1998 Volvo S70

○ Not enough data

1998 Volvo S70
BUILT 2026-09-02

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1998: 215 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1995	2
1996	0
1997	4
1998	215
1999	205
2000	164
2002	3

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 37%

37% of complaints: service brakes — 79 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

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I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SEARS AUTO CENTER AT 1178 EL CAMINO REAL IN SAN BRUNO, CALIFORNIA (SEARS STORE #6909) ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2018 FOR FRONT BRAKES. SEARS RETURNED THE CAR TO ME ON 9/2/18 (A COPY OF MY "FINAL INVOICE" IS ENCLOSED).

NHTSA ODI report, 20180914

Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 21%

21% of complaints: exterior lighting — 45 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing turn signal and headlights.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%

17% of complaints: electrical system — 36 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and interior/under dash.

FIRE

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KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20150423

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%

12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE INJURY

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FAILURE OF CAM BELT ADJUSTER, AT SPEED WITH NO WARNING AND TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20050309

EXHAUST PIPE IS EXTENDED TO FAR OUT FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER'S CHILD TO BE BURNED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19981104

AIR BAGS 7%

7% of complaints: air bags — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY

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CHECK YOU EMAIL FROM. NOT AIR BAG COMPLAINT (E.G., SEAT BELT, TRAILER SUSPENSION AIR BAG, ETC.). ADDED ON 09-07-1999. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19981101

VEHICLE COLLISION, NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS. 522084 DUP OF 524915. POSTED ON 30-SEP-98. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980205

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19990607 — PE (closed 19991027)

INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

R 19990915 — exterior lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

Campaign 99V235000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990915 — air bags

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE OVERLY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ASSURE SUFFICIENT GROUNDING.

Campaign 99V236000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20000815 — PE (closed 20001222)

TURN SIGNAL

R 20010319 — exterior lighting

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET.

Campaign 00V405000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040608 — RQ (closed 20041105)

HEADLIGHT FAILURE

R 20050124 — exterior lighting

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.

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. TH

Campaign 04V504000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Volvo S70 — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for service brakes issues (79 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (45 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (36 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 99V235000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 99V236000 (air bags) has been completed.
Verify recall 00V405000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 04V504000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

FAQ

Is the 1998 Volvo S70 reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Volvo S70?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Volvo S70 have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.