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1998 Volvo S90

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
25Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
7
199725
19981
1999
Compare all S90 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
8Visibility
5Equipment
4Vehicle Speed Control
4Power Train
3
All reported categories
Structure
2Unknown Or Other
2Electrical System
1Engine And Engine Cooling
1Parking Brake
1Steering
1Tires
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 6 of 25 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Equipment. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Power Train complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2005
Power Train

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 VOLVO S90 WITH 69,000 MILES. THE ETM UNIT ON THE CAR HAS FAILED. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON IT AND FOUND THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THAT CAR. IT CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO ACT ERRATICALLY. MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT EVEN IF I CHANGE IT , IT WILL FAIL AGAIN IN A SHORT WHILE BECAUSE IT HAS A BAD DES…

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I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 VOLVO S90 WITH 69,000 MILES. THE ETM UNIT ON THE CAR HAS FAILED. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON IT AND FOUND THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THAT CAR. IT CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO ACT ERRATICALLY. MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT EVEN IF I CHANGE IT , IT WILL FAIL AGAIN IN A SHORT WHILE BECAUSE IT HAS A BAD DESIGN. I HAVE CONTACTED VOLVO ABOUT IT, AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I JUST WANT TO HAVE THIS COMPLAINT REGISTERED IN CASE VOLVO IS MADE TO CORRECT THIS THROUGH SOME LAWSUIT OR OTHER. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10135037

48,699 miles · Oct 24, 2003
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train

TRANSMISSION SHIFTER STICKS CONSTANTLY. CURRENTLY, IT STICKS IN PARK. VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK NOISES COMING FROM STEERING. GEAR SHIFT DID NOT RELEASE, WASHERS ARE INOPERABLE, KEY STICKS IN IGNITION.*TS ALSO THE POWER STEERING RACK AND ANTENNA WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10041920

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1999
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE ROTORS CONTINUALLY WARPING AND PADS FAILING. MJS

NHTSA ODI #548651

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

1

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.