KnownCarProblems2004 Volvo V70 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 83 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Volvo V70, most often about the engine (31% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about V70 model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2004 Volvo V70 problems
Engine
26 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The check engine light on our 2004 Volvo V70 wagon came on while driving down the highway. The vehicle then made noticeable hesitations but the vehicle continued to be drivable. After getting to atlanta and taking the car to a Volvo dealership, the fault code said the problem was with the fuel sensor. Interestingly…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Volvo V70. The check engine light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosis located the failure as the fuel pressure sensor. The manufacturer stated that the VIN wasn't listed in recall 07v226000 engine and engine cooling; therefore, they would not assist with…
Fuel system
20 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 84,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage, fuel injection system, delivery.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Volvo V70. The check engine light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosis located the failure as the fuel pressure sensor. The manufacturer stated that the VIN wasn't listed in recall 07v226000 engine and engine cooling; therefore, they would not assist with…
I have had two Volvo V70 station wagons. Both of them have exhibited the following- when filling at certain gas stations (sunoco most recently) the gas pump will not shut off automatically before fuel comes pouring out of the filler. I believe it is a fuel filler problem in the car, not in the pump, because I do not…
Electrical
12 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 91,500 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery.
Without warning the entire instrument panel (speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, driver information) stop working and the instrument panel lights go out. Driver is unable to determine speed or other critical information.
2004 Volvo V70 will lurch, left rear door open warning light comes on, interior lights come on, warning triangle appears. This is accompanied by a loud thump, followed by a complete power down of the car. Very dangerous; could leads to deaths on highways. Apparently Volvo has known about problem for some time. Caused…
Steering
9 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 134,500 miles. Parts named most often: linkages.
I was driving at about 35 MPH. When I slowed down to make a 90 degree right turn, without warning the engine and power steering went off as I was turning. I had to manually steer the car and luckily did not crash because there was no car in the opposite lane. I pulled over to the side of the road, restarted the car…
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo V70. While driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and came to a complete stop. The contact mentioned that the steering wheel was difficult to steer and the engine light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred six times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer…
Seats
8 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 92,500 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Volvo V70. The contact began to smell a faint burning odor from the vehicle. The contact inspected and noticed that the driver seat was smoking. The contact turned the seat heater off and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where she was told that the seat heater…
On sunday, 24 january 2009, the heating element in the driver's seat in our 2004 Volvo V70 somehow shorted and/or otherwise overheated, causing the seat to begin to smolder and smoke and burned small holes in the side of the leather seat cover. After the heating element was turned off, the materials in the seat appear…
Transmission
6 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, manual transmission.
Volvo V70 angle/bevel gear renders all wheel drive system inoperable. Volvo wants in excess of $3,000.00 to repair this. This part should not fail in a car that carries such a high cost. Volvo refuses to assume responsibility for this design defect in north america and europe.
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo V70. While driving in reverse approximately 5 MPH, the transmission failed without prior warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the transmission was replaced. The failure mileage was 112,000. Updated 05/05/11 updated 05/16/11
Seat belts
4 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: rear/other.
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo V70 cross country. He could not release his six year old child from the passenger rear seat belt. The seat belt wrapped around the childs' abdomen so tightly that it bruised his abdomen. He had to cut the seat belt off of the child. The police and fire department were present, but no…
Suspension
4 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: front, rear.
We recently heard a loud "growl" coming from the left rear wheel. The noise grew from a slight whine to a moderate growl as we headed home, a journey of ~700 miles. The shop replacing the bearing stated they had had a huge increase in Volvo AWD rear bearings of late. Models from '02 through 07 with mileage of…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 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.
Steering: linkages
Risk: This driving condition could eventually lead to separation between the front control arm and the spindle, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a new type of nut. Owner notification began on february 16, 2004. Owners should contact volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the front control arms may not have been manufactured correctly and, as a result, the stud and nut that secure the arm to the spindle may lose their initial axial tension. Under certain driving conditions, the steering may become less responsive and the driver may experience steering wheel play.
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 2004 Volvo V70
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Volvo V70?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (26 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); fuel system (20 complaints, typically around 84,500 miles); electrical (12 complaints, typically around 91,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 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 2004 a bad year for the Volvo V70?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about V70 model year since 2000, with 83 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.