Volvo XC70: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
Volvo XC70: 6 model years scored from 52 NHTSA owner complaints and 12 recall campaigns. Worst year 2011, best year 2011.
Volvo XC70: which years to avoid
Across 6 scored model years the Volvo XC70 ranges from 80/100 in 2011 to 90/100 in 2015 — a 10-point spread, so which year you buy matters. The weakest year’s complaints concentrate in Wheels (2 of them).
Safest years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 — scored 70 or better.
Scored from NHTSA complaints per year of exposure and recall campaigns. How the score works · every car’s years to avoid.
Year-by-year data table
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 85 | BUY | $4,753 | 7 | 2 |
| 2015 | 90 | BUY | $5,040 | 6 | 1 |
| 2014 | 88 | BUY | $5,173 | 2 | 2 |
| 2013 | 88 | BUY | $5,322 | 8 | 2 |
| 2012 | 82 | BUY | $5,469 | 14 | 2 |
| 2011 | 80 | BUY | $5,759 | 15 | 3 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
Photographs and every generation of the XC70, through the years →
What goes wrong on the Volvo XC70
Across every XC70 model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.
- Visibility/Wiper12 complaints across all XC70 years · typical job: Wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement$490–$1,200
- Unknown Or Other8 complaints across all XC70 years · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair$360–$940
- Structure7 complaints across all XC70 years · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair$1,070–$2,920
- Power Train5 complaints across all XC70 years · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair$1,290–$4,040
- Engine5 complaints across all XC70 years · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair$1,040–$2,220
- Seat Belts4 complaints across all XC70 years · typical job: Pretensioner or retractor replacement$360–$800
Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.
FAQ
What are the best Volvo XC70 years to buy?
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 all score 70 or better. The strongest is the 2015 at 90/100, on 6 complaints and 1 recall campaigns.
What is the most common Volvo XC70 problem?
12 of the complaints filed against the XC70 across all its model years sit in the Visibility/Wiper group — more than any other component.
Compare with
Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04