NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
40 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Sep 12, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE AIR MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND CODES WERE NOT CORRECT. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS THE COMPUTER CHIP ON THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. VOLVO WOULDN'T REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WAR…
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WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE AIR MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND CODES WERE NOT CORRECT. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS THE COMPUTER CHIP ON THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. VOLVO WOULDN'T REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #8023724
62,500 miles · Aug 12, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES NOT FUNCTIONING. CAUSE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A DEFECTIVE ABS/TRACS MODULE, A KNOWN WEAK SPOT ON 1998 MODEL VOLVO S/V/C 70 SERIES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10032667
55,000 miles · Aug 7, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. BRAKING POWER HESITATED, WHICH CAUSED THE TO HAVE NO BRAKES.*AK THE BRAKES ACTIVATED WITHOUT DRIVER APPLICATION. YET, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THERE WAS A DELAY IN BRAKING. *PH *JB
NHTSA ODI #10029344
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2003
Service Brakes, AirService Brakes, Hydraulic
1998 VOLVO - (V70 AND OTHERS) ABS/TRAC CONTROL MODULE FAILS WITH 64,000 MILES ON CAR. SYMPTOMS ARE INTERMITTENT WARNING LIGHTS. WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ACCORDING TO DEALER AND OTHER OWNERS (SEE WWW.BRICKBOARD.COM) REPAIR IS NEARLY $700. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SINCE ABS AND TRAC DO NOT WORK WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON AND MODULE FAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030382
45,000 miles · Jul 16, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS / TRACTION CONTROL MODULE FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY ISSUE WITH VOLVOS. ACCORDING TO MY SERVICE WRITER AT THE VOLVO THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. THE REPAIR IS ALSO NOT CHEAP AT APPROX. $650.00. EXCLUDED IN THE VOLVO INCREA…
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ABS / TRACTION CONTROL MODULE FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY ISSUE WITH VOLVOS. ACCORDING TO MY SERVICE WRITER AT THE VOLVO THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. THE REPAIR IS ALSO NOT CHEAP AT APPROX. $650.00. EXCLUDED IN THE VOLVO INCREASED PROTECTION (VIP) "LIMITED" EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10028411
77,500 miles · Jun 29, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DEFECTIVE ABS COMPUTER MODULE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023979
25,000 miles · Jun 3, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FAILURE OF ABS CONTROL MODULE. 1998 VOLVO V70. INTERMITTENT AND PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKES, USUALLY (NOT ALWAYS) WHEN GOING OVER BUMP. SOMETIMES BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST GOES TO FLOOR BEFORE ENGAGING. THE PROBLEM STARTED SPORADICALLY ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO (ABS FAULT LIGHT WITH NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEM). SEVERAL VISITS TO DEALER, BUT NO REME…
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FAILURE OF ABS CONTROL MODULE. 1998 VOLVO V70. INTERMITTENT AND PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKES, USUALLY (NOT ALWAYS) WHEN GOING OVER BUMP. SOMETIMES BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST GOES TO FLOOR BEFORE ENGAGING. THE PROBLEM STARTED SPORADICALLY ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO (ABS FAULT LIGHT WITH NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEM). SEVERAL VISITS TO DEALER, BUT NO REMEDY. ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO, PROBLEM BECAME MORE SEVERE WITH ACTUAL LOSS OF BRAKES OCCURRING. IT SEEMS FROM NEWSGROUPS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR VOLVO, SO I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS A ISOLATED INCIDENT. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10020959
45,000 miles · May 6, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED WITH LESS THAN 35K MILES IN FEB 2002. PROBLEM WAS A FROZEN RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER AND A FAULTY RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WHICH ENGAGES THE ABS UNNECESSARILY/RANDOMLY. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN FOR ABOUT A YEAR AFTER OWNING THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILUR…
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I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED WITH LESS THAN 35K MILES IN FEB 2002. PROBLEM WAS A FROZEN RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER AND A FAULTY RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WHICH ENGAGES THE ABS UNNECESSARILY/RANDOMLY. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN FOR ABOUT A YEAR AFTER OWNING THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE APPEARS TO BE QUITE COMMON BECAUSE HE HAS SEEN IT IN MANY OF THE SAME CARS. THE PART THAT IS USED TO REPLACE IT IS ALSO A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT VOLVO IS MOST LIKELY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS WELL BUT HAVE NEVER ISSUED A RECALL. THERE WERE MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SUCH AS BAROMETRIC PRESSURE SENSOR FAILURE, UPPER MOTOR MOUNT REQUIRING REPLACING, AC SENSOR FAILURE, WHEEL BEARING, ETC. ALL WITHIN THE PERIOD OF 1 YEAR BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS AFFECTED THE SAFETY/BRAKING OF THE CAR SO I DO NOT CONSIDER THAT TRULY DANGEROUS. THOSE ISSUES INVOLVE AGGRAVATION AND MONEY, NOT SAFETY. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10017100
85,000 miles · Mar 21, 2003
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashFire
ABS/ TRACTION COMPUTER FAILURE, PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE, SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FALSELY (VOLVO V 70 AWD CROSS COUNTRY). *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10010861
86,000 miles · Mar 6, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE A 1998 VOLVO V70R AWD AND BOTH THE ABS/TRAC WARNING LIGHTS HAD BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS. THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN GO OFF. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAVE NOW HAD THE CONTROL UNIT REPLACED. THE COST TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT WAS APPROX…
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I HAVE A 1998 VOLVO V70R AWD AND BOTH THE ABS/TRAC WARNING LIGHTS HAD BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS. THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN GO OFF. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAVE NOW HAD THE CONTROL UNIT REPLACED. THE COST TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT WAS APPROXIMATELY $563.60. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10008469
NHTSA investigations
5RQ04004 · 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.
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