Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
There is a known safety issue with this 2001 Volvo V70 xc AWD transmission and it needs to be addressed asap. Volvo and the NHTSA both know about this ongoing problem and refuse to fix the problem. The transmistion slips bad and stops working and loses power and the dealers states the computer updates will fix the problem as even told bye the dealer its a known issue that Volvo refuses to rectify unfortunately. But this is a safty issue at this point there are so many complaints and I want to know why nothing is being done after all these years ? I want a rebuilt or new safe transmission installed at the cost of Volvo for not fixing the ongoing problems they knew about back in 2001 and there complete wrong maintenance on the transmission stating not to change the fluid until 90K. I believe the NHTSA has many complaints in refrance to this same issue why is nothing being done ?
When I am driving in 5th gear the transmission will drop into 4th gear, at that time I loose 1st, 3rd and 5th gears I can shift between 4th and 2nd. The shift is very hard and causes a jerk and clunking noise. I have to stop and shut off the vehicle. I turn the car immediately back on and all the gears are functional. I'm not sure why there's so many complaints about this issue yet no action has been taken to fix this problem
Automatic transmission on 2001 Volvo V70 2.4t - transmission service required light is on, check engine warning light is on, as well as orange exclamation. Also no delayed shifts. Got the feeling this should be a recall item. While stopped at a light or stop sign I hear the transmission ?falling out of place? And shortly after the gas pedal is applied the transmission grabs with a hard slam/audible clunking noise but for a second you have no control of vehicle and if on a hill it rolls a little bit before transmission kicks in. No accidents yet, but I fear driving it at all, since the slip could result in total loss of power to the wheels while the automatic transmission shifts. I have told the service technicians at Volvo in tulsa, OK about this issue, but they have not resolved the problem. Their advice is to purchase a new car on trade-in or spend $5,000 on a new transmission. …
Driving 25 MPH going through the toll booth on the freeway, afterwards accelerating and immediately noticed transmission slip as the RPM gage went up and beyond 6,000 RPM. There was no sign leading up to the slipping. Afterwards I continued to drive for another 25 miles, stopped to check under the hood to see what happened. Nothing to do except drive home. The transmission continued to slip upon acceleration. The traffic began to stop and go for many miles. The transmission at some point after stopping wouldn't engage into any gear. I was unable move the car out of the fast lane. Called aaa for a tow truck and the chp. The car was towed to a Volvo repair facility where it was inspected. I was told that the transmission needed to be replaced by a new one or a rebuilt transmission, which in either case would cost in excess of $5,000. …
I am now the owner of a 2001 Volvo V70 t5. I bought the car from its original owner. The car has had the automatic transmission replaced 2 times by the original owner and now I am forced to replace the transmission as well. We (original owner and myself) have had the Volvo recommended software updates, fluid flushing, and still we have been forced to change three transmissions. I have spoken with numerous Volvo mechanics and they have informed me that they are aware that their is a problem but Volvo is offering to do nothing to fix it. I am in the us army and stationed in Germany, I have spoken to the Volvo mechanics here in Germany and they have informed me that they can replace the transmission for 4100 euro but that they will offer no warranty as Volvo knows it is a problem. The first transmission was replaced at 51000 miles, the second at 128567 and now again I must do it at 203000. …
I had just purchased my 2001 Volvo V70 used from a reputable dealer when my wife noticed that the transmission would occasionally "slip" in and out of gear. I did not drive the car very often, so I did not experience the problem for another month or so. When you take you foot off the gas to coast or slow down for a turn the transmission completely disengages. When you push on the gas expecting to continue to keep going the engine revs - because there is no transmission engaged- and then suddenly "slams' back into gear. This condition has been with us now for several years. The car has been to the Volvo shop twice and they claimed there were no codes showing up on their test equipment...and by the way that'll be another $300! I've learned to baby the car, and drive with this dangerous condition because I know a new transmission for this car would cost more than the car is worth. …
The ignition is shut off momentarily as the transmission attempts to downshift causing it to slip into neutral then engage the lower gear hard as the transmissions computer reestablishes control. This action is recorded on a video car camera operated by the ignitions on and off position. The hard shifting problem thought to be fixed by software update May be addressing the symptom not the cause. Acceleration is also affected at other times where the foot pedal is inoperable, but reestablished when shutting the ignition off and on. The drive train becomes wobbly after a short period of time at highway speeds making travel between cities unsafe. A clunking sound from the rear, as broken spring or loose bowling ball makes, is heard at times of mild acceleration at lower speeds. Perhaps a grounding strap my alleviate static buildup in the ignition system.
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.
Volvo V70 2001 hesitating to change gear, problem occurs more frequently during slow commute at aprox. 20-40 miles/hr. One day driving through I-285 in atlanta, ga car suddenly stopped. Thank god I was at an exit area and was able to slide car to a non traffic area. Car was able to start engine again aprox. Within 5-10 minutes. Car problem was reported to north point Volvo, alpharetta, ga. The car had a "sensor problem" and was "corrected", per the dealer.. Today car is still having problems - hesitant to change gear. I am worried it will turn off again one day. Researching in the internet found a lot of people with same problems. Volvo company should be investigated.
Dt: contact owned 2001 a Volvo. He complained about throttle body problem. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice with what he thought was a transmission problem. They could not adjust the transmission. Curfrently, they told him that it wa sthe throttle body. To replace it would cost consumer $800.00. He ended up paying $250.00 for throttle body replacement. When he drove the car home it surged between shifts changes. He called the dealer back and informed them it was doing the same thing. They said a technician needed to ride around with him to find the problem. The consumer said the problem was intermittent.
Transmission complaints in other V70 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Volvo V70?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Volvo V70, 20% of the model year's 221 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Volvo V70 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2001 Volvo V70, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Volvo V70 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.