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Volvo C70Model year report

1998 Volvo C70 Problems

Complaints
7filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
83,600miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 2.3L 5-cyl FWD · 16 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Volvo C70 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1998 Volvo C70. The part named most often is brakes, with 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by latches, locks and linkages (1) and steering (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 83,600 miles. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 142 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Latches, locks and linkages complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Brakes: “The contact stated while driving at no particular speed, the ABS and traction control lamps illuminated. This has been a regular occurrence for the past 2 years. The vehicle was taken to the local dealership for inspection. The dealership determined the ABS module needed replaced to repair the problem. The dealership offered to repair the vehicle. The contact has not had the vehicle repaired.”

NHTSA complaint #10149196, filed 2006-02, 51,700 miles

Latches, locks and linkages: “1998 Volvo C70 passenger door latch failure - have replaced mechanism twice in past 2 years. No injury but 2nd failure prevented opening door from inside car creating safety risk. Thank you.”

NHTSA complaint #10046804, filed 2003-11

Steering: “Car has been at a recognized auto repair facility and has been having maintenance work performed. It was seen that the car had suffered a complete failure of the power steering rack with the housing fracturing, and all of the power steering fluid being lost. There was no impact and the housing appears crystalline at the break. There was no impact causing this damage, which had the failure occurred at highway speeds could have had severe consequences”

NHTSA complaint #10409750, filed 2011-06, 78,200 miles

Body and structure: “The contact stated the passenger and driver's side front doors suddenly became inoperable from the inside of the vehicle. The contact has to roll the window down and open the doors from the outside. Within two weeks of the passenger side failing, the driver's side also failed. The contact is concerned this could lead to entrapment if an accident were to occur. The contact stated there were no problems with the doors prior to the failure. The dealership has not been notified.”

NHTSA complaint #10159993, filed 2006-06, 90,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 72,453 and 90,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5033%50–7550%75–10017%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 83,600 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2002200322005200622011
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1998 Volvo C70 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
C70 FWD2.3L 5-cyl4-speed automatic162319$4,350
C70 FWD2.3L 5-cyl5-speed manual172319$4,350
C70 FWD2.4L 5-cyl4-speed automatic172420$4,100

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1998 Volvo C70 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 142 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 142 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volvo C70

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20131175,8300—22—Not enough data
20122360,9501—21—Falling
20111363,0001—23—Not enough data
20091050,0003—21—Not enough data
20082246,0003—21—Falling
20071763,0004—21—Falling
2006930,7972—21—Not enough data
20041573,5000—19—Stable
2002563,5001—21—Not enough data
2001762,2272—21—Not enough data
20002671,0003—20Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19992360,0003—20—Stable
1998783,6004—19—Not enough data

All Volvo C70 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Volvo C70 have?

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1998 Volvo C70 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Volvo C70 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by latches, locks and linkages with 1.

Has the 1998 Volvo C70 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Volvo C70 get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Volvo C70 (C70, 2.3L 5-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Volvo C70 reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 83,600 miles and the middle half falls between 72,453 and 90,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.