IllustrationFAILURE OF WELD OF LEFT FRONT (DRIVER) DOOR CHECK - SEPARATED FROM FRAME OF CAR. SECOND OCCURRENCE IN 9 YEARS *TR
1999 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
70–25K
1525–50K
3850–75K
3975–100K
36100–150K
13150K+
148 reports with mileage · 57 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.
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports1 fire reports10 injury reports
Structure complaints
14 reportsDRIVER'S DOOR HAD BAD POPPING SOUND. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VOLVO S70 DOOR NOISE WAS TYPICAL, AND ALWAYS DUE TO FAILURE OF HINGE WELDING. DEALER SAID TAKE IT TO AUTO BODY REPAIR. BODY REPAIR SHOP INDICATED HE PERFORMED THIS TYPE OF JOB THOUSANDS OF TIMES. COST: $250. *TR
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR MAKES LOUD POPPING NOISES WHEN OPENED, CLOSED. MIDDLE DOOR HINGE (LARGER ONES ABOVE AND BELOW; LOCATED JUST BELOW WIRING HARNESS) HAS BROKEN AWAY FROM FRAME OF CAR BODY BECAUSE OF FAULTY WELDING. ORIGINALLY, I THOUGHT NOISE WAS "SQUEAKY" DOOR HINGE AND LUBRICATED THE HINGE WITH SILICONE SPRAY. BUT WHEN THE NO…
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DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR MAKES LOUD POPPING NOISES WHEN OPENED, CLOSED. MIDDLE DOOR HINGE (LARGER ONES ABOVE AND BELOW; LOCATED JUST BELOW WIRING HARNESS) HAS BROKEN AWAY FROM FRAME OF CAR BODY BECAUSE OF FAULTY WELDING. ORIGINALLY, I THOUGHT NOISE WAS "SQUEAKY" DOOR HINGE AND LUBRICATED THE HINGE WITH SILICONE SPRAY. BUT WHEN THE NOISE GOT WORSE INSTEAD OF BETTER I TOOK A CLOSER LOOK AND FOUND THAT THE BODY FRAME HINGE HAS BROKEN AT THE POINT WHERE IT WAS WELDED. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN 40-PLUS YEARS OF CAR OWNERSHIP. I HAVEN'T REPAIRED IT YET BUT ASSUME IT WILL HAVE TO BE REWELDED, BASED ON INFO I HAVE FOUND ON THE INTERNET POSTED BY OTHERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THIS MANUFACTURER. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS COMING OFF THE HINGES. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE SEEN BY AN AUTO BODY SHOP TO BE WELDED.
DRIVER'S SIDE VEHICLE DOOR HAS DEFECTIVE DOOR HINGES. MAKES A LOUD POPING NOISE WHEN OPENED AND CLOSED. TAKEN TO CAR DEALER, AND WAS TOLD NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN UNDER UNSAFE CONDITION DUE TO FACTORY DEFECT.*AK
DASHBOARD BEGAN MAKING VERY LOUD NOISES. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE DASH HAS COME LOOSE FROM THE FIREWALL. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THE 1997 AND 1998 MODELS. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT I NEED A NEW DASHBOARD BECAUSE THE CLIPS HOLDING IT ARE BROKEN. VOLVO IS WELL AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND STATED THAT I…
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DASHBOARD BEGAN MAKING VERY LOUD NOISES. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE DASH HAS COME LOOSE FROM THE FIREWALL. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THE 1997 AND 1998 MODELS. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT I NEED A NEW DASHBOARD BECAUSE THE CLIPS HOLDING IT ARE BROKEN. VOLVO IS WELL AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND STATED THAT IF THE DASH HAD COME LOOSE FROM THE FIREWALL DURING THE FIRST 4 YEARS OR 50000 MILES IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER STRUCTURAL DEFECTS OR DESIGN FLAWS. WITH THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM I THINK THAT VOLVO SHOULD STAND BEHIND ITS CARS AND OFFER TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. I AM ASSUMING THAT IF I DO NOT HAVE THIS VERY COSTLY REPAIR DONE THE DASH WILL EVENTUALLY SEPARATE FROM THE FIREWALL COMPLETELY AND FALL OFF. I AM SURE THAT THIS DASHBOARD WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A HEAD ON COLLISION. MY VOLVO WAS NOT BUILT FOR SAFETY, BUT FOR PROFIT USING DEFECTIVE DESIGNS AND PARTS. *JB
WHENEVER CONSUMER OPENED THE DRIVER'S DOOR THERE WAS A SQUEAK COMING FROM THE HINGES. DEALER EXAMINED THE DOOR, OILED THE HINGES, BUT THEY STILL SQUEAKED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, CONSUMER OPENED THE DOOR AND HEARD A LOUD SOUND, AND COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR ANY FURTHER. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND REPAIRED THE HINGES ON DRIV…
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WHENEVER CONSUMER OPENED THE DRIVER'S DOOR THERE WAS A SQUEAK COMING FROM THE HINGES. DEALER EXAMINED THE DOOR, OILED THE HINGES, BUT THEY STILL SQUEAKED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, CONSUMER OPENED THE DOOR AND HEARD A LOUD SOUND, AND COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR ANY FURTHER. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND REPAIRED THE HINGES ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. *AK *MR
CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR. SEVERAL DAYS LATER CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE DOOR NEEDED REWELDING, AND THE REWELDING WAS DONE BY THE DEALER. *AK
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HINGE MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOOR. *NLM PH *JB
THE HINGE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR MAKES A HORRIBLE POPPING NOISE WHEN I OPEN OR CLOSE THE DOOR AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT THE MECHANIC HAS SEEN ON THIS MODEL VOLVO BEFORE. *JB
Official recalls
406V441000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Nov 15, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
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.
