1999 Volvo V70 Problems
- Complaints
- 169filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles, 110 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in 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 V70 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Most owner complaints for this model year concern the electronic throttle system: the ETS warning light comes on, the car loses power, surges, or stalls, and the dealer typically replaces or reflashes the electronic throttle module. These reports are spread across a wide mileage range, from about 30,000 to over 200,000 miles, and often describe the problem starting gradually and then becoming frequent. A smaller but notable group of complaints covers headlight switches, brake hydraulics, and intermittent engine cut-outs.
- Vehicle speed control
Electronic throttle (ETS light, power loss, stalling)
- 78 complaints (46%)
- median 81,992 mi at 6.7 yrs old (67 state mileage)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 21 quotes)
- filed 2004–2014
Owners describe the ETS warning light coming on, followed by loss of power, surging, rough idle, or the engine stalling, sometimes at highway speed and sometimes while decelerating or braking. Many report that the dealer cleaned or reflashed the throttle body first and later replaced the electronic throttle module; several mention the repair was charged to them and that the problem returned. Some say the car would restart after being shut off for a few minutes. Reported from roughly 30,000 to over 200,000 miles, with many cases between about 55,000 and 100,000 miles, often first appearing at highway speed or when slowing down.
What to check: Ask whether the electronic throttle module has been replaced or reflashed and keep any receipts; during a test drive, watch for an ETS light, hesitation on acceleration, or rough idle when stopping. Recall 06V441000 addresses throttle sensor, dirty throttle housing and software calibration issues that can trigger limp-home mode.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was driving my 1999 Volvo V70 on the highway, and it constantly accelerates and decelerates on its own with no action done by me. In one case it accelerated to the point in which I lost control and caused an accident. Vehicle is in the process of having the etm replaced at the dealership at a cost of 1000.00 to me because it is outside of warranty coverage.”
NHTSA complaint #10153475, filed 2006-03, 220,000 miles“The ets (relating to throttle control module) keeps coming on during acceleration followed by very sluggish performance of vehicle. Previous times upon light up, I've taken this to the dealer and both times they state nothing was wrong and reset the system. This should have been replaced during the warranty period. I'm afraid that there could be a major accident soon due to this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10067594, filed 2004-04, 32,500 miles - Engine cooling
Engine stalling or cutting out while driving
Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints
Several owners report the engine quitting without warning while driving or braking, sometimes restarting after a wait and sometimes not. Repairs described include idle air control cleaning, throttle work, fuel pump and relay replacement, and in some cases no fault was found at the dealer. Mileage in these reports ranges from about 50,000 to over 170,000 miles, with occurrences at both highway and low speeds.
What to check: Note whether the car has a documented history of stalling and what parts were replaced; ask for service records and take a longer test drive that includes stops, idling, and highway speeds.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Car repeatedly stalls with no explanation. Volvo dealership has worked on car 8 times. Throttle parts have been replaced, etm, and many other parts. Now they say it's the catalytic converter. This is extremely frustrating and scary. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to why the car stalls. Sometimes, it will act as if there's a clogged fuel line, then it stalls the next time I have to decelerate. Other times, it dies when I'm driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10321447, filed 2010-03, 165,000 miles“My Volvo V70 has stalled dead repeatedly while driving at both high and low speeds, most recently while just coming onto a long freeway exit ramp with no shoulder. There were cars behind me and I almost got hit from behind. Prior stalls (about 5 of them) include total stalling while braking, and while speeding up. I have had the fuel pump, relay, and manifold replaced. And after all that, spending over $1000, it stalled this last time. Sometimes the car can start up again after a stall and a 10 minute wait, but it will suddenly stall again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10334119, filed 2010-06, 80,000 miles - Brakes
Brake pedal stiffness or reduced braking
- 9 complaints (5%)
- median 92,436 mi at 7.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1999–2009
Complaints describe a stiff or low pedal, throbbing, and reduced stopping power, sometimes only occasionally, and in some cases a brake pedal that went to the floor. Owners report ABS module or caliper replacement and mention that the symptoms were hard to reproduce for a technician. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 120,000 miles, with some cases at higher mileage.
What to check: Ask about ABS module and caliper service history; check brake fluid condition and pedal feel, and have a mechanic inspect the ABS system before purchase.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The braking sometimes becomes diminished. The pedal is 'stiff' and normal baking is reduced. It occurs so rarely that there is no way for me to expect that it will present for a mechanic on a test drive. Occurrences are many days or even weeks apart. The symptom involves a distinct variation on the normal braking experience: a slight throbbing occurs and diminished stopping power is available, I have to press markedly harder to get the car to stop. Scary. …”
NHTSA complaint #10238089, filed 2008-08, 59,000 miles“When the brake pedal was depressed, the brakes didn't engage and the vehicle failed to stop, as a result the driver had to continuously pump the pedal to stop vehicle. Consumer stated there was complete and total brake failure. The consumer had the ABS unit that was replaced. The check engine light illuminated. The dealer reset the light.”
