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1998 Volvo S70

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

70 reports with mileage · 145 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

61 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WITH APPROXIMATELY 57,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER I STARTED EXPERIENCING SEVERE VIBRATIONS WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES STOPPING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND WHEN TURNING LEFT AT SPEEDS APPROXIMATING 15-20 MILES AN HOUR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED BECAUSE THEY ARE ALUMINUM AND WARP IF THEY GET WET WHEN THEY ARE H…

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WITH APPROXIMATELY 57,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER I STARTED EXPERIENCING SEVERE VIBRATIONS WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES STOPPING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND WHEN TURNING LEFT AT SPEEDS APPROXIMATING 15-20 MILES AN HOUR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED BECAUSE THEY ARE ALUMINUM AND WARP IF THEY GET WET WHEN THEY ARE HOT. DUH! THIS IS FLORIDA, HOW CAN THEY NOT GET HOT & WET? THE REAR ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT APPROX 30,000 MILES.DEEL IS CURRENTLY REPLACING THE RACK & PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY WHICH APPARENTLY CAUSED THE SEVERE VIBRATIONS WHEN TURNING LEFT & BRAKING. THIS CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AT DEEL VOLVO IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURERS GUIDELINES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #752961

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DURING BRAKING AT SLOW SPEEDS INTERMITTENTLY THERE IS A LOUD POP. THEN, PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 8-9 TIMES. REPLACED BRAKE PADS TWICE, FOUND LOTS OF BLACK DUST, BUT STATED THAT WAS NORMAL. PROBLEM NOT REMEDIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #890481

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, TO DEALER 25 TIMES. DASHBOARD LIGHT WOULD COME ON, INDICATING THAT HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING WHEN IN FACT THEY WERE. *AK DEALER STATED VEHICLE HAD A BULB AND SOCKET PROBLEM, TAILLIGHT BULB FAILED, SIGNAL LIGHTS FLASH VERY FAST, SIDE SIGNALS SOCKETS AND BULBS SHORTE…

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ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, TO DEALER 25 TIMES. DASHBOARD LIGHT WOULD COME ON, INDICATING THAT HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING WHEN IN FACT THEY WERE. *AK DEALER STATED VEHICLE HAD A BULB AND SOCKET PROBLEM, TAILLIGHT BULB FAILED, SIGNAL LIGHTS FLASH VERY FAST, SIDE SIGNALS SOCKETS AND BULBS SHORTED, 4 RUNNING LIGHT CONTACTS MELTED, FRONT HEADLIGHT SHORTED, LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT INOPERABLE, AND BULB INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. DOOR LOCKS INOPERABLE, WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO UP, MASTER WINDOW CONTROL SWITCH FAULTY, AND SPEAKERS DISTORTED. SEAT BELT PLASTIC PART CRACKED. TRANSMISSION STICKS ON LOWE GEAR, HAPPENED TWICE. GAS LIGHT COMES ON EVEN WHEN TANK IS FULL. WASHER FLUID INIDCATOR ILLUMINATED, WASHER JETS INOPERABLE, WIPER BLADS REPLACED, RIGHT SIDE MIRROR DID NOT ADJUST ALL THE WAY OUT. FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS WORN, ROTORS REPLACED, BRAKES CAUSE SCREECHING NOISES. ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CABLE UNDER ENGINE LOOSE. HUMMING NOISE WHILE DRIVING, DEALER REPLACED RIGHT FRONT HUB, LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT STABILIZER LINKS. MUDFLAPS LOOSE. EVAP VALVE REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #883911

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

AT ABOUT 10,000 MILES THE BRAKES WOULD SLIP AND RUMBLE WHEN BRAKING DOWN A HILL. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO COMPLAIN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I STARTED AVOIDING HILLS. EVERY TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WAS ASSURED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW I AM A…

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AT ABOUT 10,000 MILES THE BRAKES WOULD SLIP AND RUMBLE WHEN BRAKING DOWN A HILL. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO COMPLAIN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I STARTED AVOIDING HILLS. EVERY TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WAS ASSURED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW I AM AT 28300 AND I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR MY 30,000 MAINTENCE, NOT AT THE DEALER BUT ANOTHER CERTIFIED VOLVO SHOP. I TELL THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I AM TOLD THAT THE ROTOR IS BAD. WELL I HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AT UNDER 10,000. MILES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #736404

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2000
Exterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic

I BELIEVE THE INFORMATION IS SELF EXPLANATORY. THANK YOU. MY SITUATION HAS BEEN ESCALATED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO OVER THE PAST 6-7 WEEKS HAS BEEN EXTREMELY UNRESPONSIVE TO MY REQUESTS TO ESTABLISH MEETING. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #726859

Mileage unknown · May 21, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

INTAKE VENT PORT BLEW OUT, ALSO, LOST BRAKING.

