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2002 Volvo V70Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 76 owner complaints about the 2002 Volvo V70, most often about the power train. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-800 the manufacturer reports only 16% of affected cars repaired.

2002 Volvo V70
57
CarFlaw IndexSolid year24% below the V70 median · #6 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Lowest repair rate 16%Owner complaints7611 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage97kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 26, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Volvo V70 has problems

76 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train171
Vehicle speed control122
Air bags73
Exterior lighting72
Fuel/propulsion system70
Electrical system60
Fuel system, gasoline50
Seat belts41
Tires40
11 other systems174

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2002 Volvo V70 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

16%repaired · 2023 Q3

Air bags: frontal

Recall 21V-800 · Oct 14, 2021 · 194,546 vehicles · 31,818 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 09V-483 · Dec 18, 2009 · 158,733 vehicles

Risk. IF THE CONDITION OCCURS VEHICLE OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 06V-441 · Nov 15, 2006 · 170,099 vehicles

Risk. THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Recall 04V-051 · Feb 2, 2004 · 3,242 vehicles

Risk. IF THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO COME ON, THERE WILL BE NO LOWER BRAKE LIGHTS TO INDICATE TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES THAT THE VEHICLE IS DECELERATING, WHICH COULD RESULT…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volvo.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other V70 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the V70 median. How we score

'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Volvo V70 safety ratings

2002 Volvo V70 4-DR. Wagon w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Volvo V70, and the recalls they led to.

  1. THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONEA05021 · closed Dec 12, 2006
    Led to recall 06V-441
  2. THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONPE05041 · closed Dec 7, 2005
    No recall
In owners' words

What V70 owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ON A HILL AND COASTED TO HIS HOUSE AND PARKED HIS VEHICLE FOR A YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY…
Complaint 10483380 · Nov 5, 2012 · 110,000 miles
1ST INDICATION OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES. MULTIPLE ISSUES SINCE. NO POSSIBLE FIX OTHER THAN REPLACEMENT @ APPROXIMATELY $4000.00. *TR
Complaint 10444788 · Jan 22, 2012 · 147,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO V70. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED EXCESSIVELY AND THE WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED…
Complaint 10444105 · Jan 17, 2012 · 126,549 miles

Own a 2002 V70?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.