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 V70XC owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2001 Volvo V70XC. Transmission lurches and slips. Vehicle involved in major accident in 2002. Volvo inspected vehicle and found no issue with transmission. The vehicle was inspected by dealer on two additional visits with same concern. Dealership could not find a problem. Took vehicle to independent mechanic who made an adjustment to transmission. Vehicle again lurching and slipping. Took to mechanic and informed a service report now indicated we needed to replace a valve assembly. Cost: $1,100-1,800. Call dealership and informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and they could not help. Phoned Volvo cars of north America. Informed the only recall was on fuel pump and the only recall on transmissions having similar problem was on their v90. Because of the age of the vehicle they could not assist me in resolving this claim.
At about 155K miles while driving down the road at 40 miles an hour the transmission on my v70 xc went out im told almost all cars this year model and trim have this problem between 20K and 150K miles my car is pristine except for this issue the transmission jumps in and out of gears lurches forward doesn't move quick enough to merge with traffic Volvo knows about this problem and so do the owners of these cars and at a 4000 dollar price tag to repair or replace these transmissions who can afford that
At 148,000 miles, the vehicle transmission started to fail to upshift after getting warmed up (about 20 minutes driving) then failed completely in the middle of an intersection. Dealer said no repair/rebuild was available and suggested complete repacement. Estimated cost was more than the value of the vehicle.
I have a 2001 Volvo v70 xc wagon. The car was revving high for a while when shifting gears, I took it to the dealership, and they told me there wasn't a problem. About a month or so later the etm failed. I was being left stranded at freeway off ramps, and green lights when the car would suddenly die. It's a miracle I wasn't rear-ended! After a terrible experience trying to get the dealership to honor the etm warranty, (they only cleaned the etm they did not replace it-saying it wasn't bad enough!), a month has passed and now my transmission has failed! The dealership gave me a $5300 estimate for replacement as it is unrepairable! …
In dec 2005, my Volvo was serviced at the dealership. Vehicle had 48,300 mi. Dealership noted that front and rear suspension needed to be replaced. Vehicle has never been driven off road. It is primarily a short distance commuter car. At time, could not afford repairs. Waited one year (feb 2007 - 54,000mi) and took vehicle to independent repair shop where they verified that the front low control arm bushings were broken off, rear sway bar link was broken, all parts needed to be replaced. At the same time, repair shop noticed that the rear differential had failed. Oil was leaking into the exhaust and car was deemed to be inoperable at any moment. Upon call to Volvo to purchase part, it was learned that the dealership was aware of the issue w/ faulty rear differential. Dealership was out of stock on the part due to the number of differentials that needed replacing. …
I have a 2001 Volvo v70 AWD station wagon. The transmission failed while I was driving with my 2 small children in the car. As I was lurching along cars were passing me at 55+ miles per hour, my family and I were placed in a dangerous situation and our safety was jeopardized. Luckily I was able to pull off to the side of the road before I was rear ended or hit by another vehicle. I took my Volvo to the local Volvo dealer 2 previous times regarding my transmission slipping and the car lurching, both times I was told that a transmission problem could not be detected. ?? This last time they had to acknowledge a problem exists because the transmission went out. I only have 71,000 miles on the car and I now have to pay $4,000 dollars for a new transmission. My service writer said he contacted Volvo north America and they would do nothing to help with the repair costs. …
Transmission slams into gear when shifting at low gears. Shifting is violent. Car does not accelerate smoothly or predictably . Took it to the dealer , completed road test, and indicated on service write up " no slippage, operated to specs " , they didn't check for codes. I recall the service manage telling me " the car retains a history of how it is driven as the reason the car is jerking into gears 1 to 3." car continued to have flare ups, I was told by independent svc station not to drive it out of the our city. Va beach dealership continued to not be able to duplicate complaint they found other issues with the driving of the car, fixed them, but none addressed this issue. Requested they contact the mfg , they wouldn't. Finally , when the car was significantly beyond the warranty, I was told the car needed a new transmission. The signs were there which they ignored. …
Transmission disengages at low RPM (at about 20mph) with slight pressure on the accelerator pedal - feels like the car wants to upshift to the next higher gear (possibly 2nd gear), transmission then disengages...the engine rpms surge to 3,000-4,000 and then the transmission engages with a huge clunk and surges forward. When coming to a stop without any gas pedal pressure, transmission does not disengage, but seems to shift into the lowest gear and surges forward while trying to stop the car at a traffic light or stop sign. Again, there is no pressure on the gas, the car automatically downshift making a loud clunk and then the engine surges and pulls the car forward. After a few seconds of the car trying to pull forward with the brakes applied, the transmission disengages the gear and returns to a "neutral" setting while the car is stopped. …
Transmission disengages at low RPM (at about 20mph) with slight pressure on the accelerator pedal - feels like the car wants to upshift to the next higher gear (possibly 2nd gear), transmission then disengages...the engine rpms surge to 3,000-4,000 and then the transmission engages with a huge clunk and surges forward. When coming to a stop without any gas pedal pressure, transmission does not disengage, but seems to shift into the lowest gear and surges forward while trying to stop the car at a traffic light or stop sign. Again, there is no pressure on the gas, the car automatically downshift making a loud clunk and then the engine surges and pulls the car forward. After a few seconds of the car trying to pull forward with the brakes applied, the transmission disengages the gear and returns to a "neutral" setting while the car is stopped. …
'01 xc70 AWD wagon, with automatic transmission. So automatic that it put itself in drive when shifted into reverse. The Volvo lurched forward at a daycare facility rather than backing out as was hoped a working transmission would do. Upon a cursory glance on the internet, this problem has been the defining characteristic of the 2001 model xc70 since built. Volvo should be held accountable for the rubbish they are selling, and I assure you, will be held accountable if this same situation occurs for someone else and there is a loss of life. …
Transmission complaints in other V70XC years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Volvo V70XC?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Volvo V70XC, 21% of the model year's 144 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Volvo V70XC transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2001 Volvo V70XC, though it has 1 recall 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 V70XC transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 7% 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.