2005 Volvo XC70 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
78,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 27 complaints (18.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 33.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 7.4% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 7.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.7% |
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 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Electrical System: 3; Air Bags: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 2; Power Train: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Suspension: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2005: 3; 2006: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10167920 · 2006-09-11 (September 11, 2006)
TRANSMISSION HAD A JERK TO IT WHEN YOU CAME OUT OF A STOP. WHEN YOU ACCELERATED FROM A STOP THE ENGINE THEN WOULD STOP. WE HAVE THE DEALER SHIP VOLVO ( BARRIER LOOKING AT THE PROBLEM AND HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. THERE IS STILL HOWEVER A SMALL JERK IN THE TRANSMISSION AND A SLIGHT HESITATION IN THE ENGINE TO ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167920 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170524 · 2006-10-11 (October 11, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. THE HARDER THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THE FASTER THE ENGINE WOULD REV AND LURCH FORWARD, UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE IGNITION WAS SWITCHED OFF. WHEN RESTARTED, EVERYTHING OPERATED NORMALLY. THE PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED 5 TIMES AND A MINOR COLLISION HAPPENED, ALTHOUGH NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM OR FIND ANYTHI…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10170524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10438720 · 2011-12-06 (December 6, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER THE FAILURE AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,150. UPDATED 03/07/12
Owner-reported narrative. 109,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10438720 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10779461 · 2015-10-03 (October 3, 2015)
CAR OCCASIONALLY LOOSES POWER OR STALL WHEN DRIVING ON HIGH WAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND OFF. SYMPTOMS OFF AND ON. DANGEROUS DRIVING ON FREEWAY BECAUSE IT LOST POWER FOR 2 SECONDS THEN REGAIN MORE POWER IN ACCELERATING SPEED. IT HAD RECALLED NO 181 ON 2004 MODEL, MINE IS 2005 SOLD ON 2005 JANUARY. THE REPORT DESCRIBES AS FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM
Owner-reported narrative. 800,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10779461 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10610333 · 2014-07-14 (July 14, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND THE ABS, ALTERNATOR, AND URGENT WARNING SYSTEM INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. DURING THE FAILURE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CENTRAL ELECTRICAL MODULE WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10610333 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10638924 · 2014-09-24 (September 24, 2014)
SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENTS RE 2005 XC70 VOLVO STEERING SHAFT BROKEN. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR IMPACT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE STEERING SHAFT TO BREAK. HE WAS SIMPLY MAKING A RIGHT TURN, ONTO HIS STREET WHEN THE STEERING STOPPED WORKING. *JB THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $4,000. UPDATED 10/01/14. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10638924 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145308 · 2005-12-15 (December 15, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT INTERMITTENT POWER FAILURE WHILE ACCELERATING. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN THE PAST, HOWEVER, AFTER THE THIRD OCCURRENCE , THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE IN TANK THE FUEL PUMP PART # 30741993 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT FELT THIS PART WAS FAULTY BY DESIGN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE DUE TO HIGH DEMAND.*AK UPDATED 02/07/06.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 8,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10145308 at NHTSA ↗