YearToAvoid

2011 Volvo XC70 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 7 XC70 years

The 2011 Volvo XC70 ranks worst of the 7 model years covered, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 15 complaints, 3 recalls, and a top problem area of Structure & Body (27% of complaints). It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other XC70 years.

Complaints
15
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
18 city / 24 hwy

Top 2011 Volvo XC70 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Structure & Body4 (27%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (20%)
  3. Brakes2 (13%)
  4. Other2 (13%)
  5. Seat Belts2 (13%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain2 (13%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers2 (13%)
  8. Steering1 (7%)

What owners report

  • Windshield sealant deteriorates and separates from the frame, letting rain and melted snow leak in near the driver's side roof and pool under the pedals.
  • Front passenger door has opened on its own while the vehicle was being driven.
  • Seat belt shoulder harness has locked up mid-drive and become too short to use, with the retractor identified as faulty at 53,500 miles.
  • ABS and DTSC warning lights have appeared with the brakes seeming to lock and prevent the car from moving at low speed around 54,200 miles.
  • Automatic transmission shifts jerky and throws a TCM fault code at 104,063 miles, with dealers warning a full transmission replacement may be needed.
  • Tires have shown sidewall rot allowing air to leak through, reported around 38,000 miles.
2011 Volvo XC70 complaints: complaints filed per month3Aug 2011Jun 2016Jan 2018Apr 2019Nov 2021Feb 2022
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2011 to May 2022; peak Sep 2017 (3).

2011 Volvo XC70 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V378000Jun 30, 2020Seat Belts308,260 vehicles

    Seat belts:front

    Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.

    Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.

  2. NHTSA 10V579000Nov 17, 2010Engine6,046 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling

    Volvo is recalling certain model year 2011, s80, s60, xc70 and xc60 vehicles. The software calibration for the fuel cut-off functionality in the engine control module (ECM) is too sensitive.

    Risk: Sudden engine stall could occur increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the ECM and TCM with new software free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before december 10, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552 or at [email protected].

  3. NHTSA 10V489000Oct 13, 2010Airbags9,746 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    Volvo is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 s80, xc70, model year 2011 xc60 and model year 2010 v70 vehicles. There may be an intermittent fault in the driver's airbag clockspring wiring connector for the supplemental restraint system.

    Risk: In the event of a crash, the driver's frontal airbag may not deploy as intended or at all, and therefore will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a metal shim in the driver's air bag clockspring wiring connector. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 20, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

2011 Volvo XC70 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,250
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
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.

2011 compared with other XC70 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid8315418
2011Avoid10015320
2012Caution5014220
2013Caution678220

All Volvo XC70 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Volvo XC70 a bad year?
Among the 7 XC70 model years tracked, 2011 has the highest Complaint Index (100) and ranks worst, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
What is the top problem area for the 2011 Volvo XC70?
Structure & Body issues make up 27% of complaints, mainly windshield sealant failures and a door opening while driving, with a median failure mileage of 6,900 miles.
Does the 2011 Volvo XC70 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 XC70: a seat belt anchor cable replacement, an engine control module fuel cut-off software fix, and an airbag clockspring wiring fix.
How does the 2011 XC70 compare to other years?
The 2011 XC70 has a Complaint Index of 100, higher than 2010 (83), 2012 (50), 2013 (67), 2015 (17), and 2016 (33), making it the worst-ranked year of the 7 covered.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Volvo XC70?
The 2011 XC70 gets 20 mpg combined (18 city/24 highway) with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250, according to EPA data.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.