Reliable Auto DB

2013 Volvo XC70 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2013 Volvo XC70 has 8 complaints with NHTSA after 14 years, or 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 Tire pressure monitoring.

2012 Volvo XC70
Photo by AutoLab, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY 3.0
Complaints

8

Per year

1

Recalls

2

Years on the road

14

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (3 of 8), then Structure (2) and Air bags (1). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 XC70 has 14 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2014 has 2 complaints, 0 per year. The 2013 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

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 2013 Volvo XC70. How we count. Data as of .

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 tires, tire pressure monitoring 2012-08-28 · NHTSA campaign 12V415000
Summary 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."
Remedy 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.

Complaints by component (8 total)

Visibility and wipers
3
Structure
2
Air bags
1
Steering
1
Crash-flagged

1

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

12013120151201712019220221202512026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The sunroof seal isn't working. It lifts when going through a car wash, and water is getting in."
    Structure, Unknown or other · filed 2026-05-11
  • "All of a sudden , the right rear door will not open either from outside or inside. Similar problem was a recall on S60 Volvos."
    Structure · filed 2025-04-17
  • "Top windshield seal leaks, causing water running down windshield, and excess condensation creating visibility issues. Known problem by Volvo USA and dealers."
    Visibility and wipers · filed 2022-10-21
  • "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…"
    Visibility and wipers · filed 2022-01-31
  • "WINDSHIELD LOOSE AT TOP SEALING SURFACE PER MECHANIC. LEAKS AT TIMES DURING CAR WASH, HEAVY RAIN."
    Visibility and wipers · filed 2019-05-08

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 Volvo XC70 SW AWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2013 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 3.2L, 6-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 18 24 20 MPG $3250
XC70 all-wheel drive 3L, 6-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 17 23 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

Previous year 2012 Volvo XC70 See every Volvo XC70 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Volvo XC70 reliable?

The 2013 Volvo XC70 has 8 complaints with NHTSA after 14 years, or 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 Tire pressure monitoring.

What are common problems with a 2013 Volvo XC70?

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (3 of 8), then Structure (2) and Air bags (1). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2013 Volvo XC70 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 XC70 has 14 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2014 has 2 complaints, 0 per year. The 2013 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 Volvo XC70 been recalled?

The 2013 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 2013 Volvo XC70?

Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2013 Volvo XC70 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 Volvo XC70 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 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?

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;…