IllustrationERRATIC TRANSIENT CHEMICAL FUMES IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, SMELLS LIKE HOT PLASTIC, DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE, HOWEVER RADIO REPLACED TWICE, ANTENNA MOTOR REPLACED TWICE, SIXTEEN BULBS (SOME WITH SOCKETS) REPLACED SINCE 6/98, ALL POSSIBLY RELATED TO OVERALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS. *CJ
1998 Volvo S70
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all S70 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60–25K
725–50K
1450–75K
2375–100K
15100–150K
5150K+
70 reports with mileage · 145 unknown
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 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
31 reportsDUE TO A PROBLEM WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BULBS IN THE HEADLIGHTS/TAIL LIGHTS AND SIGNAL LIGHTS PREMATURELY BLEW OUT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
BATTERY.
BATTERY FAILURE.
1. 12/23/97: CAR DIED IN SLOW FREEWAY TRAFFIC; RESTARTED AFTER 5 MINUTES, BUT "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" STAYED ON. DIAGNOSED AS PROBLEM WITH AIR MASS SENSOR, WHICH WAS REPLACED. 2. 11/11/98: RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK FAILED; MOTOR REPLACED. 3. EACH OF FRONT HEADLIGHT BULBS BURNED OUT WITH LESS THAN 15K IN MILEAGE. 4. 1/13/99: RT AND LT OU…
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1. 12/23/97: CAR DIED IN SLOW FREEWAY TRAFFIC; RESTARTED AFTER 5 MINUTES, BUT "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" STAYED ON. DIAGNOSED AS PROBLEM WITH AIR MASS SENSOR, WHICH WAS REPLACED. 2. 11/11/98: RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK FAILED; MOTOR REPLACED. 3. EACH OF FRONT HEADLIGHT BULBS BURNED OUT WITH LESS THAN 15K IN MILEAGE. 4. 1/13/99: RT AND LT OUTER TAIL LIGHTS BURNED OUT; BULBS WERE REPLACED. 5. 3/3/99: RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BEGAN FLASHING TOO QUICKLY; BOTH RT AND LT TURN SIGNAL SOCKETS WERE REPLACED. 6. 4/28/99: TAILIGHTS AGAIN FAILED, SOCKETS AND BULBS WERE REPLACED; 7. 4/29/99: LEFT TURN SIGNAL FLASHING TOO QUICKLY (EVEN THOUGH SOCKET HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED ON 3/3/99 TO DEAL WITH ANTICIPATED CORRUSION PROBLEM). MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAVE HAD MORE SERVICE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR THAN IN 25 YEARS OF OWNING ALL OF OUR OTHER CARS COMBINED.
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY AND GETS CAUGHT IN THE DOOR.
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE CAR STARTED "BUCKING/ WOULD FEEL A LUNGING FORWARD WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR WHILE IDLING AT STOP SIGNS. COMPLAINED TO DEALER WAS TOLD "THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM" - IT IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THIS PRIOR TO PURCHASE. SAID VOLVO IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THEIR WORKING ON IT. IT …
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SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE CAR STARTED "BUCKING/ WOULD FEEL A LUNGING FORWARD WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR WHILE IDLING AT STOP SIGNS. COMPLAINED TO DEALER WAS TOLD "THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM" - IT IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THIS PRIOR TO PURCHASE. SAID VOLVO IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THEIR WORKING ON IT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING A COMPUTER CHIP IS DEFECTIVE AND IT IS FIRING FUEL INTO THE INJECTORS RANDOMLY. I ASKED IF THIS IS DANGEROUS, COULD THIS CAUSE A FIRE, ETC. AND WAS TOLD NO. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TWICE AND HAD THIS PROBLEM DOCUMENTED AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING. IT HAS NOT IMPROVED, ONLY BECOME MORE FREQUENT. THE CAR SURGES WHEN AT STOP SIGNS, IT FEELS LIKE ANOTHER CAR HAS BUMPED INTO ME. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. I PURCHASE THIS CAR "NEW" AND WAS NOT ADVISED OF THIS PROBLEM. IF I HAD KNOWN THIS I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT CAR. ALSO WHETHER THE CAR IS IN DRIVE OR PARK, THIS SURGING OCCURS. ALSO A FEW WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED CAR THE O'RING CRACKED AND OIL AND TRANSAXLE GREASE WAS LEAKING OUT, UNBEKNOWNST TO ME IMMEDIATLEY. WHEN I TOOK IT IN WAS ADVISED THE RING HAD NOT BEEN INSTALLED PROPERLY AT THE FACTORY AND IT HAD BROKEN. I ASKED SINCE ALL THAT FLUID LEAKED OUT HAS ANY DAMAGE BEEN DONE OR WOULD THIS AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE IN THE FUTURE, WAS ADVISED NO. THIS CAR IS A LEMON. PLEASE HELP ME.
BATTERY FAILED. *YC
BATTERY FAILED. *YC
CONSUMER DROVE CAR TO GAS STATION, PUMPED GAS, TURNED THE KEY AND THE BATTERY EXPLODED, SMOKE UNDERHOOD AND FLUID ON THE GROUND, ACID AND HOLES ON THE TOP OF THE BATTERY DEALER CONTACTED AND REPAIR WORK WAS DONE. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO INVESTIGATE AND EXPLAIN. *AK.ET.
Official recalls
404V504000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
Oct 21, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
00V405000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
Dec 6, 2000
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN AN APPROACHING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET.
99V235000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
Aug 30, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
99V236000 · Air Bags:frontal
Aug 30, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE OVERLY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ASSURE SUFFICIENT GROUNDING.
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
3RQ04004 · Headlight Failure
Opened Jun 8, 2004 · Closed Nov 5, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
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
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.
PE00031 · Turn Signal
Opened Aug 15, 2000 · Closed Dec 22, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available
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.