2003 Volvo XC70 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
115,553 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 24 complaints (20.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 20.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 16.7% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 12.5% |
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 | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Suspension:Front | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Air Bags: 4; Electrical System: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Suspension:Front: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Equipment: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 4 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 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 6; 2011: 6; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 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 10347876 · 2010-08-06 (August 6, 2010)
VOLVO XC70 2003 TRANSMISSION IS GOING BAD WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT. NEEDS A TOTAL REPLACEMENT. HESITATES DURING SHIFTING AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T GO INTO GEAR FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. POWER BOOSTER TO THE BRAKES ALSO HAS A SEAL ISSUE CAUSING POWER BOOSTER ELECTRONIC VACUUM TO CONSTANTLY RUN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10347876 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10349152 · 2010-08-13 (August 13, 2010)
VOLVO 2003 XC 70 TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEM, LOSS OF 1ST GEAR ALONG WITH HARD SHIFT BETWEEN 2-3RD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10349152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10289746 · 2009-10-25 (October 25, 2009)
OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GASOLINE, POOR STARTING, BROUGHT AUTOMOBILE TO VOLVO MECHANIC (SINCE 1976) DETERMINED FACTORY VOLVO FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE HOUSING, GASOLINE ALL OVER BACK SEATS, TOP OF GAS TANK, ENGINE.. SAME OCCURRED JULY, 2009 ON A 2002 XC70, BELONGING TO MY MOTHER, MINE IS A 2003. MECHANIC AND SELF CONTACTED VOLVO FOR DEFECT WARRANTY OR RECALLS AS SO DANGEROUS. NO COOPERATION FROM VOLVO. I KEPT THE DEFECTIVE PART AFTER REPLACING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 124,718 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10554719 · 2013-12-03 (December 3, 2013)
I PURCHASED THIS 2003 VOLVO XC70 RECENTLY AND A FEW WEEKS AFTER DRIVING IT I NOTICED A BAD SMELL OF GAS. I LOOKED AROUND AND DID NOT SEE ANYTHING LEAKING. I KEPT DRIVING DAILY AND SMELLED GAS EVERY SINGLE TIME THE CAR WAS ON. I BECAME VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE I DRIVE WITH MY 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. AFTER SOME TIME I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A GAS LEAK COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR AND THIS BECAME A VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AUTOMATICALLY DROVE TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC SHOP AND GOT THE CAR LOOKED AT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THI…
Owner-reported narrative. 102,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10554719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10250583 · 2008-12-03 (December 3, 2008)
SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING FAILURE IN THE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM ON MY 2003 VOLVO CROSS COUNTRY WAGON. DEALER INVESTIGATED AND STATED THE CENTRAL COMPUTER ON THE AUTO HAD FAILED RESULTING IN A $980 REPAIR. DEALER INDICATED THAT IF COMPUTER WAS NOT REPAIRED, AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT AND PRESENTS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. DEALER INDICATED AUTOMOBILE WOULD NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT COMPUTER REPLACEMENT. SINCE WHEN DO CENTRAL SRS COMPUTERS JUST STOP WORKING? I BELIEVE THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BY VOLVO AND NOT THE CONSUM…
Owner-reported narrative. 67,815 miles reported. Look up ODI 10250583 at NHTSA ↗