Recalls: Volvo Mk.3 V70
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Volvo Mk.3 V70
Volvo V70: side airbags may not deploy
In April 2008, a recall was issued for Volvo Mk.3 V70 models in the VIN range 000328 to 033628 due to a potential software error in the side impact protection system (SIPS). As a result, the inflatable side curtain airbags may not operate as intended; the recalled vehicles were to have the SIPS system ECU software upgraded (PRA 2008/10002).
2008-09 Volvo V70: cooling fan may stop working
In June 2009, a recall was issued for model year 2008 and 2009 Volvo V70 vehicles in the VIN range 038190 to 092273. For these vehicles, the engine cooling fan may permanently stop working due to a software error in the Fan Control Module (FCM). If the fan stopped, it may caused reduced air conditioning performance and the driver will be informed of the increased coolant temperature by a yellow information lamp in the Driver Information Module (DIM) with the ‘reduce speed’ text message. If the engine temperature continued to rise, the red warning lamp would illuminate with text instructions to stop the car safely (PRA 2009/10870).
Volvo V70 T6: fuel pump malfunction
In September 2009, a recall was issued for Volvo V70 models fitted with the T6 engine and in the VIN range 0000395 to 0127906. For these vehicles, fuel Pump Electronic Module (PEM) may not operate as intended and inhibit the start of the fuel pump – this could cause the engine not to start, start roughly and/or run roughly at idle. Furthermore, the engine may also stop shortly after start-up which may cause stalling (PRA 2009/11056).
2010-11 model year Volvo V70: airbag may not deploy
In October 2010, a recall was issued for model year 2010 and 2011 Volvo V70 models in the VIN range 142445 to 172769. For these vehicles, there may be an electrical short circuit in the driver’s airbag clockspring wiring connector. If the deviation occurred, the supplement restraint system (SRS) light would be constantly lit and the message ‘airbag system service required’ would be displayed in the Driver Information Module (DIM). If the driver ignores the warning, the airbag may not deploy as intended – or at all – in the event of a collision (PRA 2010/12059).
2011 model year Volvo V70: fuel cut-off malfunction
In November 2010, a recall was issued for model year 2011 Volvo V70 vehicles fitted with a six cylinder petrol engine and in the VIN range 167118 to 183187. For these vehicles, the software calibration for fuel cut-off functionality in the engine control module (ECM) and the transmission control module (TCM) is too sensitive. As a result, the engine idle speed may drop during city driving and cause the engine to suddenly stop. While the driver will be able to restart the vehicle, the driver will need to depress the accelerator pedal further than normal to drive the vehicle. The driver may also find the gear engagement harsh and the transmission operation noisy (PRA 2010/12144).
Volvo Mk.3 V70: front seatbelt fasteners
In August 2020, recall campaign R10029 was issued for Volvo Mk.3 V70vehicles. In these vehicles, the flexible steel cable that was connected to the outboard side of the front seatbelts may fatigue and separate from the seatbelt. If this occurred, the occupant would not be properly restrained and this increased the risk of injury or death in the event of a collision. For this recall, replacement parts were not expected to be available until after October 2020 and owners were to be advised – in writing – of how to secure the front seatbelt while waiting for those parts to arrive. When the parts became available, the seatbelt fasteners were to be replaced. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2020/18415.
Problems and faults: Volvo Mk.3 V70
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
2008-11 Volvo V70 T6: excessive oil consumption, white exhaust smoke and low/uneven idle
In April 2012, Volvo issued Technical Journal 24643 for Volvo V70 T6 vehicles that had engines manufactured prior to 4 May 2011. According to the Technical Journal, these vehicles may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Low oil level;
- Excessive oil consumption;
- Poor idle quality;
- White smoke from the exhaust;
- An oil smell; and/or
- Illumination of the yellow warning symbol and ‘Low oil level’ or ‘Oil level low’ messages in the Driver information Module (SIM).
