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2004 Volvo V70Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 84 owner complaints about the 2004 Volvo V70, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-800 the manufacturer reports only 16% of affected cars repaired.

2004 Volvo V70
54
CarFlaw IndexSolid year16% below the V70 median · #5 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Lowest repair rate 16%Owner complaints8412 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage82kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 21, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Volvo V70 has problems

84 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
Engine and engine cooling220
Electrical system122
Fuel system, gasoline110
Steering90
Fuel/propulsion system91
Seats86
Engine60
Power train60
Air bags41
11 other systems273

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

5 recalls

2004 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

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 07V-226 · Jun 5, 2007 · 32,189 vehicles

Risk. MISFIRE MAY OCCUR DURING DRIVING THAT, IN TURN, WILL REDUCE THE ENGINE TORQUE AND IN THE WORST CASE SCENARIO, THE ENGINE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Steering: linkages

Recall 04V-029 · Jan 16, 2004 · 29,986 vehicles

Risk. THIS DRIVING CONDITION COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SEPARATION BETWEEN THE FRONT CONTROL ARM AND THE SPINDLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

82kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 20 engine and engine cooling complaints. 75% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles15under 100k miles5100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2004 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

2004 Volvo V70 safety ratings

2004 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
In owners' words

What V70 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

DRIVING HOME FROM DETROIT TO INDIANAPOLIS ON HIGHWAY... CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN WENT OUT A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD... LATER CAME ON AGAIN... ENGINE WAS RUNNING FINE... THEN SUDDEN POWER LOSS....ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED... COASTED TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY WITH NO POWER STEERING OR POWER…
Complaint 10649651 · Oct 24, 2014 · 37,000 miles
I PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE THE OLD OWNER SAID THERE WAS A RECALL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. I CONTACTED THE VOLVO DEALER HE RAN VIN BUT NO RECALL FOR THIS CAR. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE RAN A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH READ FUEL SENSOR. THE RECALL I SAW FOR THIS YEAR CAR IS SIMILAR TO THE…
Complaint 10503629 · Mar 19, 2013 · 171,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO V70. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED UPDATING…
Complaint 10479443 · Oct 9, 2012 · 100,000 miles

Own a 2004 V70?

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