YearToAvoid

2016 Volvo XC70 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

33/100

#5 most-complained of 7 XC70 years

The 2016 Volvo XC70 has a Complaint Index of 33, ranking 5th among 7 model years, with a verdict of Good. NHTSA lists 7 complaints and 2 recalls for this year, with Engine issues the top problem area.

Complaints
7
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
23.5
21 city / 28 hwy

Top 2016 Volvo XC70 problems

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

  1. Engine2 (29%)
  2. Electrical System1 (14%)
  3. Other1 (14%)
  4. Seat Belts1 (14%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain1 (14%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers1 (14%)

What owners report

  • Transmission sometimes will not shift out of park or into other gears when cold, with a dashboard message saying the car is not in park, reported around 38,000 miles.
  • Backup camera view is partially obstructed by the vehicle body, making the image less useful for parking or reversing.
  • Engine stalls unexpectedly at intersections, sometimes attributed to a dead battery that later recharges and restarts normally.
  • Driver's instrument panel intermittently blacks out, and a separate trailer lighting control module issue causes unreliable trailer stop, running, and signal lights.
  • Front seat belts fail to release after being buckled, raising concern about exiting the vehicle quickly in an emergency.
2016 Volvo XC70 complaints: complaints filed per month2Mar 2018Oct 2018Oct 2021Feb 2023Apr 2023Jan 2024
7 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2018 to Jan 2024; peak Mar 2018 (2).

2016 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 15V555000Sep 2, 2015Electrical System7,855 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers

    Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting when necessary.

    Risk: If the vehicle is unexpectedly unable to be started in the middle of traffic, such as when stopped at an intersection, there is an increased risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing starter motor fuse with a higher amperage fuse, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552 or by visiting http://volvo.custhelp.com. Volvo's number for this recall is R39574.

2016 Volvo XC70 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
23.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,800
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.

2016 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
2014No verdict02221
2015Best176121
2016Good337223.5

All Volvo XC70 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Volvo XC70 reliable?
NHTSA data shows a Complaint Index of 33 for the 2016 XC70, which is on the lower end compared to other years, earning it a Good verdict relative to the rest of the model lineup.
What problems does the 2016 Volvo XC70 have?
The top problem area is Engine, making up 29% of complaints, followed by Electrical System, Seat Belts, Transmission & Powertrain, and Visibility & Wipers each at 14%.
Does the 2016 Volvo XC70 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for a seat belt anchor cable replacement and one for an electrical starter motor fuse replacement, neither marked do-not-drive.
How does the 2016 XC70 compare to other years?
The 2016 XC70 ranks 5th worst out of 7 model years, with a Complaint Index of 33, well below the 2011 model's 100 and above the 2015 model's 17, which is rated Best.

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.