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ProblemsByVin File / 2009-VOLVO-XC70 NHTSA data synced 5 days ago
Volvo

2009 Volvo XC70 problems

Light NHTSA footprint — 15 owner complaints and 5 active recall campaigns. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.

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The 2009 Volvo XC70 has 15 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is tires at 3 complaints, typically surfacing around 62,408 miles (~$150 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Volvo XC70 owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2006 XC70 18 3
2007 XC70 25 2
2008 XC70 39 8
2009 XC70 (this page) 15 5
2010 XC70 15 5
2011 XC70 15 3
2012 XC70 14 2
2009 Volvo XC70
Photo: Maksa / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · representative photo of the Volvo XC70
0 5 10
Reliability score
7.8 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
4
Severe
1
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 XC70?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Buying a used 2009 Volvo XC70? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 5 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is tires (~$150) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2009 Volvo XC70

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Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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Top trouble spots 1 category with 3+ complaints

tires
3 reports · fails ~62,408 mi · avg $150
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2009 XC70's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2009 XC70?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2009 XC70 · visibility
When it rains, water continuously drips through the windshield. It is distracting and obstructs my vision.
12/02/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11702504.0
2009 XC70 · engine
Low coolant warning light comes on every 2 - 3 months. Vehicle continues to need coolant added at regular intervals. Dealership has not been able to find leak or fault with warning light to date. I am convinced there's a malfunction yet to be determined. *tr
09/29/2012 · at 32,700 mi · NHTSA ODI #10477949.0
2009 XC70 · electrical
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 Volvo xc70. The contact discovered that NHTSA campaign id number 09v343000, electrical system, software recall is related to his year, make and model vehicle. He was displeased to know that his VIN was excluded from the recall. The contact had…
09/14/2009 · NHTSA ODI #10283901.0
2009 XC70 · steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 Volvo xc70. The contact stated while driving she noticed a very loud noise in the front end of the vehicle. The dealer inspected the vehicle and determined that the hose that provided steering fluid to the steering system caused the steering rack to…
09/09/2009 · NHTSA ODI #10283440.0
View all 15 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2009 Volvo XC70? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 5

severe NHTSA 20V378000 June 30, 2020

Volvo Cars of N

An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
severe NHTSA 10V566000 November 8, 2010

Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units may overheat

An overheated battery could lead to a fire.

Fix: 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 of charge. The safety recall began on november 18, 2010. Owners may contact garmin at 866-957-1981 or visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.
severe NHTSA 09V343000 September 1, 2009

Volvo is recalling my 2008-2010 s80, model year 2009-2010 xc70 and model year 2010 xc60 vehicles

If the vehicle stalls in certain conditions, a crash could occur.

Fix: Dealers will download software to the vehicles' cem free of charge. The recall began on september 30, 2009. Vehicles in dealer's inventory will be repaired prior to delivery. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
View all 5 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2009 Volvo XC70 reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Volvo XC70 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2009 Volvo XC70?

The 2009 Volvo XC70 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average; 5 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2009 Volvo XC70?

Inspect the tires first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 3 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 62,408 miles. Average repair cost runs about $150 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2009 Volvo XC70 a good used car to buy?

It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 15 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is tires. Typical failure occurs around 62,408 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2009 Volvo XC70?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is tires, with 3 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 62,408 miles. Average repair cost runs about $150 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The tires is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $150 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 62,408 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Volvo XC70 has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Volvo XC70?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 15 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $150, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 5 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Volvo/XC70. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Volvo. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you purchase through them.
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