Used 2012 Volvo XC70 Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2012 XC70, so we've included reviews for other years of the XC70 since its last redesign.
Swedish buy
A Reader, 01/28/2016
updated 08/01/2017
2012 Volvo XC70 3.2 4dr Wagon (3.2L 6cyl 6A)
2 of 5 people found this review helpful
Know ahead what options to look for since some vehicles do not automatically have certain options
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Great Ride
dronepro, 01/30/2013
2011 Volvo XC70 T6 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
2 of 5 people found this review helpful
You know when you really like a car and you wish you had it. But, you wish it's as good as you expect it... This is, it blew me away. Probably the finest, most fun ride.
Volvo great by reputation, lousy by experience XC7
Now Wiser and poorer, 04/07/2019
updated 04/15/2025
2011 Volvo XC70 3.2 4dr Wagon (3.2L 6cyl 6A)
7 of 22 people found this review helpful
Purchased new, Volvo XC70 wagon, AWD, now has only 54K miles. DO NOT BUY A VOLVO, PERIOD. These cars are crap. It was costing me $1K per 1000 mi in repairs for the old used wagon my wife had. So I figured, this second hand car was probably abused, so buy a new one and be trouble free of major mechanical failures. WRONG. RAD sensor, twice in first 34K miles. Car is driven gently by senior lady. At 53K mi: PASSENGER SEATBELT re tractor failed ($700). The passenger belt is *seldom* used. Engine vacuum pump leaking ($340), ABS/DTSC light comes on and brakes STOP the car dead in middle of intersection- sensor they say. I have my doubts. (estimate $350) while checking out the light they see rear coil spring broken ($750 plus $150 alignment). This is in the space of one week. These are things that should last the life of a car. They should not fail in a car that is treated like a child and is a creampuff with no accidents or hard use. OH, I forgot, at 50K the windshield started to leak. So I had it replaced, mechanic said it was not glued in properly and he could move it back and forth with his hand. How's that for quality? 70K MILES the airconditioner compressor went. $700. 80K miles now and the catalytic converter front flange rusted through. A new converter was $4200 with tax and the rest of the pipes and labor came to over $6K. Now the Haldex sensor died which shuts off the rear wheel drive so now the 4wd car is a 2 wd car. A new sensor is $1700. Mechanic is sending the old one to Canada to be rebuilt (probably $700). Also it has developed a horrible squeak - you hit a bump and the thing keeps squeaking loudly for 1 1/2 hours. and loudly. These cars are crap. Maintenance costs are a little pricey but you have to expect to maintain any car. But when things break that are never supposed to break for over 100K mi and 10 years, that is not OK. In 55 yrs and lots of cars I have never had to replace a coil spring or a seat belt re tractor; that's just insane and it's safety related. And how about the DTSC? Stopping the car dead in an intersection and not moving even when I pressed the accelerator to the floor-yes engine was running but did not rev- computer probably prevented engine power. I have owned cars that I ran for over 230K mi and never had stuff like this break. update: I saw that the rear coil spring was not a strut type yet, they wanted 1 1/2 hours labor and they wanted to replace both plus alignment. A simple trailing arm suspension with separate tube shock, once unbolted allows the spring to be removed by hand. The "top hat" to the coil spring was rusty which I find unacceptable for a supposedly premium car with such low miles. The quality is missing. Don't buy a Volvo. I bought the spring (had to wait 7 days for it to be shipped) and put it in myself in about 45 min. once I had the car jacked on stands. See You tube for demo of someone doing this. By the way, I consider the RAD sensor to be part of the smog equipment. This is supposed to be warranty covered for 10 years by law but they wouldn't cover it. update now 65K mi: hood latch stuck open. I could not access to lube it like *a normal car* because it is hidden so, into the shop it went. update 67K mi. RH daytime headlamp out, can't reach the bulb possibly without removing a panel underhood...so into shop. (edit: mechanic showed me how to remove light unit-easily) Also the "hood open" warning light lit even though