IllustrationABS AND TRACTION CONTROL FAILED. MR
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
What owners actually said
215 reportsTHE VEHICLES ABS MODULE FAILED. *MR VOLVO REFUSES TO COVER PARTS AND LABOR, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. *SCC
99 V 235 000/HEADLIGHT SWITCH: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. A RECALL IS ON THIS MAKE & MODEL, BUT THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE VIN# WAS NOT COVER UNDER THAT RECALL. NLM
THE ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILED. THE ABS IS DISABLED BY THE FAILURE. A NEW ABS CONTROL UNIT IS ON ORDER AT THE VOLVO DEALER. IT IS COVERED BY WARRENTY. I'M REPORTING THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE ABS SYSTEM IS A SAFETY SYSTEM AND IT SHOULD NOT FAIL DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART. ALTHOUGH NOT VALID FOR YOUR DATA COLLECTION, I CAN…
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THE ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILED. THE ABS IS DISABLED BY THE FAILURE. A NEW ABS CONTROL UNIT IS ON ORDER AT THE VOLVO DEALER. IT IS COVERED BY WARRENTY. I'M REPORTING THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE ABS SYSTEM IS A SAFETY SYSTEM AND IT SHOULD NOT FAIL DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART. ALTHOUGH NOT VALID FOR YOUR DATA COLLECTION, I CAN SAY I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VOLVO WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MR
PROBLEM REPORTED TO DEALER AND VOLVO NA. CRITICAL PART OF SAFETY SYSTEM, OUT OF WARRANTY, $553 REPAIR COST. KNOWN DEFECT IN S/V/C 70 SERIES. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, I NOTED THAT THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON. THE NEXT TRIP IN THE CAR, THE ABS SIGN WAS STILL ON. I WAITED BECAUSE INTERMITTENTLY VARIOUS LIGHTS COME ON MY DASH, DISAPPEAR, AND NEVER REAPPEAR. I WENT TO THE DEALER TO VERIFY THE FAILURE OF THE ABS. THE DEALER AFFIRMED THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE ABS. THE CAR IS A 1998 …
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WHILE DRIVING, I NOTED THAT THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON. THE NEXT TRIP IN THE CAR, THE ABS SIGN WAS STILL ON. I WAITED BECAUSE INTERMITTENTLY VARIOUS LIGHTS COME ON MY DASH, DISAPPEAR, AND NEVER REAPPEAR. I WENT TO THE DEALER TO VERIFY THE FAILURE OF THE ABS. THE DEALER AFFIRMED THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE ABS. THE CAR IS A 1998 S70. TWO OF MY COWORKERS HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE THEIR ABS REPLACED, WITHIN ONE MONTH OF MY ABS FAILURE. ONE COWORKER HAS A VOLVO THAT IS THE SAME YEAR AS MINE; THE OTHER CAR IS A YEAR OR 2 OLDER. THIS SOUNDS LIKE MANUFACTURER PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE TO ME. HOW COULD THIS BE A COINCIDENCE? I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE OF ITS REPUTATION FOR RELIABLE STURDY STRUCTURE AND SAFETY AND I AM DISAPPOINTED.*AK
ABS IS WORKING ONLY SOME OF THE TIME (VOLVO OF LAS VEGAS HAS CONCLUDED THAT ABS MODULE IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED). YOU NEVER KNOW AT WHICH POINT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THAT THE ABS DECIDES NOT TO FUNCTION ANYMORE. BRAKING CAN BECOME QUITE WORRISOME AND FRIGHTENING ABS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY COMPONENT OF THE CAR AND VOLVO…
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ABS IS WORKING ONLY SOME OF THE TIME (VOLVO OF LAS VEGAS HAS CONCLUDED THAT ABS MODULE IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED). YOU NEVER KNOW AT WHICH POINT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THAT THE ABS DECIDES NOT TO FUNCTION ANYMORE. BRAKING CAN BECOME QUITE WORRISOME AND FRIGHTENING ABS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY COMPONENT OF THE CAR AND VOLVO HAS FAILED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THE SPORADICALLY FUNCTIONING ABS SYSTEM CAN BECOME VERY DANGEROUS AND CAUSE A SERIOUS, IF NOT FATAL ACCIDENT. VOLVO STANDS FOR SAFETY AND THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THIS FAULTY ABS MODULE HAS BECOME A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR 1998 S70'S. I BELIEVE THE NHTSA SHOULD MANDATE A RECALL.*AK
THIS IS A COMMON, EXPENSIVE, AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS FAILURE ON 1998 VOLVO 70-SERIES.. *AK
VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND HAD FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM IS STILLOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*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.