Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Volvo V70 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2001 Volvo V70. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the engine caught fire. The air bag warning light was illuminated. There was damage to the garage. There were no reported injuries. The fire department extinguished the fire and confirmed the origin of the fire was the engine. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Volvo V70. The contact discovered that fluid was leaking from the vehicle when anti freeze was added. In addition, when the air conditioner was activated, warm air emitted from the vents. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the cooling fan needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 04V451000 (engine and engine cooling) years ago. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000. The VIN was not provided. Updated 09/22/16 consumer stated "recalled part coolant fan module" again became defective. It caused damaged to the vehicle, including a radiator and coolant reserve tank, in addition to replacement of the defective modular/ coolant fan assembly. Updated 6/19/18
Transmission has had problems for about three years. We were traveling on the hwy and the car started shaking, then stopped. We had to have it towed to our mechanic. Needs new transmission and alternator which would cost more than it is worth. Our mechanic has seen a number of 2001s with problematic transmissions. We are very disappointed in Volvo for not fixing this problem. Now this beautiful car is sitting in our driveway unused.
At about 8,000 miles, my 2001 (purchased summer 2002) Volvo V70 suddenly stopped when I slowed down on a road near my home. The car restarted, but did not seem to have the same pick-up as before. I subsequently took the car into the Volvo dealership and was told the throttle mechanism needed cleaning. After this was done, the car seemed fine for several months. At about 15,000 miles, the same thing happened on a difference stretch of road. The seemed weaker than before and it took longer to restart. The Volvo dealership again diagnosed a dirty throttle, cleaned it, and returned it to me. The car seemed normal until about 24,000 miles, when I was unable to start the car after it had been parked for about two hours. This time, I tried many times to start the vehicle, but ultimately had to call a tow truck. It was towed to Volvo, where they told it was a throttle problem again. …
On 14 oct 05 as I turned off a major interstate highway in richmond, va my 2001 Volvo V70 t-5 began running really rough and a red warning triangle illuminated and I received a message warning me that the engine was not operating properly. It cleared after I stopped and restarted the car and I was able to return half way to charlottesville before it started running rough again. It continued to cycle between normal operation and rough running until I reached the Volvo dealer in charlottesville. On 18 oct 05, the dealer, Volvo of charlottesville, informed me that I needed a new electronic throttle module and replaced it at a cost of $916.32. I looked on the web to find out exactly what an etm is and discovered the case against Volvo concerning etm failures. This is a used car that I purchased in oct04 so I have no way of telling if this has happened before.
Dt: a 2001 Volvo V70. The engine stalled on 7-30-04 while driving. The performance decreased and warning light came on. Consumer contacted the dealership and they told her not to worry about it since there was no performance decrease at that time. The next day vehiclewould start but would not accelerate. The engin stuttered and then stallled. Within a week this occurred at least 6 times. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership, but, she did not remember exactly what they did. Service records were available. There were no more problems again until 1-2005. This time the dealership could not find the cause of the problem. They did nothing to alter the vehicle. At this point there have been no other problems with the vehicle.
The transmission and radiator on my 2001 Volvo V70 failed and had to be replaced. I did quite a bit of research on 2001 Volvo V70 and found that many of this particular make and model have transmission failure. In my particular case, the transmission gave me "problems" several months prior to needing to be replaced. I brought the vehicle to the dealership on three separate occasions to have it looked at. Each time the repairs made no difference. On my final attempt to have the problem resolved (after the warranty had expired) I was told the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The consumer stated the transmission would hesitate when shifting gears. The consumer stated she is on her 3rd transmission. Updated 08/26/08.
For several months prior to failure, engine torque would fluctuate at steady highway speeds with or without cruise control on. Although it did not affect the speed of the vehicle visibly, I could feel it in the seat of my pants. After getting off of the highway (in a bad detroit neighborhood and in the middle of an intersection), the engine failed to accelerate the car and the information display indicated "performance reduced." I proceeded five miles to my home at no more than 10-20 MPH which was all the car could muster. The car restarted normally the following morning and I was able to take it to the dealer. The dealer replaced the electronic throttle module and associated gaskets along with a software upgrade for approx. $1062
Volvo, 2001 V70 - VIN [redacted] this specific vehicle is unreliable and unsafe. Since purchased new, car has had multiple system failures leading to various unsafe driving conditions including brake system failure and engine failure (including loss of braking and steering systems). Manufacturer has acknowledged unusual nature of this particular vehicle quality defects - concerned that car must be taken off road to avoid serious crash. Please advise. Updated 07/17/2012
2001 Volvo V70 surges while underway, surges and stalls at idle, goes into reduced performance mode (20 MPH or less). Car runs normally when cold (up to 1 mile after starting in morning), then begins to surge and fail. Need to pull over to shoulder, stop engine for 3 minutes, and restart. If engine is stopped for less than 3 minutes, it restarts in 20 MPH mode. This has happened daily for 2 weeks. Independent mechanic replaced ignition coil based on OBD code, but problem recurred the next day. Have appointment with Volvo service department 11/22/06.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, under certain operating conditions, some electric cooling fans May overheat potentially causing heat damage and, in rare instances, a fire in the engine compartment.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cooling fan. The recall began on November 29, 2004. Customers should contact Volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
Engine complaints in other V70 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Volvo V70?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Volvo V70, 11% of the model year's 221 complaints. The component named most often is engine (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Volvo V70 engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-451 (fan, Sep 13, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Volvo V70 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.