IllustrationDEFECTIVE ABS COMPUTER MODULE. *NLM
1998 Volvo V70
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 V70 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
20–25K
925–50K
1450–75K
1275–100K
14100–150K
6150K+
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
What owners actually said
187 reportsWHILE 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
CONSUMER STATES HEADLIGHT SWITCH BROKE, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO BE INOPERATIVE. DEALER STATES RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
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
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
ABS/ TRACTION COMPUTER FAILURE, PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE, SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FALSELY (VOLVO V 70 AWD CROSS COUNTRY). *NLM
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
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UNDER ORDINARY USE AND IGNITION KEY COULD NOT BE REINSERTED INTO IGNITION. PH
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: DEFECTIVE TIRES PER DEALER, LIGHTING, AND THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK-INOP(CONTINUOUS). SCC
ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THEN GOES OFF AFTER A CYCLING OF THE ENGINE. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND BECAUSE THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON, IT IS DANGEROUS. VOLVO DOES NOT SEEM TO BE PAYING MUCH ATTENTION TO THIS PROBLEM DESPITE A HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. BECAUE …
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ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THEN GOES OFF AFTER A CYCLING OF THE ENGINE. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND BECAUSE THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON, IT IS DANGEROUS. VOLVO DOES NOT SEEM TO BE PAYING MUCH ATTENTION TO THIS PROBLEM DESPITE A HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. BECAUE THERE IS NO ONE DATE FOR THIS PROBLEM I WILL ARBITRARILY PUT ONE IN FOR REPORTING PURPOSES
Official recalls
504V504000 · 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
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.