2001 xc-70 are they all lemons?

the 1 buchanan · Post by **the 1 buchanan** » 05 Dec 2014, 19:27

been reading up on the '01 xc-70 and haven't come across too much in good comments. wondering if they are all bad or if there are some that are good(as with any vehicle). looking at purchasing one until I saw all the negative press on them. This vehicle has over 160K. I hope to test drive it next week and would welcome any advice on what the trouble signs are, as I am new to volvos.

Post by **vtl** » 05 Dec 2014, 20:10

This car has "special" problems (transmission, awd, pcv) and "regular" 14-yo car problems. Common sense is to buy 2003+ XC70.

From personal experience, my more technically complex 2005 XC70 (turbo, AWD) is *way* more reliable as of now than wife's 2002 V70 (N/A, FWD) when it was of the same age.

Post by **precopster** » 06 Dec 2014, 01:02

Not to mention it also has the "Italian" throttle system known as ETM.

gooproduct · Post by **gooproduct** » 06 Dec 2014, 02:51

I drive a 2001 XC70 and it has been a great car. I have over 200k and have had no big issues, only the normal maint. AWD is original and gets used every winter here in northern Indiana, I cleaned the ETM once but have never had a problem with it. Never had any trans issues and never had it flushed. Everythingin the car works properly except for the passenger door lock and speaker.

I do my own work on it and the general maintanence is PCV, front end stuff like ball joints, tie rods and bushings, and I do have a tendancy to blow the passenger side low beam headlight every 18 months. That's about it.

Maintanence wise, its pretty much the same as my wife's '99 V70XC

Lemon? Not mine. Hope.it helps.

draser · Post by **draser** » 06 Dec 2014, 08:47

I'm sure there are millions of happy owners out there. And just to state the obvious... when buying an old high miles car some risk is involved, and be able to do your own repairs helps. People post on forums when they need help, so you don't get the full story. Personally I'd buy a newer lower mileage anything.

Post by **abscate** » 06 Dec 2014, 09:49

I wouldn't consider a 2001 unless it's (to quote JRL) "mint"

There are plenty of good models before and after out in the market place. Unless you know the seller and have good insight into how the transmission has been driven and serviced, skip it.

The electronic throttle body isn't one to sweat - between cleaning and other options, it won't kill your car fix budget. That d*** transmission will, though.

Post by **oragex** » 06 Dec 2014, 11:10

As mentioned, there were typical issues that will happen at a moment or another, such as the throttle body, the awd, the transmission, etc

Often times, there are people that say their car did not have those issues at all. I believe it's usually about cars that were bought used, where the previous owner might have had the issues fixed before selling.

The 2002-2003 also had the DIM issue, I think it was fixed on 2004

Post by **JRL** » 06 Dec 2014, 14:51

AWD is the same as 1998-99-2000 and 2002
Same rules apply
At his miles he should not have any issues for a long while but check the angle gear to make sure it's not leaking. Over this amount of time the seals may have gone bad.
DO service that tranny and do check for the upgraded software, that is a MUST DO if the original stop neutral software is still in there.
That must be removed.

Post by **matthew1** » 06 Dec 2014, 15:22

This should help: Volvo AWD System Overview

Post by **matthew1** » 06 Dec 2014, 15:23

and Why is Volvo's AWD system so delicate?

(Both are in the MVS Volvo Repair Database.)