Problem Lookup › Volvo › XC70 › 2013
Car problem report
2013 Volvo XC70 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2013 Volvo XC70 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 9, 2026.
- 2safety recalls
- 9owner complaints
- 2crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 25%fail the UK MOT
9 complaints, against an average of 7 for the other 4 Volvo XC70 model years.
Every Volvo XC70 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2013 Volvo XC70?
The components named most often in the 9 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2013 Volvo XC70 been recalled?
2 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Seat Belts: Front Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
Tires: Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S80 and XC70 vehicles. A software error within the Central Electronic Module (CEM) will result in the "TPMS Service Required" message appearing after approximately 15 minutes of accumulated driving over 25 mph. The error will prevent the Tire Pressure Monitoring System from warning the driver that a tire needs air. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
Risk: A malfunctioning TPMS cannot warn a driver that a tire is underinflated. Underinflated tires can result in tire overloading and overheating, which could lead to a blowout and possible crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's TPMS. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 12, 2012. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Is the 2013 Volvo XC70 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAThere is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system which may result in insufficient cooling of engine components
Risk: There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system which may result in insufficient cooling of engine components.
Fix: Add an extra degassing line (Bleeder Hose) between the cooling system radiator and the cooling system expansion tank which will evacuate the trapped air
UK DVSAThere is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system
Risk: There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system which may result in insufficient cooling of engine components.
Fix: Add an extra degassing line (Bleeder Hose) between the cooling system radiator and the cooling system expansion tank which will evacuate the trapped air.
UK DVSAPotential breakage/fatigue of a flexible steel cable supporting the front seatbelt anchor point
Risk: Potential breakage/fatigue of a flexible steel cable supporting the front seatbelt anchor point.
Fix: Replace the seat belt fastener with a new designed seat belt fastening.
UK DVSAThe engine's plastic inlet manifold may melt and deform
Risk: The engines plastic inlet manifold may melt and deform
Fix: Update vehicles with improved soot reducing software cleaning of TMAP and EMAP. Fit additional hoses where necessary.
UK DVSAParking brake may unintentionally release
Risk: Vehicles with manual gearboxes and start/stop functionality have Parking Brake Module (PBM) software that may allow the parking brake to unintentionally release. The unintended release of the parking brake can only occur when the engine is running and the gearstick moved so it will happen when the vehicle is attended.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to download upgraded Parking Brake Module (PBM) software.
UK DVSALoss of power steering assistanceYears estimated
Risk: The auxiliary drive belt tensioner can suffer from premature wear which may cause it to fail. This can lead to loss of steering power assistance and a slight possibility of loss of drive should the drive belt or tensioner invade the cambelt area.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the auxiliary drive belt and tensioner.
EU Safety GateExcessive carbon deposits could build up in the intake system of the engine.Consequently, the temperature of the intake air could rise, causing the engine's intake manifold to melt and deform. This could lead to the engine to stop, increasing the risk of accidents or even the engine bay to catch fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Distributor; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe handbrake may under certain conditions release inadvertently.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 26/02/2015
How often does the 2013 Volvo XC70 fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2013, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2013 Volvo XC70 owners report?
9 of the 9 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Please be advised I purchased a very unsafe vehicle. It collapsed while I was driving it. I am unable to find a lawyer that will represent me. I spent all the money I have. Approximately five thousand dollars. My car insurance was increased and I haven't been able to find a loaner vehicle. I have lost two jobs or more counting before a car accident last year. Why can't I find a lawyer to represent me? [XXX] [XXX] telephone email [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The sunroof seal isn't working. It lifts when going through a car wash, and water is getting in.
All of a sudden , the right rear door will not open either from outside or inside. Similar problem was a recall on S60 Volvos.
Top windshield seal leaks, causing water running down windshield, and excess condensation creating visibility issues. Known problem by Volvo USA and dealers.
Windshield seal failure. Water/rain/carwash now leaks into the cabin of the car down the inside of the windshield directly in front of the driver's field of vision, obscuring visibility while driving. This is a clear safety hazard that is well chronicled on Volvo owner-sites. Volvo needs to issue a recall, as this affects the entire P3 platform (S60/V70/XC70)
WINDSHIELD LOOSE AT TOP SEALING SURFACE PER MECHANIC. LEAKS AT TIMES DURING CAR WASH, HEAVY RAIN.
WHEN I AM DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAS POPPED OPEN 3 TIMES NOW. AND THE DOOR WAS CLOSED AND LOCKED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 VOLVO XC70. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 42 MPH, A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DEER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO THE OFF POSITION, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITH FORCE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT AND THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT TO BE PUSHED OUT OF POSITION AND INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER…
NEW VOLVO WAS PURCHASED IN CARLSBAD CA. ON JUNE 21, 2013. TOOK A TRIP FROM L.A. TO MONTEREY CA. ON RETURN MY ATTENDANT AT FULL SERVE IN L.A. CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED VERY LITTLE STEERING FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR. TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL VOLVO DEALER IN L.A...GALPIN VOLVO..THEY HAVE ORDERED A NEW STEERING BOX TO BE INSTALLED NEXT WEEK. LOTS OF TROUBLE FOR A BRAND NEW CAR! *TR
2013 Volvo XC70: questions owners ask
Is the 2013 Volvo XC70 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Volvo XC70; the most common categories were structure (3, 33.3%), visibility/wiper (3, 33.3%), air bags (2, 22.2%). There are 2 safety recalls. 2 complaints mention a crash, 1 injury was reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volvo XC70?
Across 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are structure (33.3% of complaints), visibility/wiper (33.3% of complaints), air bags (22.2% of complaints), service brakes (11.1% of complaints), steering (11.1% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2013 Volvo XC70 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2013 Volvo XC70; the most recent (campaign 20V378000, 2020-06-30) concerns Seat Belts: Front. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own XC70
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved November 9, 2026. Model year 2013 only. How these reports are made.
Is something missing or wrong on this page? Tell CarHooq. One line is enough; every message is read.