2012 Volvo XC70

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2012 Volvo XC70 has 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is visibility problems (35% of all complaints), specifically: windshield wiper speed on highest setting is unable to keep up with moderate to heavy rain. called dealership this morning and was told that numerous other customers had called as well and that it is a volvo issue that affects nearly all models. *tr.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

VISIBILITY

6 complaints

35%

• WINDSHIELD WIPER SPEED ON HIGHEST SETTING IS UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN. CALLED DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING AND WAS TOLD THAT NUMEROUS OTHER CUSTOMERS HAD CALLED AS WELL AND THAT IT IS A VOLVO ISSUE THAT AFFECTS NEARLY ALL MODELS. *TR
• 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 AR
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WINDSHIELD WIPER SPEED ON HIGHEST SETTING IS UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN. CALLED DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING AND WAS TOLD THAT NUMEROUS OTHER CUSTOMERS HAD CALLED AS WELL AND THAT IT IS A VOLVO ISSUE THAT AFFECTS NEARLY ALL MODELS. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

3 complaints

18%

• 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 PRO
• 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
• 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.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 PRO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

2 complaints

12%

• THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE VEHICLE WANTS TO "CLIMB OR STEER" INTO THE HIGH SIDE OF LONGITUDNAL GROOVES ON THE DRIVING SURFACE. CONSIDERABLE FORCE HAS TO BE MAINTAINED ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM STEERING/RUNNING OFF THE DRIVING SURFACE EITHER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR OFF THE ROADWAY
• 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 T

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE VEHICLE WANTS TO "CLIMB OR STEER" INTO THE HIGH SIDE OF LONGITUDNAL GROOVES ON THE DRIVING SURFACE. CONSIDERABLE FORCE HAS TO BE MAINTAINED ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM STEERING/RUNNING OFF THE DRIVING SURFACE EITHER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR OFF THE ROADWAY”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

2 complaints

12%

• 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 C
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 C”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TIRES

1 complaints

• THIS IS SECOND OCCURRENCE WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES ON MY 2012 VOLVO XC 70. SIDE WALL SHREDDED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING 35 MPH CAUSING BLOWOUT AT 14,000 MILES FIRST BLOWOUT OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD. VOLVO REPLACED TIRE AND CHARGED ME $270 SAYING DEFECTIVE TIRES WERE NOT COVERED

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THIS IS SECOND OCCURRENCE WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES ON MY 2012 VOLVO XC 70. SIDE WALL SHREDDED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING 35 MPH CAUSING BLOWOUT AT 14,000 MILES FIRST BLOWOUT OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD. VOLVO REPLACED TIRE AND CHARGED ME $270 SAYING DEFECTIVE TIRES WERE NOT COVERED”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TIRES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 17 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER SPEED ON HIGHEST SETTING IS UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN. CALLED DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING AND WAS TOLD THAT NUMEROUS OTHER CUSTOMERS HAD CALLED AS WELL AND THAT IT IS A VOLVO ISSUE THAT AFFECTS NEARLY ALL MODELS. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: 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 PRO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE VEHICLE WANTS TO "CLIMB OR STEER" INTO THE HIGH SIDE OF LONGITUDNAL GROOVES ON THE DRIVING SURFACE. CONSIDERABLE FORCE HAS TO BE MAINTAINED ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM STEERING/RUNNING OFF THE DRIVING SURFACE EITHER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR OFF THE ROADWAY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
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 C
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)