# 2013 Volvo XC70 - Big problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** volvo\ **Created:** [August 13, 2023, 9:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-volvo-xc70-big-problem/192260 "2023-08-13T21:40:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a5b964/32.png) [@RSC](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RSC)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2023, 9:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-volvo-xc70-big-problem/192260/1 "2023-08-13T21:40:10Z")
The READ unit on our 2013 XC70 (100k miles) is failing. Is this a rare occurrence? Is this a Volvo design problem? Will Volvo mitigate the problem in some way? We’ve been quoted a READ repair of $5900 and an engine replacement of $7500. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-volvo-xc70-big-problem/192260/2 "2023-08-14T18:12:25Z")
It’s a Volvo engine design. > **[How the Volvo Rear End Auxiliary Drive (READ) Works and How to Maintain It](https://automotivetechinfo.com/2022/02/how-the-volvo-rear-end-auxiliary-drive-read-works-and-how-to-maintain-it/)** > > In this article, we will go over the Volvo Rear End Auxiliary Drive (READ) assembly, how it works and how to maintain it. The READ assemblies on these six-cylinder engines are unique to Volvo. We go through inspecting the READ assembly, and how to... Tester ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 6:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-volvo-xc70-big-problem/192260/3 "2023-08-14T18:17:31Z")
Why would Volvo do **anything** for a ten year old car that youve clearly gotten your moneys worth from? ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 6:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-volvo-xc70-big-problem/192260/4 "2023-08-14T18:39:53Z")
While I empathize with the OP, I really doubt if any car manufacturer would help with repairs on a 10 year old car that is long out-of-warranty. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 7:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-volvo-xc70-big-problem/192260/5 "2023-08-14T19:15:38Z")
Precisely 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 7:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-volvo-xc70-big-problem/192260/6 "2023-08-14T19:17:38Z")
I doubt it. By way of comparison, there is an NHTSA investigation of a fuel line leak on 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. The investigation was opened over 2 years ago. I doubt that NHTSA will do anything about this despite having 210 official complaints registered on their website. Age is very important in determining whether Volvo will do anything about your problem just as it is for Chevrolet to mitigate the cost of new fuel lines for every Cobalt still on the road. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 10:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-volvo-xc70-big-problem/192260/7 "2023-08-14T22:59:20Z")
I’m not seeing any indications of a systematic design problem. I doubt Volvo Corp will be able to provide much help, but no harm to ask your local Volvo dealership for a favor; inform them politely, in return you’ll be more likely to buy a Volvo next time. You may get a discount on the repair fee anyway. I presume the the READ system’s complications allow the engine to fit in a smaller engine compartment. That seems a good benefit. ---
**Author:** ![bcohen2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bcohen2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcohen2010)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 4:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-volvo-xc70-big-problem/192260/8 "2023-08-15T04:41:25Z")
> [@old\_mopar\_guy](#): > > Why would Volvo do **anything** for a ten year old car that youve clearly gotten your moneys worth from? While you may be right about the manufacturer refusing to help an owner of a 10-year old car with 100,000 miles, **surely you jest about the “gotten your money’s worth” part.** A reasonable person expects a car to last for _much longer_ than 10 years, and _much more_ than 100,000 miles. This isn’t the 1970’s anymore, when cars supposedly lasted for less than 100,000 miles before needing major repairs. I consider “getting your money’s worth” out of a car **when it is over 20 years old, and has been driven at least 200,000 miles.** This person got bilked. Even the cheapest economy cars last longer than this Volvo, both in years and in miles driven. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 2:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-volvo-xc70-big-problem/192260/9 "2023-08-15T14:30:50Z")
Reasonable versus knowledge, knowledgeable know euro-lux vehicles should be traded in when the bumper to bumper warranty expires. Now, back to the OP vehicle. I take it this is a FWD vehicle wit “auxiliary “ RWD, can the READ system be disabled, rear drive shaft remove, then driven as FWD? This question is to satisfy my own curiosity. As far as the OP’s question about mitigation, not from Volvo, but **if** the OP has an extremely great relationship with the dealership, the might give him/her a **small** break on labor. But unlikely. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 2:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-volvo-xc70-big-problem/192260/10 "2023-08-15T14:49:44Z")
The READ system has nothing to do with the drive train. **The gearbox _READ_ assembly links the timing chain and _drives_ the alternator and the serpentine belt that runs the A/C compressor, water pump, and power steering …** Tester ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 3:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-volvo-xc70-big-problem/192260/11 "2023-08-15T15:05:04Z")
Ah, thank you. So, the rear end auxillary drive has nothing to do with the rear end☹️ ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-volvo-xc70-big-problem/192260/12 "2023-08-15T16:52:28Z")
No, its the rear end of the engine. ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 5:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-volvo-xc70-big-problem/192260/13 "2023-08-15T17:00:06Z")
> [@bcohen2010](#): > > I consider “getting your money’s worth” out of a car **when it is over 20 years old, and has been driven at least 200,000 miles.** The E. Vehicle owners are going to be in for a bit of a surprise then!