IllustrationPASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG EXPLODED. CAR WAS IN GARAGE AND STARTED. MY WIFE REACHED FOR A PAIR OF SUN GLASSES ON THE DASH AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *JB
2000 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
40–25K
1125–50K
1250–75K
1775–100K
13100–150K
3150K+
60 reports with mileage · 33 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 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
93 reportsWHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF 10-15MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND ONLY PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FEEL FREE TO ADD.*AK
THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CAR TO RAPIDLY LOSE SPEED. HAD IT HAPPENED DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HIGHER SPEEDS THEN AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THIS FAILURE SEEMS EXTREMELY PREMATURE FOR THIS TYPE OF PART. 80000 MILES TRANSLATES TO ABOUT 2000 HRS OF OPERATION. IF THIS IS A NORMAL REPAIR FOR THIS TYPE OF CAR THEN VOLVO HAS A S…
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THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CAR TO RAPIDLY LOSE SPEED. HAD IT HAPPENED DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HIGHER SPEEDS THEN AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THIS FAILURE SEEMS EXTREMELY PREMATURE FOR THIS TYPE OF PART. 80000 MILES TRANSLATES TO ABOUT 2000 HRS OF OPERATION. IF THIS IS A NORMAL REPAIR FOR THIS TYPE OF CAR THEN VOLVO HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF NHTSA HAS ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PART AND ITS FAILURE RATE.*AK
WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF THE DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK TO DATE, THE CAUSE OF FIRE IS STILL UNDETERMINED. IT APPEARS THE COOLANT OVER FLOW BOTTLE EXPLODED AND SOME HOW SET FIRE TO THE ENGINE. VOLVO WANTS TO TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH IT IS …
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WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF THE DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK TO DATE, THE CAUSE OF FIRE IS STILL UNDETERMINED. IT APPEARS THE COOLANT OVER FLOW BOTTLE EXPLODED AND SOME HOW SET FIRE TO THE ENGINE. VOLVO WANTS TO TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *JG
PURCHASED CAR IN EARLY JANUARY 2000. PROBLEMS WITH HOOD LATCH NOT RELEASING. SERVICING OF VEHICLE THREE TIMES TO RESOLVE AND WILL INTERMITTENTLY CONTINUE. BOTH TURN SIGNALS FAILED WITHIN FIRST 6 MONTHS OF OWNING CAR. RECALL WAS IN PLACE BUT DEALER DID NOT REPLACE UNTIL UNITS FAILED. LATCH ON VEHICLE FAILED WITHIN FIRST WEEK…
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PURCHASED CAR IN EARLY JANUARY 2000. PROBLEMS WITH HOOD LATCH NOT RELEASING. SERVICING OF VEHICLE THREE TIMES TO RESOLVE AND WILL INTERMITTENTLY CONTINUE. BOTH TURN SIGNALS FAILED WITHIN FIRST 6 MONTHS OF OWNING CAR. RECALL WAS IN PLACE BUT DEALER DID NOT REPLACE UNTIL UNITS FAILED. LATCH ON VEHICLE FAILED WITHIN FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP IN COLD WEATHER. BROUGHT INTO DEALER THREE TIMES TO RESOLVE. DID NOT KNOW AT THE TIME THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE AND DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. AFTER THIRD TIME, DEMANDED ACTION AND THEN THEY SAID, "OH, IT'S ON RECALL" AND REPLACED LATCH. PROBLEM WAS WOULD NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER, WOULD FREEZE UP SO THE LATCH WAS EITHER STUCK WHEN CLOSED OR IF YOU OPENED UP THE REAR DOOR, IT WOULD NOT CLOSE. NEXT ITEM WAS FUEL VAPOR LEAK INTO CAR. DEALER FIXED BUT CREATED PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL GAUGE. GAUGE WOULD NOT INDICATE LESS THAN 6 GALLONS. RAN OUT OF GAS THREE TIMES BEFORE FIGURING THAT OUT. DEALER REPLACED PART/ALL OF LINE OR SENSOR IN FUEL SYSTEM.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, SIDEWALL SEPARATED FROM TREAD ON RIGHT REAR TIRE. DEALER CONTACTED MICHELIN, MXV4 TIRE SIZE 195/60R15, DOT FUDA CHYX369 06-51078-01, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FOR A VOLVO, V70 ,2000. *AK *TT
VEHICLE WAS IN PARKED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND ROLLED DOWN THE STREET.*AK
I HAD A FUEL LEAK WHICH THE DEALER FAILED TO REPAIR AFTER REPEATED REPORTS OF THE PROBLEM BEING CORRECTED. IT WAS NOT UNTILL THE CAR WAS FLAT BEDDED TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER THAT IT WAS FINALLY CORRECTED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DRAINED THE TANK. I WAS 9 MONTHS PREGNANT AND DRIVING A CAR WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE THAT HAD A FUEL LEAK. …
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I HAD A FUEL LEAK WHICH THE DEALER FAILED TO REPAIR AFTER REPEATED REPORTS OF THE PROBLEM BEING CORRECTED. IT WAS NOT UNTILL THE CAR WAS FLAT BEDDED TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER THAT IT WAS FINALLY CORRECTED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DRAINED THE TANK. I WAS 9 MONTHS PREGNANT AND DRIVING A CAR WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE THAT HAD A FUEL LEAK. *AK
SEAT LOWERED TO ALLOW LOADING OF LARGE ITEM. UPON TRYING TO PUT THE SEAT BACK UPRIGHT, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WOULD NOT RELEASE FORCING THE SEAT TO REMAIN IN THE DOWN POSITION UNTIL BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, I WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY RE-MOUNT CHILD CAR SEATS.
TAILGATE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK PROPERLY, AND IN COLD WEATHER DOOR ALARM WILL GO OFF BECAUSE THE DOOR IS NOT CLOSED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
Official recalls
506V441000 · 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.
04V451000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
Sep 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SOME ELECTRIC COOLING FANS MAY OVERHEAT POTENTIALLY CAUSING HEAT DAMAGE AND, IN RARE INSTANCES, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS 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.
00V239000 · Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
Aug 24, 2000
ON CERTAIN STATION WAGONS, THE TAILGATE LOCKING MECHANISM MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED WHICH, IN COMBINATION WITH COLD TEMPERATURES, COULD CAUSE IMPROPER LOCKING OF THE TAILGATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE TAILGATE MAY NOT LOCK PROPERLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE TAILGATE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 25, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
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
3EA05021 · 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.