RoadVitals

1998 Volvo V70 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
14
Latest Jul 14, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 187 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Volvo V70 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Electrical
Filed Jul 14, 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
Electrical
Filed Sep 14, 2006
Fire reported

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR ONE DAY, SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE WIRING HARNESS CAUSED THE FIRE. THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/18/2006 - THE VEHICLE WAS LAST DRIVEN ABOUT 14 HOURS PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE HARNESS TO THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10168235
Incident
Jul 30, 2006
Mileage
72,592 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 29, 2005
Fire reported

VOLVO V70 1998 - FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT - CAR DESTROYED DURING ROUTINE DRIVING, ENGINE STOPS. DRIVER NOTICES SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS (LIGHTS) BLINKING. IN A FEW MINUTES THE CAR IS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY FIRE. WHEN I VISITED THE WRECKER'S YARD I FOUND A VOLVO 850 WAGON THAT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE IN THE SAME WAY! *NM

NHTSA ID
10143876
Incident
Nov 26, 2005
Mileage
102,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 15, 2003

REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS CAN NOT BE OPENED MANUALLY OR ELECTRICALLY.*AK CONSUMER STATED THERE IS NO WAY HIS PARAPLEGIC SON CAN EXIT THE VEHICLE IF THERE WAS A FIRE OR COLLISION. LOCK MOTORS FAILED ONCE AND WERE REPLACED. MECHANIC HAD TO BREAK A PART IN THE DOOR TO RELEASE THE LOCK. *PH

NHTSA ID
10034428
Incident
Aug 3, 2003
Mileage
75,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 2, 2002

ABS & TRAC OFF LIGHT ARE DISPLAYED RANDOMLY, OBD SCAN SAYS SENSOR FAILED, HAVE INSTALLED TWO SETS OF SENSORS TO NO AVAIL, IT TURNS OUT ENCAPSULATED PC BOARD CRACKS BREAKING SOLDER CONNECTIONS. THE 1996 850 HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. DT

NHTSA ID
769215
Incident
Jul 10, 2002
ElectricalFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Jan 18, 2002

THE HAZARD SWITCH IS TOO CLOSE TO THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER. *YH

NHTSA ID
564029
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed May 23, 2001

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE CAR ON A ROUTINE BASIS. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN OIL LEAKS, GASOLINE LEAKS, AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE AND SEAT BELT FAILURES. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED ALMOST ON A MONTHLY BASIS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF OWNERSHIP. THIS PAST WEEK, IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS. THE VOLVO DEALERSHIPS HAVE MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS AND WARRANTIES HAVE PAID MOST OF THE COSTS, THE AMOUNT OF TIME THIS CAR HAS SPENT BEING SERVICED IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. EVEN THE VOLVO DEALER HERE IN FLORIDA (PLANTATION VOLVO) SUGGESTED WE RESEARCH THE FLORIDA LEMON LAW. THE LAW DOES NOT APPLY TO US BECAUSE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN MASSACHUSETTS. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN GETTING VOLVO'S ATTENTION THAT THIS PARTICULAR CAR HAS MAJOR FLAWS, ESPECIALLY ELECTRICAL.

NHTSA ID
745792
Incident
Dec 1, 1997
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 15, 2000

WHILE DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON. THEN, ACTIVATED TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS, AND LIGHT ON DASH PANEL WILL BLINK FAST, AND LET CONSUMER KNOW TO CHANGE THE LIGHT BULBS. ALSO, BATTERY WILL DIE WITHOUT A REASON FOR IT. *AK

NHTSA ID
867830
Incident
Aug 15, 2000
Electrical
Filed Dec 14, 1999

THIS CAR HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT, TURN SIGNALS...ALL HAVE BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE STEREO AND BATTERY HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED. BOTH THE DRIVERS WINDOW AND THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THEM TO "STICK" IN THE POSITION THAT THEY ARE IN. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED MOST OF THE BULBS AT NO CHARGE. I HAVE HAD 2 REPLACED WHILE ON VACATION AT VARIOUS TIMES. I CAN NOT THINK OF ANYTHING OTHER THEN THE TIRES, THAT IS NOT GOVERNED BY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE. WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A CONCERN TO ME. VOLVO AS A MANUFACTURER HAS PROMISED A FULL SYSTEM CHECK TWO TIMES. IT NEVER HAPPENED. AT THIS POINT, I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD TRUST THE CAR EVEN IF IT DID CHECK OUT OK. *AK

NHTSA ID
716056
Incident
Oct 23, 1999
Electrical
Filed Nov 20, 1999

"FREEZE" PLUG BLEW OUT WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO FREEWAY. THAT RESULTED IN VERY LOW ENGINE POWER AVAILABLE, A LOT OF NOISE, AND INEFFECTIVE FOOTBRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITH THE PARKING BRAKE. *AK

NHTSA ID
715074
Incident
Oct 5, 1999
ElectricalEngineTransmission
Filed Jul 11, 1999

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A POWER LOSS AND HAS HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO GET IT TO START, DEALER CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *SLC

NHTSA ID
782520
Incident
Jul 3, 1999
BrakesElectrical
Filed Feb 1, 1999

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ID
606287
Incident
Jun 1, 1998
Heating & air conditioningElectricalSteering
Filed Jan 25, 1999

CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT FAILED.

NHTSA ID
543505
Incident
Apr 3, 1998
Electrical
Filed Jun 12, 1998

BATTERY VENT MISSING, BATTERY BOILED OVER. BATTERY ACID SPRAYED OVER ENGINE COMPARTMENT DRIVE BELTS, POWER STEERING HOSES AND BRAKE LINES.

NHTSA ID
536829
Incident
Jun 8, 1998

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .