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2016 Volvo XC70 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2016 Volvo XC70 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 2, 2026.
- 2safety recalls
- 7owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 20%fail the UK MOT
7 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 2016 Volvo XC70?
The components named most often in the 7 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2016 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.
Electrical System: Wiring: Fuses And Circuit Breakers Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting when necessary.
Risk: If the vehicle is unexpectedly unable to be started in the middle of traffic, such as when stopped at an intersection, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing starter motor fuse with a higher amperage fuse, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552 or by visiting http://volvo.custhelp.com. Volvo's number for this recall is R39574.
Is the 2016 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 DVSASmall cracks on the inside of a rubber fuel hose
Risk: Small cracks on the inside of a rubber fuel hose.
Fix: Replacement of affected fuel hoses.
UK DVSADriver's airbag module may not deploy as intended
Risk: Due to a potential manufacturing defect the gas generator in the driver's airbag module may not deploy as intended. This may reduce the affectivities of the airbag.
Fix: On affected vehicles replace the driver's air bag module.
UK DVSAStalling and loss of steering power assistance
Risk: Involved vehicles may have a software issue which could cause the engine to momentarily cut-out and restart while driving. This could also cause disturbances in some electrical systems such as shut down of the instrument cluster infotainment system and loss of power steering assistance.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and upgrade the software of the control units.
UK DVSAFuel guage may not show fuel level correctly
Risk: Fuel gauge may not show correct level
Fix: Dependent on affected Model update software. Until updated the manufacturer advises to maintain fuel level above approx one third.
EU Safety GateAir bubbles may remain in the engine cooling system when filling coolant.This can cause insufficient cooling and damage the engine, increasing the risk of fire in the engine compartment.
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: 14/07/2020
EU Safety GateAir bubbles may remain in the engine's cooling system after filling with coolant.Consequently, the cooling of the engine might be impaired, causing the engine to overheat, leading to its damage or even to 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 GateExcessive carbon deposits could build up in the intake system of the engine.Additionally, the intake valve could leak.Consequently, the temperature of the intake air could rise, causing the engine 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 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 GateOwing to a faulty gas generator, the driver airbag may only partially deploy in the event of a road accident leading to an increased risk…Owing to a faulty gas generator, the driver airbag may only partially deploy in the event of a road accident leading to an increased risk of injury for the driver.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateWhile driving, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may reset causing the engine to momentarily cut-off and restart while driving.It could also lead to a loss of power-steering assistance.
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: 19/02/2016
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 2016 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 2016, 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 2016 Volvo XC70 owners report?
7 of the 7 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.
The seatbelts on the front driver and passenger side have failed to release when trying to unbuckle. This is a hazard. If there was a moment where it's imperative to leave the car (fire, water, etc) Driver and passenger could get locked in their seatbelts without the ability to exit the vehicle. Volvo would have covered it if the factor warranty was still active. My complaint wa ignored while the vehicle was under warranty. Now that it is out of warranty I am forced to replace the failed parts out of my pocket.
VOLVO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO A DEFECTIVE ENGINE.
We have experienced three major defects with this vehicle. First and most concerning is the intermittent blackout of the driver's instrument panel (aka driver's information module, DIM). Second most conerning is the defect in the trailer lighting control module that leaves stop, running and signal lighting on our trailer unreliable. Both of these defects appear to be design or manufacturing defects that can be corrected by upgrading the relevent parts. The third defect is in the design of the traction control system that has no physical switch readily accessible to the driver for temporary use…
Car stalled at an intersection twice. We took it to a repair shop after the first instance and they told us the battery had died, though they were able to charge it and it restarted fine. They could not find any other issues. We continued to drive it and two days later the car died at another intersection just after my wife had picked up our kids from school. We had it towed to the dealer this time. I relayed the recall information for an earlier or different model of my car that sounded like the same issue: the starter motor fuse. I believe this to be the same issue even though my car did not…
THE BACKUP CAMERA IS MALFUNCTIONING NOW BECAUSE THE VIEW FIELD IS PARTIALLY BLOCKED BY THE VEHICLE BODY. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE'RE SOME OTHER CARS (INCLUDING SOME NEW CARS AT DEALER) HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I VISITED THE RETAILER AND THEN CONTACTED THE CUSTOM CARE CENTER OF VOLVO. HOWEVER, THE RESPONSE IS DISAPPOINTING (HONESTLY, UNACCEPTABLE) BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT VOLVO CANNOT FIX IT.
WHEN COLD SOMETIMES NOT ABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO ANY OTHER GEAR OR NEUTRAL. AFTER DRIVING, ABLE TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE OR REVERSE BACK TO PARK BUT GET MESSAGE SAYING "CAR IS NOT IN PARK - SHIFT TO PARK". WHEN IN NEUTRAL SOMETIMES NOT ABLE MOVE SHIFTER FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE OR PARK. WHEN CONTACTED DEALER FOR SERVICE THEY SEEMED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. MY CONCERNS ARE NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE CAR ON DEMAND, AS WELL AS NOT KNOWING IF CAR IS TRULY IN PARK OR NOT.
OWNER ON INTERSTATE AT POSTED SPEED (65) HEARD EXPLOSIVE SOUND OF THE SUNROOF EXPLODING. NO OTHER CARS WERE AHEAD OR ALONGSIDE, AND NO EVIDENCE OF A THROWN OR DROPPED OBJECT WAS APPARENT AT THAT TIME OR AFTERWARD. FORTUNATELY THE SUNSHADE SHIELDED HER FROM MOST OF THE BROKEN GLASS. DEALER CALLED IT AN 'ACT OF GOD' AND WOULD NOT HONOR A WARRANTY CLAIM FOR THE DAMAGE ' ESTIMATED AT OVER $1,100. INSURANCE COMPANY IS COVERING ALL COSTS, INCLUDING RENTAL CAR, UNTIL REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED.
2016 Volvo XC70: questions owners ask
Is the 2016 Volvo XC70 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volvo XC70; the most common categories were engine (2, 28.6%), electrical system (1, 14.3%), power train (1, 14.3%). There are 2 safety recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volvo XC70?
Across 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (28.6% of complaints), electrical system (14.3% of complaints), power train (14.3% of complaints), seat belts (14.3% of complaints), visibility/wiper (14.3% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2016 Volvo XC70 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 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 2, 2026. Model year 2016 only. How these reports are made.
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