MYRModel Year Report

1998 Volvo S70

○ Not enough data
1998 Volvo S70
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
215
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

37% of complaints

Complaints per year

1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 0 complaints 1996 1997: 4 complaints 1997 1998: 215 complaints 1998 215 1999: 205 complaints 1999 2000: 164 complaints 2000 2002: 3 complaints 2002
1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 0 complaints 1996 1997: 4 complaints 1997 1998: 215 complaints 1998 215 1999: 205 complaints 1999 2000: 164 complaints 2000 2002: 3 complaints 2002
1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 0 complaints 1996 1997: 4 complaints 1997 1998: 215 complaints 1998 215 1999: 205 complaints 1999 2000: 164 complaints 2000 2002: 3 complaints 2002

1998: 215 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19952
19960
19974
1998215
1999205
2000164
20023

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

37% · 79 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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, 2018-09-14

Exterior lighting

21% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing turn signal and headlights.

Electrical system

17% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and interior/under dash.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Key will not come out of ignition.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-04-23

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Failure of cam belt adjuster, at speed with no warning and total loss of engine power and ancillary equipment.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-09

Exhaust pipe is extended to far out from the vehicle which caused consumer's child to be burned. Please give any further details.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-11-04

Air bags

7% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Check you email from. Not air bag complaint (E.g., seat belt, trailer suspension air bag, etc.). Added on 09-07-1999.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-11-01

Vehicle collision, no deployment of air bags. 522084 dup of 524915. Posted on 30-sep-98.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-02-05

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1999-06-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-10-27 Inadvertent side air bag deployment
  2. R
    1999-09-15Exterior lighting99V235000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1999-09-15Air bags99V236000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2000-08-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-12-22 Turn signal
  5. R
    2001-03-19Exterior lighting00V405000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2004-06-08Recall queryClosed 2004-11-05 Headlight failure
  7. R
    2005-01-24Exterior lighting04V504000 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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Volvo S70 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 79 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 45 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 36 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 99V235000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 99V236000 · Air bags
  • Recall 00V405000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 04V504000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.