Most common 2012 Volvo XC70 problems
Share of the 14 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 →
2012 Volvo XC70 recalls (2)
Seat belts › Front
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552.
Electrical system › Wiring
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2012 s60, xc60, s80 and xc70 vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2011, through October 6, 2011. In these vehicles, the wire harness under the front seats May have not been attached properly to the seat frame.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, secure the seat wire harness. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on April 12, 2012.
What 2012 Volvo XC70 owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof
Windshield seal leaking at top. This started a few weeks ago, I noticed water drips run down the inside of the windshield in front of the driver. I took a 4-hour trip last week and it rained for 30 minutes, the leak became worst causing me to need to wipe the inside of the windshield. Yesterday, I went through the car wash and water pour down onto the dashboard, instrument cluster, steering wheel, and airbag. I have to get paper towels and dry things before I could drive. Today, I drove to the grocery in light rain, not a big problem when driving at speed however when going slower or braking water runs down the inside of the windshield. I now carry a small towel to wipe and dry the windshield. This is affecting the visibility and safety of driving the car.
Water streaking was noticed on the inside of the windshield in front of the driver's seat. We cleaned the window in case the streak was left from a previous cleaning. During a rainstorm a fresh drip of water was moving down the inside of the windshield. I researched the problem and saw that there are issues with the bonding of windshields on Volvo cars so I pushed on the window lightly from the inside and saw the windshield move about 1/16 inch on both sides. There was little resistance to movement. The car is equipped with sensors mounted to the windshield which serve to maintain following distance to other vehicles and also act as safety devices to avoid collisions with vehicles and pedestrians. This is a safety issue since the airbag pushes against the inside of the windshield when deployed and an unbonded windshield will not serve to hold passenger in place. …
Body & structure
While driving, the front passenger door has unlatched and the door opens slightly on at least 5 occasions. This has occurred once when driving on the highway and 4 occasions while driving on city streets. The automatic locking system tries to lock all door and the system signals the door is open. I stop the car as soon a possible, park and walk around to the passenger door to find the door handle locked. The locking system seems to be working but the latch is failing. I took the car to the dealership and they had me order a part # 31253662-lock. The dealer stated this was not covered by warranty or recall. I consider this a safety issue and insist this is a responsibility of the manufacturer. I found a recall for other Volvo models with the same issue but this does not cover my vehicle.
I noticed water intrusion while via the top driver side edge of the windshield during a heavy rain. At stop and upon investigation I noticed when applying pressure to the underside of the windshield the windshield was separating from the frame along the top of the windshield. In discussing this problem with a auto glass replacement specialist (glassdoctors) they informed me that they been fixing many of these issues for the local Volvo dealership. The concern from a safety standpoint is the integrity of the windshield in the event of a front end collision. It seems that Volvo is not indicating a recall for this problem. I quick investigation of the internet indicates that it is a growing problem.
2012 Volvo XC70 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 17 / 23 / 20 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Volvo XC70 a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 XC70 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the XC70 at the same age. 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 2012 Volvo XC70?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 6 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year, most often about windshield. Next are the body & structure (3) and wheels & tires (2).
How many recalls does the 2012 Volvo XC70 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2012 Volvo XC70, the most recent from June 30, 2020 (front). 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 2012 Volvo XC70 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 25,000 miles; 55% 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.