CarBrief

NHTSA has 83 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Volvo V70[1], and the engine group is the biggest part of them. The car also has 5 recalls on file[2], so check your VIN before you buy or keep one.

83owner complaints[1]
5recalls[2]
19–22MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

Of the 83 complaints[1], 2 mention a crash, 6 a fire and 4 an injury[1]. None report a death[1]. One complaint can name several parts, so the groups below overlap.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Engine[4] 26 84,000
Electrical system[5] 12 91,700
Fuel system, gasoline[6] 11 65,900
Steering[7] 9 134,300
Seats[8] 8 92,700
Fuel/propulsion system[9] 8 150,000
Power train[10] 6 88,000
Seat belts[11] 4 not listed

Engine. The engine group has 26 complaints, with no crashes, fires or injuries[4]. In the sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe the engine stalling, hesitating or setting off the check engine light. Shops traced it to the fuel pressure sensor in 8 of 11 distinct texts[4]. In these texts, owners say they were told their car was outside the recall for that sensor, so some paid for the repair themselves and some went without[4]. The recall itself is described in the recalls section below.

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 texts, 5 describe a sudden power-down, with gauges going dark or flickering and warning messages while driving[5]. Two describe a driver seat heater problem. One felt a burning sensation and one reports a fire that burned a hole in the seat[5]. The seats group lists 5 complaints that mention a fire[8], but we do not have texts that show the cause.

Fuel system. In a sample of 10 distinct texts, 4 repeat the fuel pressure sensor and stalling story[6]. One describes fuel spilling back out of the filler during fill-ups[6].

Steering. In a sample of 8 texts[7], 3 describe a loose front control arm or worn parts that made the steering feel loose[7]. Two describe the engine and power steering cutting out while driving[7]. Steering complaints come at a higher median mileage than any other group in the table except fuel/propulsion[7][9].

The power train, seat belt and fuel/propulsion groups have 6, 4 and 8 complaints, and we did not read sample texts for them[10][11][9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

The remedies above are described as available in each recall record. Whether a particular car is covered depends on its VIN.

Fuel economy

EPA lists 8 versions of the 2004 V70[17][18][19][3][20][21][22][23]. All use premium fuel[17][18]. Numbers are city / highway / combined MPG.

Version MPG EPA annual fuel cost
2.4L FWD, automatic 5-spd[3] 19 / 28 / 22 $3,750
2.4L FWD, manual 5-spd[20] 19 / 27 / 22 $3,750
2.5L turbo FWD, automatic 5-spd[21] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,900
2.5L turbo AWD, automatic 5-spd[17] 18 / 25 / 20 $4,100
2.3L turbo FWD, manual 5-spd[18] 17 / 24 / 20 $4,100
2.3L turbo FWD, automatic (S5)[19] 16 / 23 / 19 $4,350
V70 R, 2.5L turbo AWD, manual 6-spd[22] 16 / 23 / 19 $4,350
V70 R, 2.5L turbo AWD, automatic (S5)[23] 16 / 23 / 19 $4,350

The non-turbo 2.4L is the thriftiest at 22 combined[3][20]. Annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list this 4-door model year as not rated[24]. That means there is no crash-test score to compare.

Engine and size

EPA lists 2.3L turbo, 2.4L and 2.5L turbo five-cylinder engines for this year[18][3][17].

These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
AWD and FWD wagons 185 in 71 in 59 in 109 in 3,274 lb
V70R AWD wagon 185 in 71 in 59 in 109 in 3,777 lb

Sources:[25][26] for the first row and[27] for the V70R.

How 2004 compares with other years

1998: 193 complaints, 5 recalls19981999: 169 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 93 complaints, 5 recalls20002001: 221 complaints, 8 recalls20012002: 76 complaints, 6 recalls20022003: 32 complaints, 5 recalls20032004: 83 complaints, 5 recalls8320042005: 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 2004 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19981935
19991694
2000935
20012218
2002766
2003325
2004835
2005213
2006213
200772
2008114
200943
201043

NHTSA data covers 13 V70 model years, from 1998 to 2010[2]. With 83 complaints[2], 2004 is fifth highest. Only 2001 (221), 1998 (193), 1999 (169) and 2000 (93) have more[2]. The years next to it are lower: 2002 has 76, 2003 has 32 and 2005 has 21[2]. Every year from 2005 to 2010 has 21 complaints or fewer[2].

For recalls, 2004 has 5[2]. That ties with 1998, 2000 and 2003. Only 2001 (8) and 2002 (6) have more[2].

These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2004 V70?

The record is mixed, since the 83 complaints put 2004 in the upper half of V70 years, and the engine group is the largest at 26[2][4]. Owners in our sample describe a fuel pressure sensor problem that can stall the engine, and some say they were told their car was not covered by the recall[4][15]. Before you buy, run the VIN through NHTSA and ask a dealer about all 5 recalls, especially the air bag inflator[12][2]. Fuel cost depends heavily on the version, from 19 to 22 MPG combined[19][3]. This is a small sample of complaints, so a pre-purchase inspection will tell you more about one particular car than these numbers can.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Volvo V70?
The engine group has the most complaints with 26 of the 83 on file[1][4]. Owners in a sample we read describe stalling and check engine lights tied to the fuel pressure sensor[4]. Electrical and fuel system complaints follow with 12 and 11[5][6].
Does the 2004 Volvo V70 have any recalls?
Yes, 5 are on file: air bag inflator 21V800, Garmin GPS battery 10V566, fuel pump 09V483, fuel pressure sensor 07V226 and front control arm nut 04V029[12][13][14][15][16].
What MPG does the 2004 Volvo V70 get?
EPA combined ratings run from 19 to 22 MPG depending on engine and drive[17][18][19][3][20][21][22][23]. The 2.4L FWD gets 22 combined[3][20]. The V70 R gets 19 combined[22][23].
Is the 2004 Volvo V70 a good year?
Among 13 model years, 2004 has the fifth-highest complaint count at 83[2], behind 2001, 1998, 1999 and 2000. Later years from 2005 on have 21 or fewer[2].
What are the dimensions of a 2004 Volvo V70?
Canadian-market specifications list 185 in long, 71 in wide, 59 in tall, a 109 in wheelbase and 3,274 lb curb weight[25][26]. The V70R weighs 3,777 lb[27].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 83 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Volvo V70 (2 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Volvo V70 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for V70 FWD, 2.4L 5-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 26 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 12 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 91,700). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 11 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 9 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 134,300). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 8 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,700). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 8 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 150,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 6 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 4 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 21V800, filed October 14, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  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 07V226, filed June 5, 2007: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 04V029, filed January 16, 2004: Steering › Linkages. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for V70 AWD, 2.5L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for V70 FWD, 2.3L 5-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, 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, 2.3L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic (S5), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for V70 FWD, 2.4L 5-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for V70 FWD, 2.5L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for V70 R AWD, 2.5L 5-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, 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. EPA rating for V70 R AWD, 2.5L 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
  24. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, V70 4DR WAGON AWD /2.5T AWD/T5: length 185 in, width 71 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,274 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, V70 4DR WAGON FWD /2.4 /2.5T /2.5T TITANIUM E: length 185 in, width 71 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,274 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, V70R 4DR WAGON AWD: length 185 in, width 71 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,777 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.