1998 Volvo S70: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 215 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (23% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 215 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The plastic handle of the oil dipstick came off causing half of the oil dipstick to be in the dipstick tube the car was not moving it happened while checking the oil level making sure there was oil in the car making sure that the engine will not seize while driving”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2018
“The low beam headlights are dim I have replaced the bulbs with brighter bulbs and they are still dim I have to drive with the fog lights on all the time in order to drive at night.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2017
“I purchased this car used december 16 2016 knowing it needed a lot of work. I have since gotten all the repairs done on jan 4th 2017. I now need to get the car emission tested after driving 200 miles the readiness monitors are still not set and have since repaired the check engine light and still can not get an emissions test. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 volvo s70. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the rpms increased and the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The brake pedal failed to slow the vehicle down as the accelerator pedal went all the way to the floor. The contact put the vehicle in neutral, which also failed to slow the vehicle down. The contact continued to depress the brake pedal and the vehicle eventually slowed down. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2015
“As I was pulling out onto a busy street, my seatbelt let go, spontaneously released itself! It does this 2-3 times in a row. When I hear the sound of a seatbelt buckle clicking (after I fasten mine, sound seems to come from the passenger side!) then I know it's not going to release again. At least not til after I shut the car off and then start it again. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2014
“Replaced timing belt at 76,000 mi. Per volvo maintenance schedule. At 107,000 mi. Timing belt tensioner and pulley failure resulting in timing belt slipping off and causing massive valve damage. Thankfully, volvo of na service stepped up as did darell waltrip volvo and helped to cover over half of the $4,600 in damage that was caused. Still I was stuck with a $2,000 unexpected repair bill. Attention - 1998 volvo s70 owners and all interference engine owners with timing belts note replace your tensioners and pulleys when you replace the belt. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2007
“I have a 1998 volvo s70 which has ABS/trac light problems. I've been having intermittent issues with this where the indicator lights come on and the ABS will sometimes pulsate and it makes a terrible noise. My understanding is that when the ABS indicator is on, I don't have ABS brakes. It appears from the volvo brickboard that a lot of people are having this issue. I am concerned about the safety (besides the fact that it is scary when the brakes start going) and think volvo should make the necessary repairs. It appears to be an issue only on this year/make. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the antilock brake light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined while the light was illuminated, there was a failure of the antilock brakes. Also, the dealer determined the computer needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was alerted.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated the ABS and traction control lights on the dash illuminated causing both components to be inoperable. This occurred intermittently. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who determined both systems needed to be replaced. Updated 10/31/2006 -*nm”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control · Sep 2006
“Throttle stuck full open while driving!!! The car needed to be turned off to stop the engine from revving to maximum rpm. This is the second time this happened in one year. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 16 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE OVERLY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ASSURE SUFFICIENT GROUNDING.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact S70 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Volvo S70 reliable?
NHTSA has 215 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Volvo S70. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Volvo S70 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 82,600 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Volvo S70 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.