1998 Volvo V70
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
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.
- Complaints
- 187
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 5
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 1998
Opened by NHTSA
29% of complaints
Complaints per year
1998: 187 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 3 |
| 1998 | 187 |
| 1999 | 169 |
| 2000 | 93 |
| 2001 | 221 |
| 2002 | 76 |
| 2003 | 32 |
| 2004 | 84 |
| 2005 | 21 |
| 2006 | 21 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
29% · 55 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Exterior lighting
18% · 34 reportsMost commonly citing headlights and switch.
Engine and engine cooling
13% · 24 reportsMost commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and exhaust system.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle was parked after a one hour drive. There is a third seat in the car. Child climbed out of back and burned the calf on the tail pipe. The second child was walking around the car, and burned thigh on the tail pipe.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-07-28
Consumer's son was exiting from the rear door. When he stepped down his leg was right up against the tail pipe, he suffered 2ND degree burns. Consumer was taken to doctor and was prescribed anti-biotics for infection due to burn.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-05-18
Fuel system, gasoline
7% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing tank assembly and filler pipe and cap.
Electrical system
7% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing front underhood and wiring.
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1998Complaint volume 187 complaints filed for this model year.
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I
1998-08-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 1998-10-21 Exhaust pipe burns
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R
1998-11-16Engine and engine cooling98V254000 Vehicle description: station wagons equipped with third seats. Users of the third seat, when exiting the vehicle, can come in contact with the tailpipe.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the length of the vehicle's tailpipe and, if necessary, repair the tailpipe.
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I
1999-01-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-06-30 Fuel leakage
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I
1999-06-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-10-27 Inadvertent side air bag deployment
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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.
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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.
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I
2000-08-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-12-22 Turn signal
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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.
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I
2004-06-08Recall queryClosed 2004-11-05 Headlight failure
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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.…
Buy-smart checklist
1998 Volvo V70 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 55 reports on file for this year.
- Exterior lighting: 34 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 24 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 98V254000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 99V235000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 99V236000 · Air bags
- Recall 00V405000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 04V504000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1998 Volvo V70 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Volvo V70 is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 1998 Volvo V70?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Volvo V70 have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.