What Volvo XC70 years should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2005, 2008, and 2010 model years are rated Avoid. The 2008 XC70 has the highest complaint index at 100 and the most recall campaigns, at 8.

What is the best Volvo XC70 year to buy?

The 2015 and 2016 model years are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 9 and 18, the lowest of any XC70 year, and few reported complaints.

Does the 2008 Volvo XC70 have recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2008 XC70, including seat belt anchor cable replacement, a GPS battery overheating issue, and a tire label compliance recall.

What is the most common problem area for the Volvo XC70?

Across all XC70 years, Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints are the most common, making up 16% of the 191 total complaints, followed by Engine at 14% and Fuel System at 13%.

Is the 2010 Volvo XC70 reliable?

The 2010 XC70 is rated Avoid based on NHTSA data, with a complaint index of 91 and 5 recall campaigns, including a driver's airbag wiring recall.

Volvo XC70 Best and Worst Years (2005–2016)

Volvo XC70 model years 2005, 2008, and 2010 rank worst based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, with 2008 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 8 recall campaigns. The 2015 and 2016 model years rank best, each with a low complaint index (9 and 18) and few complaints.

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

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2008 Avoid 2010 Best 2015 Best 2016

Model years: 12; 2005–2016
NHTSA complaints: 191
Recall campaigns: 16
Crashes reported: 6
Fires reported: 2
Top problem area: Suspension, Wheels & Tires

XC70 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 XC70 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	82	27	2	0	2	Transmission & Powertrain	19	—
2006	Good	27	18	0	0	2	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	19	—
2007	Caution	55	25	0	0	2	Electrical System	19	—
2008	Avoid	100	39	2	1	8	Fuel System	17	—
2009	Caution	64	15	0	0	5	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	18	—
2010	Avoid	91	15	0	1	5	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	18	—
2011	Caution	73	15	1	0	3	Structure & Body	20	—
2012	Good	36	14	0	0	2	Visibility & Wipers	20	—
2013	Good	45	8	1	0	2	Visibility & Wipers	20	—
2014	No verdict	0	2	0	0	2	Fuel System	21	—
2015	Best	9	6	0	0	1	Engine	21	—
2016	Best	18	7	0	0	2	Engine	23.5	—

XC70 years to avoid: what went wrong

2008 Volvo XC70 Index 100 · 39 complaints · 8 recalls

The 2008 XC70 shows the highest complaint index of any year, at 100, with 39 total complaints. Fuel system problems dominate, at 33% of complaints, including reports of the car lurching forward while braking, with a median failure mileage of 30,010 miles. Engine complaints followed, including one report of an engine fire. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this year, more than any other XC70 year, covering seat belt anchor cables, GPS battery overheating, and tire label compliance.

2010 Volvo XC70 Index 91 · 15 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2010 XC70 carries a complaint index of 91, the second-worst among XC70 years, despite only 15 total complaints. Suspension, wheels, and tires issues lead the problem list at 27% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 35,000 miles, including tire deflation and cracked valve stems. Transmission problems and an engine fire were also reported at lower mileage. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this year, including one for a driver's airbag clockspring wiring fault.

2005 Volvo XC70 Index 82 · 27 complaints · 2 recalls

Owners of the 2005 XC70 most often reported transmission and powertrain problems, which made up 30% of complaints for the year at a median failure mileage of 78,000 miles. Engine issues followed, including unexpected engine revving and stalling while braking. Electrical system faults, such as failure to start or throttle control unit failures, were also common. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this year, including an airbag inflator recall. The complaint index for 2005 is 82, ranking it the third-worst year of the XC70 lineup.

Most common Volvo XC70 problems (all years)

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

Suspension, Wheels & Tires30 (16%)
Engine27 (14%)
Fuel System24 (13%)
Visibility & Wipers24 (13%)
Electrical System21 (11%)
Other20 (10%)
Transmission & Powertrain20 (10%)
Seat Belts18 (9%)
Structure & Body16 (8%)
Airbags14 (7%)

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 XC70 years should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2005, 2008, and 2010 model years are rated Avoid. The 2008 XC70 has the highest complaint index at 100 and the most recall campaigns, at 8.
What is the best Volvo XC70 year to buy?: The 2015 and 2016 model years are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 9 and 18, the lowest of any XC70 year, and few reported complaints.
Does the 2008 Volvo XC70 have recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2008 XC70, including seat belt anchor cable replacement, a GPS battery overheating issue, and a tire label compliance recall.
What is the most common problem area for the Volvo XC70?: Across all XC70 years, Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints are the most common, making up 16% of the 191 total complaints, followed by Engine at 14% and Fuel System at 13%.
Is the 2010 Volvo XC70 reliable?: The 2010 XC70 is rated Avoid based on NHTSA data, with a complaint index of 91 and 5 recall campaigns, including a driver's airbag wiring recall.