NHTSA ODI #706744

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 1998
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERICING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE STEERING STARTS TO SHAKE AND THE PEDAL VIRBRATES. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO GO UP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #832952

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS VERY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES, AND EVERYTIME THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE NOISE WAS STILL COMING FROM THE BRAKES. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER,AND THE DEALER ROTATED THE TIRES AND CHECKED THE BRAKES, AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #831273

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 1998
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THERE WAS SPONTANEOUS INCREASE IN RPM WITHOUT HAVING FOOT ON GAS. BRAKES LOCKED UP ON VEHICLE. CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS UNKNOWN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #815509

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1997
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

GAS PEDAL LOST RESPONSIVENESS AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. AT THE SAME TIME, BRAKES LOCKED UP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #521241

Official recalls

4

04V504000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

Oct 21, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE HEAD LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR NO HEADLIGHT FUNCTION. THIS COULD IMPAIR A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: ON VEHICLES WITH AN ORIGINAL OEM SWITCH, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE IF THE SWITCH HAS EEN DAMAGED AND REPLACE ONLY IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

00V405000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

Dec 6, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THERE COULD BE INADEQUATE CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET WHICH COULD CAUSE THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL NOT TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN AN APPROACHING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET.

99V235000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

Aug 30, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

99V236000 · Air Bags:frontal

Aug 30, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE OVERLY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ASSURE SUFFICIENT GROUNDING.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

RQ04004 · Headlight Failure

Opened Jun 8, 2004 · Closed Nov 5, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

ON AUGUST 23, 1999, VOLVO NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (99V235) ON CERTAIN 1997 MODEL YEAR (MY) 850 VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 1998 S/V/C 70 SERIES VEHICLES FOR FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THE DEFECT REPORT STATED IN PART: OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.VOLVO'S REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL WAS TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THIS RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON JUNE 8, 2004, BASED ON 13 REPORTS OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE ON 1998 AND 1999 S/V/C 70 SERIES VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE EARLIER RECALL.BY LETTER OF OCTOBER 18, 2004, VOLVO HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL NOW CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF AN ADDITIONAL 97,000 MY 1998 THROUGH 2000 S70/V70/V70XC AND C70 VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE 5, 1997 THROUGH JANUARY 11, 2000. VOLVO DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MASTER LIGHT SWITCH WITH ONE OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN. SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V504 FOR DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

ON AUGUST 23, 1999, VOLVO NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (99V235) ON CERTAIN 1997 MODEL YEAR (MY) 850 VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 1998 S/V/C 70 SERIES VEHICLES FOR FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THE DEFECT REPORT STATED IN PART: OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.VOLVO'S REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL WAS TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THIS RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON JUNE 8, 2004, BASED ON 13 REPORTS OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE ON 1998 AND 1999 S/V/C 70 SERIES VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE EARLIER RECALL.BY LETTER OF OCTOBER 18, 2004, VOLVO HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL NOW CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF AN ADDITIONAL 97,000 MY 1998 THROUGH 2000 S70/V70/V70XC AND C70 VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE 5, 1997 THROUGH JANUARY 11, 2000. VOLVO DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MASTER LIGHT SWITCH WITH ONE OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN. SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V504 FOR DETAILS.

Exterior Lighting:headlights

ON AUGUST 23, 1999, VOLVO NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (99V235) ON CERTAIN 1997 MODEL YEAR (MY) 850 VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 1998 S/V/C 70 SERIES VEHICLES FOR FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THE DEFECT REPORT STATED IN PART: OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.VOLVO'S REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL WAS TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THIS RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON JUNE 8, 2004, BASED ON 13 REPORTS OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE ON 1998 AND 1999 S/V/C 70 SERIES VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE EARLIER RECALL.BY LETTER OF OCTOBER 18, 2004, VOLVO HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL NOW CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF AN ADDITIONAL 97,000 MY 1998 THROUGH 2000 S70/V70/V70XC AND C70 VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE 5, 1997 THROUGH JANUARY 11, 2000. VOLVO DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MASTER LIGHT SWITCH WITH ONE OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN. SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V504 FOR DETAILS.

PE00031 · Turn Signal

Opened Aug 15, 2000 · Closed Dec 22, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

There is no summary currently available

PE99040 · Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment

Opened Jun 7, 1999 · Closed Oct 27, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window

No summary supplied.