Known APK problem

Volvo V70 III / XC70 II: steering

On the Volvo V70 III / XC70 II the APK inspector finds steering problems 2.7× as often as on cars of the same age: at 13–15 years 3.1%, against about 1.1% nationally.

Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026

What is it?

Play or leaks in the steering rack, tie rods or power steering.

Repair indication: largea substantial repair; have a garage look first.

How to check it at the viewing

Turn the wheel while stationary: no play, knocking or heavy spot. On the test drive the car should keep running straight.

Ask the seller: Has any work been done on the steering rack or tie rod ends?

By age

Share of inspected Volvo V70 III / XC70 IIs with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.

Age	Type	V70 III / XC70 II	95%-CI	National	Difference	n
9 – 10 years	A	0.2%	0.1 – 0.4%	0.3%	0.6×	4,266
9 – 10 years	B	0.7%	0.5 – 1.0%	0.9%	0.8×	4,266
11 – 12 years	A	0.8%	0.6 – 1.1%	0.8%	1.0×	4,208
11 – 12 years	B	2.4%	2.0 – 3.0%	1.0%	2.3×	4,208
13 – 15 years	A	1.6%	1.4 – 1.9%	1.2%	1.3×	8,773
13 – 15 years	B	3.1%	2.7 – 3.5%	1.1%	2.7×	8,773
16+ years	A	2.8%	2.5 – 3.1%	1.6%	1.7×	10,419
16+ years	B	1.2%	1.0 – 1.4%	2.0%	0.6×	10,419

A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.

Comparable cars at 13–15 years

Model	Steering	Vs. national
Volvo V70 III / XC70 II	3.1%	2.7×
BMW 3-serie E90/E91	0.5%	0.4×
Volvo V60 I / S60 II	1.4%	1.1×
Škoda Superb II	0.6%	0.5×
Škoda Octavia II	0.3%	0.3×

Looking at a Volvo V70 III / XC70 II? Check that car

Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Volvo V70 III / XC70 IIs of the same age.

All weak spots of the Volvo V70 III / XC70 II · Steering: which models more often · Checklist for this model

Frequently asked questions

Does the Volvo V70 III / XC70 II often have steering problems?

Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 13–15 years the inspector found a steering defect on 3.1% of inspected Volvo V70 III / XC70 IIs, against about 1.1% of all cars of the same age (2.7×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.

How do you check the steering on a used Volvo V70 III / XC70 II?

Turn the wheel while stationary: no play, knocking or heavy spot. On the test drive the car should keep running straight.

Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.

Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know