Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 3 of 10 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
Structure. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
10 reports
105,578 miles · Aug 17, 2007
Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLIGHTS CEASED OPERATING ON MY 1998 VOLVO V90. AFTER CHECKING FOR FAULTY BULBS AND FUSES, I FOUND NHTSA SAFETY RECALL # 04V504000 FOR 1998 VOLVOS OF THE S70/VIA/C70 SERIES. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE OF MY HEADLIGHTS TO OPERATE. THE DEALER FOUND THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO BE FAULTY AND …
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THE HEADLIGHTS CEASED OPERATING ON MY 1998 VOLVO V90. AFTER CHECKING FOR FAULTY BULBS AND FUSES, I FOUND NHTSA SAFETY RECALL # 04V504000 FOR 1998 VOLVOS OF THE S70/VIA/C70 SERIES. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE OF MY HEADLIGHTS TO OPERATE. THE DEALER FOUND THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO BE FAULTY AND REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. V90S ARE NOT CURRENTLY COVERED BY MENTIONED RECALL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10199982
82,101 miles · Dec 29, 2005
Parking Brake
VOLVO 1998 MODEL V90--PARKING BRAKE FAILS TO RELEASE AND REAR BRAKE LOCKS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10146521
89,000 miles · Oct 23, 2003
Structure
REPEATED FAILURE OF SUNROOF "RAILS." *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043479
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2001
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
THIS CAR IS REALLY DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NO ALARM OR WARNING LIGHT WHEN DOOR IS AJAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #743774
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2001
Seat Belts
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #743770
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 1999
Air BagsCrashInjury
THE VOLVO AUTOMOBILE WAS HIT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A MERCEDES- BENZ ML 320 SPEEDING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. THE SIPS DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY ; NEITHER DID THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG. THE FAILURE TO DEPLOY CAUSED OR FAILED TO MINIMIZE SEVERE INJURIES TO MY WIFE' S NECK AND BACK. WHEN I DI…
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THE VOLVO AUTOMOBILE WAS HIT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A MERCEDES- BENZ ML 320 SPEEDING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. THE SIPS DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY ; NEITHER DID THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG. THE FAILURE TO DEPLOY CAUSED OR FAILED TO MINIMIZE SEVERE INJURIES TO MY WIFE' S NECK AND BACK. WHEN I DISCUSSED THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WITH MR. WILLIAM THOMAS OF BERGERON VOLVO, THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD THE CAR TO US, HE STATED THAT THESE SIPS AIRBAGS WERE INTENDED ONLY TO ACTIVATE WHEN STRUCK DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE VOLVO ADVERTISING, SALES LITERATURE, COMMENTS MADE BY THE SALES STAFF AND THE SALES MANAGER AT THE VARIOUS VISITS PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE ALL LED US TO BELIEVE THAT WE WERE PROVIDED WITH SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION. THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE 1998 VOLVO MODELS V90, S90, S70 AND C70. I AM INTERESTED IN ANY OTHER REPORTS BY OWNERS/ OPERATORS OF THESE VEHICLES TO NHTSA REGARDING SIDE AIRBAG FAILURE, AS WELL AS HAVING NHTSA INVESTIGATE THESE DESIGN DEFECTS, FALSE ADVERTISING, INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING STATEMENTS, AND FAILURES TO ADEQUATELTY APPRISE PURCHASERS AND PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE TRUE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THESE SIPS AIRBAGS.
NHTSA ODI #714571
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 1999
StructureUnknown Or OtherVisibility
NO WARNING LIGHT OR SOUNDS FOR DOOR AJAR. YH
NHTSA ODI #549400
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ON-GOING/INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FAILURE AT SLOW SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON 6 OCCASIONS. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA INT HIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #844592
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Seats
DRIVER SEAT TRIM FAILED. *YC
NHTSA ODI #607854
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 1999
Exterior Lighting
DOOR WARNING LIGHT OR ANY INFORMATION IS NO WHERE IN THE VEHICLE. NO WAY TO KNOW IF THE DOOR IS OPENED. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834150
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
1
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.
1998 Volvo V90 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year