The 2003 Volvo Xc70 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 574,102 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS21V8000002021-10-14194,546 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
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.
EQUIPMENT10V5660002010-11-08416 affected
Defect
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence
AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy
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…
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…
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
EQUIPMENT03V2840002003-08-01220,407 affected
Defect
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
Consequence
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF THE GUIDE, IT WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. …
Complaints by component
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
5
AIR BAGS
4
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
3
SUSPENSION:FRONT
3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
1
EQUIPMENT
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1
Total complaints28
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volvo xc70. The contact stated that there was an abnormal strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle would experience hesitation with starting and driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volvo xc70. When the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated continuously. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.”
“While driving down the road, a car was attempting to make a left-hand turn across four lanes of traffic. The person, apparently, did not see me and struck the side of my vehicle breaking the tire rod and doing extensive damage to the passenger front and back doors. The glove box was even difficult…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volvo xc70. The contact stated that a strong fuel odor emitted inside and outside of the vehicle continuously however, there was no fuel visible on the ground. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic, who both confirmed that the fuel pump needed…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volvo xc70. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted a fuel odor. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repair. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 169,000.”
“I purchased this 2003 volvo xc70 recently and a few weeks after driving it I noticed a bad smell of gas. I looked around and did not see anything leaking. I kept driving daily and smelled gas every single time the car was on. I became very concerned because I drive with my 6 year old daughter in…”
“I was driving on the highway when suddenly my gas gauge dropped below empty and all my gauges stopped working including the clock, blinkers, speedometer and the digital information computer panel that indicates how many miles left to a gallon, etc. This was quite dangerous as I could no longer see…”
“I was driving my 2003 volvo xc70 at the posted speed limit (55mph) when the dashboard suddenly went black and all of the gauges, including speedometer, tachometer, gas gauge, and clock stopped working. Every warning light lit up. The volvo dealer admitted they had seen this issue before. The cost…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Volvo Xc70 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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