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EquipmentPart report

1998 Volvo S70 Equipment Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
4%of 215 total for the year
Median mileage
79,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the equipment of the 1998 Volvo S70, 4% of the 215 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“The 2 of 4 welds on the jacking point bracket failed. The jacking point bent over, causing the car to fall down about 1 onto the Volvo jack, pinning the jack between the car and the pavement. No injuries.”

NHTSA complaint #10100688, filed 2004-11, 86,000 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10048874, filed 2003-11

“I have a 1998 Volvo s 70 which has failed dc inspection because the obd scanner used by the dmv cannot get a readout for catalytic converter, oxygen sensor and a couple of other emissions related items. The car ecu signals not ready . The car runs fine. We have driven the car in accord with Volvo's recommended structured drive which is supposed to reset the computer. This did not work. One Volvo shop believes the ecu is faulty. Another says the ecu is fine and its the scanner's inability to communicate with the ecu that is at fault. …”

NHTSA complaint #10139976, filed 2005-10

“Air conditioning system has failed 5 times in the past 2 years. Taken the car to the dealer under warranty. The dealer has changed multiple parts including switches, relays, etc. The car works fine for 1 - 4 months, and then the A/C stops working all of a sudden again.”

NHTSA complaint #756097, filed 2001-12

Related service bulletins

Equipment: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200032%
199910%
199884%

Other parts of the 1998 Volvo S70

Brakes
76 complaintsExterior lighting
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 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 30, 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