1998 Volvo V70: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
122 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
77,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 57 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 17 of 122 complaints (13.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 42 | 34.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 4.9% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 3.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.5% |
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 | 17 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 10 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module | 5 |
| Tires | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 4 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 17; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 10; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 6; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module: 5; Tires: 5; Air Bags: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 6
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 65 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 | 20 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 23 |
| 2003 | 25 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
2000: 20; 2001: 8; 2002: 23; 2003: 25; 2004: 10; 2005: 9; 2006: 9; 2007: 4; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 3
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 42 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10000498 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
SHIFT LOCK ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF VOLVO V70 LOCKS OUT. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000498 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000732 · 2003-01-04 (January 4, 2003)
ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THEN GOES OFF AFTER A CYCLING OF THE ENGINE. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND BECAUSE THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON, IT IS DANGEROUS. VOLVO DOES NOT SEEM TO BE PAYING MUCH ATTENTION TO THIS PROBLEM DESPITE A HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. BECAUE THERE IS NO ONE DATE FOR THIS PROBLEM I WILL ARBITRARILY PUT ONE IN FOR REPORTING PURPOSES
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003774 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: DEFECTIVE TIRES PER DEALER, LIGHTING, AND THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK-INOP(CONTINUOUS). SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003774 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006396 · 2001-04-14 (April 14, 2001)
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH, WHEN I RAN OVER A PIECE OF METAL THAT WAS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A RULER. I HEARD A LOUD BANG, AND THEN I GOT HOME, FOUND THAT GAS WAS POURING OUT OF THE GAS TANK. IT HAD BEEN PUNCTURED. OBVIOUSLY, WE ALL COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THERE WAS A SPARK. I WOULD NOT HAVE EXPECTED A GAS TANK TO SO EASILY PUNCTURED. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****744064
Owner-reported narrative. 44,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007415 · 2002-09-26 (September 26, 2002)
1998 VOLVO V70. *PH *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**767770
Owner-reported narrative. 49,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007415 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007547 · 2003-02-15 (February 15, 2003)
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UNDER ORDINARY USE AND IGNITION KEY COULD NOT BE REINSERTED INTO IGNITION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 54,406 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007547 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008469 · 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)
I HAVE A 1998 VOLVO V70R AWD AND BOTH THE ABS/TRAC WARNING LIGHTS HAD BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS. THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN GO OFF. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAVE NOW HAD THE CONTROL UNIT REPLACED. THE COST TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT WAS APPROXIMATELY $563.60. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010861 · 2003-03-21 (March 21, 2003)
ABS/ TRACTION COMPUTER FAILURE, PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE, SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FALSELY (VOLVO V 70 AWD CROSS COUNTRY). *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010861 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 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 ↗98V254000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Reported: 1998-10-14 (October 14, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STATION WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH THIRD SEATS. USERS OF THE THIRD SEAT, WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TAILPIPE.
Consequence: CONTACT WITH THE TAILPIPE CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LENGTH OF THE VEHICLE'S TAILPIPE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR THE TAILPIPE.
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 ↗