VehicleVerdict

1999 Volvo C70 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 29 complaints on file for the 1999 Volvo C70 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

29

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other C70 years?

C70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all C70 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Volvo C70 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System517%
Speed Control517%
Engine517%
Fuel System310%
Brakes27%
Other27%
Tires & Wheels27%
Transmission27%
Body & Structure13%
Seat Belts13%
Steering13%

Does the 1999 Volvo C70 have recalls?

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

06V441000Speed ControlNovember 15, 2006 · 170,099 units

Defect

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 SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.

Consequence

THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE CAR SURGED UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY ONCE AND TWICE. THEY HAVE DOWNLOADED SOFTWARE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THESE REPAIRS WERE DONE AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AND WAS GETTING WORSE. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 8, 2003

“CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ETS LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, SOON AFTERWARD THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO HESITATE. THE MECHANIC CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES SHE HAS HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP, GET IT OUT AND THEN WHEN SHE GET IN THE VEHICLE TO START IT UP, THE VEHICLE'S…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 23, 2003

“I WAS DRIVING ON GALLATIN RD IN TN , A BUSY 4 LANE BUSINESS DISTRICT, WHEN MY VOLVO C70 LOST POWER AND I WAS FORCED TO COAST INTO A CHURCH PARKING LOT - I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF THE INCIDENT UNTIL I SAW A SIMILAR STORY REPORTED ON YAHOO NEWS. THEY REPLACED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 24, 2003

“THE THROTTLE BODY HAS FAILED IN TRAFFIC AND ON THE HWY. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES AND WAS CLEANED 2 - 3 TIMES. AT THIS TIME I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE IT OVER 15 MPH. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT IS SITTING. I AM GUESSING AT THE DAY IT STATED. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 15, 2002

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO C70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY REDUCED SPEED WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TO BE REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 15, 2014

1999 Volvo C70 — common questions

Is the 1999 Volvo C70 reliable?

The record is thin — 29 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1999 C70 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (5 complaints), engine (5 complaints), speed control (5 complaints).

Does the 1999 Volvo C70 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Volvo C70. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Volvo C70 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations 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.