering (26%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (21%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (4%)
Other (5%)
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Engine
Transmission and Drivetrain
Brakes and Traction Control
Suspension and Steering
Electrical and Air Conditioning
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim
Other
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Chart based on 1207 repairs. See TSBs and recalls for the Volvo XC70.
Volvo XC70 electrical repair cost distribution
$2500+ (1%)
$1000 - $2499 (13%)
$500 - $999 (12%)
$100 - $499 (31%)
< $100 (43%)
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Chart based on 218 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
AC Evaporator Core failure but we delayed replacing it.
91000 miUS $2200
AC Evap core replacement was required and the AC evap core was replaced.
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2015 Volvo XC70 4-door
turbocharged 6-cylinder automatic AWD
54000 miUS $1800
Sensor for door being closed had failed, was causing erroneous message to appear on computer display. Repair involved both replacing the failed sensor and upgrading the software in the computer.
Sensor on radiator (built in)had multiple recurrent codes (3 trips to dealers) before finally storing. Radiator replaced (previous was upload of software, did not correct).
Was getting a "hood open" error when hood was not opened. Traced to a faulty hood latch sensor, replaced under warranty at no cost to me.
53000 mi
Parking sensors not working. Front sensor was replaced and ECU upgraded/flashed.
73000 miUS $300
Parking sensor fault again. Sensor replaced.
97000 miUS $1600
Blower motor started making screeching noise. Bearings in motor found to be worn. Blower motor replaced.
61000 miUS $100
Compressor clutch wore beyond limits and would not engage. Dealer replaced under warranty even though the car was 300 miles past warranty limit.
67000 miUS $150
Battery would not start car. Fourth battery in five years. Poor design to move the battery from the rear inside (Gen 2 XC70) to under the hot hood (Gen 3).
94000 miUS $50
B-xenon bulb burned out (first one in 7+ years), replaced both.
8000 mi
Tire Pressure Monitoring system light came on; no low tire found. Dealer recalibrated system; light shut off.
8000 mi
Brake light bulb. In shop for about 45 minutes.
15000 mi
Battery died; bad cell; battery replaced by dealer for free.
It was left mirror motor, not fold when I am in narrow parking. Replace the motor.
48900 mi
Automatic window on driver's side would go up but would catch part way and go down. Needed to be reset. Still does this on occasion. Reset failed.
51000 mi
Window still is malfunctioning and they have ordered a new motor.
18000 mi
Extreme variability in temperature from vents when using Automatic Climate Control
44500 mi
iPhone 5 not playing via USB port. Service department said no fix, but they fooled around with it using different cords and somehow, to everyone's surprise, it worked when I got it back.
67600 miUS $600
Driver side BLIS light inoperable
81000 mi
The BLIS camera was glitchy. They could not duplicate the issue.
22500 mi
wiper motor failure
29300 mi
As to dash lights/radio backlighting flicker, unable to reproduce subsequent to initial visual verification on arrival. Has been intermittent for me too. Tested potential items (alternator, battery, grounding concerns) - all as expected.
63680 mi
Wiper motor failure.
65800 miC $200
-30 deg temp - battery cell frozen. replacewd.
117800 miC $2000
fan failed. blower fan replaced as well as a control module
Ordered trailer hitch to be installed from factory, but factory failed to install software for hitch at assembly line.
73000 miUS $60
Electric harness for front headlight needed to be replaced due to failed position light.
78198 mi
suddenly while driving: SRS Airbag service urgent" warning. Code warns driver's side pressure sensor fouled, the rear center seatbelt traction device fouled & air AIT temp sensor fouled. $65 for codes. Rear seat has never been been sat on! suddenly while driving: SRS Airbag service urgent" warning. Code warns driver's side pressure sensor fouled, the rear center seatbelt traction device fouled & air AIT temp sensor fouled. $65 for codes. Rear seat has never been been sat on!
82120 mi
rear seat belt triggers SRS Airbag service urgent warning. If right rear belt is tugged on warning goes off, even while collapsing the rear seats the warning msg comes on HOWEVER it appears that when the LEFT belt is plugged in msg goes away
90520 mi
rear passenger door lock actuator doesn't lock down completely. Have not attempted to fix it yet.
14640 mi
Audio system muting itself and no way to unmute it
15680 mi
Windshield washer nozzle not spraying on drivers side. Heater failure detected. Parts ordered. Nozzles switched to improve drivability.
