1999 Volvo V70

◆ Worse than typical

1999 Volvo V70
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:36:55.942Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1999: 169 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1996	1
1997	3
1998	187
1999	169
2000	93
2001	221
2002	76
2003	32
2004	83
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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 31%

31% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 52 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

I WAS DRIVING MY 1999 VOLVO V70 ON THE HIGHWAY, AND IT CONSTANTLY ACCELERATES AND DECELERATES ON ITS OWN WITH NO ACTION DONE BY ME. IN ONE CASE IT ACCELERATED TO THE POINT IN WHICH I LOST CONTROL AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20060322

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE RPMS DECREASED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, ECM AND THE LIMP HOME MODE WARNING MESSAGES ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120716

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%

21% of complaints: electrical system — 36 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

THROUGOUT THIS CARS HISTORY (FROM THE FIRST YEAR 20 + YEARS AGO THROUGH TO TODAY) THE ENGINE RANDOMLY CUTS OUT WITHOUT WARNING, THOUGH THIS HAPPENS WHEN USALLY WHILE DECLERATING AND BRAKING TO ROUND A STREET CORNER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20201020

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 5%

5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 8 distinct reports on file.

VISIBILITY 4%

4% of complaints: visibility — 6 distinct reports on file.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 4%

4% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 6 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19981116 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Campaign 98V254000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 1999 — complaint volume: 169

I 19990607 — PE (closed 19991027)

INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

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

I 20050726 — PE (closed 20051207)

THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION

I 20051206 — EA (closed 20061212)

THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION

R 20061229 — vehicle speed control

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

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.

Campaign 06V441000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1999 Volvo V70 — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (52 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (36 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (8 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 98V254000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Verify recall 00V405000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 04V504000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 06V441000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2003 ▲ 2002 ▲ 2004

WORST YEARS

■ 2001 ■ 1998 ● 2000

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1999 Volvo V70 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Volvo V70 is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Volvo V70?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Volvo V70 have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.