2012 Volvo Xc70 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (5) · Structure:body (2) · Wheels (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volvo Xc70 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Seat Belts:front 2020-06-30 · campaign 20V378000 · 308,260 vehicles
Defect: 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. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
Electrical System:wiring 2012-02-28 · campaign 12V075000 · 32,552 vehicles
Defect: 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. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED TO ADJUST THE SEATING POSITION, THE WIRE HARNESS MAY GET PULLED, CAUSING IT TO DISCONNECT.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF CRASH, THE FRONT AND/OR SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY IMPROPERLY OR NOT AT ALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. ALSO, THE LAP BELT PRETENSIONER MAY NOT DEPLOY.
Fix: 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
Service bulletins (259)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-04-23 · 35526.1.8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: text plus 2 pdfs and 1 .png oil consumption test. perform the test. follow service procedure description and service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-07 · 37809.1.1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a tj text only - the purpose of this tj is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. this tj will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval. current items under prior approval are listed in the "service" sec
Unknown Or Other 2025-12-06 · 19245 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal. vehicle type and platform identification.
Exterior Lighting 2025-04-10 · 8501 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: remote connection, bomgar application. before joining a remote session: •connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in vida is between 12.5v and 14.9v. •connect to the vehicle over a wired connection using a voe
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-21 · S10303 · Service Campaign
volvo cars usa llc and volvo car canada ltd on behalf of the volvo car corporation has decided to launch service action s10303 on certain model year 2025 ex90 vehicles. volvo car investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob. as a result, there is a possibil
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-13 · S10303 · Service Campaign
volvo cars usa llc and volvo car canada ltd on behalf of the volvo car corporation has decided to launch service action s10303 on certain model year 2025 ex90 vehicles. volvo car investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob. as a result, there is a possibil
Showing the 6 most recent of 259 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-06-27 · Visibility:windshield“windshield leaking for about 2 tears got worse and was found to be "loose windshield and mobile" and "hazardous" by technician.…”
2021-12-05 · Visibility/Wiper“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…”
2020-12-10 · Visibility/Wiper · 24,000 mi“the seal for the windshield has failed along the top passenger side. from the inside of the vehicle, one can push the windshield enough to see a gap. water enters when raining; i believe this is also a safety issue is the seal completely fails. it started at about 55 months after delivery and 24,000 miles.…”
2020-10-03 · Structure:body · 150,000 mi“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 a…”
2020-03-16 · Steering · 25 mi“the steering wheel sticks and hesitates and won't turn. then it finally does. sometimes it seems worse when cold. it has happened many times. i have taken it to many dealers and mechanics and they can't figure it out. just recently pulling out of my driveway, i was using the gas, and it would not turn and i thought i was going to hit a tree. ano…”
2019-12-27 · Visibility/Wiper · 63,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 volvo xc70. while the contact was driving in the rain, water was entering the vehicle. the contact discovered the windscreen failed and caused the front windshield to become unsecured. the vehicle was taken to volvo of monterey in seaside, ca where it was diagnosed that the window seal was faulty. the vehicle was not re…”
2019-05-30 · Service Brakes · 131,898 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 volvo xc70. while driving 30 mph and approaching a stop light, the contact heard a loud abnormal noise before she depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle failed to stop. the contact stated that the vehicle slowed down a bit, but continued to move forward. the contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard to …”
2017-12-10 · Structure:body · 98,000 mi“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 (gla…”
2017-03-29 · Visibility/Wiper · 58,000 mi“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 …”
2017-03-24 · Unknown Or Other“recently, my husband's volvo xc70 began leaking water. we took it to overland park volvo for a diagnostic check. they state the windshield seal has broken and that is why it is leaking water. it is a factory installed windshield. they stated it is not covered under warranty and that a glass repair company would need to fix it. so, we took if to saf…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.