the hood was closed. Mechanic said switch "stuck". In 55 yrs, I never needed a light to tell me when the hood was open. That's two worthless things on the car this light and the RAD sensor who's only accomplishment is to break and cost $ to fix. Can't wait for the rest of the stupid stuff on it to do similar. Note : daytime lamps are not required by law. But Volvo put them on and YOU CAN'T TURN THEM OFF so you can enjoy replacing them when they burn out and running the alternator to replace that electricity, costing you fuel, while you are driving with them on. Stupid Volvo. Edit: major disassembly not required to change daytime running lights. For the second light, the mechanic showed me that the unit is removable and you change the bulb on the bench. Still should be a way to turn of the DRL's. At 70K miles now. The Parking sensors are acting up now, giving false signals. Disturbing when driving. Can't imagine how much this fix will cost. (found out on the net, clean sensor outside, flush with wd 40 to force water out of it...(worked. cost pennies DIY) 83K miles. Catalytic converter flange RUSTED THROUGH. Replace this converter. Part cost $4200. Supposed to be stainless steel but, still rusted. Don't buy a Volvo.
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Volvo great by reputation, lousy by experience XC7
Now Wiser and poorer, 04/07/2019
updated 04/15/2024
2011 Volvo XC70 3.2 4dr Wagon (3.2L 6cyl 6A)
4 of 16 people found this review helpful
Purchased new, Volvo XC70 wagon, AWD, now has only 54K miles. DO NOT BUY A VOLVO, PERIOD. These cars are crap. It was costing me $1K per 1000 mi in repairs for the old used wagon my wife had. So I figured, this second hand car was probably abused, so buy a new one and be trouble free of major mechanical failures. WRONG. RAD sensor, twice in first 34K miles. Car is driven gently by senior lady. At 53K mi: PASSENGER SEATBELT re tractor failed ($700). The passenger belt is *seldom* used. Engine vacuum pump leaking ($340), ABS/DTSC light comes on and brakes STOP the car dead in middle of intersection- sensor they say. I have my doubts. (estimate $350) while checking out the light they see right rear spring broken ($750 plus $150 alignment). This is in the space of one week. These are things that should last the life of a car. They should not fail in a car that is treated like a child and is a creampuff with no accidents or hard use. OH, I forgot, at 50K the windshield started to leak. So I had it replaced, mechanic said it was not glued in properly and he could move it back and forth with his hand. How's that for quality? These cars are crap. Maintenance costs are a little pricey but you have to expect to maintain any car. But when things break that are never supposed to break for over 100K mi and 10 years, that is not OK. Air conditioner compressor broke at 75K miles. New Volvos are owned by Chinese company so probably even worse than mine. In 55 yrs and lots of cars I have never had to replace a coil spring or a seat belt re tractor; that's just insane and it's safety related. And how about the DTSC? Stopping the car dead in an intersection and not moving even when I pressed the accelerator to the floor-yes engine was running but did not rev- computer probably prevented engine power. I have owned cars that I ran for over 230K mi and never had stuff like this break. Update 10/8/20 : I still think the car sucks. Dealer now suggest I replace the $10(online) air cleaner for $ 75. and the spark plugs ($36 for the best online) for $260. Both headlights failed within a week of each other...because Volvo daytime running lights cannot be turned off. Stupid Volvo update: at about 70k miles one daytime running light quit, a week later the other one quit. This is because Volvo insists on putting DRL's on your car that are not required by law and gives you NO option to turn them off. However you can at least change these yourself after watching the mechanic do it. The headlights are held in by two clips you access under the hood. Remove head light, replace bulb. My low opinion of Volvo continues
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Classy 2012 Volvo XC70 T6
RWH, 10/07/2020
2012 Volvo XC70 T6 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
Beautifully appointed, strong and peppy. A great Volvo, built to last!
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