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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

Power Train complaints

8 reports
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77,494 miles · Aug 16, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

UPON ACCELERATING UP THE HILL OF MY STREET, TODAY, AUGUST 16TH, 2011, MY CAR, A 1998 VOLVO S70 , SPED UP, UNNATURALLY, CLOSE TO THE TOP . I HAD JUST DRIVEN OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AS I BACK INTO IT ALWAYS, AND PROCEEDED UP THE HILL. AS USUAL, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED DOWN AS THE CAR APPROACHED A STEEPER PORTION OF THE…

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UPON ACCELERATING UP THE HILL OF MY STREET, TODAY, AUGUST 16TH, 2011, MY CAR, A 1998 VOLVO S70 , SPED UP, UNNATURALLY, CLOSE TO THE TOP . I HAD JUST DRIVEN OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AS I BACK INTO IT ALWAYS, AND PROCEEDED UP THE HILL. AS USUAL, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED DOWN AS THE CAR APPROACHED A STEEPER PORTION OF THE HILL. WHEN BRAKING FOR THE STOP SIGN AT THE TOP, I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RACING. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP FULLY AT THE STOP SIGN, AND AFTER GOING AROUND THE CORNER TO THE RIGHT, I PULLED THE FLOOR MAT AWAY FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. MY LEFT FOOT WAS NOW FIRMLY PLANTED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, AS WELL AS MY RIGHT FOOT QUICKLY PUMPING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL , ALL IN AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE THE GAS PEDAL UNSTUCK, WHICH IT DIDN'T. IT JUST MADE THE CAR ENGINE CONTINUOUSLY RACE EVEN MORE. THE RPM'S INCREASED ALSO THE MORE THAT THE ENGINE RACED. UNABLE TO FULLY STOP AT THE NEXT SUBSEQUENT 2 STOP SIGNS, ON A STRAIGHT AWAY, AND MY LEFT FOOT TO THE FLOOR WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL, I FINALLY DECIDED TO PLACE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE RACING AT WHAT SEEMED A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED BY EVIDENCE OF THOSE RPM'S. I CONTINUED TO PUMP THE GAS PEDAL,WITH THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, MY LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN SUDDENLY THE RACING CEASED, AND THE RPM'S CAME DOWN TO AN IDLE, JUST BELOW 1000, I BELIEVE. I THEN PROCEEDED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND STOPPED. AFTER A BIT, I PLACED THE CAR FROM NEUTRAL INTO PARK, AND THEN AGAIN SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE. I BEGAN MOVING DOWN A HILL BY MERE IDLING SPEED. I WAS CAREFUL, JUST COASTING NOW, NOT TO INITIALLY PLACE ANY PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR AS I PROCEEDED IN DRIVE. I CAME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, FOR A RED SIGNAL LIGHT, AND WHEN IT WAS GREEN, I DROVE BACK AROUND A LARGE CITY BLOCK TO MY DRIVEWAY. I BACKED INTO MY DRIVEWAY WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION DURING THE FINAL DISTANCE DRIVEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 OTHER TIMES RECENTLY WHEN SETTING CRUISE CONTROL GOING UP A HILL.*KB

NHTSA ODI #10419690

105,000 miles · Jun 15, 2008
Power Train

FRONT AXLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE SPLIT IN TWO THROUGH THE CROSS-SECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231060

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

DT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTACT STATES EACH TIME THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE VEHICLE IS MORE DIFFICULT TO STOP AND THE WHEELS HAVE ALSO LOCKED UP. TRANSMISSION CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE MAKE A SQUEAKING NOSE WHEN PARKING, THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT SIDE WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING CONTACT STA…

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DT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTACT STATES EACH TIME THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE VEHICLE IS MORE DIFFICULT TO STOP AND THE WHEELS HAVE ALSO LOCKED UP. TRANSMISSION CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE MAKE A SQUEAKING NOSE WHEN PARKING, THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT SIDE WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING CONTACT STATES OIL MOVES UP THROUGH THE IGNITION CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. *NM *SB

NHTSA ODI #10120788

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2002
Power Train

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARK AND VEHICLE REVERSE ON HIS OWN. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. TS

NHTSA ODI #8021709

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2002
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY HAS A CRACK, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8012898

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2001
Exterior LightingPower Train

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION 101A HE STATES WORK WAS COMPLETED, BUT STILL HAVING INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #560921

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 · Mar 16, 1999
Power Train

TRANSMISSION RANDOMLY FAILS TO ENGAGE IN REVERSE GEAR. ADDITIONALLY, TRANSMISSION FREQUENTLY KICKS STRONGLY WHEN IT ENGAGES IN REVERSE GEAR.

NHTSA ODI #704523

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.