1998 Volvo S70: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
156 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
80,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 70 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 156 complaints (18.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 72 | 46.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 6.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 3.2% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 3.2% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 29 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 16 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 8 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 6 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module | 6 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 29; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 16; Electrical System: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 8; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 6; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal: 6; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock: 6; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 23 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 23; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 5
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 86 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 17 |
| 2001 | 17 |
| 2002 | 37 |
| 2003 | 35 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 18 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
2000: 17; 2001: 17; 2002: 37; 2003: 35; 2004: 12; 2005: 18; 2006: 5; 2007: 4; 2008: 1; 2011: 2; 2015: 4; 2017: 2; 2018: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 72 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002686 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
ABS / TRACS LIGHTS COME ON DUE TO DEFECTIVE ABS CONTROLLER. NO ANTI-LOCK BRAKES.
Owner-reported narrative. 85,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002686 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003479 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
ASB/TRACS MODULE FAILURE ON MY 1998 VOLVO S70
Owner-reported narrative. 97,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003479 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004898 · 2003-01-29 (January 29, 2003)
THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNS OFF AUTOMATICALLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING A FAIRLY RAPID DECELERATION. SOMETIMES, CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT SET.
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005190 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
FAULTY DASH CLIPS THAT RETAIN THE DASHBOARD TO THE FIREWALL. I WAS TOLD BY THE LEAD TECHNICAN AT BOB PINKUS VOLVO IN COLORADO SPRINGS, CO THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT. THE CLIPS BREAK LEADING TO A SQUEEKY DASH THAT VOLVO IS NOT WILLING TO ADDRESS OUT OF WARRANTY. I NOW HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN DIRVING THIS CAR AS I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE DASH WILL SEPERATE, IF IN AN ACCIDENT, AND SEVERLY INJURE EITHER MYSELF OR A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007151 · 2002-10-10 (October 10, 2002)
1998 S70 VOLVO. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS***768339
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007151 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007166 · 2002-11-15 (November 15, 2002)
ABS & TRAC LIGHT COME ON WHEN BRAKES GET HOT! *JB ************DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS********769743
Owner-reported narrative. 158,012 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007243 · 2003-02-12 (February 12, 2003)
THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB THERE IS CONTINUOS FAILURE OF THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM, AND THE CONSUMER DOESN'T KNOW IF THE SYSTEM IS ENGAGED. THE TRACS CONTROL LIGHT IS INTERMITTENT, AND THE CONSUMER DOESN'T KNOW IF THE WHEELS ARE GOING TO LOCK NOT. *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007243 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007538 · 2003-02-15 (February 15, 2003)
THE TRACTION AND ABS LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 67,002 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007538 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V405000 · Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
Reported: 2000-12-06 (December 6, 2000)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V504000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Reported: 2004-10-21 (October 21, 2004)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V235000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Reported: 1999-08-30 (August 30, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.
Consequence: DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V236000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 1999-08-30 (August 30, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE OVERLY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE.
Consequence: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ASSURE SUFFICIENT GROUNDING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