To determine if the vehicle had an oil consumption condition,
- The engine should be inspected for external leakage on and around the engine, especially around the cylinder head/cam cover/timing cover area. If an external leakage was present, then the following steps were not applicable;
- An oil consumption test could be performed if there was no prior record of low oil levels and oil being added between service intervals;
- The spark plugs were to be examined for evidence of previous oil over-filling since this could be the cause of DTCs related to oil consumption (specifically DTC P030000 and/or P030600). As the Technical Journal acknowledged, these engines were susceptible to over-filling since it was difficult to easily check the oil level with the dipstick;
- A cylinder leakage test was to be performed to determine if oil consumption was coming from an area other than the cam cover;
- If the cylinder leakage tests were OK and if the spark plug from cylinder #6 had more soot than the others, this suggested that the cam cover was not properly sealed from the factory. If so, the cam cover was to be removed so that the sealing surface could be inspected. If the sealing surface was discoloured by oil, it was most likely that there was a leak between the cam cover and the cylinder head in the area facing the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) channel which connected the breather box and the PCV gallery. To fix, the cam cover was to be re-sealed. The cam cover seal was improved at engine production date 15 April 2010 (15041000001); and,
- If the cylinder leakage tests were OK and there was a spark plug from a cylinder other than #6 which had more soot than the others, then the valve guides were to be inspected. Valve guide leakage was most commonly found when there was excessive white smoke from the exhaust and had been observed on engines with build dates before 4 May 2011 (040511B01272). Each valve guide was to be tested by removing the cam cover, removing the valve tappets, plugging all but one intake port and plugging all intake ports, injector ports and the PCV inlet. Air pressure could then be applied to one intake port at a time and, by using automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for colour differentiation, ripples or bubbles in the ATF would indicate a leak that required the cylinder head to be replaced.
Please note that the testing procedure described above differs for models that have B6324S4 PZEV (‘Engine 94’) or B6324S2 PZEV (‘Engine 96’) engines – these may require new pistons and oil control rings. For information on those engines, please refer to Technical Journal 24643.
2008-12 Volvo V70: rear suspension noise or pulling across the road
In November 2012, Volvo Cars North America issued Technical Journal (TJ) 25336 for 2008-12 Volvo V70 vehicles. According to TJ 25336, the front bushing in the rear longitudinal stay could fail due to corrosion of the bushing’s outer metal ring and this would cause the vulcanised rubber to loosen. If this occurred, the vehicle may exhibit the following symptoms:
- A knocking or clunking noise from the rear suspension when driving on uneven roads;
- The vehicle pulling or drifting across the road (to the right or left) due to rear wheel camber being out of specification; or,
- Unstable rear suspension on curvy roads.
To fix vehicles with these symptoms, the bushing was to be replaced; after installation of the bushing, rust-proofing wax was to be sprayed on the outer metal ring of the bushing. To prevent this problem from occurring in future vehicles, waxed bushings which were less susceptible to corrosion were introduced in production from mid-March 2012.
Volvo V70: irregular engine performance
In 2010, Volvo UK issued a ‘non-code action’ for Volvo V70 vehicles because of ‘irregular engine performance’ (NCA/2010/004); no further information was provided.
Volvo V70: emissions may exceed European limits
In 2010, Volvo UK issued a ‘non-code action’ for certain Volvo V70 vehicles because their emissions may exceed European legal requirements (NCA/2010/020); no further information was provided.
In 2011, Volvo UK issued another ‘non-code action’ for a small number of Volvo V70 vehicles because its emissions may exceed its official specifications (NCA 2011/005); no further information was provided.
Problems and faults: Volvo Mk.3 V70
- The infotainment system may stop working when the engine is started but operate when the key is switched off – if so, a software upgrade is required.
- If using an iPod, a ‘USB unreadable’ message may appear on the audio information display – this is a compatibility problem between the system and the iPod rather than a fault with the vehicle itself.
- The power steering may stop working or work intermittently, requiring the electronic power steering module to be replaced.
- The auto-up power window function may result in the windows only partly rising and then going back down – this is likely due to misalignment of the window or a lack of lubrication on the window guides.
