The Swedish automaker Volvo started producing the V70 in 1997. The second generation of this mid-size, five door station wagon was in production from 2000 through 2007, which includes the XC70 made in 2003. Although Volvo has a stellar reputation with its customers, mechanical problems do come up from time to time.
One issue that some V70 drivers have complained about is a problem with loose steering. Drivers have reported that the car seems to "hunt" for the road and needs to be controlled more than normal in an effort to drive in a straight line. This problem seems especially severe on narrow or steep roads and on pavement. Two hands are required to keep the steering true. Some drivers have noticed that the vehicle will start to veer to the left or right as soon as the gas pedal is pressed down.
V70 drivers have stated that this problem has continued to occur despite the replacement of struts and the tightening of the lug nuts. This is obviously a serious problem and should be looked into as soon as possible as it may get worse. The eventual loss of control of the vehicle could have catastrophic results for you and your family.
If you are having an issue with loose steering on your second generation Volvo V70 or XC70, you may be able to save some money by taking your car in for service by a trained import auto maintenance mechanic. This can be less expensive than taking it to a Volvo dealer in many instances, while still receiving the same level of service and expertise.
Search for a local, independent Volvo repair shop with Volvo mechanics that have dealer-level expertise at a fraction of the expense.