2012 Volvo XC70 reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2012 Volvo XC70 holds 14 complaints after 15 years, a rate of 1 per year. That is more complaints per year than most XC70 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Front and Wiring.

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (5 of 14), then Structure (3) and Steering (2).

Next to 2013

The 2013 XC70 has 8 complaints, 1 per year. The 2012 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Volvo XC70. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (2)

Recall seat belts, front 2020-06-30 · NHTSA campaign 20V378000

Summary 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.

Remedy 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.

Recall electrical system, wiring 2012-02-28 · NHTSA campaign 12V075000

Summary VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. IN THESE VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED PROPERLY TO THE SEAT FRAME. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED TO ADJUST THE SEATING POSITION, THE WIRE HARNESS MAY GET PULLED, CAUSING IT TO DISCONNECT.

Remedy VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, SECURE THE SEAT WIRE HARNESS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

Complaints by component (14 total)

Visibility and wipers

Structure

Steering

Seat belts

Service brakes

Tires

Visibility

Wheels

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"Windshield leaking for about 2 tears got worse and was found to be "loose windshield and mobile" and "hazardous" by technician."
Visibility · filed 2022-06-27
"Windshield seal leaking at top. This started a few weeks ago, I noticed water drips run down the inside of the windshield in front of the driver. I took a 4-hour trip last week and it rained for 30 minutes, the leak…"
Visibility and wipers · filed 2021-12-05
"THE SEAL FOR THE WINDSHIELD HAS FAILED ALONG THE TOP PASSENGER SIDE. FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, ONE CAN PUSH THE WINDSHIELD ENOUGH TO SEE A GAP. WATER ENTERS WHEN RAINING; I BELIEVE THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE IS…"
Unknown or other, Visibility and wipers · filed 2020-12-10
"WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HAS UNLATCHED AND THE DOOR OPENS SLIGHTLY ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASIONS. THIS HAS OCCURRED ONCE WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND 4 OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. THE AUTOMATIC…"
Structure · filed 2020-10-03
"THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS AND HESITATES AND WON'T TURN. THEN IT FINALLY DOES. SOMETIMES IT SEEMS WORSE WHEN COLD. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MANY DEALERS AND MECHANICS AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT.…"
Steering · filed 2020-03-16

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2012 Volvo XC70 SW AWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2012 Volvo XC70 SW FWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
XC70 all-wheel drive	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	17	23	20 MPG	$3250
XC70 all-wheel drive	3.2L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	18	24	20 MPG	$3250
XC70 front-wheel drive	3.2L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	19	25	21 MPG	$3100

Specs and fitment

Third generation (P3), 2012–2016

Body styles Wagon

Oil 0W-30 or 5W-30 (engine-dependent) , 7.2 qt capacity

Tire size 235/55R17, 235/50R18, 235/45R19 (trim-dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V-378 covers certain 2008-2016 XC70 vehicles (shared with other Volvo models): the front seat-belt anchor cable can fail, leaving an occupant less secured in a crash; dealers replace the cable for both front seats. Recall 12V-075 covers certain 2012 XC70 (and S60/XC60/S80) built May–October 2011 where the under-seat wire harness may not be secured, risking improper air-bag or belt pretensioner function; dealers inspect and secure the harness. Recall 13V-377 covers certain 2014 XC70 with keyless ignition where CEM software can affect headlamps or turn signals; dealers upgrade CEM software.

Compare

Next year 2013 Volvo XC70 See every Volvo XC70 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Volvo XC70 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2012 Volvo XC70?

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (5 of 14), then Structure (3) and Steering (2).

Is the 2012 Volvo XC70 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 XC70 has 8 complaints, 1 per year. The 2012 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2013.

Has the 2012 Volvo XC70 been recalled?

The 2012 Volvo XC70 has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Volvo XC70?

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2012 Volvo XC70 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Volvo XC70 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Volvo XC70 is 20.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a US Volvo XC70 use?

0W-30 or 5W-30 (engine-dependent) With filter, about 7.2 qt is commonly listed for this generation—confirm in the owner manual.

What tire sizes fit a US Volvo XC70?

Published US specs commonly list front 235/55R17, 235/50R18, 235/45R19 (trim-dependent) and rear 235/55R17, 235/50R18, 235/45R19 (trim-dependent); confirm on the door jamb placard for your trim.

What NHTSA recalls affect the US Volvo XC70?