19840 mi
Audio CD has started muting itself again intermittently. Has been taken to dealer previously ad addressed (?) by software updates...
35960 mi
The dashboard backlighting display does not change to reflect changing light conditions. It remains a white on black display. The technician reported thast it is working properly.
114080 miC $280
Replaced cabin sensot
30000 mi
After driving 40 miles, parked car to go to a store. returned to car. It would not start. Main message was there was an engine fault. Towed to dealer. Ended up the battery needed replacement.
67000 mi
CAR WOULD NOT START. ALL NOTIFICATION LIGHTS WERE ON. KEY WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. VOLVO ON CALL TO HOME AND DETERMINED THE BATTERY HAD A BAD CELL. REPLACED.
90500 miUS $400
REPLACE BATTERY AND REPAIR/REPLACE CABLE
98500 miUS $250
REPLACE TWO MALFUNCTIONING TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS AND REPROGRM
5000 mi
Driver-side window controls not functioning. Part ordered. Replaced switch on driver's door to operate all windows.
5000 mi
Driver side window controls (all) ceased functioning (no window control at all from driver seat).
needed new socket for headlamp bulb. i broke the other due to my own ignorance
1700 mi
Repair bumper molding (warranty), Fix fuse blown out for cigarette lighters, look at thumping noise (not fixed)
39000 miUS $220
AM radio stopped working.
52000 miUS $192
Active Bi-Xenon low beam headlight on passenger side was replaced.
34000 mi
rear hatch not power open as designed. Dealer changed every part assoc with opener and lock. The door now opens but locking not working. Regional repair rep to dealer twice. 3weeks at the dealer "pinch" safety not fixable as discontinued.
37000 mi
mirrors would not hold memory setting two computer updates
30000 mi
Problem with rear seat heaters not working, which caused the main cabin heat ventilation system to breakdown. It was blowing cold air on passenger side heat on driver. Dash vents did not work in very cold Chicago. Replaced switch and upgraded software.
93000 mi
Blower motor replaced due to noise
68380 miC $15
Passenger side low beam quit. The original halogen bulb was OK. Plastic FoMoCo connector had melted due to the heat buildup over the years; Canada has DRLs that use a full low beam. Replacement ceramic headlight H11 connectors.
61300 miUS $200
The original battery lasted 7 years and finally ran out of juice.
125000 miUS $400
Replaced headlight assembly due to frayed wiring harness.
130000 mi
Dead battery. Needed replaced.
32000 mi
Upon purchase, 'Hood Open' message was on (hood was properly closed). Dealer recommended going to a Volvo service for a new sensor; Volvo service ordered a new sensor and will schedule another appointment to R/R. Covered by warranty.
32000 mi
'Hood Ajar' sensor parts were ordered and a second trip to replace the defective sensor took care of the problme.
54000 miUS $1532
'Hood Ajar' switch was removed and replaced - sending out a false positive error message.
82000 miUS $205
Faulty hood lock; Hood lock functional, but sending error message of 'Hood Ajar'. Third faulty hood lock replacment for same issue.
76800 mi
Blower motor making whining sound intermittently but dealer cannot verify sound due to intermittent nature.
81000 mi
Noisy blower motor verified and replaced
114000 miUS $189
Non-battery end of ground cable had loosened, causing intermittent starting problems. Ground was tightened and problem eliminated.
48000 mi
Battery kept going dead after car sat without being run for 2-3 days, along with different warning messages - including child door lock function - on the computer readout. A software upgrade/reinstall/alteration fixed this and other functions.
46000 mi
repeated failure of the blind spot information system
48000 mi
srs light on; required center rear seat pretensioner
53000 mi
the BLIS was never fixed by volvo despite repeated attempts. the dash info display would report a 'decreased blind spot range' or something to that effect even in broad daylight. would happen about 2x a month but leave no code in the system.
47000 mi
AM Radio not working, replaced the radio; Washer Fluid Reservoir leaks, replaced reservoir; Problem with the seat memory, reflashed computer.
92850 mi
Wife pulled out of a parking spot at work and the horn started blaring and would not stop. This continued intermittently for about one hour. I removed the fuse and brought it to my shop where they checked for about an hour before it went off again. Found no cause, removed the fuse and brought to the dealer where it remained, quiet, for two days no cause found and it has not reoccurred since.
