Model year guide

2003 Volvo XC70

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Volvo XC70 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 12 on record.

2003 Volvo XC70 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Volvo XC70 at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints24
Combined19 mpg
Typical price$2,596

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Volvo XC70 recalls 5

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #21V800000 · 14/10/2021

Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2007 V70 and XC70 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10136.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #09V483000 · 18/12/2009

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 S80, MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 V70, S60, XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES SOLD IN OR REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, UTAH, VIRGINIA AND THE U.S. TERRITORIES. WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN ENVIRO…

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System) NHTSA Campaign #10V566000 · 08/11/2010

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

Fix: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL …

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder NHTSA Campaign #07E023000 · 29/03/2007

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Fix: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #03V284000 · 01/08/2003

CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.

Fix: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF THE GUIDE, IT WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Volvo XC70 common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2003 Volvo XC70 MPG & running costs

Combined19 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,000

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2003 Volvo XC70 worth?

Low
$1,000
Typical price
$2,596
High
$4,200

From 12 comparable 2003 Volvo XC70 listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Volvo XC70 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,000
Fuel only$20,000
Per mile$0.27

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Volvo XC70 trims & engines on record

Trims
Base

2003 Volvo XC70 vehicles on record

2003 Volvo XC70 2003 Volvo XC70 BaseYV1SZ59H631098609 2003 Volvo XC70 2003 Volvo XC70 BaseYV1SZ59H231096596 2003 Volvo XC70 2003 Volvo XC70 BaseYV1SZ59H931104323 2003 Volvo XC70 2003 Volvo XC70 BaseYV1SZ59H931099222 2003 Volvo XC70 2003 Volvo XC70 BaseYV1SZ59H531095426 2003 Volvo XC70 2003 Volvo XC70 BaseYV1SZ59H431106500 2003 Volvo XC70 2003 Volvo XC70 BaseYV1SZ59H531107168 2003 Volvo XC70 2003 Volvo XC70 BaseYV1SZ59H131099487 2003 Volvo XC70 2003 Volvo XC70 BaseYV1SZ59H131096864 2003 Volvo XC70 BaseYV1SZ59H231095254 2003 Volvo XC70YV1SZ59HX31107330 2003 Volvo XC70YV1SZ59H131113727

Other Volvo XC70 model years

2016 2015 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2001

2003 Volvo XC70 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Volvo XC70 have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2003 Volvo XC70. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Volvo XC70?

Based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, power train, fuel/propulsion system.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Volvo XC70 get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2003 Volvo XC70 at about 19 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway).

How much is a 2003 Volvo XC70 worth?

Comparable 2003 Volvo XC70 listings run roughly $1,000–$4,200, typically around $2,596 (from 12 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.