2002 Volvo XC70 recalls and problems

4 recalls and 35 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Volvo XC70.

4
recalls
35
owner complaints
0
complaints mentioning a crash
1
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Volvo XC70 recalls

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module · Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 21V800000 · reported October 14, 2021 · Volvo Car USA, LLC · 194,546 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2007 V70 and XC70 vehicles. 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.
The risk
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. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10136.

Equipment: electrical, navigational system(global positioning system)

NHTSA campaign 10V566000 · reported November 8, 2010 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · 416 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
The risk
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 performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 18, 2010. Owners may contact garmin at 866-957-1981 or visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump

NHTSA campaign 09V483000 · reported December 18, 2009 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · 158,733 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 s80, model year 2001-2004 v70, s60, xc70 and model year 2003-2005 xc90 vehicles sold in or registered in the states of alabama, arizona, arkansas, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, kentucky, louisiana, mississippi, nevada, new mexico, north carolina, oklahoma, south carolina, tennessee, texas, utah, virginia and the u.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.
The 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.
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. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

Equipment: other, labels

NHTSA campaign 03V284000 · reported August 1, 2003 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · 220,407 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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 to the owner. Owner notification began on december 19, 2003. Owners should contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 20, 2018 · Vehicle speed control · 179,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

Aug 8, 2018 · Fuel/propulsion system · 21,000 miles

FUEL LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP. FUEL ODER IN CAN. FUEL LEAKING UNDER THE CAR

Feb 12, 2018 · Fuel/propulsion system · 138,000 miles

VOLVO XC V70 2002 OCEAN RACE EDITION HAS DEVELOPED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL AFTER DRIVING. THERE IS NO 1) LEAKAGE UNDER VEHICLE, 2) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OR 3) APPARENT REDUCTION IN MILEAGE OR PERFORMANCE. I ALSO REPLACED THE GAS CAP, BUT NOTHING CHANGED. WE KEEP OUR VOLVO IN THE GARAGE UNDER OUR HOUSE AND THE GASOLINE…

Apr 11, 2016 · Engine · 30,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE…

Sep 18, 2015 · Fuel/propulsion system · 140,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM…

XC70 model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2001 56611
2002 43501
2003 42410
2004 310123
2005 22720

Across all years, the 2004 XC70 has the most complaints (101). All Volvo XC70 years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Volvo XC70 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2002 Volvo XC70, the most recent reported on October 14, 2021 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module, Air bags: frontal). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Volvo XC70?
Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (14 complaints), followed by vehicle speed control (7).
How many 2002 Volvo XC70 complaints mention a crash or fire?
0 of 35 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 20, 2018.