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1998 Volvo S70

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

22 reports
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100,000 miles · Mar 9, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury

FAILURE OF CAM BELT ADJUSTER, AT SPEED WITH NO WARNING AND TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10112802

128,000 miles · Jan 27, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-85 S. ON 12/30/04 IN MY 1998 VOLVO S-70 THE TENSIONER WHEEL EXPLODED CAUSING THE TIMING BELT TO DISENGAGE FROM THE ENGINE THUS LOOSING ALL ENGINE POWER AT 70 MPH WITHOUT WARNING AND DOING OVER 2000.OO DOLLARS WORTH OF ENGINE DAMAGE. FROM EXAMINATION OF THE DEFECTIVE PART, THE GOOVE GUIDES JUST SHATTERED LE…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-85 S. ON 12/30/04 IN MY 1998 VOLVO S-70 THE TENSIONER WHEEL EXPLODED CAUSING THE TIMING BELT TO DISENGAGE FROM THE ENGINE THUS LOOSING ALL ENGINE POWER AT 70 MPH WITHOUT WARNING AND DOING OVER 2000.OO DOLLARS WORTH OF ENGINE DAMAGE. FROM EXAMINATION OF THE DEFECTIVE PART, THE GOOVE GUIDES JUST SHATTERED LEAVING NO GROOVES FOR BELT GUIDANCE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10108020

74,500 miles · Nov 24, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE BRAKING, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC INDICATED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.*AK THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED, THE VACUUM LINE WAS REPLACED, THE UPPER TORQUE ARM BUSHING BROKE, THE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM BROKE, THE INSIDE DOOR PANEL CAME AP…

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WHILE BRAKING, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC INDICATED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.*AK THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED, THE VACUUM LINE WAS REPLACED, THE UPPER TORQUE ARM BUSHING BROKE, THE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM BROKE, THE INSIDE DOOR PANEL CAME APART. *JB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10044537

90,000 miles · Sep 25, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Air

ABS/TRACS LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF INDICATING A BRAKE MODULE MALFUNCTION

NHTSA ODI #10039521

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

I AM REPORTING THIS INCIDENT, SINCE THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THAT IT IS THIRD SUCH FAILURE THAT THEY HAVE REPAIRED ON VOLVO S70'S IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #756963

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

I PURCHASED THE CAR JAN.26 2001. TWO DAYS LATER I HAD IT IN FOR REPEATED OIL LEAKS. DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY LEAKS. ALSO THE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT, THE FOGLIGHT WAS OUT, THE CAR HAD MISMATCHED TIRES, THE FUEL CAP WAS NOT ATTACHED PROPERLY AND WAS TIED ON WITH A WIRE. A MONTH LATER THE O2 SENSOR WENT OUT IN THE C…

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I PURCHASED THE CAR JAN.26 2001. TWO DAYS LATER I HAD IT IN FOR REPEATED OIL LEAKS. DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY LEAKS. ALSO THE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT, THE FOGLIGHT WAS OUT, THE CAR HAD MISMATCHED TIRES, THE FUEL CAP WAS NOT ATTACHED PROPERLY AND WAS TIED ON WITH A WIRE. A MONTH LATER THE O2 SENSOR WENT OUT IN THE CAR AND WAS ALSO MAKING A WINDING NOISE. DEALER CAME OUT AND TOLD ME THAT THE HUB WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR CONTINUED TO HAVE OIL LEAKS. DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHIHG. APPROX. 1 MONTH LATER THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW SWITCH WENT OUT. THE AIR GUIDE WAS ALSO REPLACED ON THE CAR. OIL CONTINUED TO LEAK. I TOOK IT TO AN OUTSIDE SOURCE AN DTHEY WERE ABLE TO FIND THREE OIL LEAKS IN A MATTER OF TWO HOURS. THEY RECCOMENDED THE TURBO UNIT BE REPLACED THAT IT WAS BAD. ON VACATION THIS SUMMER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ONCE MORE CAM ON AND DEALER STATED A FUEL GASKET NEEDED REPLACING. AUGUST THIS YEAR THE FAN BEGAN TO MAKE A NOISE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT GET IT TO DUPLICATE THE NOISE SO THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG. SEPT. 24 2001, I WENT TO GET INTO THE CAR AND IT WOUL DNOT TURN OVER. THE IGNITION SYSTEM HAD GONE OUT. MEANWHILE THE LEATHER HAS DETACHED FROM THE INTEREIOR OF THE DOOR AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #752678