99V035000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Feb 25, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SEDANS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE FUEL FILTER BRACKET CONFIGURATION MARGINS ARE INSUFFICIENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILTER PROTECTION BRACKET.
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
5EA05021 · Throttle Control Malfunction
Opened Dec 6, 2005 · Closed Dec 12, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
ON NOVEMBER 14, 2006 VOLVO SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING ETM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2001 VOLVO MODELS (NOT INCLUDING THE S40 AND V40), MY 2002 S60 AND V70 WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINES AND MY 2002 V70S.ACCORDING TO VOLVO, ?A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.VOLVO FURTHER STATED THAT,THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES GOING INTO LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.?VOLVO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE MOST SEVERE CONSEQUENCE OF AN ETM FAULT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE RECALL REMEDY IS A SOFTWARE UPGRADE INTRODUCED BY VOLVO ON MARCH 16, 2006 IN A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM.AT THE TIME OF THE NOTIFICATION 161,202 VEHICLES OF THE POPULATION OF 331,301 HAD ALREADY HAD THE SOFTWARE UPLOADED AND WERE THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED IN THE POPULATION COUNT OF THE RECALL. ODI?S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND VOLVO, VOLVO FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY DATA FOUND THAT ETM FAILURE COULD RESULT IN (1) ENGINE STALL; (2) MECHANICAL LIMP MODE; (3) LUNGING FORWARD DURING LOW-SPEED DRIVING MANEUVERS; AND (4) FALTERING DURING HIGH SPEED MERGES OR WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC.ODI IDENTIFIED 12 CRASHES RELATED TO ETM FAILURE, WITH 6 CAUSED BY LUNGING INCIDENTS, 3 CAUSED BY STALLING INCIDENTS, 2 CAUSED BY MECHANICAL LIMP MODE AND 1 FROM THE FALTERING CONDITION.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA AND INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM CONSUMER INTERVIEWS IDENTIFIED 1,289 INCIDENTS WITH SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES (389.1 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), INCLUDING 479 INVOLVING ENGINE STALL (144.6 PER 100,000 VEHICLES) AND 729 INVOLVING MECHANICAL LIMP MODE (220.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES).ODI'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY CLAIM NARRATIVE TEXT SHOWS AT LEAST 14,965 WARRANTY CLAIMS WITH CODES INDICATING AN ETM FAULT RESULTING IN VEHICLE OPERATION IN MECHANICAL LIMP MODE (4.5% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES). VOLVO?S RECALL ADDRESSES ODI?S SAFETY CONCERNS WITH ETM FAILURES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF ADDITIONAL ACTION IS REQUIRED.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.
PE05041 · Throttle Control Malfunction
Opened Jul 26, 2005 · Closed Dec 7, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
PE05-041 WAS OPENED ON JULY, 26, 2005, BASED ON 136 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGING THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI HAS NOW RECEIVED 591 COMPLAINTS OF ETM FAILURES WHICH ALLEGE SYMPTOMS WITH POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES.THESE INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE STALL, VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD WITHOUT ACCELERATOR INPUT, VEHICLE HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED TRANSITION INTO REDUCED PERFORMANCE OPERATION (LIMP MODE).VOLVO SUBMITTED OVER 2,900 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE ETM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING PE05-041.ODI'S PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 55 PERCENT WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ABOVE.ODI IS CONTINUING ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS. IN NOVEMBER 2005, TO RESOLVE AN INVESTIGATION BY THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD, VOLVO ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 10 YEARS / 200,000 MILES FOR THE ETM IN APPROXIMATELY 356,000 MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 PASSENGER CARS SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.UNDER VOLVO'S POLICY, VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCE ETM FAILURES WILL RECEIVE A VARIETY OF REPAIRS INCLUDING ETM CLEANING, REPROGRAMMING THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND/OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ETM. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-021) TO CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF ETM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
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.