2001 Volvo V70: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2001 Volvo V70: 8 recalls, 221 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.

Recalls
8 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #01V100000 · 2001 · 3,276 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear outboard seat belt anchorage bolts May have been incorrectly tightened.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant May not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the anchorage bolts and tighten to the correct torque level. Owner notification began May 7, 2001.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #01V101000 · 2001 · 16,085 vehicles
What's wrong: The bolted joint, used for attaching the bracket that is part of the installation hardware for the isofix-type child restraint, May have been incorrectly tightened.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant May not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the anchorage bolts and tighten to the correct torque level. Owner notification began May 7, 2001.
Equipment Vehicle recall #03V284000 · 2003 · 220,407 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain passenger cars fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the second isofix guide was not installed in these vehicles and, in certain cases, the owner's manual isofix information is incorrect.
Why it matters: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The fix: Owners will receive a letter/package consisting of the second isofix guide with installation instructions, and in certain cases, the corrected owner's manual May be provided. If the owner wants to take their vehicle to a Volvo dealer for installation of the guide, it will be performed at no charge…
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #04V451000 · 2004 · 149,799 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, under certain operating conditions, some electric cooling fans May overheat potentially causing heat damage and, in rare instances, a fire in the engine compartment.
Why it matters: A fire in the engine compartment could occur.
The fix: Dealers will replace the cooling fan. The recall began on November 29, 2004. Customers should contact Volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #06V441000 · 2006 · 170,099 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing, and/or inefficient software calibration May cause a warning lamp to light and the subsequent onset of limp home modes.
Why it matters: This resulted in a high number of vehicles going into the limp home mode without need.
The fix: Dealers will install the current software upgrade onto the involved vehicles. The recall began on December 29, 2006.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #09V483000 · 2009 · 158,733 vehicles
What's wrong: S. Territories. When exposed to certain environmental conditions (hot climate and temperature cycling) over time and in combination with varying fuel quality, the fuel pump can develop cracks in the fuel pump flange.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel pump installed in the vehicle, and if necessary replace the fuel pump with a part of a modified design. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on January 15, 2010.
Equipment Vehicle recall #10V566000 · 2010 · 416 vehicles
What's wrong:
Why it matters: An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
The fix: Volvo advises owners to please stop using the garmin portable gps device immediately, and visit the garmin website to determine if their unit is affected. The unit's battery will be replaced with a new battery and a spacer will be inserted on top of the battery next to the pcb. This service will be…
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #21V800000 · 2021 · 194,546 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver's air bag inflator May explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2021.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #07E023000 · 2007 · 13,128 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain cardone master cylinders with part numbers 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987mza, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, and 11-3156, and with date codes lower than dca7078 sold as replacement equipment for use on the vehicles listed above. The seal on master cylinder can fail and leak brake fluid.
Why it matters: Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Cardone will notify owners and offer to repurchase any defective master cylinders. The recall began during April 2007. Owners can contact cardone at 1-800-777-4780.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 7 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Speed control / throttle (61): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (31), sudden acceleration (12).
- Transmission & drivetrain (45): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (30), noise or vibration (10), warning light on (7).
- Electrical (30): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (9), electrical failure (8), warning light on (5).
- Fuel system (24): the most common themes are leaks (11), stalls / loses power (4).
The 2001 Volvo V70 has 221 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 21 V70 model years for complaints (5.0× the average V70 year). Complaints peaked in 2005 (72 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 80,765 miles. Neighboring years: 2000 (93 complaints, 5 recalls), 2002 (76 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 5-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Premium |
| 2.4 L 5-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | Premium |
| 2.4 L 5-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | Premium |
| 2.3 L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Premium |
| 2.4 L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Premium |
| 2.4 L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Premium |
| 2.4 L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2001 Volvo V70.
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FAQ
Does the 2001 Volvo V70 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recalls for the 2001 Volvo V70, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2001 Volvo V70 problems?
Owners have filed 221 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are speed control / throttle (61), transmission & drivetrain (45), electrical (30).
What gas mileage does the 2001 Volvo V70 get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.3 L, Manual 5-spd), across 7 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2001 Volvo V70 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.