2002 Volvo V70xc recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE REAR LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT RELAYS MAY NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. THE HIGH POSITIONED BRAKE LIGHT AND ALL OTHER TAIL LIGHTS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
What could happen: IF THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO COME ON, THERE WILL BE NO LOWER BRAKE LIGHTS TO INDICATE TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES THAT THE VEHICLE IS DECELERATING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT RELAY WITH TWO RELAYS OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2002 V70XC.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V051000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-458-1552.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
Summary: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE REAR LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT RELAYS MAY NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. THE HIGH POSITIONED BRAKE LIGHT AND ALL OTHER TAIL LIGHTS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
Consequence: IF THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO COME ON, THERE WILL BE NO LOWER BRAKE LIGHTS TO INDICATE TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES THAT THE VEHICLE IS DECELERATING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT RELAY WITH TWO RELAYS OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Notes: VOLVO RECALL NO. R131. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (12), Fuel system (7), Vehicle Speed Control (4), Gasoline (3), Engine (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
04/04/2016 · Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO V70XC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLANK FRACTURED AND BOTH THE FLANK AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…
06/16/2015 · Vehicle Speed Control
1) FUEL SMELL, AND HARDER TO START ENGINE. ENGINE CRANK W/O PROBLEM. SYMPTOMS STARTED AROUND JULY 4TH LAST YEAR, GETTING SEVER AND MORE OFTEN. TOOK MY CAR TO LOCAL VOLVO, BUT THEY SAID "NO RECALL FOR THIS CAR" EVEN THOUGH MULTIPLE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS ARE REPORTED, THEN TOOK MY CAR TO LOCAL AUTO REPAIR GARAGE FINALLY, TODAY MECHANIC CALLS AND SAYS "FUEL…
02/24/2015 · Transmission / drivetrain
MY TRANSMISSION IS JERKING BETWEEN REVERSE AND DRIVE. THE CAR HESITATES AND THEN SLAMS FORWARD. I HAVE READ ALL OVER THE INTERNET WHERE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *JS
01/22/2015 · Fuel system
THE VEHICLE SMELLED OF GASOLINE AND NEEDED TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP REPAIRED, SPENDING 700 DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET. *TR
10/02/2014 · Electrical system
FIRST, I GOT A MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SAYING "SRS AIRBAG URGENT." A FEW DAYS LATER, THE PANEL STARTED TO INTERMITTENTLY WORK. WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK, I HAVE NO WORKING SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, ODOMETER, BLINKERS (ALTHOUGH THEY STILL WORK OUTSIDE THE CAR), OR ANY OTHER LIGHT THAT WOULD NORMALLY BE SHOWN ON THE PANEL. OCCASIONALLY EVERYTHING COMES ON,…
09/05/2014 · Fuel system
FUEL SMELL AND LEAK FROM TOP OF FUEL TANK AREA OF FUEL PUMP. VOLVO SPECIALTY SHOP CONTRACTED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD REPAIR WAS COVERED BY THIS RECALL. I CALLED SAME DEALERSHIP TO MAKE APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A 10 YR EXTENDED WARRANTY ITEM AND NOT COVERED. MY CAR HAS BEEN REGISTERED IN VA SINCE AUG 2011. IS IT COVERED BY THIS RECA…
12/19/2011 · Transmission / drivetrain
TRANSMISSION FAILS AFTER MULTIPLE REPAIRS (UPDATED SOFTWARE) IT IS STILL NOT RIGHT. *TR
12/05/2011 · Transmission / drivetrain
BEGAN EXPERIENCING WHAT I NOW REALIZE MANY, MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH LURCHING, REVVING HIGH AND JERKING FORWARD, AND MISSING IN DRIVE (WITH TRANSMISSION). VOLVO HAS TOLD MANY THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM...AT ALL. I HOPE THIS WILL BE INVESTIGATED SO THAT A RECALL CAN BE ISSUED TH…