1998 Volvo S90: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 25 owner complaints on record; most reports concern service brakes, hydraulic.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
25
owner complaints
0
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No fire reportsNo recall campaigns
Common problems
Computed from 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Limited data: only 25 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)7 complaints
Visibility (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)4 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)4 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)2 complaints
Equipment1 complaint
Tires1 complaint
“Michelin tires - pilot sport a/s sport plus- 205/55/zr16. Tire side walls are separating - this problem is know as chunking. Tires are unsafe and need to be replaced. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Nov 2014
“S10 appropriate handling- letter from regarding volvo problems *tgw the consumer stated the engine would race in an erratic manner for no particular reason as high as 5,000 rpm's. Using the brake had no effect. The consumer stated he had to shift the vehicle in park to stop the vehicle. The consumer has since traded the vehicle. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2010
“While backing into my garage on 2/6/2010, my 1998 volvo s90 suddenly accelerated. I realized that the car was speeding and I applied the brake. Unfortunately, the car was going so fast that it crashed into a wooden platform in my garage. The platform and my car were severely damaged. The platform has been repaired; but my car was totaled (>$5000.00 in damages). I have contacted my local volvo dealer and volvo customer car and notified them of the problem. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 volvo s90. The gear shift became stuck when the contact attempted to drive the vehicle in reverse. She pressed the gear release button and placed the vehicle into reverse. The vehicle surged forward and crashed into the garage wall and then into the house. The vehicle, garage wall, and house were damaged. There were no injuries. The dealer has not been notified. The speed was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 109,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2008
“Dt*: the contact stated while performing a state inspection of the vehicle, it was determined the parking brake lines were worn and fractured. The parking brake lines were previously replaced for the same condition, but the problem had reoccurred. The dealer and manufacturer were notified.”Owner report · Parking Brake · Sep 2006
“I am the owner of a 1998 volvo s90 with 69,000 miles. The etm unit on the car has failed. I did some research on it and found that it is a known problem with that car. It causes the transmission to act erratically. My mechanic has told me that even if I change it , it will fail again in a short while because it has a bad design. I have contacted volvo about it, and they refuse to do anything about it. I just want to have this complaint registered in case volvo is made to correct this through some lawsuit or other. *nm”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2005
“The sun roof struts failed intermittently when trying to open/close the sun roof. The dealership repaired the problem once, but the consumer is still having the same problems. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2004
“Transmission shifter sticks constantly. Currently, it sticks in park. Vehicle towed to the dealer. *ak noises coming from steering. Gear shift did not release, washers are inoperable, key sticks in ignition.*ts also the power steering rack and antenna were replaced. *jb”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2002
“Brake line is frayed without anything touching the line. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything. Please provide further information. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2002
“Brake pads are burning out. Consumer has taken the vehicle to dealership 13 times for replacement of brakes and pads.*ak *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
Body stylesSedan/Saloon
Check your exact S90 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 S90 reliable?
NHTSA has 25 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Volvo S90. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.