2002 Volvo XC70 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
35 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
81,443 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 32 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 35 complaints (31.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 42.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 8.6% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 5.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 11 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Suspension:Front | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Power Train: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Suspension:Front: 2; Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 3 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 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2010: 10; 2011: 4; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2018: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 10036788 · 2003-08-28 (August 28, 2003)
CAR RPM RACES AN ADDITIONAL 2-3000RPM OUT OF NO WHERE WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CAR GOES INTO A MODE OF NEUTRAL AND THEN WHEN RPM DROPS BACK TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE CAR 'KICKS BACK IN' AND MOVES FORWARD (ESTIMATING START DATE...HAPPEND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUCHASE OF CAR...JUST FILED LEMON LAW AND FOR ARBITRATION. DEALER AND VOLVO REP SAW CAR MINIMUM 4X, SWORE NOT TRANSMISSION, RERAN ELECTRICAL CHIPS AND CAN NOT SOLVE PROB. OR FIND IT. NOT THE VOLVO MECHANICS OR VOLVO REP. AFTER 2 TRANSMISSION DENIALS ..OUTRIGHT!! INCLUDING S…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10036788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10108834 · 2004-12-13 (December 13, 2004)
THERE WERE TRANSMISSION, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION AND DRASTIC LURCHING PROBLEMS THAT HAD BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE PAST 14 MONTHS. *BF THE LURCHING PROBLEM WAS NOT DUPLICATED. THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR IN PARKING LOTS WHEN THE CONSUMER FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE AND PRIOR TO TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR. THE STICK SHIFT WOULD LOCK AS WELL. *SC THERE WAS A RE-OCCURRING SQUEAK IN THE STEERING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10108834 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10574785 · 2014-03-25 (March 25, 2014)
FUEL PUMP CRACKED, SLOW LEAK ON TO GAS TANK CAUSING EXTREME FUMES, MYSELF, 5 MONTH OLD GRANDDAUGHTER AND HER MOTHER WERE SICK FROM THESTRONG FUMES. I AFTER THAT TRIP I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE AND WE ALL WOULD HAVE GONE UP IN FLAMES. THIS PUMP IS UNDER THE REAR SEAT WHERE THE TWO PASSENGERS WHERE SITTING. ON MARCH 22, 2014, THE THREE OF US WENT TO ARRUNDEL MILLS MALL CLOSE TO BALTIMORE ON THE WAY HOME TO ALEXANDRIA VA., WE SMELT STRONG GAS FUMES. EVEN WITH ALL THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF OPEN THE FUMES DID NOT DI…
Owner-reported narrative. 148,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10574785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11072312 · 2018-02-12 (February 12, 2018)
VOLVO XC V70 2002 OCEAN RACE EDITION HAS DEVELOPED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL AFTER DRIVING. THERE IS NO 1) LEAKAGE UNDER VEHICLE, 2) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OR 3) APPARENT REDUCTION IN MILEAGE OR PERFORMANCE. I ALSO REPLACED THE GAS CAP, BUT NOTHING CHANGED. WE KEEP OUR VOLVO IN THE GARAGE UNDER OUR HOUSE AND THE GASOLINE SMELL HAS BECOME SO BAD THAT WE ARE NERVOUS ABOUT LEAVING IT THERE AT NIGHT SINCE THE UPSTAIRS BEGINS TO SMELL LIKE GASOLINE. WE DO NOT KNOW IF WE ARE CREATING A REAL SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE OF THIS CAR? IN RESEARCHING 2002 VOLVO V70 …
Owner-reported narrative. 138,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11072312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10441237 · 2011-12-26 (December 26, 2011)
MY WIFE DROVE OUR CAR A 2002 VOLVO XC70 STATION WAGON FROM OUR SECOND HOME APPROXIMATELY TEN MILES TO SAN LUIS OBISPO CALIF. FOR SHOPPING. SHE PARKED THE CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AND WENT INTO A STORE. SHE CAME BACK OUT, STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. WHEN SHE PUT THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IN DRIVE THE ENGINE WENT TO FULL RPM AND LURCHED FORWARD, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH COULD NOT HOLD THE HIGH ENGINE SPEED PULLING THE CAR FORWARD. SHE QUICKLY SHUT THE ENGINE OFF WITH THE KEY AVOIDING A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. THE CRUISE C…
Owner-reported narrative. 149,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10441237 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10426310 · 2011-09-19 (September 19, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED BETWEEN GEARS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE DUE TO ANTI GLARE SEPARATION WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AND ALSO MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 188,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10426310 at NHTSA ↗