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 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN MAY 1997 AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN MAY 2001. IN JULY OF 2001, I NOTICED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FLASH ON AND OFF. IT DID NOT SEEM TO AFFECT MY REGULAR BRAKING. AT MY NEXT OIL CHANGE IN DECEMBER I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND…
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I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN MAY 1997 AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN MAY 2001. IN JULY OF 2001, I NOTICED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FLASH ON AND OFF. IT DID NOT SEEM TO AFFECT MY REGULAR BRAKING. AT MY NEXT OIL CHANGE IN DECEMBER I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. NOW A YEAR LATER I FOUND THAT THE ABS LIGHT WAS STAYING ON FOR LONGER AND LONGER PERIODS, BUT IT WAS STILL INTERMITTENT. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN THIS MONTH WHILE THE LIGHT WAS ON. THEY TESTED IT WITH THE COMPUTER AND FOUND THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED. BESIDES BEING A $600 ITEM, THIS MEANT THAT WHENEVER THE LIGHT WAS ON, WHICH WAS OFTEN OVER THE LAST YEAR, I ACTUALLY HAD NO ABS FUNCTION ALTHOUGH I HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING IT. I HAVE SINCE SPOKEN TO OTHER VOLVO OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THIS MODULE. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART MADE BY VOLVO, AND VERY DANGEROUS. IF SOMEONE IS ON AN ICY SURFACE AND STEPS ON THE BRAKD HARD TO ACTIVATE THE ABS, THEY WILL BE SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THE THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED BECAUSE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THIS MODULE SHOULD LAST FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #766365
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2002
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT WHILE CONSUMER IS DRIVING, AND THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP HEADLIGHTS ON IS TO HOLD SWITCH IN THE ON POSITION. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8015664
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2002
Tires
TIRE STARTED SHOWING SLOW LEAK. AFTER FINDING FLAT AFTER SITTING FOR 3 DAYS, RE-INFLATED AT HOME THEN DROVE TO SERVICE STATION TO FULLY INFLATE. TWO DAYS LATER TIRE WAS AT ZERO PSI. RE-INFLATED AGAIN AND TOOK TO SERVICE STATION FOR FLAT FIX. DISCOVERED THAT OVER 50% OF THE SEAM BETWEEN THE TREAD AND THE CARCASS HAD SEPARATED…
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TIRE STARTED SHOWING SLOW LEAK. AFTER FINDING FLAT AFTER SITTING FOR 3 DAYS, RE-INFLATED AT HOME THEN DROVE TO SERVICE STATION TO FULLY INFLATE. TWO DAYS LATER TIRE WAS AT ZERO PSI. RE-INFLATED AGAIN AND TOOK TO SERVICE STATION FOR FLAT FIX. DISCOVERED THAT OVER 50% OF THE SEAM BETWEEN THE TREAD AND THE CARCASS HAD SEPARATED. STEEL PLY EASILY VISIBLE. ONE STRAND OF THE STEEL PLY HAS MOVED OUT FROM THE PLY AND HAS POKED THROUGH THE RUBBER. TIRE WAS MOUNTED 9/2000. IT HAS 9 TO 10,000 MILES OF MOSTLY CITY DRIVING ON IT. OTHER TIRES MOUNTED AT SAME TIME ARE HOLDING PRESSURE. I HAVE NOT YET HAD THEM CHECKED FOR ANY PROBLEMS. I AM HAVING THE INSTALLING COMPANY LOOK AT THE TIRE AND I AM WORKING WITH WWW.TIRERACK.COM FOR REPLACEMENT OF THIS TIRE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #764563
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2002
Structure
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND LEFT REAR DOOR LOCKS FAILED MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK VEHICLE WITH THE KEY OR THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT WOULD NOT FIX THE LOCKS. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #566642
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2002
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY HAS A CRACK, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8012898
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE CONTROL MODULE FOR THE ABS SYSTEM HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND MUST BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE ABS SYSTEM TO WORK. THE REPAIR SHOP OWNER INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS "COMMON" FOR THIS TYPE OF VOLVO AND THAT HIS SMALL SHOP HAD REPLACED 8-10 OF THEM. THE CAR REMAINS DRIVEABLE, BUT I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT UNTIL THE CONTROL MODULE…
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THE CONTROL MODULE FOR THE ABS SYSTEM HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND MUST BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE ABS SYSTEM TO WORK. THE REPAIR SHOP OWNER INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS "COMMON" FOR THIS TYPE OF VOLVO AND THAT HIS SMALL SHOP HAD REPLACED 8-10 OF THEM. THE CAR REMAINS DRIVEABLE, BUT I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT UNTIL THE CONTROL MODULE IS REPLACED, I RUN THE RISK OF ROTOR DAMAGE, AS WELL AS NOT HAVING THE USE OF THE ABS. I CONTACTED VOLVO AND WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT NHTSA. PLEASE ADVISE IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS AND IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE. THANK YOU.*AK
NHTSA ODI #761881
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2002
Suspension
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY HEARD A LOUD NOISE, AND VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER MOVE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8008251
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2002
Seats
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND SLAMMING ON BRAKES, SEATBACK FELL FORWARD ON TOP OF THE CHILD. CONTACTED DEALER WHO WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE LATCH AFTER COMPLAINING TO VOLVO REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS. *JG
NHTSA ODI #8008168
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or Other
ABS SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATES UPON BRAKING, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BUT DEALER AND OTHER SERVICE ORGANIZATION UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE DESPITE ERROR CODE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #761052
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2002
Seat Belts
WHILE INSTALLING CAR SEAT IN THE REAR CENTER OF VEHICLE, SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAME OFF THE BELT, CAUSING CENTER SEAT BELT TO BE UNUSABLE. *JG *AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
1998 Volvo S70 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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