Most common 2003 Volvo V70XC problems
Share of the 12 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo V70XC complaints by model year
Best V70XC years: 2004, 2003, 2002. Years to avoid: 2001, 2000, 1999. Compare all years →
What 2003 Volvo V70XC owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
When we brought our 2003 Volvo xc v70 wagon into the dealer at 62,000 miles we complained about a loud whirring noise as we drove it. We were told that the technician was unable to repeat it and not to worry. When we brought it back at 69,000 for an oil change we were told there was a loud whirring noise that meant we needed a wheel bearing replaced. So we made another appointment to have that changed. To make a long story short, at that visit we were told to have each wheel bearing replaced and we were told the angle gear was stripped and also needed to be replaced. I had to have the wheel bearing replaced on my old Mazda 323 when it had about 70,000 miles on it so I know it is a big deal. How can it be that we needed all 4 wheel bearings replaced at the same time? How did they miss it at the earlier checkup? Were the wheel bearings the reason we needed the angle gear replaced as well? …
The car is shifting hard and now wont shift at all mechanics say it needs a new transmission. So I email Volvo for help in regards to this issues with no helping response from them other than sorry here is a list of dealers near you that do service.
Air bags
The vehicles left and right side brake lights do not illuminate when the pedal is depressed. I replaced both of the bulbs and they still do not work. There are many additional owners with the same problem according to Volvo forums on the internet. The vehicles information system continually reads that there is an airbag problem, even though the airbags have never been activated/deployed. The instrument panel and dash lights flash on and off randomly.
Computer which controls the air-bag system has failed and is $1200. To replace. The car is 8 yrs. Old and has 51000 miles on it. The mechanic says this is a recurring problem in the Volvo cars and should have been addressed by the factory. The car will not pass the state inspection without this repair and so we must fix it.
Electrical system
My driver instrument module began to fail, on and off, now it is completely off. I called Volvo because of the high cost of repair 1400.00, they offered me 200.00 very quickly almost too quick, sounds to me as if they know this is a safety problem and are trying to keep it on the down low. I plan to make another call to them and report the problem to every agency I can. I have no idea if my airbags are working, brakes, cooling system, how much gas I have, mileage is not calculating properly nothing works.
The vehicles left and right side brake lights do not illuminate when the pedal is depressed. I replaced both of the bulbs and they still do not work. There are many additional owners with the same problem according to Volvo forums on the internet. The vehicles information system continually reads that there is an airbag problem, even though the airbags have never been activated/deployed. The instrument panel and dash lights flash on and off randomly.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Volvo V70XC a good car?
Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 V70XC rates better than average: 82% fewer complaints than a typical year of the V70XC at the same age. It is one of the best V70XC years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Volvo V70XC?
The transmission & drivetrain — 3 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about transfer case (4-wheel drive). Next are the air bags (3) and electrical system (3).
How many recalls does the 2003 Volvo V70XC have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Volvo V70XC. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volvo V70XC?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004, 2003 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001, 2000 and 1999. See the full Volvo V70XC years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Volvo V70XC problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 90,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.