2003 Volvo V70 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
62,888 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 32 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 18.8% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 15.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 15.6% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
Fuel System, Gasoline: 6; Air Bags: 3; Electrical System: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2003: 2; 2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2006: 4; 2008: 3; 2009: 5; 2012: 3; 2014: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10056232 · 2004-01-31 (January 31, 2004)
AT APPROXIMATELY 7,000 MILES, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP IN SHIFTS BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. DEALER "READAPTED" TRANSMISSION USING MANUFACTURER'S PROCEDURE IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT SLIPPAGE. MANUFACTURER'S TERM FOR THIS PROBLEM IS "SHIFT FLAIR" IN WHICH ENGINE RPM INCREASES DURING A SHIFT MAKING THE CAR FEEL LIKE IT HAS TEMPORARILY LOST DRIVE OR THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. IN MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE PROBLEM, THE ENGINE RPM WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE FOR A FEW SECONDS AND DURING THAT PERIOD THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER. ONLY T…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056232 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096162 · 2004-10-21 (October 21, 2004)
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SLIP, ENGINE REVS INCREASE AND VEHICLE LOOSES MOMENTUM. DEALER HAS WORKED ON THE CAR THREE TIMES. THE LAST REPAIR LASTED SEVERAL MONTHS BUT PROBLEM HAS RESURFACED
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10096162 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115433 · 2005-03-18 (March 18, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10115433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10135557 · 2005-09-07 (September 7, 2005)
8/16/05-CAR STALLED AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER 3 TIMES WHILE CAR WAS OPERATING AT LOW SPEED ON CITY ROADS. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. EACH TIME IT STALLED, THE CAR RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO PROCEED OUT OF TRAFFIC AND, AFTER THE THIRD STALL TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. 8/17/05-8/18/05-CAR REPAIRED AT SESI VOLVO DEALERSHIP, ANN ARBOR MICHIGAN. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR REPLACED AND REAR OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED. SERVICE DEPT SAID CAR CLEARED THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND TEST DRIVE WAS OK. SERVICE PERSON INCORRECTLY…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,136 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10241655 · 2008-09-09 (September 9, 2008)
CAR WOULD NOT START. MY MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AT MY OWN EXPENSE - A LENGTHY REPAIR THAT COST MORE THAN $1000. ALTHOUGH VOLVO RECALL 181 DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE, I WONDER WHETHER THE FUEL PUMP ISSUE IN VOLVO RECALL 181 SHOULD APPLY TO MORE VEHICLES SUCH AS MY OWN. THIS MAY BE WORTH MORE INVESTIGATION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241655 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10269747 · 2009-05-22 (May 22, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY SUCKS UP RAW GAS, WHICH CAUSES A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. THE CONTACT USED A RAG TO SOAK UP THE GAS AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FUEL RETURNS TO THE PUMP ASSEMBLY. HE FEELS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE COULD CATCH FIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10269747 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016470 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)
BRACKET FOR EMERGENCY BRAKE COMES APART AND EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE SHIELD COMES IN CONTACT WITH TIRE. TIRE HAS WORN THROUGH THE RUBBER AND STARTED TO WEAR THROUGH THE STEEL SHIELD. THE BRACKET IS MADE OF PLASTIC. I REPLACED IT MYSELF WITH A STEEL BRACKET. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY,BUT I DID NOT WANT THE SAME BRACKET INSTALLED . ALSO THIS DEALER HAS REFUSED TO DO WARRANTY WORK ON MY CAR BEFORE.
Owner-reported narrative. 48,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016470 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055598 · 2004-01-21 (January 21, 2004)
WHILE EXITING THE PARKING AREA VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. DRIVER TAPPED THE BRAKES AND SPEED INCREASED. AS A RESULT, DRIVER LOST CONTROL, VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE, AND LANDED ON A SNOW BANK. DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER CHIP OF THE THROTTLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055598 at NHTSA ↗