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XC70 is a notable station wagon from the Swedish automaker Volvo. The SUV is remarkable for offering a spacious interior and comfortable seating space. It also comes with a plethora of safety features from Volvo and sells at a good price. Volvo has stopped making the XC70 wagon, but there are still lots of it on the roads, today, and you’d find them in used car dealerships too.
What are the Volvo XC70 years to avoid? According to CarComplaints reports, the 2002 – 2004 models are the worst to buy. These model years have the highest number of complaints regarding failed transmissions, which happen pretty much before 100k miles. But then, a lot of people still own 2002 – 2004 XC70.
Volvo XC70 Overview
The XC70 is the wagon-based variant of the S80 sedan produced by the Swedish automobile manufacturing giant, Volvo. Also, the XC70 is considered a crossover SUV by many people due to its body design. But then, the XC70 is one the most spacious car in its category – offering an ample passenger cabin and cargo area.
Volvo XC70 is a luxury car. It drives smoothly with the patent AWD system and does pretty well in all road conditions. There are several engine and transmission options to choose from across the 18-year production run. Volvo retired the XC70 in the same year it discontinued the main platform – the S60 sedan.
Notwithstanding, more people still prefer to buy a used XC70 over the S80 – probably because of the more space and suspension? Well, Volvo XC70 is a great ride; it takes home an overall 3.5 out of 5.0 RepairPal reliability rating. If you’re going to buy a used XC70, you should understand that it is a luxury wagon crossover, so it’s a bit more expensive to maintain than non-luxury wagons.
Volvo XC70 Years to Avoid
These are considered the worst years for the XC70 wagon because they had many complaints regarding various failed components – mainly the engine and drivetrain components. Hence, it is advisable to skip these years when you’re buying a used high-mileage XC70.
The years include 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 – just four years out of the 18 model years for the XC70. Apparently, you’d want to know, in detail, why these years are considered to be the worst to buy. Well, your answers are explained below.
Why Avoid 2001 to 2004 Volvo XC70 Models?
These problems were specifically noted by different people who have owned and driven a Volvo XC70 model.
1. Transmission Faults
The most common problem with Volvo XC70 and S80 models is transmission faults. There are over one hundred reports recorded for 2001 to 2004 XC70 models. Owners allege that the gear lever gets stuck in one position or feels hard to shift, which is a very critical issue if you’re driving on a busy road.
For most people, the fix is replacing the transmission system, which is quite an expensive repair. So, to be on the safe side when buying a used XC70, it is advisable to avoid these model years. Of course, other model years had transmission issues, but the complaints weren’t as high as recorded for the 2001 to 2004 models.
2. Engine Problems
Along with high transmission failure reports, the 2001 – 2004 Volvo XC70s allegedly had engine issues that cost quite high to fix. The reported engine problems are linked to failed components, such as the bushings, control arm housing, and engine mount failure. These issues are reported to occur around 80,000 miles and cost an average of $1,500 to get fixed.
3. All-Wheel Drivetrain Failure
This was one of the most common issues with the 2003 XC70 models; quite a number of owners alleged that their ’03 XC70’s all-wheel-drive system stopped working abruptly, making it difficult for them to tour “all terrains” as usual.
Volvo XC70’s AWD is quite sturdy and powers the wagon through all routes, but once compromised of faulty, it’s a whole big deal and costs high to fix. This even draws more concern because if the all-wheel drivetrain fails while driving on a slippery road surface, it could result in a severe accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Best Years for Volvo XC70?
Once you skip the 2001 to 2004 models, it’s pretty safe to buy the rest years; that means to say, it is safe to buy from 2005 down to the last model year, 2016. Well, not like these model years don’t have their own issues, but the issues aren’t as many as that of the early 2000 models.
Are Volvo XC70s Expensive To Maintain?
First things first, it is important to note that the XC70 is a luxury wagon. Basically, luxury cars cost more to maintain. The XC70 will cost you an annual average of $804 in repairs and maintenance, according to RepairPal statistics.
Are Volvo Parts Cheap?
Yes, Volvo is a luxury car brand. Its vehicle parts are supposed to be expensive. However, compared with the parts cost of other luxury brands, Volvo parts are cheaper to buy. So, it is safe to say that Volvo parts are cheap in the market. Also, Volvo cars are generally cheaper to maintain than other luxury cars.