41000 mi
2)alternator replaced
15000 mi
AC fan was replaced
40000 miUS $80
Not cooling
39000 mi
Both REAR VIEW MIRRORS,beginning w/passenger side, would stay stuck, usually in the closed position. Dealer mechanics found a service bulletin stating that the electrical connectors for the mirror motors had a tendency to come loose. Fixed!
59520 miC $100
Electronic locking mechanism on rear door on driver's side (LHS)was inoperable. Door wouldn't lock. Actuator seized but was cleaned, lubricated and working again.
63240 miC $300
Replacement of electronic door locking mechanism for left-hand side rear door.
85000 miUS $70
SRS system was faulty
57000 miUS $1100
switch that activates second row seat warmers
87700 miUS $80
Trip computer functions were no longer working, so dealer replaced turn signal arm (where dial for those functions resides)
66000 miUS $90
Rear park assist sensor and rear seat warmer not working. An hour of diagnostic work could not ID cause of problem(s). Waste of money! Three weeks later the park assist function started working again on its own........
90000 miUS $1850
Alternator replacement due to seized belt from ac compressor seizure replacement due to seized compressor
76460 mi
AM radio failed. Appears to be chronic Volvo issue. Replacement cost $1400.00 Not satisfied with Volvo response.
Replaced burned out tail lamp, 5W. Took one hour to research how to get to bulb.
37280 miC $55
High pressure headlight washer motor failed. Replaced with new motor, $55, one hour.
38100 miC $440
No heat to floor, blend door not operating. Replace seat heater module and update ACC softwrae.
62000 miC $80
Alternator had been getting noisier for the last year. Finally removed it, had an auto electric shop replace both bearings, total cost $80 incl parts labour and tax
93620 miC $50
Windshield washer nozzle was loose in the hood.
105400 miC $200
Rear wiper motor failed, replaced.
154380 miC $1100
Alternator failed (locked up completely). Replaced alternator and serpentine belt.
83800 mi
condenser leak
139300 miUS $770
Problem indicated w charging system by software. Checked charging system, battery and alternator. All system elements passed test.
173000 miUS $1630
low beam headlight went out. Replacement bulb didn't fix it -- that fact, and the fact that the 12v charging outlets on the dash and between the seats kept blowing out fuses, suggested that it was either a wiring fault, or the central electronic module (CEM). Wiring was fine, so replaced CEM and downloaded new software for it. Now headlights and charging outlets work.
80600 miC $1000
Replaced alternator -- easy job but alternator cost$800.
79000 mi
Starter motor was found to be weak and was replaced. Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor was replaced because it posted a code declaring itself faulty.
32000 miUS $350
Steering clock spring replacement. Under warranty.
144000 miUS $200
Starter replacement
94500 miUS $1400
Central electronic module (CEM) failure. I could still drive the car, but the level of power steering assist was lower, the odometer stopped working, and the mileage-based functions (MPG, miles to empty, etc.) stopped working.
101000 miUS $200
Turn signal switch would work only intermittently, which was a safety issue with lane changes and turns. Ordered new Volvo turn signal stalk.
109000 miUS $300
Passenger-side HID bulb needed replacement. Labor included removal of front bumper cover (!).
41000 mi
Passenger window kept automatically opening itself when the button was pulled up and released to close it. Fixed by pulling fuse out, putting it back, and holding the window button up until the window closed. This did not take an hour.
Front driver side turn signal light went out and was almost impossible to replace. (I tried.) It took a mechanic about an hour to replace a $6 bulb. Total cost- slightly less than $100.
104000 miUS $1000
AC recharge The backup warning signal was malfunctioning.
130000 miUS $400
parking assist system electrical carriage needed to be replaced. 2 more distributors needed replacement.
Slow starting on cold mornings - battery 10 years old.
196000 mi
Headlight bulb replaced. A module in the passenger side door which controls the outside temp,power window and door lock is in process of being replaced.
198000 miUS $390
Signal switch replaced.
123480 miC $175
Replaced faulty right front Xenon headlight
114080 miC $300
a/c leak somewhere, got topped up and will have to go back to see where the leak is.
Headlight failed. Did not get fixed with new headlight. System needed to be reset and relay replaced.
94300 mi
Low beam bulb replaced, access is very difficult
126000 miUS $1
Position light. Bulbs are tough to get to. Always takes me longer than it should.
145000 miUS $250
The electronic control unit has partially failed. As a result the windshield washer sprayers won't work. $1300 to replace the part. I did not make the full repair.
150000 miUS $2600
Electronic control unit.
