RoadVitals

1998 Volvo V70 Engine Problems

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

Data refreshed

Engine 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.
25
Latest May 19, 2014
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.
13%
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.
9

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. 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. 25 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 engine

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

Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed May 19, 2014

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
Engine
Filed Feb 27, 2006
1 death reported

THE TIMING BELT HOLDER BROKE ON MY 1998 VOLVO WHILE ON DRIVING ON US ROUTE 40 IN CHAPEL HILL NORTH CAROLINA. THIS CAUSED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION. FORTUNATELY WE WERE IN THE RIGHT LANE AND WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. *JB

NHTSA ID
10151274
Incident
Oct 30, 2005
Mileage
135,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 6, 2005

STALLING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. STALLING AT NORMAL OPERATING SPEED WITH RESULTING LOSS OF POWER, STEERING AND BRAKES. THE MASS AIR SENSOR AND INTAKE HOSE WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10131801
Incident
Jul 14, 2005
Mileage
106,063 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 5, 2005

VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE SHUT-DOWN WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL. DISABLED VEHICLE WITH GROCERIES AND SMALL CHILDREN INSIDE ON A 90+ DEGREE (VERY HOT!!)AFTERNOON IN MID-JULY. $322 FOR REPLACEMENT OF AIR FLOW DEVICE (METER OR SENSOR?) TO CORRECT PROBLEM. APPROX. $50, LOSS OF PERISHABLE FOOD. *JB

NHTSA ID
10131699
Incident
Jul 18, 2005
Mileage
77,251 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 15, 2005

THE CAMSHAFT BELT TENSIONER BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE BELT TO COME OFF AND THE VEHICLE TO LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. *JB TIMING BELT TENSIONER, BELT AND VALVES AND HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA ID
10111369
Incident
Feb 3, 2005
Mileage
101,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 8, 2004

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO HAVE HIGH LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE. *NM BLACK SMOKE WAS BELCHING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. *SC THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10091898
Incident
Sep 1, 2004
BrakesEngine
Filed Apr 21, 2004

I OWN A 1998 VOLVO V70. WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE AIR PUMP AND THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED ON A CAR THAT IS FIVE YEARS OLD. SINCE THE CAR IS PAST ITS WARRANTY PERIOD, VOLVO WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THESE PARTS (A TOTAL OF $1,273). IN RESPONSE TO A LETTER FROM ME, VOLVO SAID, "IN THE EVENT THAT EITHER OF THESE COMPONENTS IS RECALLED, REIMBURSEMENT COULD BE CONSIDERED AT THAT TIME." PLEASE ADD MY NAME TO OTHERS WHO UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THESE FAULTY PARTS (AIR PUMP - PKS70AP AND ABS/TRAC - 8602266) SO THAT A RECALL CAN BE ISSUED. I WOULD BE GLAD TO SUBMIT TO NHTSA BOTH LETTERS BETWEEN VOLVO AND MYSELF.*AK

NHTSA ID
10067612
Incident
Sep 13, 2003
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 26, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. DUE TO THE GASOLINE CAP BEING LOOSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER HAS TO GO TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT TURNED OFF.*AK

NHTSA ID
10025033
Incident
Jun 26, 2003
Engine
Filed Aug 13, 2002
1 injury reported

CHILD WAS BURNED BY MUFFLER IN REAR OF VEHICLE. MUFFLER IS RIGHT AT EYE LEVEL TO CHILD. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *AK THE CHILD SUSTAINED 2ND DEGREE BURNS BY PLACING HAND ON THE STILL HOT MUFFLER. A FIELD REP. FROM VOLVO WILL ASESS THE SITUATION. *JG

NHTSA ID
8016091
Incident
Aug 10, 2002
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
Engine
Filed May 18, 2000

CONSUMERS VEHICLE IS EMMITING A FOUL EXHAUST(ROTTEN EGG) ODOR WHICH ENTERS THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW IS DOWN 2", THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN CLEAN A REPLACED BUT THE ODOR PERSIST. NLM

NHTSA ID
784633
Incident
Dec 27, 1997
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
Engine
Filed Jun 7, 1999
Fire reported

HAD DRIVEN VEHICLE .AFTER ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN ENGINE STOPPED COLD, TRIED STARTING, BUT NOTHING. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
838959
Incident
Mar 8, 1999
Engine
Filed Jun 1, 1999
Fire reported

A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA WITHOUT WARNING RIGHT AFTER BEING SERVICED BY A DEALER. PRIOR TO THIS VEHICLE STALLED ONCE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CANNOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE.

