VehicleVerdict

1999 Volvo S70 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 257 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 64.3 times the median S70 year — the 1999 model ranks #2 of 7 S70 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

Speed Control leads the complaint categories with 66 reports (26% of the total).

257

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

5

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other S70 years?

S70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted317 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 4 complaints1998: 317 complaints1999: 257 complaints2000: 197 complaints2002: 3 complaints
S70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S70 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Volvo S70 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control6626%
Electrical System5321%
Engine4216%
Fuel System249%
Body & Structure156%
Lighting145%
Airbags94%
Transmission83%
Brakes83%
Other52%
Latches & Locks42%
Tires & Wheels21%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Seat Belts10%
Child Seat10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Seats10%
Steering10%

Does the 1999 Volvo S70 have recalls?

4 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.

99V035000Fuel SystemFebruary 25, 1999 · 3,632 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SEDANS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE FUEL FILTER BRACKET CONFIGURATION MARGINS ARE INSUFFICIENT.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILTER PROTECTION BRACKET.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ON NOVEMBER 17, 2006 MY WIFE WAS BACKING HER 1999 VOLVO S70 OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY. SHE STATED THAT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS, SHOT ACROSS THE STREET AND SLID INTO OUR NEIGHBOR'S LANDSCAPING/BUSHES ETC. SHE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR SO THAT THE LEFT SIDE OF HER CAR SWIPED THE BUSHES AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 17, 2006 · crash

“WE HAVE 1999 VOLVO GLT. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OUR MECHANIC NOTED THAT OUR ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULATOR (?) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON MANY 1999-2001 VOLVOS. THE CLUE FOR HIM WAS THE IRREGULAR AND HIGH IDLE OF THE CAR. IT COST APPROXIMATELY $1000.00 TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 22, 2005

“IN THE LAST MONTH OUR 1999 S70 VOLVO HAS STALLED - ONCE WHEN TRAVELING AT SLOW SPEED AND THE OTHER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT. IN BOTH INSTANCES THE CAR COULD BE RESTARTED. ALSO, THE "CHECK ENGINE" INDICATOR ILLUMINATES FREQUENTLY - AS IT IS NOW - AND WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WE ARE ADVISED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 14, 2005

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO S-70. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG, OVERPOWERING GASOLINE FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK AT THE TOP OF FUEL TANK. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 17, 2011

“WHENEVER CONSUMER OPENED THE DRIVER'S DOOR THERE WAS A SQUEAK COMING FROM THE HINGES. DEALER EXAMINED THE DOOR, OILED THE HINGES, BUT THEY STILL SQUEAKED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, CONSUMER OPENED THE DOOR AND HEARD A LOUD SOUND, AND COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR ANY FURTHER. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 19, 2004

1999 Volvo S70 — common questions

Is the 1999 Volvo S70 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 257 complaints put the 1999 model at #2 of 7 S70 years. It is one of the S70 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 S70 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (66 complaints), electrical system (53 complaints), engine (42 complaints).

Does the 1999 Volvo S70 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Volvo S70. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Volvo S70 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 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.