Faults:

Throttle control - replaced by volvo by recall post car being out of warranty.

Power windows and sunroof had issues which were covered by warranty and when vehicle was out of warranty, still observed by dealer as pre-existing conditions during warranty and were repaired.

Headlights did burn out every few months for first two years, but, now are fine... knock on cypress.

General Comments:

I love my XC70. My daughter's ages 3 and 7 fit in the boosters, thus, eliminating the need for ugly and inefficient after market boosters. The storage cubbies, ability to drop seats, heavy duty interior, and TURBO when I need it are all very beneficial. Handling at high speeds on the highway, and avoiding obstacles at over 100 mph has been observed on more than one occasion while driving alone on a West Texas Highway!

This car is a must for individuals that travel with kids, have kids, haul items, etc. It is a Fine European Touring Wagon with SPEED.

Granted it doesn't run like the S-70 TURBO I previously owned, but, it zips. Best yet I've never rec'd a speeding ticket in it. How could a family wagon go over 70 mph?

Faults:

Rear seat belt locked up at 69000.

Recently the Rear crank shaft seal was replaced along with a new turbo. $4000 And now the catalytic converter needs replacing at 79000. ($2000)

General Comments:

This car drive very nicely but, it is completely unreliable and poorly designed. I've own this car about a year and treat it very well with little use and it's cost me over $6000 already. The previous owner purchased it new from the dealership and had it regularly serviced locally at the dealership. The car has been nursed and it's still breaking down.

It's a piece of junk and I plan to get rid of it asap.

Faults:

Rear shocks and struts replaced at 40,000 miles; this also required replacing a complete set of Michelin tires that had only 12,000 miles on them. Strut and shock failure rendered two rear tires unsafe. Cost (including new tires: over $2,000.00)

Electrical problems cause side mirrors (especially passenger side) to 'reset' by pointing 100% up and 100% out... no matter how often this is re set and 'saved'. Techs unable to diagnose or repair.

Ignition Key Tumbler was defective. Would recognize and allow insertion of key, but would not reliably 'turn' and would then cause ignition tumbler to freeze up. Required new tumbler assembly and re-keying (including software downloads). Cost: $500.

Electronic Throttle System malfunctioned. Part itself is culprit. Volvo refused to replace part, opting to 'upgrade software' because, in their words, "It hasn't failed, YET. When it fails and 'codes', then we'll replace it." Nice to know, seeing as though the part's failure causes dangerous loss of power... potentially while merging onto highway or passing on a two-lane. Cost: Nothing, YET. But, potentially the lives of those in the car when it does fail.

Transmission failure. Transmission failed leaving us stalled on a wide stretch of railroad tracks. Ever try to push an XC70 that's loaded with travel gear? Was given option the 'replace solenoids' for $1,900 now (but advised against this as this was not guaranteed to 'fix' the problem) or replace entire transmission with a "Volvo Certified Reconditioned Transmission" for $3,400.

Volvo Corporate refused to contribute ANYTHING, even though car was only 900 miles past its 50,000 mile warranty.

At 52,000 miles, the "Volvo Certified Reconditioned" Transmission is clunking loudly on every downshift, and it's leaking transmission fluid like a sieve, staining our garage floor a lovely shade of pink.

In 25,000 miles of driving the car has cost over $6,000 in repairs and caused us to rent a car for over three weeks while it was in the shop awaiting parts. It took them 15 days to replace the transmission because Volvo North America kept losing track of the shipment... and this was to one of their self-acknowledged 'Top Ten Dealers in The US" (in Maine, when Volvos are constantly in need of service...)

No one actually owns a Volvo. You just pay rent to their Parts & Service Departments.

General Comments:

It's a very comfortable car to drive and ride. It has great safety features, though other makes have caught up in this regard.

People who own them want to like them... desperately want to like them... but eventually, like us, go back to buying a Subaru and compromising some comfort for rock solid reliability. Our '99 Forrester has 187.000 miles on it and we've only had to have some brake work done, a clutch replaced, and replace tires and a muffler.