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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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

3 reports
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31,000 miles · May 14, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

I OWN A 1998 VOLVO V70 THAT HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR LOCKS. THE CAR WILL LOCK BUT TWO DOORS DO NOT UNLOCK WHEN THE MASTER OR REMOTE SWITCHES ARE ACTIVATED. ONE HAS TO MANUALLY LIFT THE UNLOCKING KNOB FIRST. MY CONCERN IS THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR THE NEED TO LEAVE THE CAR QUICKLY, A YOUNG CHILD OR SOMEONE WHO IS I…

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I OWN A 1998 VOLVO V70 THAT HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR LOCKS. THE CAR WILL LOCK BUT TWO DOORS DO NOT UNLOCK WHEN THE MASTER OR REMOTE SWITCHES ARE ACTIVATED. ONE HAS TO MANUALLY LIFT THE UNLOCKING KNOB FIRST. MY CONCERN IS THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR THE NEED TO LEAVE THE CAR QUICKLY, A YOUNG CHILD OR SOMEONE WHO IS INFIRM MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR AND SOMEONE FROM THE OUTSIDE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO UNLOCK THE CAR DOOR EITHER TO HELP THEM. FOR THE FRONT DOOR, IT IS EASY ENOUGH TO LEAN OVER FROM THE OTHER SIDE AND LIFT THE KNOB TO UNLOCK THE DOOR BUT FOR THE REAR DOOR, THE KNOB IS PLACED TOO FAR BACK TO REACH FROM THE FRONT, HENCE THE CONCERN. FROM OPENING THE LOCK, IT APPEARS THAT A SMALL (3 MM) PIECE OF RED PLASTIC IN THE LOCK MECHANISM HAS SNAPPED OFF. FROM SEARCHING THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL BUT THAT THE DESIGN FAULT WAS FIXED ON LATER MODELS. ALSO, APPARENTLY THE BREAKAGE APPEARS TO OCCUR WHEN SOMEONE TRIES TO OPEN THE LOCKED DOOR WHILE SOMEONE IS TRYING TO UNLOCK IT  A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. I HAVE CONTACTED VOLVO BUT THEY TELL ME THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND SIMPLY WEAR AND TEAR. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10072599

40,000 miles · Mar 22, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS IN DOOR BEHIND DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOORS HAVE FAILED. BOTH WILL CLOSE NORMALLY BUT WILL NOT OPEN WITH KEY OR REMOTE. IN DARK PARKING LOT, NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN DOOR ESPECIALLY WITH REMOTE MEANS IT TAKES MORE TIME TO ENTER CAR LEAVING PASSENGERS MORE VULNERABLE TO ASSAULT. (NOTE: INCIDENT DATE NOT ACC…

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ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS IN DOOR BEHIND DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOORS HAVE FAILED. BOTH WILL CLOSE NORMALLY BUT WILL NOT OPEN WITH KEY OR REMOTE. IN DARK PARKING LOT, NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN DOOR ESPECIALLY WITH REMOTE MEANS IT TAKES MORE TIME TO ENTER CAR LEAVING PASSENGERS MORE VULNERABLE TO ASSAULT. (NOTE: INCIDENT DATE NOT ACCURATE BUT WEBSITE WON'T LET ME PROCEED WITHOUT AN ENTRY.) *AK

NHTSA ODI #10063652

71,000 miles · Jan 3, 2003
Latches/locks/linkagesPower Train

SHIFT LOCK ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF VOLVO V70 LOCKS OUT. TS

NHTSA ODI #10000498

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.