Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
First time, was in a drive through & just took off, hopped the curb, and hit talk box. Next 2 times were stopped quickly by me putting in neutral. Last time was just leaving parking space, and car jumped curb and I stopped 4 ft. From brick wall. Have had it tested 2-3 times by mechanics w/o success.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Volvo V70. While operating the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the top of the fuel tank was leaking and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (maple hill Volvo in kalamazoo, mi) were notified of the failure. The contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle was previously inspected per NHTSA campaign number: 09V483000 (fuel system, gasoline), but the failure still occurred. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Volvo V70. The contact noticed a fuel odor around and inside the vehicle. The contact also noticed fuel leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V483000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Volvo V70. While the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for routine inspection, it was discovered that the fuel pump was fractured and leaking due to defective material. The fuel pump was replaced. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V483000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 106,000.
The car was shaking when started. It also had a horribly loud noise. I called to have it towed to the Volvo dealership but they were closed so I had it towed to the local mechanic in my town. He checked the system and said the throttle was defective and that I should have this done by warranty from the Volvo dealership. When I called the Volvo dealership in santa rosa, ca. They said that it could be caused by a dirty throttle and I should have the car checked first to make sure this was not the case. My mechanic checked this and it cost me $129.35 for him to trouble shoot the situation to make sure this was a warranty issue. He then called the Volvo dealership and spoke to alex in service and told him that the problem was the throttle defect. The car was then towed to the dealership/service department. They checked it and said a part in the throttle was defective. …
2001 Volvo V70 t5 (1) recognized strong smell of gasoline in garage over period of 2-3 days. I inspected the vehicle after a short drive (5-6 miles) and discovered gasoline leaking from the gas tank area, staining the bottom of the tank and dripping onto the ground. (2) vehicle represented a safety and health hazard due to the leaking fuel. (3) vehicle was immediately towed to a local Volvo dealer service center and diagnosed with a "crack in top of fuel pump." the dealership "replaced faulty fuel pump (58r) observing no further leaks at this time" at owner's expense. Note: further investigation by the owner revealed Volvo recall no. R176 (NHTSA recall # 07V152000) discovered faulty fuel pumps of the same type and manufacture on 2001-02 Volvo s60 sedans sold or registered in arizona and nevada. …
1. No event leading to failure. Car has operated perfectly since purchased, June 2004. 2. Failure occured while driving from lunch. Car was driven approximately fifty-five (55) miles to get to work. Upon returing from lunch car stalled, would only idle, so only 20-30 MPH speed was acheived. Limped into work parking lot and had high idle. Shut down vehicle. Came back next morning, car started but took to independant repair shop. Car had codes of maf sensor failure and ets sensor failure. They cleared codes and car was drivable. I drove home that evening but car exibited same failure on ca hwy 58. I disconnected battery-clearing codes and made it to residence. 3. Took vehicle to Volvo dealer in bakersfield, ca. Took one week to reproduce trouble codes. Dealer replaced ets-electronic throttle sensor and charged $855.20 for repair. …
I began to notice a fuel smell and drip marks under the vehicle after parking the vehicle after driving into the garage in the evening. Upon investigation, I noted fuel drips on the underbody of the vehicle in the area slightly in the front of the fuel tank. I also noticed the development of a fuel puddle immediately under the vehicle in that location. I immediately contacted the Volvo dealer for servicing. Once at the dealer, it was determined that the electric fuel pump was leaking fuel. It was explained to me that the fuel pump housing was cracked and leaking fuel at an unsafe condition. I was advised to replace the pump immediately due to the high level of fuel leakage. I was also advised that the fuel tank sending pump was also defective and required immediate replacement. The Volvo dealer, jenkins imports, replaced the defective units on 22 October 2013. …
Tl contact owns a 2001 Volvo V70. While driving approximately 55 MPH the check engine light illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the check engine light was reset and the o ring seal was tightened in the fuel system. The contact experienced the failure again. The check engine light illuminated on the dashboard and there was a strong fuel smell coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the same repair shop. The technician stated that there was a leak around the fuel system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was a recall (NHTSA campaign id number: 09V483000, fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump) but the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000. Updated 02/14/11 updated 02/22/11
I read in our local paper that the NHTSA was investigating the loss of speed and stalling of the engine in Volvo wagons in the 2001 model year. I too have had the same issue. The vehicle would loose power and slow to very low speeds and operate improperly. The reason for the problem was the computer module that regulates the fuel flowing to the engine. I had to have it replaced at a cost of over $1000. That has appeared to solve the issue. Very expensive part to have go bad and very dangerous situation. My wife was driving the car when it first occurred. The car slowed unexpectedly in heavy traffic and a large truck almost ran up on the car fortunately she was able to turn off the road and the truck was able to slow down in time so no injury occurred.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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 carolina,…
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.
Fuel System complaints in other V70 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2001 Volvo V70?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2001 Volvo V70, 14% of the model year's 221 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Volvo V70 fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-483 (fuel pump, Dec 18, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Volvo V70 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.