Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2011 Volvo XC70: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2011 Volvo XC70, most recently filed June 2020. Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the latches/locks/linkages.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2011 Volvo XC70. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2011 Volvo XC70. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V378000 Filed Jun 30, 2020

Seat Belts May Not Restrain Occupant

Seat belts · front
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury 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.
75.5% repairedof 308,260 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V378000
Listed for 2011 Volvo XC70. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 10V579000 Filed Nov 17, 2010

TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE CONTROL MODULE

Engine and engine cooling
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, S80, S60, XC70 AND XC60 VEHICLES. THE SOFTWARE CALIBRATION FOR THE FUEL CUT-OFF FUNCTIONALITY IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) IS TOO SENSITIVE.
Consequence
SUDDEN ENGINE STALL COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE ECM AND TCM WITH NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 10, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR AT CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM.
Repair progress not yet reported6,046 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 10V579000
Listed for 2011 Volvo XC70. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 10V489000 Filed Oct 13, 2010

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM

Air bags · frontal
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 S80, XC70, MODEL YEAR 2011 XC60 AND MODEL YEAR 2010 V70 VEHICLES. THERE MAY BE AN INTERMITTENT FAULT IN THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED OR AT ALL, AND THEREFORE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A METAL SHIM IN THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING CONNECTOR. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Repair progress not yet reported9,746 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 10V489000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (15)

15 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The latches/locks/linkages is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
0involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Volvo XC70, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 15.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2011 compares with other XC70 years

Best and worst XC70 years →
25 39 15 15 15 14 8 2 6 7
2007200820092010201120122013201420152016
This year (2011)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined

21
mpg combined
18
city
25
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,200
CO₂ tailpipe
423 g/mi
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle -

What it costs you to run

$3,110per year
$259per month
714gallons a year

Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2011 Volvo XC70 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3.2 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 21$3,200423
3.2 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 20$3,350444
3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive17 / 22 / 19$3,550468

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2011 XC70 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All XC70 years

Where to next

2011 Volvo XC70 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2011 Volvo XC70 have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 20V378000 (seat belt), 10V579000 (engine), 10V489000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2011 Volvo XC70 problems?

Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. Latches/locks/linkages (2), Power train (2), Seat belts (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2011 Volvo XC70 get?

EPA rates the 3.2 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 18 city, 25 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2011 XC70 compare with other years?

Among the 2007–2016 Volvo XC70 model years at least five years old, the 2014 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2008 the most (39). The 2011 drew 15. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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