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Volvo · Mid-Size · 2007–2016

Volvo V70 3

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

★★★★★
2.9 / 5.0 · Based on 16 engine variants
Most Fun Engine

305 PS

3.0L T6 Benzin

Fastest family estate

Fun to Drive!
Most Reliable Engine

238–243 PS

3.2L Benzin

4 weaknesses

Good Choice
Problem Engine

190–197 PS

2.0L D4 Drive-E Diesel

7 weaknesses

Stay Away!

Generations

Engine Overview

The Volvo V70 3 is available with 11 engine variants — from 109 to 305 hp. 4 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.

1.6L DRIVe · Diesel· 109–114 PS
2011 2016
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2.0L D3 Drive-E · Diesel· 150 PS
2014 2016
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2.0L D4 Drive-E · Diesel· 190 PS
2014 2016
Stay Away! 7 weaknesses
2.4L D5 · Diesel· 185–215 PS Engine Change
2007 2009
Stay Away! 5 weaknesses
2009 2016
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
2010 2016
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
1.6L GTDi Turbo · Benziner· 179 PS
2010 2016
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2.0L · Benziner· 145 PS
2007 2016
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2.0L T4 Drive-E · Benziner· 190 PS
2013 2016
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2.0L T5 Drive-E · Benziner· 254 PS
2013 2016
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2.5L Turbo · Benziner· 231–254 PS Engine Change
2007 2016
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
2010 2016
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
3.0L T6 · Benziner· 286–305 PS Engine Change
2007 2010
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2010 2016
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
3.2L · Benziner· 238–243 PS Engine Change
2007 2010
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
2010 2016
Good Choice 4 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →

The Volvo 1.6L DRIVe (Diesel, 109–114 PS) has the D4162T (1.6L DRIVe) — rated: "Be Careful", 4 known weaknesses.

The Volvo 2.0L D3 Drive-E (Diesel, 150 PS) has the D4204T9 (2.0L D3 Drive-E) — rated: "Be Careful", 7 known weaknesses.

The Volvo 2.0L D4 Drive-E (Diesel, 190 PS) has the D4204T14 (2.0L D4 Drive-E) — rated: "Stay Away!", 7 known weaknesses.

The Volvo 2.4L D5 (Diesel, 185–215 PS) comes with 3 different engines: D5244T4 (2007–2009, Stay Away!) und D5244T10 (2009–2016, Be Careful) und D5244T15 (2010–2016, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.4L D5!

The Volvo 1.6L GTDi Turbo (Benziner, 179 PS) has the B4164T (1.6L GTDi Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 4 known weaknesses.

The Volvo 2.0L (Benziner, 145 PS) has the B4204S4 (2.0L) — rated: "Be Careful", 4 known weaknesses.

The Volvo 2.0L T4 Drive-E (Benziner, 190 PS) has the B4204T19 (2.0L T4 Drive-E) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The Volvo 2.0L T5 Drive-E (Benziner, 254 PS) has the B4204T23 (2.0L T5 Drive-E) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The Volvo 2.5L Turbo (Benziner, 231–254 PS) comes with 2 different engines: B5254T7 (2007–2016, Be Careful) und B5254T12 (2010–2016, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.5L Turbo!

The Volvo 3.0L T6 (Benziner, 286–305 PS) comes with 2 different engines: B6304T2 (2007–2010, Be Careful) und B6304T4 (2010–2016, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 3.0L T6!

The Volvo 3.2L (Benziner, 238–243 PS) comes with 2 different engines: B6324S (2007–2010, Be Careful) und B6324S5 (2010–2016, Good Choice). Pay attention to the model year for the 3.2L!

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
●Tailgate wiring harness breaks at hinge area

The tailgate wiring harness breaks at the left hinge arc through metal fatigue. Particularly affected are the rear window heating element, brake lights, wiper and central locking. Typical and very common problem on the V70 III and XC70 II.

Symptoms: 'Tailgate open' message on instrument cluster, rear window heater not working, rear brake lights fail
from 80,000 km
Ad wiring loom tailgate Volvo V70 IIIwiring loom tailgate V70tailgate Kabelbruch XC70 II
 Low
●Nav/audio system fails due to cold solder joints

The audio and navigation system of the V70 III and S80 II fails due to cold solder joints in the control unit. Parking sensors fail at around 170,000 km. Xenon headlights burn out between 170,000 and 200,000 km.

Symptoms: Black screen, navigation unresponsive, audio system drops out on cold start
from 140,000 km
Ad Navigation Volvo V70 IIIS80 II Navi reparaturRTI V70 Lötstellen
 Medium
●Blind spot assistant (BLIS) failure

The BLIS blind spot warning system fails due to moisture in the wiring harness or faults in the wing mirror sensors. The warning system remains permanently active or stops responding.

Symptoms: BLIS warning light permanently on or system no longer shows warnings
from 120,000 km
Ad BLIS sensor Volvo V70 IIITotwinkelassistent Volvo S80 II
 Low
NHTSA Owner Complaints
Above Average
30 complaints · 2007–2016
Electrical
8
Engine
6
Tires
3
Suspension
3
Brakes
3

Top Reported Issues

⚠ Electrical (8 complaints)
⚠ Engine (6 complaints)
⚠ Tires (3 complaints)
Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) · 2026-03

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Known Problems and Issues

A total of 92 weaknesses have been documented for the Volvo V70 3 (2007–2016) — 84 engine-related and 8 vehicle-related. 2 problem engines: D5244T4 (2.4L D5), D4204T14 (2.0L D4 Drive-E). Typical issues affect Electronics, Suspension, Steering, Rust. Considered reliable: B6324S5 (3.2L).

