IllustrationABS/TRACS FAILURE. *NM
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
61 reportsVOLVO ABS BRAKE MODULAR FAILED. LOCAL VOLVO SERVICE CENTER AWARE OF PROBLEM. *NM
ROTORS, BRAKES AND STRUTS REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY 100,000. ABS CONTROLLER FAULT DIAGNOSED AT DEALER. FAILURE LED TO LOSS OF ALL ANTILOCK BRAKE FEATURES AS WELL AS TRACS. REPLACEMENT OF ABS CONTROLLER MODULE RECOMMENDED.*AK
ABS LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF INTERMEDIATELY, TOLD BY TECHNICIAN THAT ABS MODULE IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $600 PLUS. THE PROBLEM IS SINCE THIS IS INTERMITTENT THAT WHEN THE UNIT "TEST" ITSELF WHEN YOUR BRAKING IF IT NOTICES THAT THEY AREN'T WORKING MANY TIMES THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, WHICH COULD BE V…
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ABS LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF INTERMEDIATELY, TOLD BY TECHNICIAN THAT ABS MODULE IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $600 PLUS. THE PROBLEM IS SINCE THIS IS INTERMITTENT THAT WHEN THE UNIT "TEST" ITSELF WHEN YOUR BRAKING IF IT NOTICES THAT THEY AREN'T WORKING MANY TIMES THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, WHICH COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. WHEN I SPOKE TO VOLVO NORTH AMERICAN THEY SAID YES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT FIX IT. *NM
ABS MODULE FAILS ON MOST ALL 850 AND S/V70 SERIES CARS 97-00. THE ABS SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK WHEN THE UNIT IS FAILING. IT IS AN INTERMITTANT PROBLEM THAT GETS WORSE OVER TIME (SOMETIMES THE FAIL INDICATOR IS ON SOMETIMES NOT). VOLVO IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND A REPLACEMET IS AROUND 5…
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ABS MODULE FAILS ON MOST ALL 850 AND S/V70 SERIES CARS 97-00. THE ABS SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK WHEN THE UNIT IS FAILING. IT IS AN INTERMITTANT PROBLEM THAT GETS WORSE OVER TIME (SOMETIMES THE FAIL INDICATOR IS ON SOMETIMES NOT). VOLVO IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND A REPLACEMET IS AROUND 500.00 NOT INCLUDING DIAGNOSTICS AND LABOR TO INSTALL. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THEIR IS NO RECALL (FROM A COMPANY THAT PRIDES ITSELF ON SAFETY).*AK
THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR LOCKED UP, CAUSING SOME COMPONENTS TO BURN UP. *AK THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A STUCK CALIPER, WHICH ACCORDING TO VOLVO IS NOT RELATED TO THE BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR REPLACEMENT PERFORMED BY DEALER. LOWER BALL JOINT WAS ALSO REPLACED. *LA
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
MY 1998 VOLVO S70 HAS 43,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, AND SOMETIMES YOU FEEL IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER TALKING TO OTHER VOLVO OWNERS THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM *LA
FAILURE OF ABS CONTROLLER MODULE. MY RESEARCH OVER THE INTERNET AND NUMEROUS VOLVO CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS INDICATE THIS FAILURE IS PROBLEMATIC WITH THE TEVES 20 ABS MODULE. AN INTERNET FORUM PAGE DEALING WITH THE VOLVO 850/S70 MODELS IS LITTERED WITH INQUIRIES INTO THIS PROBLEM. ONE VOLVO TECHNICIAN I CORRESPONDED WITH INDICA…
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FAILURE OF ABS CONTROLLER MODULE. MY RESEARCH OVER THE INTERNET AND NUMEROUS VOLVO CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS INDICATE THIS FAILURE IS PROBLEMATIC WITH THE TEVES 20 ABS MODULE. AN INTERNET FORUM PAGE DEALING WITH THE VOLVO 850/S70 MODELS IS LITTERED WITH INQUIRIES INTO THIS PROBLEM. ONE VOLVO TECHNICIAN I CORRESPONDED WITH INDICATED HE HAD REPLACED "HUNDREDS" OF THESE MODULES OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. *LA
ABS LIGHT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY ABS UNIT AS IS WAS FAULTY BUT ABS LIGHT ON THE DASH DOESN'T ALWAYS TURN ON.*AK
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.