YearToAvoid

2013 Volvo XC70 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#3 most-complained of 7 XC70 years

The 2013 Volvo XC70 has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 3rd worst out of 7 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 8 complaints and 2 recalls, with windshield seal leaks the top reported issue.

Complaints
8
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
18 city / 24 hwy

Top 2013 Volvo XC70 problems

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

  1. Visibility & Wipers3 (38%)
  2. Other2 (25%)
  3. Structure & Body2 (25%)
  4. Airbags1 (13%)
  5. Steering1 (13%)

What owners report

  • Windshield seal at the top edge loosens or fails, letting water in during car washes or heavy rain, with one report at a median mileage of 26,592 miles.
  • Windshield leaks caused condensation and water running down the glass directly in the driver's line of sight, reducing visibility.
  • One owner reported the front driver-side airbag failed to deploy in a deer collision, then deployed unexpectedly with force when the ignition was turned off, at 4,009 miles.
  • A owner reported low steering fluid in the reservoir shortly after purchase, requiring a new steering box, at 1,210 miles.
  • A rear door stopped opening from inside or outside, which the owner compared to a similar recall issue on the Volvo S60.
2013 Volvo XC70 complaints: complaints filed per month2Jul 2013Jun 2015Oct 2017May 2019Jan 2022Oct 2022Apr 2025May 2026
9 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2013 to May 2026; peak May 2026 (2).

2013 Volvo XC70 recalls

2 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 12V415000Aug 28, 2012Suspension, Wheels & Tires286 vehicles

    Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems

    Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S80 and XC70 vehicles. A software error within the Central Electronic Module (CEM) will result in the "TPMS Service Required" message appearing after approximately 15 minutes of accumulated driving over 25 mph. The error will prevent the Tire Pressure Monitoring System from warning the driver that a tire needs air. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."

    Risk: A malfunctioning TPMS cannot warn a driver that a tire is underinflated. Underinflated tires can result in tire overloading and overheating, which could lead to a blowout and possible crash.

    Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's TPMS. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 12, 2012. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

2013 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.

2013 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
2011Avoid10015320
2012Caution5014220
2013Caution678220
2014No verdict02221
2015Best176121

All Volvo XC70 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Volvo XC70 reliable?
NHTSA data give the 2013 XC70 a Complaint Index of 67, worse than most other years of the model, placing it 3rd worst out of 7 years tracked and earning a Caution verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volvo XC70?
Visibility & Wipers issues, mainly windshield seal leaks, account for 38% of complaints. Structure & Body issues account for 25%, and Airbags and Steering each account for 13%.
Does the 2013 Volvo XC70 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2013 XC70: a seat belt anchor cable replacement recall and a TPMS software error recall. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2013 XC70 compare to other years?
The 2013 XC70's Complaint Index of 67 is better than 2010 (83) and 2011 (100), both rated Avoid, but worse than 2012 (50), 2015 (17), and 2016 (33), which rate Caution, Best, and Good respectively.
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Volvo XC70?
The 2013 XC70 gets an EPA-rated 20 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250.

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.