CarBrief

The 2001 V70 has more NHTSA complaints (221) than any other V70 model year[1][2]. It also has 8 recalls on file, including a driver air bag inflator recall that is still worth checking today[3][2].

221owner complaints[1]
8recalls[2]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 221 owner complaints on file for this model year[1]. Eight mention a crash, 2 a fire and 7 an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

The largest groups are:

Stalling and power loss. In the sample of speed control complaints we read, 9 of 12 describe the car stalling, losing power or showing a reduced performance warning. Several of those owners say the throttle body or throttle module was replaced, and a few texts quote bills of about $900 to $1,100[5]. The electrical system sample is similar. In 8 of 12 texts the engine stalled, hesitated or lost power while driving, and 6 of the 12 name the throttle module[7]. Six of 12 fuel system texts describe the same kind of stalling too[8]. A separate 2006 recall describes throttle sensor irregularities that can light a warning lamp and put the car into a limp-home mode[10].

Fuel smell and leaks. In the fuel system sample, 5 of 12 texts describe a fuel smell or a leak from a cracked fuel pump[8]. A fuel pump recall covers this kind of crack, but only in certain states (see below)[11].

Transmission behavior. In the power train sample, 5 of 12 texts describe an automatic transmission that revs, lunges or shifts oddly, in some cases with a dealer who could not find the cause[6]. Two of 12 describe a failed or replaced transmission[6].

The sample is small, so treat these as themes owners describe, not as how often each problem happens.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2001 V70[2]. Newest first:

Our data does not tell us whether a given car has already had these repairs done.

Fuel economy

EPA lists seven versions of the 2001 V70[4][17][18][19][20][21][22]. All use premium fuel[4][22].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
FWD, 2.3L turbo, manual 5-spd[4] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,900
FWD, 2.3L turbo, automatic (S5)[17] 18 / 24 / 20 $4,100
FWD, 2.4L, automatic 5-spd[18] 19 / 26 / 21 $3,900
FWD, 2.4L turbo, automatic 5-spd[19] 18 / 25 / 20 $4,100
FWD, 2.4L, manual 5-spd[20] 19 / 25 / 21 $3,900
FWD, 2.4L turbo, automatic (S5)[21] 18 / 25 / 20 $4,100
AWD, 2.4L turbo, automatic (S5)[22] 16 / 23 / 19 $4,350

Combined ratings run from 19 to 21 MPG[4][22]. The all-wheel-drive version is the thirstiest of the seven[22]. EPA's fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US cars[23].

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4DR wagon[23] 185 in 71 in 59 in 109 in 3,369 lb
4DR wagon T-5[24] 185 in 71 in 59 in 109 in not listed
4DR wagon XC AWD[25] 186 in 73 in 61 in 109 in 3,594 lb

The EPA data above lists 2.3L and 2.4L five-cylinder engines, some with a turbo[4][18].

How 2001 compares with other years

1998: 193 complaints, 5 recalls19981999: 169 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 93 complaints, 5 recalls20002001: 221 complaints, 8 recalls22120012002: 76 complaints, 6 recalls20022003: 32 complaints, 5 recalls20032004: 83 complaints, 5 recalls20042005: 21 complaints, 3 recalls20052006: 21 complaints, 3 recalls20062007: 7 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 11 complaints, 4 recalls20082009: 4 complaints, 3 recalls20092010: 4 complaints, 3 recalls2010
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each V70 model year. The 2001 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19981935
19991694
2000935
20012218
2002766
2003325
2004835
2005213
2006213
200772
2008114
200943
201043

Among the 13 V70 model years in the NHTSA data, 2001 has the most complaints at 221 and the most recalls at 8[2]. The next highest complaint counts are 193 for 1998 and 169 for 1999[2]. The next highest recall count is 6 for 2002[2].

Later years look quieter on paper. The 2002 model year has 76 complaints and 2004 has 83[2]. From 2005 on, no year has more than 21 complaints[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. Within the V70 line, 2001 is at the top on both measures[2].

Should you buy a used 2001 V70?

The 2001 V70 has the heaviest complaint and recall record of any V70 year in the data[2]. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe stalling or power loss, and some texts name the throttle body or throttle module and quote repair bills of about $900 or more[5][7]. Service records and recall confirmation can show what has already been done, such as throttle work, the fuel pump check and the air bag inflator recall[3][11][10]. Fuel economy is modest at 19 to 21 MPG combined, and the all-wheel-drive version is the lowest of the seven[4][22].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Volvo V70?
NHTSA has 221 complaints[1]. Speed control is the largest group with 61[5]. In the samples we read, owners describe stalling or power loss, fuel smell or leaks from the fuel pump, and odd automatic shifting[5][7][8][6].
Does the 2001 Volvo V70 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recalls, covering the driver air bag inflator, fuel pump, throttle software, cooling fan, seat belt anchorages, a child restraint guide and a GPS battery[3][12][11][10][13][14][15][16][2].
How many miles per gallon does a 2001 Volvo V70 get?
EPA combined ratings run from 19 to 21 MPG across seven versions, and all use premium fuel[4][22].
Is the 2001 Volvo V70 the worst V70 year?
By NHTSA counts it has the most complaints (221) and the most recalls (8) of any V70 year listed[2]. The counts are not adjusted for sales.
How big is a 2001 Volvo V70?
The wagon is 185 inches long, 71 wide and 59 high on a 109 inch wheelbase, in Canadian-market specifications[23].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 221 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Volvo V70 (8 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Volvo V70 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 21V800, filed October 14, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for V70 FWD, 2.3L 5-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 61 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 45 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 30 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 24 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 24 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. Recall 06V441, filed November 15, 2006: Vehicle Speed Control. NHTSA recall database
  11. Recall 09V483, filed December 18, 2009: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 10V566, filed November 8, 2010: Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System). NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 04V451, filed September 13, 2004: Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 03V284, filed August 1, 2003: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 01V101, filed March 26, 2001: Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 01V100, filed March 26, 2001: Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for V70 FWD, 2.3L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic (S5), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for V70 FWD, 2.4L 5-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for V70 FWD, 2.4L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for V70 FWD, 2.4L 5-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for V70 FWD, 2.4L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic (S5), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for V70 AWD, 2.4L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic (S5), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, V70 4DR WAGON: length 185 in, width 71 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,369 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, V70 4DR WAGON T-5: length 185 in, width 71 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 109 in (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, V70 4DR WAGON XC AWD: length 186 in, width 73 in, height 61 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,594 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.