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Volvo S90Model year report

1998 Volvo S90 Problems

Complaints
25filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
69,594miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns 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
18 mpgcombined, 2.9L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Volvo S90 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 1998 Volvo S90. The part named most often is brakes, with 9 complaints (36% of the total), followed by visibility (5) and equipment (4). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 69,594 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 127 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Visibility complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Tires (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “The contact stated while performing a state inspection of the vehicle, it was determined the parking brake lines were worn and fractured. The parking brake lines were previously replaced for the same condition, but the problem had reoccurred. The dealer and manufacturer were notified.”

NHTSA complaint #10168742, filed 2006-09, 89,187 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Transmission shifter sticks constantly. Currently, it sticks in park. Vehicle towed to the dealer. Noises coming from steering. Gear shift did not release, washers are inoperable, key sticks in ignition. Also the power steering rack and antenna were replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10041920, filed 2003-10, 48,699 miles

Vehicle speed control: “While backing into my garage on 2/6/2010, my 1998 Volvo S90 suddenly accelerated. I realized that the car was speeding and I applied the brake. Unfortunately, the car was going so fast that it crashed into a wooden platform in my garage. The platform and my car were severely damaged. The platform has been repaired; but my car was totaled (>$5000.00 in damages). I have contacted my local Volvo dealer and Volvo customer car and notified them of the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10319904, filed 2010-03, 212,994 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

17% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 109,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2517%25–5033%50–7517%75–10017%100–15017%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: 69,594 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

1999820012003200520082014
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Volvo S90. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
S90 · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1998 Volvo S90 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
S90 RWD2.9L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162318$4,550

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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 Volvo S90 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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. 127 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 127 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volvo S90

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20181647,3892—27—Stable
2017811,0004—27—Not enough data
19982569,5940—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19977135,9120———Not enough data

All Volvo S90 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Volvo S90 have?

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 1998 Volvo S90 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Volvo S90 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 9 complaints (36% of the total), followed by visibility with 5.

Has the 1998 Volvo S90 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Volvo S90 get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Volvo S90 (S90, 2.9L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Volvo S90 reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 69,594 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 109,000 miles; 17% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.