V70 (D5244T4, 2007–2009) — Stay Away!: Injector seal leaking (Black Death), Swirl flap linkage breaks, Timing belt + water pump. Power: 185 PS.

V70 (D5244T10, 2009–2016) — Be Careful: Injector seal leaking, Swirl flap linkage breaks, Timing belt + water pump. Power: 205 PS.

V70 (D5244T15, 2010–2016) — Be Careful: Timing belt + water pump, Injector seal leaking, DPF clogs with short-trip use. Power: 215 PS.

V70 (D4162T, 2011–2016) — Be Careful: Timing belt — interval shortened to 140,000 km in 2014, Engine block can crack on overheating, Diesel particulate filter clogs with short-trip use. Power: 109–114 PS.

V70 (D4204T9, 2014–2016) — Be Careful: EGR cooler soot-clogged — fire risk, Timing belt maintenance must be observed, DPF clogging with short-trip use. Power: 150 PS.

V70 (D4204T14, 2014–2016) — Stay Away!: EGR recall due to fire risk (same as D3), Turbocharger failure — turbine wheel collapse, DPF issues from high EGR soot load. Power: 190 PS.

V70 (B4204S4, 2007–2016) — Be Careful: Timing belt failure = total engine damage (interference engine), Water pump leaks — belt-driven, VVT solenoid leaks and sludges. Power: 145 PS.

V70 (B5254T7, 2007–2016) — Be Careful: Timing belt + water pump, PCV oil separator clogged, Wastegate actuator faulty. Power: 231 PS.

V70 (B6304T2, 2007–2010) — Be Careful: Elevated oil consumption (pre-2012), Piston ring design flaw on early engines, Thermostat sticks closed. Power: 286 PS.

V70 (B6324S, 2007–2010) — Be Careful: READ unit (thrust bearing) fails, READ unit bearing failure (up to 2010), Camshaft end plugs leaking. Power: 238–243 PS.

V70 (B4164T, 2010–2016) — Be Careful: Cylinder head overheats on coolant loss — recall, Recall: coolant monitoring inadequate (2014), Turbo coolant hoses split. Power: 179 PS.

V70 (B5254T12, 2010–2016) — Be Careful: Piston ring recall due to systemic oil consumption (2013–2016), Timing belt and water pump — interference engine, strict intervals, PCV oil separator clogged. Power: 254 PS.

V70 (B6304T4, 2010–2016) — Be Careful: Elevated oil consumption (pre-2012), Timing chain (rare, but expensive), Thermostat sticks closed. Power: 305 PS.

V70 (B4204T19, 2013–2016) — Be Careful: Timing belt — change interval 120,000 km/8 years, Excessive oil consumption due to defective piston rings (up to MY2016), Oil consumption from weak piston rings (VEP4 issue). Power: 190 PS.

V70 (B4204T23, 2013–2016) — Be Careful: Timing belt — change every 120,000 km mandatory, Oil consumption piston ring failure (early Drive-E series), Timing belt interval and tensioner — critical maintenance. Power: 254 PS.

What to watch out for with the Volvo V70? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the Volvo V70 3 have? +
The Volvo V70 3 has 84 known engine weaknesses and 8 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used Volvo V70 3? +
faq.watch_a_avoid faq.watch_a_rec
Which engine is recommended? +
Good choice: B6324S5 (3.2L). The most reliable engine is the B6324S5 (3.2L) with the lowest risk score. The most fun to drive is the B6304T4 (3.0L T6). Problem engine: D4204T14 (2.0L D4 Drive-E) — stay away!
Which Volvo V70 3 engine is the most reliable? +
The {code} ({displacement}) is the most reliable engine in the Volvo V70 3. It has the lowest risk score of all available engines and is rated "Good Choice". However, there are 4 known weaknesses to be aware of.
Which Volvo V70 3 engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the Volvo V70 3 — rated: "Fun to Drive!". {description} T6 V70: space, power, character. The best reason to choose an estate.
Is the Volvo V70 3 worth buying used? +
Caution is advised with the Volvo V70 3 — 2 of 16 engine variants are rated 'Stay Away!'. The engine choice is crucial.
What horsepower variants are available for the Volvo V70 3? +
The Volvo V70 3 is available with engine variants from 109 to 305 hp. Petrol: B4204S4 (2.0L), B4164T (1.6L GTDi Turbo), B5254T7 (2.5L Turbo), B5254T12 (2.5L Turbo), B6304T2 (3.0L T6), B6304T4 (3.0L T6), B6324S (3.2L), B6324S5 (3.2L), B4204T19 (2.0L T4 Drive-E), B4204T23 (2.0L T5 Drive-E). Diesel: D4162T (1.6L DRIVe), D5244T4 (2.4L D5), D5244T10 (2.4L D5), D5244T15 (2.4L D5), D4204T9 (2.0L D3 Drive-E), D4204T14 (2.0L D4 Drive-E).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee