VehicleVerdict

1998 Volvo S70 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 317 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 79.3 times the median S70 year — the 1998 model ranks #1 of 7 S70 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (79), lighting (50), and electrical system (41), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

317

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

3

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

17

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other S70 years?

S70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted317 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 4 complaints1998: 317 complaints1999: 257 complaints2000: 197 complaints2002: 3 complaints
S70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S70 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Volvo S70 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes7925%
Lighting5016%
Electrical System4113%
Engine289%
Airbags144%
Tires & Wheels144%
Body & Structure134%
Suspension134%
Latches & Locks124%
Other103%
Speed Control103%
Seat Belts83%
Transmission83%
Seats52%
Fuel System41%
Visibility & Wipers41%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)31%
Steering10%

Does the 1998 Volvo S70 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.

“AT ABOUT 10,000 MILES THE BRAKES WOULD SLIP AND RUMBLE WHEN BRAKING DOWN A HILL. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO COMPLAIN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I STARTED AVOIDING HILLS. EVERY TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WAS ASSURED THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 26, 1999 · crash

“VOLVO HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE EXCESSIVE FAILURE RATE OF HEADLIGHTS FOR A LONG TIME (3 BURNED OUT IN 1 YEAR ON MY CAR!)BUT THEY MAKE OWNERS PAY FOR REPLACEMENTS AS "A MAINTENANCE ITEM". LIGHT BULBS SHOULD LAST AT LEAST AS LONG AS THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY (E.G. 10,000 HOURS) UNDER THE LEGAL DEFINITION…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · November 5, 1999

“AT TIME OF FIRE, DASH BOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON FOR LIGHT OUT AND THAT CAR WAS IN LOW GEAR, BUT CAR WAS NOT BEING DRIVEN IN LOW GEAR. ADDITIONALLY, AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. NO IINDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON TO INDICATE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS ENGINE WAS OVERHEATED OR LOW IN ANY FLUIDS. I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 11, 2001 · fire

“PRIOR TO THE 30K MILE TUNE-UP THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE DRIVING HARD, SHIFTING HARD, THE TACHOMETER READING HIGHER AND THE SMELL OF BURNING OIL, THE DEALER CHECK THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG, WHILE DRIVING WITH 36K MILES ON THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO SMOKE UNDER THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 6, 2001 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER DRIVER WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. OTHER VEHICLE HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR BUMPER, AND CAUSED CONSUMER TO HIT A TREE. THEN, BOUNCED OFF INTO A RETAINING WALL WHICH STOPPED THE CAR. WINDOWS WERE BUSTED OUT THE WHOLE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 3, 2000 · crash

1998 Volvo S70 — common questions

Is the 1998 Volvo S70 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 317 complaints put the 1998 model at #1 of 7 S70 years. It is one of the S70 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 S70 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (79 complaints), lighting (50 complaints), electrical system (41 complaints).

Does the 1998 Volvo S70 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Volvo S70. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Volvo S70 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volvo S70 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S70 years to avoid are 1998, 1999, 2000. The cleanest record among S70 years belongs to 1996.

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.