What Volvo V70 years should I avoid?

The 2005, 2006, and 2008 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 91, 100, and 82 respectively and multiple recall campaigns each.

Is there a best year for the Volvo V70?

No V70 year earns a Good or Best verdict because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The 2007 model year is the lowest-risk choice, with a complaint index of 73.

What is the most common problem area for the Volvo V70?

Across all years, the Engine is the top problem area with 15 complaints (22% of the total), followed by the Electrical System with 13 complaints (19%).

Does the Volvo V70 have airbag recalls?

Yes. NHTSA recall 21V800000 covers 2001-2007 V70 and XC70 vehicles for a driver airbag inflator that may explode during deployment, affecting the 2005 and 2006 model years in this data.

Is the 2008 Volvo V70 reliable?

The 2008 V70 is rated Avoid, with a complaint index of 82 and four recall campaigns, including a cooling fan control module recall tied to reported overheating warnings.

Volvo V70 Best and Worst Years (2005–2016)

Avoid the 2005, 2006, and 2008 Volvo V70 model years, which have the highest complaint indexes (91, 100, and 82) and multiple recall campaigns. No V70 year earns a Good or Best verdict since every year carries recall campaigns, but 2007 is the lowest-risk choice with a complaint index of 73.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2006 Avoid 2008Lowest-risk years:Caution 2007

Model years: 12; 2005–2016
NHTSA complaints: 68
Recall campaigns: 7
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 4
Top problem area: Engine

V70 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Volvo V70 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	91	21	1	3	Engine	20	—
2006	Avoid	100	21	1	3	Electrical System	20	—
2007	Caution	73	7	1	2	Brakes	21	—
2008	Avoid	82	11	1	4	Electrical System	19	—
2009	No verdict	64	4	0	3	Structure & Body	20	—
2010	No verdict	55	4	0	3	Brakes	21	—
2011	No verdict	0	0	0	1	—	—	—
2012	No verdict	9	0	0	1	—	—	—
2013	No verdict	18	0	0	1	—	—	—
2014	No verdict	27	0	0	1	—	—	—
2015	No verdict	36	0	0	1	—	—	—
2016	No verdict	45	0	0	1	—	—	—

V70 years to avoid: what went wrong

2006 Volvo V70 Index 100 · 21 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2006 V70 carries the highest complaint index of any year at 100. Electrical system complaints were the largest category, at 24% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 46,500, followed by airbag issues at 19% failing around 61,100 miles. Three recall campaigns apply, including the same driver airbag inflator recall as 2005. Owners described seat belts that would not extend properly, sudden engine power loss with the vehicle entering limp mode, and tire sidewall failures.

2005 Volvo V70 Index 91 · 21 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2005 V70 has a complaint index of 91, the second-highest of any year. Engine problems account for 29% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 19,482 miles, and fuel system issues made up 19%, failing around 74,000 miles. NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for this year, including a driver airbag inflator that can explode during deployment and an incorrect tire-pressure label. Owners also reported airbag deactivation problems and intermittent brake failure.

2008 Volvo V70 Index 82 · 11 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2008 V70 has a complaint index of 82 and the most recall campaigns among the avoid years, at four. Electrical system problems dominate, making up 55% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 115,000, and engine complaints made up 36% at a median of 78,000 miles. Recalls cover a seat belt anchor cable replacement and an engine cooling fan control module failure caused by a software error. Owners reported burnt wiring harnesses, corroded battery cables causing shorts, and repeat cooling fan module failures even after prior repairs.

Most common Volvo V70 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine15 (22%)
Electrical System13 (19%)
Airbags9 (13%)
Brakes7 (10%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (9%)
Transmission & Powertrain6 (9%)
Structure & Body5 (7%)
Fuel System4 (6%)
Other4 (6%)
Visibility & Wipers3 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What Volvo V70 years should I avoid?: The 2005, 2006, and 2008 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 91, 100, and 82 respectively and multiple recall campaigns each.
Is there a best year for the Volvo V70?: No V70 year earns a Good or Best verdict because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The 2007 model year is the lowest-risk choice, with a complaint index of 73.
What is the most common problem area for the Volvo V70?: Across all years, the Engine is the top problem area with 15 complaints (22% of the total), followed by the Electrical System with 13 complaints (19%).
Does the Volvo V70 have airbag recalls?: Yes. NHTSA recall 21V800000 covers 2001-2007 V70 and XC70 vehicles for a driver airbag inflator that may explode during deployment, affecting the 2005 and 2006 model years in this data.
Is the 2008 Volvo V70 reliable?: The 2008 V70 is rated Avoid, with a complaint index of 82 and four recall campaigns, including a cooling fan control module recall tied to reported overheating warnings.