EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
1998 Volvo V70
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 187 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Volvo V70, most frequently naming the brakes, exterior lighting and engine categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 5 NHTSA investigations name it; and 241 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2001 | 1 | 92 |
| Dec 2001 | 1 | 93 |
| Jan 2002 | 2 | 95 |
| Feb 2002 | 1 | 96 |
| Mar 2002 | 1 | 97 |
| Aug 2002 | 1 | 98 |
| Sep 2002 | 5 | 103 |
| Oct 2002 | 11 | 114 |
| Nov 2002 | 1 | 115 |
| Dec 2002 | 1 | 116 |
| Jan 2003 | 3 | 119 |
| Feb 2003 | 1 | 120 |
| Mar 2003 | 2 | 122 |
| May 2003 | 1 | 123 |
| Jun 2003 | 4 | 127 |
| Jul 2003 | 3 | 130 |
| Aug 2003 | 2 | 132 |
| Sep 2003 | 4 | 136 |
| Oct 2003 | 1 | 137 |
| Nov 2003 | 2 | 139 |
| Dec 2003 | 2 | 141 |
| Feb 2004 | 2 | 143 |
| Mar 2004 | 2 | 145 |
| Apr 2004 | 1 | 146 |
| May 2004 | 1 | 147 |
| Sep 2004 | 1 | 148 |
| Oct 2004 | 2 | 150 |
| Dec 2004 | 1 | 151 |
| Jan 2005 | 1 | 152 |
| Mar 2005 | 1 | 153 |
| Jun 2005 | 1 | 154 |
| Aug 2005 | 3 | 157 |
| Sep 2005 | 1 | 158 |
| Nov 2005 | 2 | 160 |
| Jan 2006 | 2 | 162 |
| Feb 2006 | 1 | 163 |
| Apr 2006 | 1 | 164 |
| Jun 2006 | 1 | 165 |
| Aug 2006 | 1 | 166 |
| Sep 2006 | 1 | 167 |
| Oct 2006 | 1 | 168 |
| Nov 2006 | 1 | 169 |
| Feb 2007 | 1 | 170 |
| Jul 2007 | 1 | 171 |
| Oct 2007 | 1 | 172 |
| Dec 2007 | 1 | 173 |
| Jan 2008 | 1 | 174 |
| Dec 2008 | 1 | 175 |
| Nov 2009 | 1 | 176 |
| Aug 2010 | 1 | 177 |
| Mar 2011 | 1 | 178 |
| Jul 2011 | 1 | 179 |
| Sep 2013 | 1 | 180 |
| May 2014 | 1 | 181 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 182 |
| Apr 2015 | 1 | 183 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 184 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 185 |
| Jul 2016 | 1 | 186 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 187 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes5022.8%
- Exterior lighting2913.2%
- Engine2511.4%
- Fuel system156.8%
- Electrical146.4%
- Seat belts135.9%
- Body & structure125.5%
- Airbags104.6%
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
5 campaigns cover this model year
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.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
HEADLIGHT FAILURE
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.
TURN SIGNAL
There is no summary currently available
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
FUEL LEAKAGE
There is no summary currently available
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
SEVERE TIRE SIDEWALL BUBBLES ON ALL FOUR TIRES AFTER ONLY 2 YEARS OF NORMAL USE. TIRE BRAND AND TYPE: DUNLOP 195/60R15 888 H SIGNATURE II.
- NHTSA ID
- 10915178
- Incident
- Oct 10, 2016
THE IGNITION SWITCH FREQUENTLY JAMS, LOCKED, IN THE "OFF" POSITION. THE KEY CAN BE INSERTED, BUT THE IGNITION LOCK WILL NOT TURN, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START AND OPERATE THE VEHICLE OR TURN ON ACCESSORIES OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, RENDERING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE. WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE "ON" POSITION, IT CAN BE TURNED OFF WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. WHEN IT IS "OFF," HOWEVER, IT FREQUENTLY CAN NOT BE TURNED "ON". A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THAT THIS IS A RATHER COMMON PROBLEM.
- NHTSA ID
- 10884834
- Incident
- Aug 12, 2015
- Mileage
- 151,500 mi
I WAS ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO I-94 WHEN THE ACCELERATOR STOMPED FLUSH TO THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE REVVED UNCONTROLLABLY AND I TRIED TO CLUTCH IT DOWN BUT KEPT ON ACCELERATING. AT THIS POINT I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION BUT THAT DID NO GOOD. ALL THE INSTRUMENTATION TURNED OFF BUT THE ENGINE WAS MAXED OUT AND WAS GOING BERSERK. I HAD A CLUTCH SO I PUSHED IT INTO NEUTRAL BUT THE RPMS WENT TO THE 7,000S. WITH THE KEYS OFF, I PULLED OF THE INTERSTATE DESPERATELY TRYING TO SLOW DOWN THE RPMS BUT NOTHING WORKED. I FINALLY PUT IT INTO GEAR TO TRY AND STOP IT AND IT LITERALLY 'BLEW UP'. IT'S TOTALED. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS IF THIS HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED, IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY KIND OF RECALL ON THIS. VOLVO WOULDN'T ANSWER ANY OF MY QUESTIONS. IT WAS A GREAT CAR BUT IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY ANSWERS ABOUT. IT APPARENTLY WAS SOME KIND OF A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION AS A MECHANICAL FAILURE WOULD HAVE BEEN SOLVED BY TURNING THE KEY 'OFF'! I WANT TO LODGE A COMPLAINT BUT DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START.
