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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

Seat Belts complaints

8 reports
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148,500 miles · Feb 1, 2015
Seat Belts

AS I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A BUSY STREET, MY SEATBELT LET GO, SPONTANEOUSLY RELEASED ITSELF! IT DOES THIS 2-3 TIMES IN A ROW. WHEN I HEAR THE SOUND OF A SEATBELT BUCKLE CLICKING (AFTER I FASTEN MINE, SOUND SEEMS TO COME FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE!) THEN I KNOW IT'S NOT GOING TO RELEASE AGAIN. AT LEAST NOT TIL AFTER I SHUT THE CAR OF…

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AS I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A BUSY STREET, MY SEATBELT LET GO, SPONTANEOUSLY RELEASED ITSELF! IT DOES THIS 2-3 TIMES IN A ROW. WHEN I HEAR THE SOUND OF A SEATBELT BUCKLE CLICKING (AFTER I FASTEN MINE, SOUND SEEMS TO COME FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE!) THEN I KNOW IT'S NOT GOING TO RELEASE AGAIN. AT LEAST NOT TIL AFTER I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN START IT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680360

48,000 miles · Mar 17, 2004
Seat Belts

REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WERE REPLACED AFTER FAILING TWICE. *AK *LA

NHTSA ODI #10053966

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2003
Seat Belts

SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. TWICE THIS HAS RESULTED IN BROKEN COURTESY LIGHTS AND ONCE THE INSIDE DOOR PANEL WAS SO BADLY DAMAGED, VOLVO AGREED TO REPLACE IT. I HAD THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY) AND IT NOW WORKS FINE. HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER SIDE STILL SAGS AND HAS ONCE AGA…

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SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. TWICE THIS HAS RESULTED IN BROKEN COURTESY LIGHTS AND ONCE THE INSIDE DOOR PANEL WAS SO BADLY DAMAGED, VOLVO AGREED TO REPLACE IT. I HAD THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY) AND IT NOW WORKS FINE. HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER SIDE STILL SAGS AND HAS ONCE AGAIN BROKEN THE COURTESY LIGHT IN THE DOOR. I ASKED MY VOLVO DEALER ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, AND "EVEN THE NEW CARS DO THAT." I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS AND HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM POSTED MANY TIMES ON A VOLVO MESSAGE BOARD. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS CLEARLY THE PROBLEM, VOLVO WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPEATEDLY BROKEN LIGHT. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10046034

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2003
Seat Belts

THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT, BUT A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. MY COWORKER HAS A 1998 VOLVO S70. SHE IS FAIRLY SHORT AND THE SHOULDER BELT RUBS ON HER NECK. IS THERE ANY PRODUCT AVAILABLE THAT WOULD HELP MOVE THE SEAT BELT TO A BETTER POSITION WITHOUT COMPROMISING ITS EFFECTIVENESS.

NHTSA ODI #10030901

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2002
Seat Belts

WHILE INSTALLING CAR SEAT IN THE REAR CENTER OF VEHICLE, SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAME OFF THE BELT, CAUSING CENTER SEAT BELT TO BE UNUSABLE. *JG *AK

NHTSA ODI #8005910

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 · Jan 20, 2000
Seat Belts

ROUTINELY, WHEN SEAT BELT IS DISENGAGED, IT DOES NOT WITHDRAW COMPLETELY AND CATCHES IN DOOR JAM OF DOOR (DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER). *AK

NHTSA ODI #717635

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 1999
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY AND GETS CAUGHT IN THE DOOR.

NHTSA ODI #544574

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.