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ProblemsByVin File / 2011-VOLVO-XC70 NHTSA data synced 5 days ago
Volvo

2011 Volvo XC70 problems

Light NHTSA footprint — 15 owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.

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The 2011 Volvo XC70 has 15 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Volvo XC70 owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2008 XC70 39 8
2009 XC70 15 5
2010 XC70 15 5
2011 XC70 (this page) 15 3
2012 XC70 14 2
2013 XC70 8 2
2014 XC70 2 2
2011 Volvo XC70
Photo: Maksa / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · representative photo of the Volvo XC70
0 5 10
Reliability score
8.0 / 10

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

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2011 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.

✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2011 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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Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2011 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 ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2011 XC70 · powertrain
"takata recall" automatic transmission shifts are jerky. I took into Volvo service white plains ny. They found error code TCM-p074468 and reset. They told me if problem persists I would need a new transmission. My vehicle is in great condition and well maintained with 104063…
12/04/2018 · at 104,063 mi · NHTSA ODI #11155873.0
2011 XC70 · body
It started raining and then it started leaking into my car through my windshield because my windshield started become unsealed and unattached from the rest of my car. When I went to find out about this issue and how to get it fixed I was told by three different mechanics and…
11/02/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11439093.0
2011 XC70 · powertrain
The car makes a loud roaring sound at about 45-50 MPH and the dealership says "probably the tires" but doing some research there seems to be a lot of people with similar problems and add to this it randomly downshifts while braking (or maybe it is the brakes) when coming to a…
09/23/2017 · at 66,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11025157.0
2011 XC70 · wheels
Went to the local service station about a low tire pressure warning. The mechanic noted that continental and michelin tires have had an issue of tire rot. The air comes right through the side wall of the tires. He recommended new tires to fix the problem. He also recommended…
06/14/2016 · at 38,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10874270.0
View all 15 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2011 Volvo XC70? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

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 10V579000 November 17, 2010

Volvo is recalling certain model year 2011, s80, s60, xc70 and xc60 vehicles

Sudden engine stall could occur increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the ECM and TCM with new software free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before december 10, 2010. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552 or at customercare@volvoforlife.com.
severe NHTSA 10V489000 October 13, 2010

Volvo is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 s80, xc70, model year 2011 xc60 and model year 2010 v70 vehicles

In the event of a crash, the driver's frontal airbag may not deploy as intended or at all, and therefore will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.

Fix: Dealers will install a metal shim in the driver's air bag clockspring wiring connector. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 20, 2010. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

Common questions

Is the 2011 Volvo XC70 reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 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 2011 Volvo XC70?

The 2011 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 8.0/10 — above the segment average; 3 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 2011 Volvo XC70?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2011 Volvo XC70 to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.

Is the 2011 Volvo XC70 a good used car to buy?

It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 15 owner complaints. 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 2011 Volvo XC70?

No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.

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 2011 Volvo XC70?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 15 complaints on file, 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/2011/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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