2001 Volvo V70 XC T5 from North America

Summary:

After a brief hiatus, I purchased another one... enough said?

Faults:

Power steering pump.

General Comments:

Drove this car for years.

Great in the snow.

Comfortable.

Safe.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st February, 2016

7th Feb 2016, 01:58

How did the transmission do? It was very fragile on these 2001-2002. How about the flawed throttle body? The AWD angle gear was expensive to repair?

In reply to 7th Feb 2016, 01:58

7th Feb 2016, 18:57

Contrary to common belief, these don't fail on every one! On that basis, everyone who owns a Lexus RX will be broken down with a broken gearbox and everyone who ever owned a Ford Explorer would be dead because their tyres would have blown and killed them, and every Mercedes would have rusted away. No point in generalising... remember most people go on these sites to complain not praise. Yes, those items DO go wrong on these cars, but not on a majority, only a minority. To prove this, find out how many were sold in this period. I know many XC70 owners with high mileage examples with no serious problems.

In reply to 7th Feb 2016, 18:57

8th Feb 2016, 03:21

You mentioned the Lexus RX - over here in NZ, they are called Toyota Harriers, and my electrician had one. Now, Japanese used cars sold here in New Zealand tend to generally be pretty good with the odd problem as expected, but this being sold as a Lexus, I was in disbelief when he sold it because of the transmission too. On many Toyotas here, automatic transmission problems are not very common, but what he was told was that the drivetrain was designed for a car and not up for what the heavier Harrier needed. He replaced it with a Toyota Prado, an SUV whose drivetrain was designed to be more robust.

2001 Volvo V70 TDI 2.5 turbo diesel from Bulgaria

Summary:

Happy

Faults:

Has only had support, there was no incident.

135000 - replaced clutch.

135000 - replaced relay REM.

135000 - replaced 4 absorbers.

135000 - there is noise from the hydraulic pump and vacuum pump, but it still makes no problem.

General Comments:

The car is solid, strong and safe.

It has stable handling, and with ease can drive 1200-1500 km a day. Fuel cost for intercity driving is within 6-7 liters per 100 km - about $12/100 km (62 miles). In city driving congestion, fuel consumption is up to 8 liters per 100 km - about $13/100 km (62 miles).

Maintenance is expensive. I've often replaced suspension parts.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th January, 2013

2001 Volvo V70 2.4 turbo from North America

Summary:

Afraid to find out

Faults:

Catalytic converter.

Something that has to do with the oil pressure.

Lug nuts are rusted.

Bumper is faded.

Alarm went off after unlocking it with the key.

General Comments:

So I bought this car used at a Toyota dealership, and only had the car for 4 days, when my girlfriend noticed it saying no oil pressure, stop engine. She returned the car to me, and didn't say anything. The next day, the check engine light came on and it also told me no oil pressure, but only at an idle. The code that read for the light had to do with the catalytic converter. $1500 just for the part. It has been back at the dealership now for 2 weeks, and is still not ready.

After reading the other reviews, I think I'm going to sell it as fast as I can, and buy myself a new Mazda.

Very comfortable and rides nice. It has some power, but I think my V6 blows it out of the water.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 25th January, 2012

26th Jan 2012, 17:22

Just for reference, my 2003 V70 has 225,500 miles on the clock, and looks and drives as new. No engine lights, knocks or anything. The inside and outside still looks new, and it is all in all an incredible machine, which I would highly recommend to anyone in a heart beat. Both I and my wife drive Volvo's, and won't drive anything else.

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2001 Volvo V70 2.4T 5-cylinder gas, low-pressure turbo from North America

Summary:

Nice car, but lousy support/warranty

Faults:

Bought car at 3-4 yrs old.

Check engine light came on shortly after purchase, returned car to dealer, who "fixed" it. This continued 3-4 times, at which point I switched dealers. Problem continued, with various emissions-system codes and diagnoses, and several thousand $ in repairs, "software upgrades" etc. Finally dealer diagnosed car as needing a new catalytic converter, at which point I traded the *@#%.

Car also developed a problem with the diagnostic computer, which sporadically would come up with helpful warnings like "warning, your brakes have failed". Checked out with dealer and independent service, never able to pinpoint problem. Volvo suggested replacing the computer unit (out of warranty).

General Comments:

Great car, comfortable, good handling, lots of room, but a lemon. Check out various Volvo forums, you will find this is not an isolated story. Consistency is not a hallmark of this series, and Volvo let a lot of problem cars leave the factory. They have spent years cobbling together excuses for these cars, and when pressed have come out with recalls that do little to compensate customers for what can be very expensive repairs.

If buying, get a vehicle history report, and insist on seeing dealer service record (not the little stamps in the owner's manual - the printout of service work most dealers keep but will only release to the owner).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 2nd February, 2011

4th Oct 2011, 22:57

I want to love my 2001 Volvo V70 2.4 wagon, I really do. But this car is a true lemon. Please avoid it at all costs.

I love the interior and the ride when it's working. It's a solid-feeling car, the way a Volvo should be. But for years (I bought the car new from the dealer in 2001) I've had lots of little problems with it, most notably light bulbs burning out every few weeks.

Now, around 80,000 miles, there are major transmission issues. Major lurching issues when accelerating up a hill, especially between 2nd and 3rd. The car revs to about 3,000 RPM then VIOLENTLY shifts. Does not feel safe with my kids in the car. SAFETY FIRST, VOLVO? I think not. Do a Google search. You will be blown away by how many transmission issues this car has.

The dealer acts like they don't know what's wrong, when you know they see this problem every day. First visit for this problem they upgraded the software, etc. to the tune of $1,000 plus. Second visit for same problem two months later, they replaced the electronic throttle unit and the throttle housing to the tune of another $1,000. Two hours after driving the car off the repair lot, the car began lurching again. VERY UPSET about this.

Now that the car is past warranty, I won't be getting it serviced at my dealer any more. They have a vested interest in NOT telling you how bad this car is. I will never buy another Volvo because Volvo NA is not taking care of the many unhappy owners of the 2001 V70.

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