1998 Volvo S70 problems and owner complaints
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.
Complaint evidence
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 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 10048874 · 2003-11-30 (November 30, 2003)
I PURCHASED A 1998 S70 VOLVO FROM SUBURBAN VOLVO IN TROY MICHIGAN. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I WAS TOLD TO RETURN IF THE A/C LEAKED. I WAS LOOKING FOR A PHYSICAL LEAK, WHICH I LATER FOUND OUT THERE IS NO PHYSICAL INDICIATION OF A PROBLEM. I RETURNED THE CAR ON TWO MORE OCCASSIONS TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, I WAS TOLD THAT THE A/C HAD A LEAK AND I HAD TO PAY $1,400 TO HAVE REPAIRED. I EXPLAINED TO THE SUBURBAN DEALER THAT I FELT I SHOULD NOT …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10048874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083336 · 2004-08-12 (August 12, 2004)
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM MORE THAN THREE TIMES IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. *JB THE WARNING LIGHTS INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS AND THE 4 TRACKING SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER SUGGESTED THAT THIS MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN VALID DUE TO A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN THE ELECTRICAL MODULE. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 10,002 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120788 · 2005-05-12 (May 12, 2005)
DT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTACT STATES EACH TIME THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE VEHICLE IS MORE DIFFICULT TO STOP AND THE WHEELS HAVE ALSO LOCKED UP. TRANSMISSION CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE MAKE A SQUEAKING NOSE WHEN PARKING, THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT SIDE WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING CONTACT STATES OIL MOVES UP THROUGH THE IGNITION CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. *NM *SB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10120788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10419690 · 2011-08-16 (August 16, 2011)
UPON ACCELERATING UP THE HILL OF MY STREET, TODAY, AUGUST 16TH, 2011, MY CAR, A 1998 VOLVO S70 , SPED UP, UNNATURALLY, CLOSE TO THE TOP . I HAD JUST DRIVEN OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AS I BACK INTO IT ALWAYS, AND PROCEEDED UP THE HILL. AS USUAL, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED DOWN AS THE CAR APPROACHED A STEEPER PORTION OF THE HILL. WHEN BRAKING FOR THE STOP SIGN AT THE TOP, I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RACING. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP FULLY AT THE STOP SIGN, AND AFTER GOING AROUND THE CORNER TO THE RIGHT, I PULLED THE FLOOR MAT AWAY FROM THE AC…
Owner-reported narrative. 77,494 miles reported. Look up ODI 10419690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130962 · 2005-10-20 (October 20, 2005)
DT: THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER, IT SHUTS DOWN. USUALLY IT WILL START BACK. CAN CUT ACROSS TRAFFIC, AND IT WILL JUST STALL. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES, AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY PUT DIFFERENT PARTS ON IT TO NARROW DOWN THE PROBLEM. THERE IS NO POWER STEERING AFTER IT STALLS. BACK IN JANUARY THE TURBO WENT IT OUT AND THEY REPLACED IT. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL SKIPPING. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND JANUARY 15, 2005. *NM THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 117,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10130962 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10131939 · 2005-08-08 (August 8, 2005)
DT: VEHICLE STALLED/DIED, AND LOST POWER DUE TO THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 175,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10131939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182879 · 2007-02-17 (February 17, 2007)
I HAVE A 1998 VOLVO S70 WITH ABOUT 88K MILES ON IT. I HAD A LOT OF WORK DONE ON IT DEC 20, 2006 INCLUDING REPLACING THE TIMING BELT. ON 2/15, WE WERE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED - WE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKING, ETC. WE MANAGED TO SLOW THE CAR AND GET INTO A PARKING LOT AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER, JORDAN VOLVO IN MISHAWAKA, IN. WE FOUND THAT THE TENSIONER HAD FAILED CAUSING THE TIMING BELT TO SLIP OFF AND CAUSE WHAT APPEARS TO BE VERY MATERIAL (RETAIL AROUND $4K) WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. VOLVO RECOMMENDS REPL…
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10182879 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 753411 · 2001-10-19 (October 19, 2001)
CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIREMAN'S BEST GUESS WAS A FUEL LEAK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 753411 at NHTSA ↗