AI Damage2016 Volvo XC70: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Volvo XC70 filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 150 service bulletins for this year. We found 4 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 150
- YouTube repair videos
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 29% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 14% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 14% of all complaints
- Engine: 2 complaints (29% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 41.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Visibility: 1 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 5 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 15 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 41 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 66 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Communication | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 0 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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 owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,591 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 24% least complained about).
On average one model year of the XC70 has 4 complaints (2 years in the data). This year has 7, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This is a Technical Journal
Plus 2 attachments 1- TJI-497587-1 and 1 MP4 Speaker Grill -It may be possible for the rear door lock switch to get stuck in the speaker grille. This can lead to a drained battery. Applies only for cars with Premium or…
- This is a Technical Journal
Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.
- This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any…
This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. This TJ will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior…
- This is a TJ text, only no attachments - If the Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) does not work in…
This is a TJ text, only no attachments - If the Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) does not work in Sensus Connect vehicle, follow advice under "Service". This Technical Journal is only valid for vehicles with…
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Vehicle type and platform identification.
- This is a Technical Journal
Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a remote session: •Connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in VIDA is between 12.5V and 14.9V.
…
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- This is a Technical Journal
Vehicle/Connectivity report checklist. To provide timely and high-quality feedback to the appropriate department or factory
- Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service
- This is a Technical Journal
SiriusXM not Available. Perform an update of the RDAR (Sirius Tuner Module) by downloading an RDAR upgrade with VIDA.
- CBR - Driveline Noise, Suspension Ride Height Too High, Suspension Will Not Exhaust - Chassis Built…
- This is a Technical Journal
VIDA Main battery diagnostic - Prompted to charge battery a second time. Use had held tester.
NHTSA lists 150 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volvo XC70?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rear-view camera (14%), seat belts (14%), smoke, burning smell, fire (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Volvo XC70?
NHTSA lists 150 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Volvo XC70 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.