- NHTSA ID
- 10824366
- Incident
- Jan 29, 2016
- Mileage
- 230,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE ROTOR HAD CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. MA 10/25/15
- NHTSA ID
- 10746645
- Incident
- Aug 3, 2015
- Mileage
- 200,000 mi
PURCHASED THIS CAR THIS MONTH FOR MY SON FOR HIM TO COMMUTE TO SCHOOL. MY SON TOLD ME THAT THE SEAT MOVES TO DIFFERENT POSITION WHEN THE CAR HIT THE POT HOLE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IF THE DRIVER HAS SHORT LEGS. THERE IS PRESET POSITION FOR THE SEAT. NO SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THIS. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10704931
- Incident
- Apr 9, 2015
- Mileage
- 122,160 mi
AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE IS A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL OUTSIDE THE CAR AND WHEN STOPPED INSIDE CAR. THE ENGINE CODE IS FOR A GROSS EVAP LEAK.I CAN SEE FUEL UNDER GAS TANK COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK. I REMOVED FUEL PUMP ACCSESS DOOR AND CAN SEE FUEL BUBBLING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP AND OVERFLOWING THE AREA. THERE IS A VISABLE CRACK ON THE TOP OF THE PUMP. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10650283
- Incident
- Oct 26, 2014
- Mileage
- 130,000 mi
I JUST PURCHASED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO A 1998 VOLVO V70 USED ON 4/3/2014 FOR 3000.00 . THE VEHICLE DROVE JUST FINE UP UNTIL TWO WEEKS AGO WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING. WHILE I WAS RIDING ON I695 AND WAS GOING ABOUT SIXTY MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR JERKED AND CUT OFF, MEANING BLINKING IN AND OUT OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALONG WITH THE ENGINE AS I WAS PULLING OVER ON THE SHOULDER, WHICH IS TERRIBLY UNSAFE. I ASSUMED AND THOUGHT VOLVO'S WERE GREAT ON MILES AND TRANSMISSION SO I DIDN'T EXPECT IT TO BE HAVING THESE TYPE OF ISSUES. I AM A FIRST TIME VOLVO PURCHASER AND HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED AND IT'S TO EXPENSIVE FOR ALL THE HASSLES. ALL OF THE MINOR ISSUES WERE EXPECTED BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE BEING A USED CAR. ALSO, I CANNOT EVEN CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVELS IN ORDER TO SEE IF ALL I NEED IS SOME TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE DIPSTICK THAT LEADS TO THE TRANSMISSION IS STUCK, AS IN I HAVE TRIED PULLING, TWISTING AND TURNING BUT TO NO AVAIL. AFTER PURCHASING A 300 DOLLAR KEY PAD FROM THE DEALER I EXPECT MORE FROM THE MANUAL AND AT LEAST TO BE ABLE TO CHECK ALL FLUIDS ON THE VEHICLE. IF THESE MINOR ISSUES DIDN'T EVOLVE INTO MAJOR ISSUES WITH MY VOLVO VEHICLE I WOULD NOT HAVE AN ISSUE. YET THE PROBLEM IS THAT THESE MINOR ISSUES ARE INDEED CAUSING MAJOR REPAIRS WHICH IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE AND CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS THAT COULD INDEED AFFECT THE LIFE OF MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTEN AND HOPEFULLY DIRECTLY ADDRESSING MY CONCERNS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 12/8/2014 *JS
- NHTSA ID
- 10592530
- Incident
- May 12, 2014
- Mileage
- 151,000 mi
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HINGE/STRAP FAILED CAUSING DOOR TO BREAK FROM FRAME AND BECOME DYSFUNCTIONAL. AS IT WORSENED OVER A FEW DAYS THE DOOR BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO OPEN WHERE IT BECAME A SAFETY CONCERN. VOLVO MECHANIC REFERRED TO AUTO METAL SERVICE SHOP WHICH REPLACED/REPAIRED DOOR STRAP AND WELDED DOOR BACK TO FRAME AND CONFIRMED THIS WAS A KNOWN "WORKMANSHIP" DEFECT WITH A NUMBER OF VOLVO MODELS AND YEARS. VOLVO N.A. WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS 9/13/13 AND WAS INTERESTED TO SEE THE REPAIR INVOICE, WHICH WAS PROVIDED TO THEM, BUT IN THE END THEY DECLINED TO REIMBURSE FOR THIS FLAW STATING THE CAR WAS NO LONGER COVERED BY A MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BECOMES DYSFUNCTIONAL FROM FAULTY WORKMANSHIP THAT INDICATES A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD "MAN UP" AND REPAIR/RECALL OR REIMBURSE THE OWNER FOR, REGARDLESS IF THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. DOORS SHOULDN'T JUST BREAK OFF FROM THE FRAME UNDER NORMAL USE. THERE WAS NO CRASH OR ABUSE INVOLVED WITH THIS DOOR. IT JUST BROKE LIKE A CHEAP, INFERIOR PRODUCT. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10544051
- Incident
- Sep 2, 2013
- Mileage
- 185,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADE C00009 DESCRIPTION.
Rubber cushion
The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to be updated as products and repair methods evolve.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations
EQUIPMENT
VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 4 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 4 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 48.0 |
| 2007 | 7 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 43.9 |
| 2005 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 44.0 |
| 2004 | 83 | 6 | 0 | 52.6 |
| 2003 | 32 | 5 | 0 | 46.4 |
| 2002 | 76 | 6 | 2 | 59.6 |
| 2001 | 221 | 9 | 2 | 57.2 |
| 2000 | 93 | 6 | 3 | 61.5 |
| 1999 | 169 | 4 | 5 | 55.7 |
| 1998Viewing | 187 | 5 | 5 | 63.6 |
| 1997 | 3 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1995 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.