NHTSA complaint #10040416, filed 2003-11, 70,000 miles
Buying note. Check the electronic throttle service history first, since it is the most frequently reported concern, and confirm brake and ABS condition with an inspection. A pre-purchase inspection covering the throttle, brakes, and lighting switches is reasonable for a car of this age.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 169 consumer complaints for the 1999 Volvo V70. 110 of the complaints include a mileage, and 8% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 164 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Vehicle speed control53 31%
- Electrical system43 25%
- Fuel system22 13%
- Engine cooling20 12%
- Brakes13 7.7%
- Exterior lighting6 3.5%
- Air bags5 3.0%
- Body and structure5 3.0%
Also reported: Tires (5), Latches, locks and linkages (4), Seat belts (4), Suspension (4), Engine (3), Electronic stability control (2), Equipment (2), Other or unknown (2), Interior lighting (1), Seats (1).
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “Car surges randomly at lower speeds. Car also loses power on freeway and acceleration fluctuates uncontrollably at times. All symptoms happening while car is in motion, mostly at speeds over 50mph. I brought the car to my local dealership where there were open recalls on the model I own. After recall was performed, the symptoms have increased and worsened. Dealership is refusing to take any responsibility.”
NHTSA complaint #11018946, filed 2017-08, 158,000 milesElectrical system: “Our 1999 Volvo V70 simply stopped without warning. Portland, me dealer reprogrammed the computer and checked. We drove 1500 miles and again it stopped...this time repeatedly. Indianapolis dealer kept the car for 3 weeks and reported that they inadvertantly solved whatever the problem was ($435). In the subsequent month & 4500 miles later, all appears to be well.”
NHTSA complaint #10134148, filed 2005-08, 116,000 milesFuel system: “I have a 99 Volvo V70 t5, on july 3rd of 2006 we had the vehicle in as the etm light was on, the dealer upgraded the software of the etm at no cost, now a year later the vehicle is undrivable. It surges at low idle causing the vehicle to jump forward, it consistently stalls out and now is beginning to surge while driving down the road at any RPM. I feel that this is a extreme hazard and I am no longer able to drive the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10196673, filed 2007-07, 74,890 milesEngine cooling: “My husband and I were burned by scolding hot steam and water that exploded out of our A/C heating vents on our dashboard. We were waiting in a drive thru with the car on, but the A/C heating unit was off. The make , model and year of our car is a 1999 Volvo V70. It was towed to our mechanic who said the heater core went bad and the hoses ruptured. He bypassed the heater unit to save money on repairs. When my husband was driving the vehicle home it ran hot, he promptly took it back to the repair shop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10314119, filed 2010-02, 197,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
8% of the 110 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 65,000 and 102,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1999 Volvo V70 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V70 AWD | 2.3L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
| V70 AWD | 2.4L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
| V70 FWD | 2.3L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| V70 FWD | 2.3L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| V70 FWD | 2.4L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| V70 FWD | 2.4L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| V70 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 V70 1999–2002, C70 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 V70 1998–2000, S70 1998–2000, C70 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 V70 1998–2000, C70 1998–2001, S70 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.
- 98V254000Oct 14, 1998Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeCovers: Volvo V70 1998–1999
Vehicle description: station wagons equipped with third seats. Users of the third seat, when exiting the vehicle, can come in contact with the tailpipe.
Recall details for the 1999 Volvo V70 → · Check a 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. 164 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)
- 10188881Feb 19, 2021Equipment. Volvo?s Warranty Department tracks Retailer warranty spending by utilizing the Warranty Retailer Counseling Process (WRCP). The WRCP is used to gauge individual retailer performance on objective…
- 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…
- 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 V70
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 11 | 115,000 | 4 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 7 | 26,162 | 2 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 21 | 44,000 | 3 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 2005 | 21 | 64,719 | 3 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2004 | 84 | 84,500 | 5 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 32 | 62,888 | 5 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 76 | 100,000 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 221 | 80,765 | 8 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 93 | 78,564 | 5 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 169 | 80,000 | 4 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 187 | 77,500 | 5 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Volvo V70 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Volvo V70?
Most owner complaints for this model year concern the electronic throttle system: the ETS warning light comes on, the car loses power, surges, or stalls, and the dealer typically replaces or reflashes the electronic throttle module. The issues reported most often: Electronic throttle (ETS light, power loss, stalling); Engine stalling or cutting out while driving; Brake pedal stiffness or reduced braking.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 Volvo V70 have?
NHTSA recorded 169 consumer complaints for the 1999 Volvo V70 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 Volvo V70 is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 53 complaints (31% of the total), followed by electrical system with 43.
Has the 1999 Volvo V70 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 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 V70 get?
The EPA rates the 1999 Volvo V70 (V70 FWD, 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 V70 reported?
Among the 110 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,000 miles and the middle half falls between 65,000 and 102,000 miles; 8% 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.