2012 Volvo XC70 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
25,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility/Wiper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 14 complaints (35.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 21.4% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 1 |
Visibility/Wiper: 5; Structure:Body: 3; Steering: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Seat Belts: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Tires: 1; Visibility:Windshield: 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 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2013: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility/Wiper leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10883457 · 2016-07-07 (July 7, 2016)
THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE VEHICLE WANTS TO "CLIMB OR STEER" INTO THE HIGH SIDE OF LONGITUDNAL GROOVES ON THE DRIVING SURFACE. CONSIDERABLE FORCE HAS TO BE MAINTAINED ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM STEERING/RUNNING OFF THE DRIVING SURFACE EITHER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR OFF THE ROADWAY OR INTO ANOTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD, THE INCIDENT CAN OCCUR ON A STREET OR ON A HIGHWAY. THIS SITUATION OCCURS ON STREET AND HIGHWAY SURFACES THAT ARE WORN/GROOVED DUE TO THE USE OF STUDDED TIR…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10883457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11318336 · 2020-03-16 (March 16, 2020)
THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS AND HESITATES AND WON'T TURN. THEN IT FINALLY DOES. SOMETIMES IT SEEMS WORSE WHEN COLD. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MANY DEALERS AND MECHANICS AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. JUST RECENTLY PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I WAS USING THE GAS, AND IT WOULD NOT TURN AND I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HIT A TREE. ANOTHER TIME WHILE DRIVING N A ROTARY IT FROZE. MANY TIMES WHILE TURNIING INTO A PARKING PLACE IT LOCKS UP.
Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 11318336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11210824 · 2019-05-30 (May 30, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE BEFORE SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN A BIT, BUT CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VOLVO CARS SILVER SPRING (LOCATED AT 3121 AUTOMOBILE BLVD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND B…
Owner-reported narrative. 131,898 miles reported. Look up ODI 11210824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11442748 · 2021-12-05 (December 5, 2021)
Windshield seal leaking at top. This started a few weeks ago, I noticed water drips run down the inside of the windshield in front of the driver. I took a 4-hour trip last week and it rained for 30 minutes, the leak became worst causing me to need to wipe the inside of the windshield. Yesterday, I went through the car wash and water pour down onto the dashboard, instrument cluster, steering wheel, and airbag. I have to get paper towels and dry things before I could drive. Today, I drove to the grocery in light rain, not a big problem when dri…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11442748 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10968345 · 2017-03-24 (March 24, 2017)
RECENTLY, MY HUSBAND'S VOLVO XC70 BEGAN LEAKING WATER. WE TOOK IT TO OVERLAND PARK VOLVO FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. THEY STATE THE WINDSHIELD SEAL HAS BROKEN AND THAT IS WHY IT IS LEAKING WATER. IT IS A FACTORY INSTALLED WINDSHIELD. THEY STATED IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT A GLASS REPAIR COMPANY WOULD NEED TO FIX IT. SO, WE TOOK IF TO SAFELITE. ALTHOUGH OUT INSURANCE IS COVERING REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD, BECAUSE THEY CANNOT SIMPLY RESEAL IT, SAFELITE STATES THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY VOLVO DIDN'T COVER IT UNDER THEIR WARRANTY DUE T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10968345 at NHTSA ↗