VehicleVerdict

1998 Volvo C70 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 1998 Volvo C70 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

7

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other C70 years?

C70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted32 complaints1998: 7 complaints1999: 29 complaints2000: 32 complaints2001: 13 complaints2002: 6 complaints2003: 9 complaints2004: 21 complaints2006: 12 complaints2007: 24 complaints2008: 24 complaints2009: 13 complaints2010: 4 complaints2011: 17 complaints2012: 29 complaints2013: 16 complaints
C70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all C70 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Volvo C70 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes229%
Latches & Locks114%
Speed Control114%
Steering114%
Body & Structure114%
Tires & Wheels114%

Does the 1998 Volvo C70 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V504000LightingOctober 21, 2004 · 97,000 units

Defect

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

Consequence

THE HEAD LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR NO HEADLIGHT FUNCTION. THIS COULD IMPAIR A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

00V405000LightingDecember 6, 2000 · 245,894 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN AN APPROACHING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy

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

99V235000LightingAugust 30, 1999 · 139,588 units

Defect

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

Consequence

DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

99V236000AirbagsAugust 30, 1999 · 124,381 units

Defect

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

Consequence

THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT.

Remedy

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

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THIS HAS BEEN A REGULAR OCCURRENCE FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ABS MODULE NEEDED REPLACED TO REPAIR THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 7, 2004

“CAR HAS BEEN AT A RECOGNIZED AUTO REPAIR FACILITY AND HAS BEEN HAVING MAINTENANCE WORK PERFORMED. IT WAS SEEN THAT THE CAR HAD SUFFERED A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING RACK WITH THE HOUSING FRACTURING, AND ALL OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID BEING LOST. THERE WAS NO IMPACT AND THE HOUSING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 20, 2011

“WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON OPEN HIGHWAY, DRIVER SIDE FONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND TIRE DESINTEGRATED CAUSING VEHICLE TO TURN LEFT ALMOST RUNNING OFF THE ROAD. TIRE TYPE BF GOODRICH COMP T/A, 225/45ZR-17. TIRE CAME APART COMPLETELY. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD SURFACE, EVEN PAVEMENT, AMBIENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · December 11, 2002

“1998 VOLVO C70 PASSENGER DOOR LATCH FAILURE - HAVE REPLACED MECHANISM TWICE IN PAST 2 YEARS. NO INJURY BUT 2ND FAILURE PREVENTED OPENING DOOR FROM INSIDE CAR CREATING SAFETY RISK. THANK YOU. *LA”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · November 12, 2003

“DT: CONTACT STATED VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT 45 MPH. . THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 8-12 MONTHS AGO. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED. CONTACT HAD NOT REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. ALSO, LOST POWER STEERING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT TOOK ABOUT 30-60 SECONDS FOR THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 9, 2004

1998 Volvo C70 — common questions

Is the 1998 Volvo C70 reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1998 Volvo C70 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Volvo C70. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Volvo C70 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volvo C70 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the C70 years to avoid are 2000. The cleanest record among C70 years belongs to 2010.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.