CarBrief

NHTSA has 76 owner complaints for the 2002 Volvo V70, and the biggest group is the power train[1][2]. Six recalls are on file, including one for the driver's air bag inflator[3][4].

76owner complaints[1]
6recalls[3]
20–21MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 76 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Five mention a crash, 3 a fire and 4 an injury[1]. None report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Injuries
Power train[2] 17 1 0 0
Speed control[6] 12 2 0 0
Exterior lighting[7] 7 0 1 1
Air bags[8] 7 2 0 3
Fuel/propulsion system[9] 7 0 0 0
Electrical system[10] 6 0 0 0
Engine[11] 5 0 2 0
Fuel system, gasoline[12] 5 0 0 0

Power train. The median mileage at failure in these complaints is 97,000[2]. In the sample of 12 complaint texts we read, 9 describe transmission trouble[2]. Owners write about harsh or lurching shifts, slipping, delayed acceleration and getting stuck in one gear. Several say a dealer told them the transmission needed to be replaced, and some say a software update did not fix it. Two of the 12 describe an axle or shaft failure[2].

Speed control. The median mileage at failure is 115,665[6]. In a sample of 12 complaint texts, 8 name an electronic throttle part as the failed part, such as the throttle module, throttle body or throttle position sensor[6]. Four describe a sudden surge or unwanted acceleration, and three say Volvo told them their car was not covered by the speed control recall[6].

Air bags. This group has the most injuries of any group in the table, 3[8]. In a sample of 6 complaint texts, three come from owners who got the air bag recall notice and wrote that repair parts were not yet available or that no dealer was nearby[8]. Two describe an air bag that deployed when it should not have, or in connection with another failure[8].

Fuel and propulsion. The median mileage at failure is 136,000[9]. In a sample of 6 complaint texts, 4 describe a fuel smell or leak[9]. In several of these texts, owners mention the fuel pump recall, and some say the dealer would not do the repair[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists six recalls for the 2002 V70[3], newest first.

A recall can apply to some vehicles in a model year and not others, so check with a Volvo dealer whether a recall applies to a specific car.

Fuel economy

EPA lists six ratings for this model year. All use premium fuel. Combined fuel economy is 20 or 21 MPG in every version[5][18][19][20][21][22].

Version City / highway / combined Est. annual fuel cost
FWD, 2.3L 5-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd[5] 18 / 25 / 21 $3,900
FWD, 2.3L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic (S5)[18] 17 / 24 / 20 $4,100
FWD, 2.4L 5-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[19] 19 / 26 / 21 $3,900
FWD, 2.4L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic 5-spd[20] 18 / 25 / 21 $3,900
FWD, 2.4L 5-cyl, Manual 5-spd[21] 19 / 25 / 21 $3,900
AWD, 2.4L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic (S5)[22] 17 / 24 / 20 $4,100

EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[5].

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list this model year as not rated[23].

Engine and size

Our data lists engines of 2.3 liters and 2.4 liters, all with 5 cylinders, some with a turbo[5][19][20]. The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4-door wagon 2.4 / 2.4T / 2.4T AWD / T5[24] 185 in 71 in 59 in 109 in 3,369 lb
4-door wagon XC AWD[25] 186 in 73 in 61 in 109 in 3,594 lb

How 2002 compares with other years

1998: 193 complaints, 5 recalls19981999: 169 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 93 complaints, 5 recalls20002001: 221 complaints, 8 recalls20012002: 76 complaints, 6 recalls7620022003: 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 2002 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19981935
19991694
2000935
20012218
2002766
2003325
2004835
2005213
2006213
200772
2008114
200943
201043

Across the 13 V70 model years in NHTSA's data, 2002 has 76 complaints and 6 recalls[3]. Five other years have more complaints: 2001 (221), 1998 (193), 1999 (169), 2000 (93) and 2004 (83)[3]. That makes 2002 the sixth highest for complaints. Only 2001 has more recalls, with 8[3].

The next year, 2003, has 32 complaints and 5 recalls[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2002 Volvo V70?

The record is mixed, with the most complaints in the power train and speed control groups[2][6], where owners in the samples we read describe transmission and throttle trouble. Ask a Volvo dealer about open recalls, especially the driver air bag inflator recall, which carries a risk of serious injury or death[4]. Ask for service records that show whether the transmission and throttle have been looked at. Fuel economy is steady at 20 to 21 MPG combined in every listed version[5][18][19][20][21][22]. NHTSA has not rated this model year in its 5-star program, so you cannot compare crash results from that source[23].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Volvo V70?
By complaint count, the power train leads with 17 of the 76 complaints, followed by speed control with 12[1][2][6]. In the samples of complaint texts we read, owners describe transmission shifting trouble and throttle failures[2][6].
Does the 2002 Volvo V70 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists six, including the driver air bag inflator (21V800), a fuel pump flange recall (09V483) and a speed control software recall (06V441)[4][14][15]. Whether each applies to a specific car depends on the vehicle.
How many miles per gallon does a 2002 Volvo V70 get?
EPA lists 17 to 19 MPG city, 24 to 26 highway and 20 to 21 combined, depending on the version[5][18][19][20][21][22].
Is the 2002 Volvo V70 a reliable car?
Our data cannot give a reliability score. It shows 76 owner complaints and 6 recalls for this model year[1][3], with the largest complaint groups being power train and speed control[2][6].
Which year of the Volvo V70 has the fewest complaints?
Among the years listed, 2009 and 2010 have the fewest, with 4 complaints each, and 2002 has 76[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 76 owner complaints on file for the 2002 Volvo V70 (5 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 17 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Volvo V70 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 21V800, filed October 14, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for V70 FWD, 2.3L 5-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 12 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 115,665). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 7 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 7 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 7 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 136,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 6 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 131,250). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 5 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 5 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 170,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 10V566, filed November 8, 2010: Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System). NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 09V483, filed December 18, 2009: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 06V441, filed November 15, 2006: Vehicle Speed Control. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 04V051, filed February 2, 2004: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 03V284, filed August 1, 2003: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  18. EPA rating for V70 FWD, 2.3L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic (S5), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. 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
  20. EPA rating for V70 FWD, 2.4L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 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, 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
  22. EPA rating for V70 AWD, 2.4L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic (S5), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, V70 4DR WAGON 2.4/2.4T/2.4T AWD/T5: 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
  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.