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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

What owners actually said

215 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2003
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting

I PURCHASED A 1998 S70 VOLVO FROM SUBURBAN VOLVO IN TROY MICHIGAN. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I WAS TOLD TO RETURN IF THE A/C LEAKED. I WAS LOOKING FOR A PHYSICAL LEAK, WHICH I LATER FOUND OUT THERE IS NO PHYSICAL INDICIATION OF A PROBLEM. I RETURNED THE CAR ON TWO MOR…

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I PURCHASED A 1998 S70 VOLVO FROM SUBURBAN VOLVO IN TROY MICHIGAN. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I WAS TOLD TO RETURN IF THE A/C LEAKED. I WAS LOOKING FOR A PHYSICAL LEAK, WHICH I LATER FOUND OUT THERE IS NO PHYSICAL INDICIATION OF A PROBLEM. I RETURNED THE CAR ON TWO MORE OCCASSIONS TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, I WAS TOLD THAT THE A/C HAD A LEAK AND I HAD TO PAY $1,400 TO HAVE REPAIRED. I EXPLAINED TO THE SUBURBAN DEALER THAT I FELT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE CAR WAS SOLD TO ME WITH A LEAK. TO FURTHER ADD TO THE STORY, I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN TO BE REPAIRED FOR A RECALL ON THE LIGHTS. I AM NOT SURE IF THE RECALL WAS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS OR TAILIGHTS. WHILE IN THE SHOP, I INQUIRED ABOUT THE HEADLIGHT WIPERS NOT WORKING. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO PURCHASE A HEADLIGHT MOTOR AT A COST OF ABOUT 4 OR 5 HUNDRED DOLLARS BECAUSE THE CAR HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD NO IT HAD NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I FOUND OUT LATER (AFTER THE TIRE ROD BROKE WHILE BEING DRIVEN) THAT THE TIRE ROD HAD BEEN DAMAGED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD REPAIRED AT A COST OF 800.00 WHICH I PAID. IS THERE ANY TYPE OF RELIEF FOR ME SINCE THE CAR HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING THE VEHICLE? THE A/C IS NOT WORKING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMES ON, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOESNT WORK AT ALL, THE HEADLIGHT WIPERS DON'T WORK AT ALL. THE A/C AND HEADLIGHT WIPERS HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SINCE I PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY 2001. I HAVE WRITTEN THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP AND VOLVO OF NORTH AMERICA (VNA). THE DEALERSHIP NEVER RESPONDED. VOLVO OF NORTH AMERICA DID RESPOND AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. VNA SHARED I HAD TO WORK IT OUT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. HAVE BEEN READING THAT THE CHECK ENGINE IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SOME VOLVOS. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS PRESENTING PROBLEMS ALSO. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE AFTER OWNING THE CAR SINCE 2001?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10048874

74,500 miles · Nov 24, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE BRAKING, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC INDICATED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.*AK THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED, THE VACUUM LINE WAS REPLACED, THE UPPER TORQUE ARM BUSHING BROKE, THE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM BROKE, THE INSIDE DOOR PANEL CAME AP…

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WHILE BRAKING, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC INDICATED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.*AK THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED, THE VACUUM LINE WAS REPLACED, THE UPPER TORQUE ARM BUSHING BROKE, THE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM BROKE, THE INSIDE DOOR PANEL CAME APART. *JB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10044537

137,400 miles · Nov 19, 2003
Service Brakes, Air

MY 1998 VOLVO S70 HAD THE ABS MODULE FAILED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. HAD THIS FAILED IN RAIN OR SNOW, THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN TERRIBLE.*AK FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY VOLVO, BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. THE COST IS OUTRAGEOUS, OVER $600.

NHTSA ODI #10047202

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2003
Seat Belts

SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. TWICE THIS HAS RESULTED IN BROKEN COURTESY LIGHTS AND ONCE THE INSIDE DOOR PANEL WAS SO BADLY DAMAGED, VOLVO AGREED TO REPLACE IT. I HAD THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY) AND IT NOW WORKS FINE. HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER SIDE STILL SAGS AND HAS ONCE AGA…

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SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. TWICE THIS HAS RESULTED IN BROKEN COURTESY LIGHTS AND ONCE THE INSIDE DOOR PANEL WAS SO BADLY DAMAGED, VOLVO AGREED TO REPLACE IT. I HAD THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY) AND IT NOW WORKS FINE. HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER SIDE STILL SAGS AND HAS ONCE AGAIN BROKEN THE COURTESY LIGHT IN THE DOOR. I ASKED MY VOLVO DEALER ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, AND "EVEN THE NEW CARS DO THAT." I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS AND HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM POSTED MANY TIMES ON A VOLVO MESSAGE BOARD. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS CLEARLY THE PROBLEM, VOLVO WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPEATEDLY BROKEN LIGHT. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10046034

42,000 miles · Nov 7, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY 1998 VOLVO S70 HAS 43,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, AND SOMETIMES YOU FEEL IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER TALKING TO OTHER VOLVO OWNERS THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM *LA

NHTSA ODI #10045637

76,000 miles · Nov 5, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED VEHICLE REVVED AND ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10046379

78,000 miles · Oct 27, 2003
Service Brakes, Air

THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. MY TECHNICIAN SAYS IT IS A FAULTY ABS CONTROLLER. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL POSTS ON BRICKBOARD.COM IN REFERENCE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT VOLVO HAS RELEASED A CAR WITH AN OBVIOUS DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10043697

40,000 miles · Oct 24, 2003
Exterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10044666

48,000 miles · Oct 13, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FAILURE OF ABS CONTROLLER MODULE. MY RESEARCH OVER THE INTERNET AND NUMEROUS VOLVO CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS INDICATE THIS FAILURE IS PROBLEMATIC WITH THE TEVES 20 ABS MODULE. AN INTERNET FORUM PAGE DEALING WITH THE VOLVO 850/S70 MODELS IS LITTERED WITH INQUIRIES INTO THIS PROBLEM. ONE VOLVO TECHNICIAN I CORRESPONDED WITH INDICA…

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FAILURE OF ABS CONTROLLER MODULE. MY RESEARCH OVER THE INTERNET AND NUMEROUS VOLVO CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS INDICATE THIS FAILURE IS PROBLEMATIC WITH THE TEVES 20 ABS MODULE. AN INTERNET FORUM PAGE DEALING WITH THE VOLVO 850/S70 MODELS IS LITTERED WITH INQUIRIES INTO THIS PROBLEM. ONE VOLVO TECHNICIAN I CORRESPONDED WITH INDICATED HE HAD REPLACED "HUNDREDS" OF THESE MODULES OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041721

4,053 miles · Oct 1, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury

THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS HIT ON THE SIDE. CONTACTED VOLVO AND ASKED TO INSPECT. THEIR ANSWER WAS THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK. I ASKED FOR A REPORT WITH ALL THE ENGINEERING DATA AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO SHOW WHY IT WAS OK, NO RESPONSE, HAVE ASKED TWICE. THEY SAY EVERYTHING IS OK. I THINK THERE…

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THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS HIT ON THE SIDE. CONTACTED VOLVO AND ASKED TO INSPECT. THEIR ANSWER WAS THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK. I ASKED FOR A REPORT WITH ALL THE ENGINEERING DATA AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO SHOW WHY IT WAS OK, NO RESPONSE, HAVE ASKED TWICE. THEY SAY EVERYTHING IS OK. I THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THEY ARE HIDING THE TRUTH. THE SIDE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED TO GIVE EXTRA PROTECTION. I WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THEIR ANSWER AND I DO NEED YOU HELP. *AK *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #705881

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.