KnownCarProblems2003 Volvo V70 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Volvo V70, most often about the fuel system (28% of complaints, typically around 88,000 miles). It is 5th of 11 V70 model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2003 Volvo V70 problems
Fuel system
9 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
Gasoline overflows from the fill neck spilling down the car and onto the ground. This is a fire risk and an environmental violation. This has happened with various pumps at various gas stations. This never happened to me with any other car in 30 years. I have found others reporting the same problem on the web.
1. Strong fuel odor around vehicle, especially at night in garage. 2. Leaking fuel pump on top of fuel tank. 3. Fuel pump replaced by Volvo dealer.
Transmission
5 complaints · 16%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
At approximately 7,000 miles, automatic transmission began to slip in shifts between second and third gear. Dealer "readapted" transmission using manufacturer's procedure in an attempt to correct slippage. Manufacturer's term for this problem is "shift flair" in which engine RPM increases during a shift making the car…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Volvo V70. While accelerating from a stop or driving on an incline, the transmission slipped when shifting from first to second gear. The vehicle is currently with the dealer and they stated that the transmission software needed to be reset. The powertrain and speed were unknown. The current…
Electrical
5 complaints · 16%Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator, instrument cluster/panel.
: the contact stated the vehicle stalled while driving 10-40 MPH on seven occasions. There was no warning prior to the stalling and the vehicle restarted immediately after each incident. The vehicle has been inspected by a service dealer twice. The first time the dealership flushed out the air conditioner in an…
The contact owns a 2003 Volvo V70 .the lighting and the gauges of the instrument control panel have failed. As a consequence she can not read any of the display. The current mileage was 92,000 . The failure mileage was 91,000.
Engine
4 complaints · 13%Parts named most often: engine.
: the contact stated the vehicle stalled while driving 10-40 MPH on seven occasions. There was no warning prior to the stalling and the vehicle restarted immediately after each incident. The vehicle has been inspected by a service dealer twice. The first time the dealership flushed out the air conditioner in an…
In early may, 2006, my car engine shut down by itself. This occurred three times. I was able to get the car into the dealership where they kept it for two days. The day after I picked it up(may 11th, the engine shut down while I was driving on the freeway. I narrowly missed hitting several cars while attempting to get…
Lights
3 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: headlights.
: the contact stated the driver side headlight burns out at least once a year. The bulb has been replaced each time, but no further repairs have been attempted.
The dim/driver information manual/dashboard display broke. This is a safety issue due to the loss of warning lights and turn signal displays.
Air bags
3 complaints · 9%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Volvo V70 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)
Risk: An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
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.
Full defect summary
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Fuel system: fuel pump
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.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
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. In certain traffic situations this could cause an unsafe situation and possibly a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pressure sensor free of charge. The recall began on june 29, 2007. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pressure sensor located on the left end of the fuel rail may, at times, transmit incorrect signal regarding the fuel pressure to the engine control module. If the signal is outside of the pre-programmed allowable limits, a diagnostic trouble code may be set and the check engine light will come on. The soldered joints on the circuit board of the fuel pressure sensor may crack due to temperature changes and excessive vibrations.
Equipment: labels
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Volvo V70
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Volvo V70?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (9 complaints, typically around 88,000 miles); transmission (5 complaints); electrical (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Volvo V70 have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 14, 2021 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Volvo V70?
- It is 5th of 11 V70 model years by number of complaints, with 32 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.