IllustrationCONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARK AND VEHICLE REVERSE ON HIS OWN. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. TS
1998 Volvo S70
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all S70 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60–25K
725–50K
1450–75K
2375–100K
15100–150K
5150K+
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
What owners actually said
215 reportsNO SUMMARY. DT
IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WILL ENGAGE SOMETIMES WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. (IE. ON ACCELERATING) FOLLOWING THIS, THE "ABS" AND "TRACS" LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN THIS CONDITION PRESENTS ITSELF DURING NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES GET "SOFT" FROM ANTI-LOCKING PULSES UNTIL THE COMPUTER FINALL…
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IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WILL ENGAGE SOMETIMES WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. (IE. ON ACCELERATING) FOLLOWING THIS, THE "ABS" AND "TRACS" LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN THIS CONDITION PRESENTS ITSELF DURING NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES GET "SOFT" FROM ANTI-LOCKING PULSES UNTIL THE COMPUTER FINALLY RECOGNIZES THE ERROR AND REALIZES THAT IN FACT THERE IS NO NEED TO ENGAGE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM, AFTER WHICH REGULAR BRAKING MAY RESUME. DT
ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. BEEN TOLD BY VOLVO DEALER THAT IT IS A BAD ABS MODULE. DT
I HAD THIS PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED INCORRECTLY AT LAUREL JAGUAR VOLVO OF TINLEY PARK, IL., AT A COST OF $341.00. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I DO NOT THINK THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY ADDITIONAL MONEY TO CORRECT A SAFETY PROBLEM SUCH AS THIS. DT
ABS LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME, VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE ABS COMPUTER REPLACED. I WAS TOLD BY VOLVO REPAIR SHOP, THEY ARE GETTING A MINUMUM OF 2-3 A MONTH WITH EXACT SAME PROBLEM DEFECTIVE COMPUTER. DT
THE DOOR CHECK ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR HAS FAILED. THE DOOR HINGES SEEM TO BE OK, BUT THE DOOR CHECK/DOOR STOP HAS A BROKEN WELD THAT MAKES THE DOOR HARD TO OPEN - WITH A VERY CRACKLING NOISE. DEALER WANTS $280 TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST - YET I HAVE SEEN POSTINGS SIMILAR TO THIS ON OTHER VOLVO WEB PO…
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THE DOOR CHECK ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR HAS FAILED. THE DOOR HINGES SEEM TO BE OK, BUT THE DOOR CHECK/DOOR STOP HAS A BROKEN WELD THAT MAKES THE DOOR HARD TO OPEN - WITH A VERY CRACKLING NOISE. DEALER WANTS $280 TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST - YET I HAVE SEEN POSTINGS SIMILAR TO THIS ON OTHER VOLVO WEB POSTER BOARDS. A WELD HAS BROKEN? WHAT DOES THAT SAY FOR THE SAFETY OF A VOLVO CAR? MR
ABS MODULE ON THE CAR FAILED. WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $615. THE CAR IS A CERTIFIED PER-OWNED WITH LESS THAN 60K MILES. THE MODULE SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AND BY READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISS…
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ABS MODULE ON THE CAR FAILED. WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $615. THE CAR IS A CERTIFIED PER-OWNED WITH LESS THAN 60K MILES. THE MODULE SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AND BY READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE ON THE 1998 S70 MODELS. MR
1998 S70 VOLVO. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS***768339
THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS (98 S70), I WAS ENCOURAGED TO REPORT HERE BECAUSE VOLVO NA IS NOT RESPONDING TO CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS. ABS DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES RESETS CORRECTLY UPON IGN. OFF AND RESTART, SOMETIMES NOT. WHILE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, ABS NON-FUNCTIONAL. MR
Official recalls
404V504000 · 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
3RQ04004 · 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.