1999 Volvo C70 Problems
- Complaints
- 23filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles, 15 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.3L 5-cyl FWD · 18 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Volvo C70 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 1999 Volvo C70. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 5 complaints (22% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (5) and electrical system (4). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 148 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign, 1 NHTSA investigation and 3 technical service bulletins 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.
- Engine cooling5 22%
- Electrical system4 17%
- Fuel system3 13%
- Brakes2 8.7%
- Tires2 8.7%
- Equipment1 4.3%
- Other or unknown1 4.3%
Also reported: Seat belts (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Etm failed in car for the second time at 115,000 miles on vehicle, previously replaced september 2003 at 64,000 miles. Driving from ohio to pa for thanksgiving ets light and check engine light illuminated. After thanksgiving dinner went to go home and my Volvo C70 quit accelerating while entering a 4 lane highway from an entry ramp. Fortunately, traffic was light and traffic was easily able to pass to the left until I coasted off to the berm of the road. The car was idling but did not have power to go up small grade. …”
NHTSA complaint #10144759, filed 2005-12, 115,100 milesVehicle speed control: “Dt: the contact stated the car surged up and down while driving. The dealer cleaned the throttle body once and twice. They have downloaded software to repair the problem. These repairs were done at the consumer's expense.. The problem recurred and was getting worse. The dealer told the contact to replace the throttle body at his expense.”
NHTSA complaint #10143817, filed 2005-11, 60,000 milesElectrical system: “I was driving on gallatin rd in tn , a busy 4 lane business district, when my Volvo C70 lost power and I was forced to coast into a church parking lot - I have a manual transmission. I didn't think anything of the incident until I saw a similar story reported on yahoo news. They replaced the computer under warranty and it is working fine now (2 yrs later), but had this been a busy highway, I would have caused a traffic problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10130991, filed 2005-08, 32,000 milesFuel system: “The throttle body has failed in traffic and on the hwy. The part has been replaced 2 times and was cleaned 2 - 3 times. At this time I am unable to drive it over 15 MPH. Needless to say it is sitting. I am guessing at the day it stated.”
NHTSA complaint #10136338, filed 2005-09, 150,400 milesMileage when problems were reported
33% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 40,000 and 96,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1999 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C70 FWD | 2.3L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| C70 FWD | 2.3L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| C70 FWD | 2.4L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $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
- 06V441000Nov 15, 2006Vehicle speed controlCovers: Volvo C70 1999–2002, V70 1999–2002, C70 Convertible 1999–2002 +5 more
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.
- 04V504000Oct 21, 2004Exterior lighting › Headlights › SwitchCovers: Volvo C70 1998–2000, S70 1998–2000, V70 1998–2000 +1 more
On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, over an extended period of time, the headlight switch may cease to function.
- 00V405000Dec 6, 2000Exterior lighting › Turn signalCovers: Volvo C70 1998–2001, S70 1998–2000, V70 1998–2000
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.
Recall details for the 1999 Volvo C70 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE05041Throttle control malfunctionClosed · Jul 26, 2005
- RQ04004Headlight failureClosed · Jun 8, 2004
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. 148 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10241661Jul 21, 2023Other or unknown, Electronic stability control. Complimentary upgrade c00009 description.
- 10241651Jun 12, 2023Other or unknown. Rubber cushion
- 10213885May 12, 2022Other or unknown. The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to be updated as products and repair methods evolve.
- 10213883May 6, 2022Other or unknown, Equipment. ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations
- 10212891Feb 9, 2022Equipment. VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App
- 10212892Feb 3, 2022Electrical system, Equipment. Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
- 10181041Sep 18, 2020Equipment. Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and…
- 10179681Aug 5, 2020Electrical system. This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Service 2.0 Software & Total Upgrade Reminder
- 10178516Jul 14, 2020Electrical system. This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Volvo Lithium-ion Hybrid Battery Packs shipping and handling to Volvo Reman
- 10178520Jul 3, 2020Electrical system. This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Volvo Lithium-ion Hybrid Battery Packs shipping and handling to Volvo Reman
Other model years of the Volvo C70
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 11 | 75,830 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 23 | 60,950 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2011 | 13 | 63,000 | 1 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 10 | 50,000 | 3 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 22 | 46,000 | 3 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2007 | 17 | 63,000 | 4 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2006 | 9 | 30,797 | 2 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 15 | 73,500 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 5 | 63,500 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 7 | 62,227 | 2 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 26 | 71,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 23 | 60,000 | 3 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 7 | 83,600 | 4 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 Volvo C70 have?
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 1999 Volvo C70 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 Volvo C70 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 5 complaints (22% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 5.
Has the 1999 Volvo C70 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Volvo C70 get?
The EPA rates the 1999 Volvo C70 (C70, 2.3L 5-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1999 Volvo C70 reported?
Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,000 miles and the middle half falls between 40,000 and 96,000 miles; 33% 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.