1998 Volvo S70 lighting problems

The 1998 Volvo S70 has 50 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 16% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

Lighting complaints

16%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

S70 lighting complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many lighting complaints does the 1998 Volvo S70 have?

NHTSA has 50 complaints about the 1998 Volvo S70 lighting — 16% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Volvo S70 lighting?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the lighting: 00V405000, 04V504000, 99V235000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.