IllustrationFRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HINGE FAILED LOCKING DOOR INTO AN OPEN POSITION AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO CAR FRAME. WAS INFORMED BY MY MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A TYPICAL VOLVO PROBLEM. THE FAILURE CAN NOT BE FIXED WITHOUT MAJOR BODY WORK. THIS FAILURE CAUSED A WRIST STRAIN WHEN DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE. *JB
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
Structure complaints
13 reports1) PROBLEM WITH RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK, NOT UNLOCKING. MUST MANUALLY UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OF CAR. 2) DRIVER SIDE DOOR NOT CLOSING. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE DOOR IT BOUNCES BACK. THE ONLY WAY TO CLOSE THE DOOR IS TO FORCE IT WITH BODY WEIGHT. *JB
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
FAULTY DASH CLIPS THAT RETAIN THE DASHBOARD TO THE FIREWALL. I WAS TOLD BY THE LEAD TECHNICAN AT BOB PINKUS VOLVO IN COLORADO SPRINGS, CO THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT. THE CLIPS BREAK LEADING TO A SQUEEKY DASH THAT VOLVO IS NOT WILLING TO ADDRESS OUT OF WARRANTY. I NOW HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN DIRVING THIS CAR AS I DO NOT KNOW WHEN…
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FAULTY DASH CLIPS THAT RETAIN THE DASHBOARD TO THE FIREWALL. I WAS TOLD BY THE LEAD TECHNICAN AT BOB PINKUS VOLVO IN COLORADO SPRINGS, CO THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT. THE CLIPS BREAK LEADING TO A SQUEEKY DASH THAT VOLVO IS NOT WILLING TO ADDRESS OUT OF WARRANTY. I NOW HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN DIRVING THIS CAR AS I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE DASH WILL SEPERATE, IF IN AN ACCIDENT, AND SEVERLY INJURE EITHER MYSELF OR A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY.
THE DOOR CHECK ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR HAS FAILED. THE DOOR HINGES SEEM TO BE OK, BUT THE DOOR CHECK/DOOR STOP HAS A BROKEN WELD THAT MAKES THE DOOR HARD TO OPEN - WITH A VERY CRACKLING NOISE. DEALER WANTS $280 TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST - YET I HAVE SEEN POSTINGS SIMILAR TO THIS ON OTHER VOLVO WEB PO…
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THE DOOR CHECK ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR HAS FAILED. THE DOOR HINGES SEEM TO BE OK, BUT THE DOOR CHECK/DOOR STOP HAS A BROKEN WELD THAT MAKES THE DOOR HARD TO OPEN - WITH A VERY CRACKLING NOISE. DEALER WANTS $280 TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST - YET I HAVE SEEN POSTINGS SIMILAR TO THIS ON OTHER VOLVO WEB POSTER BOARDS. A WELD HAS BROKEN? WHAT DOES THAT SAY FOR THE SAFETY OF A VOLVO CAR? MR
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND LEFT REAR DOOR LOCKS FAILED MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK VEHICLE WITH THE KEY OR THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT WOULD NOT FIX THE LOCKS. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *TT
POOR VISIBILITY BEHIND VEHICLE. HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH IS INAPPROPRIATELY POSITIONED IN FRONT OF THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT HANDLE, AND IS ACCIDENTALLY SWITCHED ON. REMOTE CONTROL FOR THE REAR TRUNK IS OVER-SENSITIVE.
POWER WINDOW SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO BECOME STUCK IN ONE POSITION OR NOT TO GO UP OR DOWN, ALSO A PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH THE POWER DOOR LATCHES AND LOCKS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON REGULARLY. DEALER UNABLE TO FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK *ML
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.
TRUNK LID STRUTS FAILED,CAUSED MINOR INJURIES WHEN LID COLLASPED. YH
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.