NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
215 reportsMileage unknown · Aug 4, 2001
Electrical SystemFire
AT TIME OF FIRE, DASH BOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON FOR LIGHT OUT AND THAT CAR WAS IN LOW GEAR, BUT CAR WAS NOT BEING DRIVEN IN LOW GEAR. ADDITIONALLY, AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. NO IINDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON TO INDICATE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS ENGINE WAS OVERHEATED OR LOW IN ANY FLUIDS. I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THROUGH LOW GEARS …
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AT TIME OF FIRE, DASH BOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON FOR LIGHT OUT AND THAT CAR WAS IN LOW GEAR, BUT CAR WAS NOT BEING DRIVEN IN LOW GEAR. ADDITIONALLY, AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. NO IINDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON TO INDICATE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS ENGINE WAS OVERHEATED OR LOW IN ANY FLUIDS. I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THROUGH LOW GEARS TO REMOVE LOW GEAR INDICATOR LIGHT, BUT THAT DID NOT DO ANYTHING. I PUT CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN I TURNED ENGINE BACK ON, AT FIRST THE LOW GEAR INDICATOR LIGHT DID NOT COME BACK ON, BUT WITHIN ASHORT DISTANCE THE LOW GEAR INDICATOR LIGHT CAME BACK ON EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN IN NORMAL DRIVE GEAR AND NO FEELING THAT CAR WAS ACTUALLY IN A LOW GEAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #749841
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspensionTiresFire
PRIOR TO THE 30K MILE TUNE-UP THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE DRIVING HARD, SHIFTING HARD, THE TACHOMETER READING HIGHER AND THE SMELL OF BURNING OIL, THE DEALER CHECK THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG, WHILE DRIVING WITH 36K MILES ON THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND CAUGHT FIRE, THE MANUF…
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PRIOR TO THE 30K MILE TUNE-UP THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE DRIVING HARD, SHIFTING HARD, THE TACHOMETER READING HIGHER AND THE SMELL OF BURNING OIL, THE DEALER CHECK THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG, WHILE DRIVING WITH 36K MILES ON THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND CAUGHT FIRE, THE MANUFACTURER IS DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY. NLM
NHTSA ODI #562081
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2001
Air Bags
AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN INOPERATIVE SINCE PURCHASE (WARNING LIGHT ON) DESPITE NUMEROUS REPAIR ATTEMPTS. VEHICLE WAS IN SOME SORT OF ACCIDENT PRIOR TO SALE BY VOLVO. THIS MAY HAVE PERMANENTLY DISABLED THE AIR BAG SYSTEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #747272
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 · Apr 26, 2001
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSeats
PLASTIC HINGE ON THE BASE OF THE REAR SEAT BROKE OFF CAUSING THE BASE OF THE REAR SEAT TO BE UNSTABLE, VOLVO DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY STATING THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO EXCESS FORCE NOT A DEFECT IN THE SEAT. (FATHER OF OWNER) *SLC
NHTSA ODI #560911
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2001
Exterior LightingPower Train
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION 101A HE STATES WORK WAS COMPLETED, BUT STILL HAVING INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #560921
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 · Feb 9, 2001
Electrical System
EVERY 18 MONTHS VEHICLE GOES DEAD SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #880213
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
RADIATOR SITS A MERE 5 INCHES ABOVE GROUND AND 1 1/2 INCHES BELOW FRONT BUMPER, ON 11/12/00 WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, FRONT BUMPER ECLISPED CURB BY 10 TO 12 INCHES, AT WHICH POINT CURBING CONTACTED BOTTOM OF RADIATOR, RADIATOR LOST ALL FLUID, UNDER CARRIAGE OF NEWER MODEL VOLVOS HAS A SHIELD WHICH PROTECTS RADIATOR. …
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RADIATOR SITS A MERE 5 INCHES ABOVE GROUND AND 1 1/2 INCHES BELOW FRONT BUMPER, ON 11/12/00 WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, FRONT BUMPER ECLISPED CURB BY 10 TO 12 INCHES, AT WHICH POINT CURBING CONTACTED BOTTOM OF RADIATOR, RADIATOR LOST ALL FLUID, UNDER CARRIAGE OF NEWER MODEL VOLVOS HAS A SHIELD WHICH PROTECTS RADIATOR. CJ
NHTSA ODI #559507
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2000
Electrical System
BATTERY FAILED ON THREE OCCASIONS. NLM
NHTSA ODI #785198
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.
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