1998 Volvo S70 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 76about this part
- Share
- 35%of 215 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 76 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Volvo S70, 35% of the 215 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Failure of ABS controller module. My research over the internet and numerous Volvo certified technicians indicate this failure is problematic with the teves 20 ABS module. An internet forum page dealing with the Volvo 850/S70 models is littered with inquiries into this problem. One Volvo technician I corresponded with indicated he had replaced hundreds of these modules over the last several years.”
NHTSA complaint #10041721, filed 2003-10, 48,000 miles“My 1998 Volvo S70 had the ABS module failed. This seems to be a very common problem with the car. Had this failed in rain or snow, the consequences could have been terrible. From what I have read, this is a known problem by Volvo, but they refuse to fix it. The cost is outrageous, over $600.”
NHTSA complaint #10047202, filed 2003-11, 137,400 miles“The ABS light was coming on intermittently. After consulting the web I learned this was a common problem in the 98 S70's. Volvo is aware of the problem! While driving with the condition I noticed if the ABS pump cycled and the lights come on you lose braking unless you pump the brakes. Extremely dangerous condition for a many drivers. I'm a law enforcement officer and my training helped me avoid the accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10014478, filed 2003-04, 72,000 miles“I have a 1998 Volvo S70 t5. The anti-lock brake controller board is malfunctioning causing the anti-lock brake red indicator light to come on at various random times while driving the car. When this happens, the brake pedal depresses on its own and many noises are heard around the area of the front left tire and the anti-lock brakes stop working while the light is on. This happens very frequently (at least once every time I drive the car).”
NHTSA complaint #10018377, filed 2003-05, 70,000 miles“My wife's 1998 Volvo S70 had 74,000 miles when her ABS and tracs warning light came on. After taking it into the Volvo dealership it was assessed that the ABS/tracs is not working because of a failure of the ABS/tracs control module. After some research I found a large number of people having the same issue when their same model car reached anywhere between 50 and 100 thousand miles. This is a serious safety concern and Volvo should recall and replace the part.”
NHTSA complaint #10021486, filed 2003-06, 74,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10157889Feb 14, 2019This is a Technical Journal: When sensitive information, like vehicle speed, brake usage, etc. (customer behavoiur information) of a car is required from Volvo Car Corporation…
- 10167828Dec 3, 2016This is a Technical Journal: When sensitive information, like vehicle speed, brake usage, etc. (customer behavoiur information) of a car is required from Volvo Car Corporation…
Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Volvo S70
35 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
11 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsTires
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Volvo S70
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology