VehicleVerdict

1999 Volvo V70xc problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 94 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.6 times the median V70xc year — the 1999 model ranks #3 of 10 V70xc years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Speed Control leads the complaint categories with 29 reports (31% of the total).

94

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other V70xc years?

V70xc NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted189 complaints1998: 35 complaints1999: 94 complaints2000: 132 complaints2001: 189 complaints2002: 32 complaints2003: 21 complaints2004: 5 complaints2005: 3 complaints2006: 6 complaints2007: 4 complaints
V70xc NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all V70xc years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Volvo V70xc problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control2931%
Electrical System1819%
Fuel System1314%
Engine89%
Brakes89%
Transmission66%
Lighting44%
Steering22%
Other22%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Seats11%
Suspension11%
Airbags11%

Does the 1999 Volvo V70xc have recalls?

2 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE ETM FAILURE IN 1999 VOLVO XC70 VIN [XXX] 64189 MILES AT FAILURE. THROTTLE IN CAR WOULD SURGE / CUT OUT AT SPEED FOR WEEK LEADING UP TO FAILURE. ETM LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. ETM UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED TO FIX PROBLEM $970. *NM UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 7, 2005

“I OWN A 1999 VOLVO V70 XC. ON OCTOBER 27, 2005, WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING BEGAN TO STALL. I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR TO NO AVAIL. I WAS ABLE TO COAST OUT OF TRAFFIC. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, STARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE HOME.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 27, 2005

“THIS IS THE SECOND VEHICLE THAT CONSUMER HAS GOTTEN FROM VOLVO. FIRST VEHICLE WAS LEAVING A PUDDLE OF GAS. SO DEALER GAVE CONSUMER ANOTHER VEHICLE OF THE SAME IDENITY. BOTH WERE BRAND NEW. ALSO, A LEAK DEVELOPED UNDER THE SECOND VEHICLE. CONSUMER FEELS ITS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT MAY START A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 1, 2000

“I JUST RECEIVED WORD FROM A DEALER THAT THE ABS CONTROL UNIT HAS FAILED. I WAS QUOTED APPROX 900 FOR THIS REPAIR. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR PART AND THEREFORE I THINK NHTSA SHOULD FORCE THE QUESTION TO VOLVO AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THIS PART WAS POORLY DESIGNED AND/OR WHY DO SO MANY OWNERS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 3, 2005

“MY VOLVO V70 WAS ON A TEST DRIVE BY THE MECHANIC BEFORE RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO ME AFTER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE CAR HAD 59,800 MILES. THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE ALLEGEDLY DUE TO AN OIL GASKET DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A LOCAL ROAD IN WAINSCOTT, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 13, 2018 · fire

1999 Volvo V70xc — common questions

Is the 1999 Volvo V70xc reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 94 complaints put the 1999 model at #3 of 10 V70xc years. It is one of the V70xc years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 V70xc problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (29 complaints), electrical system (18 complaints), fuel system (13 complaints).

Does the 1999 Volvo V70xc have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Volvo V70xc. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Volvo V70xc under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volvo V70xc years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the V70xc years to avoid are 2001, 2000, 1999. The cleanest record among V70xc years belongs to 2005.

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.