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1998 Volvo V70

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

57 reports with mileage · 130 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 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 24 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 reports7 fire reports14 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

14 reports
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99,000 miles · Jun 26, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL TANK ON MY 1998 VOLVO V70 HAS FAILED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. AFTER REPLACING ALMOST MY ENTIRE FUEL EVAP SYSTEM, VOLVO DETERMINED MY FUEL TANK HAD A LEAK. I REQUESTED THAT VOLVO REPLACE MY FUEL TANK AT THEIR EXPENSE, BECAUSE I FEEL THAT A FUEL TANK SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO LAST MORE …

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THE FUEL TANK ON MY 1998 VOLVO V70 HAS FAILED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. AFTER REPLACING ALMOST MY ENTIRE FUEL EVAP SYSTEM, VOLVO DETERMINED MY FUEL TANK HAD A LEAK. I REQUESTED THAT VOLVO REPLACE MY FUEL TANK AT THEIR EXPENSE, BECAUSE I FEEL THAT A FUEL TANK SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO LAST MORE THAN 8 YEARS. VOLVO HAS REFUSED TO RECALL THE TANK AND HAS ABSOLVED THEMSELVES OF ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10160830

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. DUE TO THE GASOLINE CAP BEING LOOSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER HAS TO GO TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT TURNED OFF.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10025033

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

FAILURE RESULTED IN GAS LEAKING AND A GAS SMELL WHEN GAS TANK WAS NEAR FULL. DT

NHTSA ODI #768761

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER IS WAS DUE TO A FUEL FILL PIPE PROBLEM.*YH

NHTSA ODI #567392

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2002
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

THE GAS CAP DID NOT FIT PROPERLY. *YH

NHTSA ODI #564029

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE CAR ON A ROUTINE BASIS. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN OIL LEAKS, GASOLINE LEAKS, AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE AND SEAT BELT FAILURES. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED ALMOST ON A MONTHLY BASIS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF OWNERSHIP. THIS PAST WEEK, IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES FOR ELECTRICAL PRO…

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THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE CAR ON A ROUTINE BASIS. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN OIL LEAKS, GASOLINE LEAKS, AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE AND SEAT BELT FAILURES. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED ALMOST ON A MONTHLY BASIS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF OWNERSHIP. THIS PAST WEEK, IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS. THE VOLVO DEALERSHIPS HAVE MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS AND WARRANTIES HAVE PAID MOST OF THE COSTS, THE AMOUNT OF TIME THIS CAR HAS SPENT BEING SERVICED IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. EVEN THE VOLVO DEALER HERE IN FLORIDA (PLANTATION VOLVO) SUGGESTED WE RESEARCH THE FLORIDA LEMON LAW. THE LAW DOES NOT APPLY TO US BECAUSE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN MASSACHUSETTS. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN GETTING VOLVO'S ATTENTION THAT THIS PARTICULAR CAR HAS MAJOR FLAWS, ESPECIALLY ELECTRICAL.

NHTSA ODI #745792

44,800 miles · Apr 14, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH, WHEN I RAN OVER A PIECE OF METAL THAT WAS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A RULER. I HEARD A LOUD BANG, AND THEN I GOT HOME, FOUND THAT GAS WAS POURING OUT OF THE GAS TANK. IT HAD BEEN PUNCTURED. OBVIOUSLY, WE ALL COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THERE WAS A SPARK. I WOULD NOT HAVE EXPECTED A GAS TANK TO SO EASILY PUN…

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I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH, WHEN I RAN OVER A PIECE OF METAL THAT WAS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A RULER. I HEARD A LOUD BANG, AND THEN I GOT HOME, FOUND THAT GAS WAS POURING OUT OF THE GAS TANK. IT HAD BEEN PUNCTURED. OBVIOUSLY, WE ALL COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THERE WAS A SPARK. I WOULD NOT HAVE EXPECTED A GAS TANK TO SO EASILY PUNCTURED. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****744064

NHTSA ODI #10006396

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

ENGINE HAS A RANDOM MIS-FIRE RELATED TO THE CPU. VOLVO IS AWARE BUT HAS NOT PRODUCED ANY BULLETINS FOR AN UP-GRADE. MIS-FIRE CAN CAUSE STALLS AT IDLE IN COLD WEATHER AND HAS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE ACCIDENTS DUE TO STALLS IN INTERSECTIONS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS IN ALL 1998 MODELS WITH THE 190HP TURBO ENGINE. IT IS ANN…

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ENGINE HAS A RANDOM MIS-FIRE RELATED TO THE CPU. VOLVO IS AWARE BUT HAS NOT PRODUCED ANY BULLETINS FOR AN UP-GRADE. MIS-FIRE CAN CAUSE STALLS AT IDLE IN COLD WEATHER AND HAS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE ACCIDENTS DUE TO STALLS IN INTERSECTIONS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS IN ALL 1998 MODELS WITH THE 190HP TURBO ENGINE. IT IS ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #704556

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

THERE WAS A "LARGE FUEL LEAK IN FUEL SYSTEM". THE TEE JUNCTIONS AND CLAMPS WERE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #702365

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

INTERMITTENT "STUTTERING" OR "SPUTTERING" PROBLEM BOTH AT IDLE AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. FEELS LIKE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM IS MISFIRING THE ENGINE. CAR HAS NEVER STALLED, BUT NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN PRESSING ACCELERATOR FROM STOP, SPUTTERING CAUSES DELAY IN ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI #702329

Official recalls

5

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.

98V254000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Oct 14, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STATION WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH THIRD SEATS. USERS OF THE THIRD SEAT, WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TAILPIPE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONTACT WITH THE TAILPIPE CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LENGTH OF THE VEHICLE'S TAILPIPE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR THE TAILPIPE.

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

5

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.

PE99005 · Fuel Leakage

Opened Jan 15, 1999 · Closed Jun 30, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE98043 · Exhaust Pipe Burns

Opened Aug 5, 1998 · Closed Oct 21, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON TWO REPORTS OF CHILDREN RECEIVING BURNS ON THEIR LEG FROM THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE WHILE EXITING 1998 MODEL YEAR V70 WAGONS VIA THE REAR LIFTGATE.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH A DEALER INSTALLED REAR FACING CHILDREN'S AUXILIARY SEAT (AUXILIARY SEAT).ENTRY TO ANDEXIT FROM THE AUXILIARY SEAT IS ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH THE REAR LIFTGATE.THE END OF THE EXHAUST PIPE, OR EXHAUST PIPE EXTENSION, ON THE V70 MODEL PROTUDES BEYOUND THE REAR BUNPER FASCIA THRUS INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD THAT AUXILIARY SEAT OCCUPANTS WILL BURN THEMSELVES WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE.ADDITIONALLY, A THIRD CHILD WAS ALSO BURNED ON IT'S LEG WHILE WALKING AROUND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.VOLVO'S ANALYSIS OF THIS ISSUE REVEALED 14 ADDITIONAL REPORTS RESULTING IN 18 INJURIES.VOLVO HAS AGREED TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.ALL REGISTERED OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WILL NOTIFIED VIA FIRST CLASS MAIL, AS VOLVO CANNOT DETERMINE WHO MAY HAVE HAD AN AUXILIARY SEAT INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLE.THE NOTIFICATION TO ALL SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS WILL ALSO EFFCTIVELY INFORM THOSE OWNERS WHO MAY WISH TO HAVE AN AUXILIARY SEAT ADDED TO THEIR VEHICLES IN THE FUTURE.