2016 Volvo Xc70 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (2) · Visibility/Wiper (1) · Seat Belts (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:fuses And Circuit Breakers 2015-09-02 · campaign 15V555000 · 7,855 vehicles
Defect: Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting when necessary.
Risk: If the vehicle is unexpectedly unable to be started in the middle of traffic, such as when stopped at an intersection, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing starter motor fuse with a higher amperage fuse, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552 or by visiting http://volvo.custhelp.com. Volvo's number for this recall is R39574.
Service bulletins (334)
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.
Unknown Or Other 2026-06-10 · 32010.3.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: plus 2 attachments 1- tji-497587-1 and 1 mp4 speaker grill -it may be possible for the rear door lock switch to get stuck in the speaker grille. this can lead to a drained battery. applies only for cars with premium or high performance stereo. service: check for/remove e
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 2025-12-11 · 37536 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a tj text, only no attachments - if the real time traffic information (rtti) does not work in sensus connect vehicle, follow advice under "service". this technical journal is only valid for vehicles with vdn: vi07 traffic information rtti + tmc p
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 334 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-01-24 · Seat Belts“the seatbelts on the front driver and passenger side have failed to release when trying to unbuckle. this is a hazard. if there was a moment where it's imperative to leave the car (fire, water, etc) driver and passenger could get locked in their seatbelts without the ability to exit the vehicle. volvo would have covered it if the factor warranty wa…”
2023-04-12 · Engine“volvo. consumer writes in regard to a defective engine.…”
2023-02-27 · Electrical System“we have experienced three major defects with this vehicle. first and most concerning is the intermittent blackout of the driver's instrument panel (aka driver's information module, dim). second most conerning is the defect in the trailer lighting control module that leaves stop, running and signal lighting on our trailer unreliable. both of thes…”
2021-10-06 · Engine“car stalled at an intersection twice. we took it to a repair shop after the first instance and they told us the battery had died, though they were able to charge it and it restarted fine. they could not find any other issues. we continued to drive it and two days later the car died at another intersection just after my wife had picked up our kid…”
2018-10-15 · Visibility/Wiper“the backup camera is malfunctioning now because the view field is partially blocked by the vehicle body. i was told that there're some other cars (including some new cars at dealer) have similar problems. i visited the retailer and then contacted the custom care center of volvo. however, the response is disappointing (honestly, unacceptable) becau…”
2018-03-22 · Power Train · 38,000 mi“when cold sometimes not able to shift from park to any other gear or neutral. after driving, able to shift from drive or reverse back to park but get message saying "car is not in park - shift to park". when in neutral sometimes not able move shifter from neutral to drive or park. when contacted dealer for service they seemed to be familiar with th…”
2018-03-14 · Unknown Or Other · 16,700 mi“owner on interstate at posted speed (65) heard explosive sound of the sunroof exploding. no other cars were ahead or alongside, and no evidence of a thrown or dropped object was apparent at that time or afterward. fortunately the sunshade shielded her from most of the broken glass. dealer called it an 'act of god' and would not honor a warranty cla…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.