Windscreen wipers Volvo: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Volvo models it appears in.

- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo S80 IIBrake servo vacuum pipe chafed by the wiper mechanism on the Volvo S80In 2012 Volvo recalled (R/2012/104 in the UK) a batch of V60, V70, XC70 and S80 cars because the wiper mechanism could chafe the brake servo vacuum pipe. If it wears through, assistance drops gradually and, in the worst case, can disappear suddenly and without warning.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo V60 IBrake servo vacuum hose rubbing against the wiper armA European alert from October 2012 (A12/1474/12) warned that, in some V60 cars from model years 2012 and 2013, the wiper arm mechanism could rub against the brake servo vacuum hose. Braking assistance would be lost gradually or, in the worst case, all at once and without warning.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo V70 IIIBrake servo vacuum pipe chafed by the wiper mechanism on the Volvo V70In 2012 Volvo recalled (R/2012/104 in the UK) a batch of V60, V70, XC70 and S80 cars because the wiper mechanism could chafe the brake servo vacuum pipe. If it wears through, assistance drops gradually and, in the worst case, can disappear suddenly and without warning.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo XC70 IIIBrake servo vacuum pipe chafed by the wiper mechanism on the Volvo XC70In 2012 Volvo recalled (R/2012/104 in the United Kingdom) a batch of V60, V70, XC70 and S80 cars because the wiper mechanism could rub against the brake servo vacuum pipe. If it wears through, braking assistance falls gradually and, in the worst case, can disappear suddenly and without warning.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo S80 IIVolvo S80 wipers that run by themselves or do not work because of a central electronic module software errorIn 2009 Volvo recalled (R/2009/046 in the UK) a batch of S80, V70 and XC70 cars because a software error in the central electronic module could make the wipers run without being activated or not work at all. The remedy is to update the module software.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo V70 IIIVolvo V70 wipers that run by themselves or do not work because of a central electronic module software errorIn 2009 Volvo recalled (R/2009/046 in the UK) a batch of S80, V70 and XC70 cars because a software error in the central electronic module could make the wipers run without being activated or not work at all. The remedy is to update the module software.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo XC70 IIIVolvo XC70 wipers that run by themselves or do not work because of a central electronic module software errorIn 2009 Volvo recalled (R/2009/046 in the United Kingdom) a batch of S80, V70 and XC70 cars because a software error in the central electronic module could make the wipers run without being switched on or not work at all. The remedy is to update the module's software.

By Volvo model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Frequently asked questions

What faults of the windscreen wipers do Volvo cars have?

In 4 models from Volvo there are 7 documented faults of the windscreen wipers. The most important: brake servo vacuum pipe chafed by the wiper mechanism on the Volvo S80, brake servo vacuum hose rubbing against the wiper arm and brake servo vacuum pipe chafed by the wiper mechanism on the Volvo V70. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which Volvo models have the most problems of the windscreen wipers?

Volvo S80 II (2 faults), Volvo V70 III (2 faults), Volvo XC70 III (2 faults) and Volvo V60 I (1 fault).