1999 Volvo V70XC: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 79 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (32% of complaints); the 1998 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2018
“Key ignition is failing will often not start then after moving key around in ignition to find the perfect position the car will start”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volvo v70xc. The contact stated there was fuel leaking from the top of the fuel tank causing it to fail inspection. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer nor to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 101,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“My 1999 v70r with 122,000 miles has had the most problems of any volvo I have owned in 44 years; heater core, electronic throttle module, steering rack, wheel bearings, lower control arms, ball joints, parking brake failure, brake lines and hoses, and now? The transmission has failed completely after a 105,000 mile checkup by the dealer showed no issues. 2 months later - will not shift into 4th gear and bucks like a horse. Why do I read about many similar complaints but see no action - recall or reimbursement or fix from volvo? *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2011
“I recently purchased a 1999 volvo v70xc, shortly after, the car went into what's called limp home mode. I looked online to see what would cause this and saw that there was a recall in 2006 to repair this problem. I called volvo to see if my car was brought in for service, I was informed that it was repaired. I brought my car to a repair shop and was told that it needed a throttle module, the same reason for the recall in 2006. The module was replaced and new software installed and now the card runs good. Should I have to pay for a new module, $900 since this was supposed to be fixed on the initial recall? *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Dec 2009
“1. Premature wear of the etm. 2. Car has rough idle, stalls, surges in traffic. 3. Replacing the etm. For the third time. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2009
“Rear brake rotors wear down quickly. We had them replaced in the summer of 2007 and they are worn down now, dec 2008. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2008
“Driving on freeway 65 miles per hour, vehicle loses complete power, ets and check engine lights comes on. I was able to coast off the freeway onto the right shoulder. Tried several restarts to see if engine will run normally, after 10-15 minutes, started car, eng ran normal, ets and cel light still on. I was able to drive home without further incident. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2008
“ABS control module replaced at 115k miles in august 2007 for a cost of $1,000 due to malfunction indication and recommendation of mechanic. Is this a recurring problem with the 1999 volvo v70? *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Electric · Aug 2007
“I bought this volvo used w/ 120k miles. I saw records of major work done at the dealer just previous to 100,000 and figured it would be good for another 100k. At 131k, it began constantly stalling and lunging. I did a tiny bit of research and learned of the recall. I took it to the dealer and they tried to charge me 200 to do nothing other than read the codes and tell me the etm software had already been updated, and that the mass airflow sensor was bad. I replaced the mafs to no change. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact V70XC 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 1999 Volvo V70XC reliable?
NHTSA has 79 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Volvo V70XC. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Volvo V70XC problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 82,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Volvo V70XC have open recalls?
2 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.