158400 miUS $150
Replaced battery
188000 miUS $25
Headlight failed. Very difficult to replace. Had a shop do it.
89584 miUS $100
Replaced HVAC blower motor
95786 miUS $1900
Discovered a leak in the evaporator - required removal of the dashboard and interior to access it. Work performed by an independent Volvo shop.
122300 miUS $1700
Dead battery due to faulty alarm module.
123000 mi
Alarm module faulty. Owner removed the module.
141000 miUS $1150
Airbag sensor.
58000 mi
Had warning light - obscure message - then found out online what it meant. left rear bulb out - difficult to reach. Dealer fixed - no charge.
62000 miUS $2500
Blower motor had been making a squeaking sound at various times / speeds. Blower was replaced. Not necessary, and not effect the operation of the HVAC system, but as king as it was i the shop, decided to have the work done.
126000 miUS $45
aC running hot.
126600 miUS $2200
Compressor, dryer and thermostat housing all replaced.
134000 miUS $240
Battery dying. Failed load test. Only three years old.
89500 miUS $850
Auto-up switches for both drivers and passenger windows failed and had to be replaced with Volvo only parts (window switch circuit board) - very expensive and untimely repair!
92500 miUS $600
Auto - window sensors went kaput for both drivers windows. Another window switch circuit board replaced.
96000 miUS $2300
Poorly designed OEM window regulator had to be replaced - very expensive Windows' auto up and down not working - expensive OEM circuit boards need to be replaced by Volvo dealer at great cost.
Alternator was showing only 13.1V during scheduled service VIDA scan. Replaced with rebuilt alternator, now showing 13.9V.
171740 miC $80
Car has had a whine in the serpentine belt drive system for awhile. Finally got loud enough to be annoying so AC clutch bearing replaced to correct.
122900 miUS $65
Removed and replaced directional signal switch.
135000 miUS $165
Blower motor failed. Removed and replaced blower motor.
96100 miC $980
AC Condenser and fan replacement Headlight Ballast unit
97340 mi
All front lights except fog lights failed. The ballasts have gone and new ones are insanely expensive. We have mail ordered parts from a discount place and are waiting for them. Driver side heating failed front seat heaters failed
93220 miC $985
heating system repair failed- now feet get cold AC blast (in Canadian winter!) while face gets heat blast. Going back to shop again. replaced headlight ballasts ($750 malice worked for three days then failed again - only fog lights work. Seat warmers failed - did not "burn out" as sometimes reported on blogs, fuses ok. Cause of problem unclear. Was advised they could not be repaired.
109120 miC $800
AC stuck in on or off, position, working intermittently
132680 miC $1200
Two climate control modules replaced.
158720 mi
High beam connection failed Rear windshield wiper control failed
Had to replace back hatch activator twice. First replacement part broke within two weeks. Back hatch handle wouldn't engage so couldn't open back hatch.
235600 miC $650
starter was replaced too, was not starting on first start
135000 miUS $768
A/C checked and recharged, felt a little warmer than it should be. No leaks found, system recharged, works great again. $90. Blower motor unresponsive: would sometimes not turn on, not turn off, or only blow at high speed, even when car would be shut off. Replaced blower motor (was noisy before) and blower motor resistor to solve the problem.
89000 miUS $1080
STS warning on. Likely related to DIM (driver information module) fault. Fault cleared from computer, but is likely to repeat.
94000 miUS $200
Replaced alarm siren.
200000 miUS $30
Headlight switch replaced.
92380 mi$20
Both headlight bulbs within 2 weeks, one bulb back.
92380 miC $250
CEM requires replacement. Known issue - CEM is overheating and requires a replacement. $1000+
124620 miC $20
CEM - put a heat sync on the chip and removed the silver enclosuer housing. Chip was overheating causing issues (KNOWN ISSUE BY VOLVO).
113000 miUS $1
Wiring breaks in tailgate. Exposed wiring and replaced
135900 miUS $20
replace drivers side low beam headlight
147000 miUS $470
Replaced both low beam headlights.
204000 mi
replaced broken wire harness for the driver-side headlight.
215300 miUS $350
replaced compressor with remanufactured unit
80000 miUS $20
Replaced headlight myself - did not include in $20 - that was for sliders - bulb was another $15
83000 miUS $20
Front passenger headlight plug failed - modify.
210000 miUS $942
Alternator not charging - replaced with a rebuilt unit.
217000 miUS $10
AC compressor clutch cutting out on hot days. Used 'hack' from forums and tied zip-ties around clutch spring to take up excess clarance.