NHTSA ID
838688
Engine
Filed Apr 29, 1999

STRONG ODOR (SULPHUR?) ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS/CHILDREN HAVE BECOME NAUSEOUS AND PULLED OVER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. VOLVO CLAIMS IT IS A GASOLINE PROBLEM, BUT ALL INSTRUCTIONS RELATED TO THE GASOLINE TYPE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED. VOLVO REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BUT THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
706102
Engine
Filed Feb 15, 1999

DAILY EXHAUST ODOR INSIDE CAR WHEN DRIVER OR PASSENGER WINDOW IS OPENED A LITTLE. THIS IS A HEALTH HAZARD. IT HAPPENS WHEN THERE ARE NO OTHER CARS AROUND AS WELL, SO I KNOW IT IS NOT COMING FROM OTHER CARS. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED IN ANY OTHER CAR WE HAVE HAD. IT HAS NOT HAPPENED WHEN I DRIVE A LOANER VOLVO (WHEN MY CAR IS BEING SERVICED). DEALER HAS CHECKED THIS OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE ON ONE THING OR ANOTHER EVERY 3-4 MONTHS. SHOULD I CONTACT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SINCE THIS COULD AFFECT OUR HEALTH? WE HAVE TO KEEP THE AIR CIRCULATION BUTTON ON INSIDE AIR OR EXHAUST COMES IN FROM OTHER CARS. IS THIS CAR A LEMON? DO WE HAVE ANY OPTIONS BESIDES BUYING A DIFFERENT CAR? THIS COMPLAINT DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE AIRBAGS. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO CHANGE THAT INFORMATION AFTER I REVIEWED ALL OF THE INFORMATION. SORRY. *AK

NHTSA ID
703311
Engine
Filed Feb 1, 1999
1 injury reported

TAIL PIPE CAUSED 3RD DEGREE BURN, DESIGN IS TOO EXPOSED. YH

NHTSA ID
610019
Engine
Filed Feb 1, 1999

TAIL PIPE FAILED. YH

NHTSA ID
609087
Engine
Filed Nov 10, 1998

THE DEFECTIVE EXHAUST SYSTEM LEAKS INTO THE CABIN. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
830589
Engine
Filed Nov 8, 1998

THE CATALITIC CONVERTER SMELLS INSIDE THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT I HAD WITH A PREVIOUS V70. AFTER NUMERUS COMPLAINTS TO VOLVO THEY REPLACED THE CAR WITH A SIMILAR CAR. NOW I FACE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. IT IS NOT AS BAD WHEN I USE THE HIGHEST OCTANE AVAILABLE AND ADD OCTANE BOOST. I CONSIDER THESE ODORS DANGEROUS BECOUSE I GET HEADACHES AND BURNING EYES WHILE DRIVING. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFO YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE FOLLOW UP ON THIS COMPLAINT. THANKYOU.

NHTSA ID
700425
Engine
Filed Nov 5, 1998
1 injury reported

MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER SUFFERED A SECOND DEGREE BURN ON HER LEG BY COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST PIPE TIP AT THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR BY THE LIFT GATE. THE EXHAUST ON THIS CAR IS EXTREMELY HOT, SUBJECTILY, IT FEELS MUCH HOTTER THAN OTHER VEHICLES THAT I OWN. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A PE UNDERWAY BY NHTSA FOR THIS PROBLEM AND JUST WANTED TO SUPPLY SOME DATA. MY DAUGHTER IS FINE AND HAS RECOVERED COMPLETELY AND I DON'T EXPECT TO TAKE ANY ACTION AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER. THEY SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BY NOW.

NHTSA ID
700353
Incident
Jul 13, 1998
Engine
Filed Nov 3, 1998
1 injury reported

HAD PARKED VEHICLE & GOT OUT W/CHILD. CHILD WENT BEHIND VEHICLE & WAS BURNED BY TAIL PIPE WHICH WAS STILL HOT. *AK

NHTSA ID
829982
Incident
Aug 9, 1998
Engine
Filed Jul 28, 1998
2 injuries reported

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AFTER A ONE HOUR DRIVE. THERE IS A THIRD SEAT IN THE CAR. CHILD CLIMBED OUT OF BACK AND BURNED THE CALF ON THE TAIL PIPE. THE SECOND CHILD WAS WALKING AROUND THE CAR, AND BURNED THIGH ON THE TAIL PIPE. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
825944
Incident
Jun 6, 1998
Engine
Filed Jul 14, 1998
1 injury reported

CHILD EXITING VEHICLE BURNED ON THE TAILPIPE DUE TO LOCATION.

NHTSA ID
605845
Engine
Filed May 18, 1998
1 injury reported

CONSUMER'S SON WAS EXITING FROM THE REAR DOOR. WHEN HE STEPPED DOWN HIS LEG WAS RIGHT UP AGAINST THE TAIL PIPE, HE SUFFERED 2ND DEGREE BURNS. CONSUMER WAS TAKEN TO DOCTOR AND WAS PRESCRIBED ANTI-BIOTICS FOR INFECTION DUE TO BURN. INCIDENT HAPPENED ON MAY 13, WHICH IS THE FIRST TIME CONSUMER WAS TAKEN TO THE DOCTOR AND AGAIN ON THE 15 OF MAY. *AK

NHTSA ID
823419
Incident
May 13, 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .