Most common 2004 Volvo XC70 problems
Share of the 101 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo XC70 complaints by model year
Best XC70 years: 2014, 2015, 2013. Years to avoid: 2004, 2001, 2002, 2008. Compare all years →
2004 Volvo XC70 recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2007 V70 and XC70 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552.
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units May overheat.
Remedy: Volvo advises owners to please stop using the garmin portable GPS device immediately, and visit the garmin website to determine if their unit is affected.
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.
What 2004 Volvo XC70 owners say
Fuel & propulsion system all 33 →
My car kept getting a light for its coolant levels despite me filling it with proper coolant-I noticed a leak of coolant on the ground & upon getting it inspected from an independent service center, they told me the issue was my radiator so we got the part to fix it and a week later fixed the radiator and I didn't get the light for coolant again. Although the independent service center told me that i actually had a fuel leakage due to my pump and described the issues I've been having with my car for a few months as signs to what problems this is causing, this meaning a funky fuel smell, my car struggling to fully turn on-needing multiple tries to actually fully turn on etc. this puts my safety at risk because fuel leakage is extremely dangerous for multiple reasons. Not inspected by manufacturer police or insurance reps. …
I own a 2004 Volvo XC70 that is experiencing the same fuel pump defect described in Recall R220 / NHTSA Campaign 09V483000 (fuel pump leak). My vehicle exhibits fuel system problems consistent with the recall description. However, my VIN is not included in the current recall population. When I contacted Volvo, I was told my case (ID #250827-000998) was escalated to corporate, but I was later informed that no goodwill assistance would be provided because my VIN is not covered. I specifically requested written confirmation of this determination. This defect poses a safety risk that aligns with the existing recall, and I believe additional vehicles outside the current VIN range may be affected. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether the recall should be expanded to include vehicles like mine.
Suspension
Both front coil springs broke while going straight at low speed. Vehicle is not used off road. Repair required strut replacement. Dealer said this is a very common problem for Volvo. This is a major safety hazard. Why is there no recall?
24 June 2011, got in to my 2004 Volvo XC70, appx 90000 miles on german roads, to drive off to work in the morning. Heard loud screeching noise near the right wheel well when I placed the car on drive to move forward. Next thing you know, I have a severe air leak in the front right tire. Just a day prior, the car was driven through the day without any symptoms of problem and parked in the drive way with no issues. When I pulled the tire off, I found the spring snapped in two pieces with sharp ends. Good thing this did not happened on the autobahn. We could have had another American soldier or family on the front page of german and American newspapers and digital media.
Electrical system
This report is for my 2004 Volvo for which I am original owner and only has 35500 miles. My seat caught on fire while driving yesterday. I got the fire out and am told that the seat warmer driver side is what caught on fire. Is there a recall for this or does it come under warranty perhaps.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC70. While driving approximately 65 MPH, there was a loud abnormal noise and the vehicle nearly stalled without warning. The contact discovered that the brake lights, instrument panel lights, and turn signals failed. In addition, the SRS, check engine, and rear door car ajar waring indicators illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where the battery was flushed and recommended that the valet key not be used. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the rear door module was replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the central electronic control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
2004 Volvo XC70 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Volvo XC70 a good car?
Based on 101 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 XC70 rates avoid: 4.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the XC70 at the same age. It is one of the XC70 years we suggest avoiding. 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 2004 Volvo XC70?
The fuel & propulsion system — 33 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › fuel pump. Next are the suspension (16) and electrical system (14).
How many recalls does the 2004 Volvo XC70 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2004 Volvo XC70, the most recent from October 14, 2021 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volvo XC70?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2015 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2004, 2001, 2002 and 2008. See the full Volvo XC70 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Volvo XC70 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 90,000 miles; 13% 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.