218900 miUS $100
HVAC blower working intermittantly. Replace the speed control module. Had planned to replace the blower as well (slight squeak) but the one I ordered from FCP-Euro was defective.
224300 mi
Engine would not crank - did a search of forums and diagnosed corroded connection on starter solenoid - cleaned up wiht sand paper and reassembled. Would have required a tow but i was at home.
68000 mi
Check engine light came on; no power or acceleration. Had car towed to dealer. Was told the problem was the battery. Paid to replace battery, problem recurred within a week.
130820 miC $300
replaced the rear wiper motor, which had seized due to corrosion
187400 miC $85
replaced windshield washer pump
98800 mi
HID xenon headlight bulb, brake light.
205000 miUS $150
Original Battery ~13 Years old gave out.
224000 miUS $3000
Fixed alarm,
156500 miUS $195
Fluids change, air filters change, AC system recharge.
A/C clutch had excessive clearance, adjusted clutch
64700 miUS $850
A/C stopped working after running 2 hours
131000 mi
The instrument panel was not working, fixed by resoldering most of the components.
139000 miUS $338
Starting problems. Electrical systems and Fuel Pump systems, Starting systems Diagnosis. Replaced battery.
139500 miUS $220
Instrument Cluster/Dim (driver information system) Repaired. I had to ship it to Circuit Board Medics in Greenville, SC.
259500 miUS $590
Dash gauge cluster went dead. Had DIM rebuilt.
221000 miUS $261
Air conditioning was erratic. Would shut down on hot days. Mechanics adjusted AC clutch, added lubricant and refrigerant to system.
275000 miUS $1999
Clutch on compressor fell apart.
117180 miC $650
rear wiper motor died, needed to be replaced.
123660 miC $190
front washer pump failed.
128340 miC $850
front console computer and airbag system failed, computer needed to be rebuilt.
150040 miC $1200
alternator/voltage regulator died, killed 2 of the computers as well and fried some of the wiring harness
81220 miC $20
this vehicle consumes headlamps on a regular basis, and electrical system shows no faults.
85560 miC $158
yet again another left low beam headlamp blown. SRS system warning light came on. System was checked and showed dash module faulty. Taken to a volvo dealer to confirm fault. Told that it is a short somewhere in the dash. Dash would need to be replaced with a cost of approx. $1500.00
90520 mi
Attempted to repair electrical vaults in dashboard console. Repair shop removed cluster and tried to solder any loose connections. Clock spins out of control,info display is scrambled, sunroof opened on highway by itself, and won't close.
96800 miC $798
DIM for vehicle failed. Replaced with Xemodex unit,and had local dealer in North Vancouver reset srs warning. Was charged for more software ($100 extra) even though new DIM was already reset for my vehicle. Paid double. Told common practice.
141980 miC $5
Wiper motor seized. Overhaul, clean rust, lubricate, repack grease and seal the unit.
121900 miUS $554
Replaced power seat computer. Driver's power seat got stuck all the way forward. Mechanic had to remove seat replace computer, and put seat back in car. Update with Volvo software needed as it was replaced with used part
140000 miUS $600
Alarm siren battery failed. Remove and replace alarm siren
92000 miUS $90
battery
138880 miC $428
Dash cutting out
125860 miC $200
Replace A/C evaporator temperature sensor. Replace A/C evaporator temperature sensor.
129560 miC $250
Replaced 1 headlight bulb and 1 taillight bulb.
135560 miC $60
Replaced both headlight bulbs after one went out. $60
136400 miC $400
Instrument cluster was showing SRS warning on the digital display, Gauges were operating intermittently. See video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08vdSveZx9E I sent to http://xemodex.com. They tested it, re-soldered it, etc.
145000 miUS $250
Driver side seat heater was not working...connector was burnt out.
114080 miC $650
New DIM (driver information module) needed requiring removal of dashboard. All instruments affected (speedo, tach, diagnostic lights, msg system...)
306000 miUS $160
Light control module faulty causing loss of high beam,fuel door lock,dimmer switch,front fog lights and rear fog light.It also cause some dashboard lighting to be dim or non-existant.Replaced module with a used unit.Everything is back to wk.
Starter motor regulator failed. Rescued by RAC on low loader. First time this Volvo has needed rescuing. :-( Regulator/Starter motor replaced. All is well. :-)
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Volvo XC70 Electrical Problems
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