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspensionTiresFire

PRIOR TO THE 30K MILE TUNE-UP THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE DRIVING HARD, SHIFTING HARD, THE TACHOMETER READING HIGHER AND THE SMELL OF BURNING OIL, THE DEALER CHECK THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG, WHILE DRIVING WITH 36K MILES ON THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND CAUGHT FIRE, THE MANUF…

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PRIOR TO THE 30K MILE TUNE-UP THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE DRIVING HARD, SHIFTING HARD, THE TACHOMETER READING HIGHER AND THE SMELL OF BURNING OIL, THE DEALER CHECK THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG, WHILE DRIVING WITH 36K MILES ON THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND CAUGHT FIRE, THE MANUFACTURER IS DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY. NLM

NHTSA ODI #562081

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, TO DEALER 25 TIMES. DASHBOARD LIGHT WOULD COME ON, INDICATING THAT HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING WHEN IN FACT THEY WERE. *AK DEALER STATED VEHICLE HAD A BULB AND SOCKET PROBLEM, TAILLIGHT BULB FAILED, SIGNAL LIGHTS FLASH VERY FAST, SIDE SIGNALS SOCKETS AND BULBS SHORTE…

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ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, TO DEALER 25 TIMES. DASHBOARD LIGHT WOULD COME ON, INDICATING THAT HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING WHEN IN FACT THEY WERE. *AK DEALER STATED VEHICLE HAD A BULB AND SOCKET PROBLEM, TAILLIGHT BULB FAILED, SIGNAL LIGHTS FLASH VERY FAST, SIDE SIGNALS SOCKETS AND BULBS SHORTED, 4 RUNNING LIGHT CONTACTS MELTED, FRONT HEADLIGHT SHORTED, LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT INOPERABLE, AND BULB INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. DOOR LOCKS INOPERABLE, WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO UP, MASTER WINDOW CONTROL SWITCH FAULTY, AND SPEAKERS DISTORTED. SEAT BELT PLASTIC PART CRACKED. TRANSMISSION STICKS ON LOWE GEAR, HAPPENED TWICE. GAS LIGHT COMES ON EVEN WHEN TANK IS FULL. WASHER FLUID INIDCATOR ILLUMINATED, WASHER JETS INOPERABLE, WIPER BLADS REPLACED, RIGHT SIDE MIRROR DID NOT ADJUST ALL THE WAY OUT. FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS WORN, ROTORS REPLACED, BRAKES CAUSE SCREECHING NOISES. ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CABLE UNDER ENGINE LOOSE. HUMMING NOISE WHILE DRIVING, DEALER REPLACED RIGHT FRONT HUB, LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT STABILIZER LINKS. MUDFLAPS LOOSE. EVAP VALVE REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #883911

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

RADIATOR SITS A MERE 5 INCHES ABOVE GROUND AND 1 1/2 INCHES BELOW FRONT BUMPER, ON 11/12/00 WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, FRONT BUMPER ECLISPED CURB BY 10 TO 12 INCHES, AT WHICH POINT CURBING CONTACTED BOTTOM OF RADIATOR, RADIATOR LOST ALL FLUID, UNDER CARRIAGE OF NEWER MODEL VOLVOS HAS A SHIELD WHICH PROTECTS RADIATOR. …

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RADIATOR SITS A MERE 5 INCHES ABOVE GROUND AND 1 1/2 INCHES BELOW FRONT BUMPER, ON 11/12/00 WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, FRONT BUMPER ECLISPED CURB BY 10 TO 12 INCHES, AT WHICH POINT CURBING CONTACTED BOTTOM OF RADIATOR, RADIATOR LOST ALL FLUID, UNDER CARRIAGE OF NEWER MODEL VOLVOS HAS A SHIELD WHICH PROTECTS RADIATOR. CJ

NHTSA ODI #559507

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

ENGINE FAILED.*ET

NHTSA ODI #784268

Official recalls

4

04V504000 · 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

3

RQ04004 · 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.