1998 Volvo S90 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 12%of 25 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,699miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Volvo S90, 12% of the 25 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,699 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.
“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“I am the owner of a 1998 Volvo S90 with 69,000 miles. The etm unit on the car has failed. I did some research on it and found that it is a known problem with that car. It causes the transmission to act erratically. My mechanic has told me that even if I change it , it will fail again in a short while because it has a bad design. I have contacted Volvo about it, and they refuse to do anything about it. I just want to have this complaint registered in case Volvo is made to correct this through some lawsuit or other.”
NHTSA complaint #10135037, filed 2005-09Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 13% |
| 1998 | 3 | 12% |
Other parts of the 1998 Volvo S90
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Volvo S90
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