2006 Volvo V70 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Volvo V70 has a complaint index of 100, the worst among the 12 model years with data, and ranks 1st (worst) overall. It carries 21 complaints, 3 recalls, and its top problem area is the Electrical System, with a median failure mileage of 44,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 12 V70 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 21
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2006 Volvo V70 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System5 (24%)
- Airbags4 (19%)
- Engine2 (10%)
- Seat Belts2 (10%)
- Structure & Body2 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (10%)
- Brakes1 (5%)
- Steering1 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rear seat belts on newly laid-down seats locked in a retracted position and would not extend for use.
- The engine lost power and entered limp-home mode with coolant gauge dropping to zero while cooling fans ran continuously.
- Tires developed sidewall bulges and a rolled belt after wear, with the manufacturer disputing the cause.
- The rear tailgate would not latch or lock reliably, especially in cold weather, triggering dashboard door-open warnings.
- A wiring harness defect in the rear tailgate caused the third brake light to show as not working.
- The transmission jerked during acceleration due to gears not shifting properly, which the dealer attributed to a software issue.
- The passenger airbag deactivated and displayed a warning message, requiring dealer reprogramming of the computer.
2006 Volvo V70 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V800000Oct 14, 2021Airbags194,546 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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 number for this recall is R10136.
- NHTSA 10V566000Nov 8, 2010Other416 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
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.
Remedy: 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 new battery and a spacer will be inserted on top of the battery next to the pcb. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 18, 2010. Owners may contact garmin at 866-957-1981 or visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.
- NHTSA 06V375000Oct 3, 2006Other19,700 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Certain vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." the label denoting the tire and loading pressure information is incorrect.
Risk: A misprinted label would lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will mail the correct labels free of charge. The recall began on december 18, 2006. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
2006 Volvo V70 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,000
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other V70 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Volvo V70 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 V70 has a complaint index of 100, the highest of the 12 model years with data, and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other V70 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Volvo V70?
- NHTSA complaints show the Electrical System as the top problem area, accounting for 24% of complaints, followed by Airbags at 19% and several other areas each near 10%.
- Does the 2006 Volvo V70 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2006 V70, covering airbag inflator degradation, an overheating Garmin GPS accessory, and incorrect tire pressure labels.
- What year Volvo V70 should I avoid?
- The 2006 model ranks worst among V70 years with a complaint index of 100, alongside 2005 and 2008, which also carry Avoid verdicts.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2006 Volvo V70?
- NHTSA lists 21 complaints for the 2006 V70, with no reported crashes or injuries but 1 fire.