2012 Volvo XC70: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Volvo XC70: 2 recalls, 14 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #12V075000 · 2012 · 32,552 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of crash, the front and/or side impact air bags May deploy improperly or not at all, increasing the risk of injury. Also, the lap belt pretensioner May not deploy.
The fix: 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.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #20V378000 · 2020 · 308,260 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility/Wiper (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Body & structure (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Steering (2): the most common themes are steering problems (2).
- Other / unknown (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2012 Volvo XC70 has 14 owner complaints, ranking #12 of 16 XC70 model years for complaints (well below the 26 average). Complaints peaked in 2017 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 25,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (15 complaints, 3 recalls), 2013 (8 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.2 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Volvo XC70.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Volvo XC70 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Volvo XC70. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Volvo XC70 problems?
Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility/wiper (5), body & structure (3), steering (2).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Volvo XC70 get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.2 L, Automatic (S6)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Volvo XC70 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.