IllustrationCARS STALLS WITHOUT WARNING AT VARYING SPEEDS. SOMETIMES I JUST LOSE ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING- HAS CAUSED TWO NEAR CAUSES. I HAVE WRITTEN IN THE DATE OF MY LAST INCIDENT -BUT IT HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE PAST YEAR. *NM
1999 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
30–25K
625–50K
3550–75K
3575–100K
19100–150K
12150K+
110 reports with mileage · 59 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 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
169 reports1) 1999 VOLVO V70. ETS LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. 2) THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY DEFECTIVE 3) PARTS REPLACED WITH NEW. *JB
I OWN A 1999 VOLVO V70 AWD WAGON WITH 55,000 MILES. WE WERE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 70 MPH AND THE CAR STARTED TO SURGE. THE ETS LIGHT CAME ON. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE HOME, BUT THE CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGHLY. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING IT IN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY MODU…
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I OWN A 1999 VOLVO V70 AWD WAGON WITH 55,000 MILES. WE WERE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 70 MPH AND THE CAR STARTED TO SURGE. THE ETS LIGHT CAME ON. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE HOME, BUT THE CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGHLY. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING IT IN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO SUGGESTED A COMPLETE VEHICLE SOFTWARE UPGRADE. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (SOLD TO ME BY THE DEALER), BUT IT DID NOT COVER THIS REPAIR. *JB
ROUGH ENGINE IDLE, FLUCTUATING IDLE SPEED, UNPREDICTABLE ACCELERATION RATE. *JB
THE VOLVO BEGAN TO SPORADICALLY LOSE POWER AND STALL. I CALLED THE VOLVO DEALER AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT AFTER IT STALLED WHILE CORNERING AND MY WIFE HAD ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ON 9/23/04 THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VOLVO. THEY CHECKED FOR CODES, BATTERY CABLES, FUEL AND IGNITION AND BATTERY AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. …
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THE VOLVO BEGAN TO SPORADICALLY LOSE POWER AND STALL. I CALLED THE VOLVO DEALER AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT AFTER IT STALLED WHILE CORNERING AND MY WIFE HAD ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ON 9/23/04 THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VOLVO. THEY CHECKED FOR CODES, BATTERY CABLES, FUEL AND IGNITION AND BATTERY AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THEY REPLACED A RELAY. TOTAL COST WAS $173.15. THE PROBLEM WAS STILL PRESENT AND I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK IN ON 11/16/04. THEY THEN DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY THROTTLE UNIT. THEY REPLACED IT AND PERFORMED A SOFTWARE RELOAD. THE COST OF THAT SERVICE WAS $ 1077.14. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT STALLED SINCE. *NM
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. 1ST FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND 6 YEAR OLD NEIGHBOR. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND THE SURGE ALMOST CAUSED ME TO REAR END THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. LACK OF POWER WITH NORMAL ACCELERATION WHICH LEADS TO MORE PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR LEADING TO AN EVENTUAL DANGEROUS SURGE. VERY NO…
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VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. 1ST FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND 6 YEAR OLD NEIGHBOR. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND THE SURGE ALMOST CAUSED ME TO REAR END THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. LACK OF POWER WITH NORMAL ACCELERATION WHICH LEADS TO MORE PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR LEADING TO AN EVENTUAL DANGEROUS SURGE. VERY NOTICEABLE AT A DEAD START, BUT DOES OCCUR AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. EXPLAINED BY DEALERSHIP THAT ETM NEEDS REPLACING. REPLACEMENT COST WILL BE $800-$1200. *NM
1999 VOLVO V70 WAGON. MASS REGISTRATION 9418PG MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVING WITH HER MOTHER IN THE ABOVE DESCRIBED 1999 VOLVO ON RT 3 SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN MILTON & MARSHFIELD MASSACHUSETTS, WHEN THE ETS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND STALL. MY WIFE HAVING EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE INSTRUCTED MY DAUGHTER TO PUL…
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1999 VOLVO V70 WAGON. MASS REGISTRATION 9418PG MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVING WITH HER MOTHER IN THE ABOVE DESCRIBED 1999 VOLVO ON RT 3 SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN MILTON & MARSHFIELD MASSACHUSETTS, WHEN THE ETS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND STALL. MY WIFE HAVING EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE INSTRUCTED MY DAUGHTER TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE CAR. MY WIFE & I PAID SOUTH SHORE VOLVO OF NORWELL MASSACHUSETTS $1100 TO REPLACE THIS ETS OR ETM SYSTEM JANUARY OF THIS YEAR. WE HAVE ALSO HAD SPENT $800. ON TWO OXYGEN SENSORS THAT SOUTH SHORE VOLVO INITIALLY DIAGNOSED AS THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE FURTHER SPENT AN ADDITIONAL $125. ON AN IGNITION SWITCH WHICH HAS BEEN CAUSING ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHT TO CONTINUOUSLY LIGHT AND GO OUT, NOW THE SPEEDOMETER AND MILEAGE METER HAVE BEGUN TO FAIL.. SOUTH SHORE VOLVO HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS, THEY WILL NOT EVEN RETURN OUR CALLS. CALIFORNIA HAS FILED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET SOME RELIEF FOR IT'S CITIZENS. I AM GOING TO ATTEMPT TO JOIN THEIRS, WOULD PREFER SOME APPRECIATE SOME ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU VINCENT P STANCATO. PS, 20 YEAR VOLVO OWNER, I DRIVE A 1991 VOLVO 245, USED TO LIKE THESE CARS. *NM
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, MY WIFE WOULD EXPERIENCE STALLS WITH OUR CHILDREN IN THE REAR SEATS. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, OUR DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM OF A FAULTY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE ON OUR 1999 V70. *JB
DT: THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE BODY 3 TIMES. *AK *JB
ENGINE IDLING IMPROPERLY, READ ABOUT ELECTRONIC THROTTLE FAILURES THROTTLE FAILED, REPLACEMENT REQUIRED. *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.
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
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.