RoadVitals

1998 Volvo S70

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
215
Latest Sep 14, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Oct 21, 2004
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
13
16 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 215 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Volvo S70, most frequently naming the brakes, exterior lighting and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 221 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
04V504000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

Oct 21, 2004
97,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.Manufacturer number 142/94View on NHTSA.gov
00V405000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Dec 6, 2000
245,894 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN AN APPROACHING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET.
VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.Manufacturer number 101View on NHTSA.gov
99V235000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

Aug 30, 1999
139,588 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.
The risk: DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.Manufacturer number 94View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ04004ClosedRecall Query

HEADLIGHT FAILURE

Opened Jun 8, 2004
Closed Nov 5, 2004

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:SWITCHLed to recall 04V504000
PE00031ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TURN SIGNAL

Opened Aug 15, 2000
Closed Dec 22, 2000

There is no summary currently available

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGLed to recall 00V405000
PE99040ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

Opened Jun 7, 1999
Closed Oct 27, 1999
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 215
Brakes
Filed Sep 14, 2018

I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SEARS AUTO CENTER AT 1178 EL CAMINO REAL IN SAN BRUNO, CALIFORNIA (SEARS STORE #6909) ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2018 FOR FRONT BRAKES. SEARS RETURNED THE CAR TO ME ON 9/2/18 (A COPY OF MY "FINAL INVOICE" IS ENCLOSED). I SUBSEQUENTLY LEARNED THAT THE DUST BOOT FOR THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER IS MISSING. I RETURNED TO SEARS ON SEPTEMBER 10 AND TOLD THE MANAGER IN CHARGE, MR. HOLLOWAY, THAT I HAD LEARNED - FROM ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO HAD BEEN DOING OTHER FRONT END WORK - THAT THE DUST BOOT WAS MISSING AND THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE COMPONENT PARTS OF THE BRAKE CALIPER SYSTEM (DESIGNED TO KEEP DEBRIS AND MOISTURE OUT OF THE BRAKE CALIPER). SEARS RE-INSPECTED MY VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 10 AND CONFIRMED THAT THE DUST BOOT IS MISSING. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEPARTMENT MANAGER (MR. JULIO ESTRADA) WOULD NEED TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION. ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2018, THE MANAGER OF THE SEARS AUTO CENTER - MR. JULIO ESTRADA - REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT SEARS' EXPENSE. I BELIEVE THAT SEARS WAS NEGLIGENT AND ASK THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THE CONDUCT OF SEARS AUTO CENTER.

NHTSA ID
11129516
Incident
Sep 2, 2018
Mileage
20 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 21, 2018

THE PLASTIC HANDLE OF THE OIL DIPSTICK CAME OFF CAUSING HALF OF THE OIL DIPSTICK TO BE IN THE DIPSTICK TUBE THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING IT HAPPENED WHILE CHECKING THE OIL LEVEL MAKING SURE THERE WAS OIL IN THE CAR MAKING SURE THAT THE ENGINE WILL NOT SEIZE WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ID
11080411
Incident
Mar 20, 2018
Mileage
137,500 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 26, 2017

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE DIM I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS WITH BRIGHTER BULBS AND THEY ARE STILL DIM I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE FOG LIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME IN ORDER TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ID
10947858
Incident
Jan 26, 2017
Mileage
125,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 8, 2017

I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED DECEMBER 16 2016 KNOWING IT NEEDED A LOT OF WORK. I HAVE SINCE GOTTEN ALL THE REPAIRS DONE ON JAN 4TH 2017. I NOW NEED TO GET THE CAR EMISSION TESTED AFTER DRIVING 200 MILES THE READINESS MONITORS ARE STILL NOT SET AND HAVE SINCE REPAIRED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND STILL CAN NOT GET AN EMISSIONS TEST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10940374
Incident
Jan 7, 2016
Mileage
124,300 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 20, 2015

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION,&ACCELEROMETER, CAUSES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON

NHTSA ID
10783554
Incident
Aug 12, 2014
Mileage
155,500 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLVO S70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, WHICH ALSO FAILED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SLOWED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA ID
10763454
Incident
Sep 14, 2015
Mileage
165,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 23, 2015

KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10712552
Incident
Mar 3, 2015
Mileage
150,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Feb 1, 2015

AS I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A BUSY STREET, MY SEATBELT LET GO, SPONTANEOUSLY RELEASED ITSELF! IT DOES THIS 2-3 TIMES IN A ROW. WHEN I HEAR THE SOUND OF A SEATBELT BUCKLE CLICKING (AFTER I FASTEN MINE, SOUND SEEMS TO COME FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE!) THEN I KNOW IT'S NOT GOING TO RELEASE AGAIN. AT LEAST NOT TIL AFTER I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN START IT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10680360
Incident
Sep 9, 2014
Mileage
148,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

C00009

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADE C00009 DESCRIPTION.

TJ3656330

Rubber cushion

Special Tools Bu

The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to be updated as products and repair methods evolve.

Service Manager

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations

356EN01

EQUIPMENT

VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App

Service Manager

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volvo S70 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002300—
20001644358.1
19992054558.3
1998Viewing2154358.3
1997401—
1996001—
1995200—
1994000—
1993000—
1992000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.