The 1998 Volvo V70 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 657,698 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 242 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.
Consequence
THE HEAD LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR NO HEADLIGHT FUNCTION. THIS COULD IMPAIR A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
ON VEHICLES WITH AN ORIGINAL OEM SWITCH, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE IF THE SWITCH HAS EEN DAMAGED AND REPLACE ONLY IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
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.
Consequence
THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN AN APPROACHING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET.
AIR BAGS99V2360001999-08-30124,381 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE OVERLY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE.
Consequence
THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ASSURE SUFFICIENT GROUNDING.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.
Consequence
DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING98V2540001998-10-1450,835 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STATION WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH THIRD SEATS. USERS OF THE THIRD SEAT, WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TAILPIPE.
Consequence
CONTACT WITH THE TAILPIPE CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LENGTH OF THE VEHICLE'S TAILPIPE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR THE TAILPIPE.
Complaints by component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
19
1crashes
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
11
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
10
1crashes1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
7
1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
7
7injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
6
6crashes4injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
6
TIRES
6
1crashes1fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6
Total complaints242
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Severe tire sidewall bubbles on all four tires after only 2 years of normal use. Tire brand and type: dunlop 195/60r15 888 h signature ii.”
“I was on the entrance ramp to I-94 when the accelerator stomped flush to the floor. The engine revved uncontrollably and I tried to clutch it down but kept on accelerating. At this point I turned off the ignition but that did no good. All the instrumentation turned off but the engine was maxed out…”
“The ignition switch frequently jams, locked, in the "off" position. The key can be inserted, but the ignition lock will not turn, making it impossible to start and operate the vehicle or turn on accessories or turn the steering wheel, rendering the vehicle completely inoperative. When the ignition…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 volvo v70. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, an abnormal sound was present coming from the rear passenger side. While inspecting the vehicle it was discovered that the rear passenger side brake rotor had cracked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…”
“Purchased this car this month for my son for him to commute to school. My son told me that the seat moves to different position when the car hit the pot hole. It is very dangerous if the driver has short legs. There is preset position for the seat. No sure what to do with this. *tr”
“After filling fuel tank the check engine light came on and there is a very strong gasoline smell outside the car and when stopped inside car. The engine code is for a gross evap leak.I can see fuel under gas tank coming from the top of the tank. I removed fuel pump accsess door and can see fuel…”
“I just purchased about 2 months ago a 1998 volvo v70 used on 4/3/2014 for 3000.00 . The vehicle drove just fine up until two weeks ago where the transmission seems to be slipping. While I was riding on i695 and was going about sixty miles per hour when the car jerked and cut off, meaning blinking…”
“I just purchased about 2 months ago a 1998 volvo v70 used on 4/3/2014 for 3000.00 . The vehicle drove just fine up until two weeks ago where the transmission seems to be slipping. While I was riding on i695 and was going about sixty miles per hour when the car jerked and cut off, meaning blinking…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE00031 Opened 2000-08-15 · closed 2000-12-22
TURN SIGNAL
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE98043 Opened 1998-08-05 · closed 1998-10-21
EXHAUST PIPE BURNS
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON TWO REPORTS OF CHILDREN RECEIVING BURNS ON THEIR LEG FROM THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE WHILE EXITING 1998 MODEL YEAR V70 WAGONS VIA THE REAR LIFTGATE.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH A DEALER INSTALLED REAR FACING CHILDREN'S AUXILIARY SEAT (AUXILIARY SEAT).ENTRY TO ANDEXIT FROM THE…
InvestigationPE99005 Opened 1999-01-15 · closed 1999-06-30
FUEL LEAKAGE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE99040 Opened 1999-06-07 · closed 1999-10-27
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
InvestigationRQ04004 Opened 2004-06-08 · closed 2004-11-05
HEADLIGHT FAILURE
ON AUGUST 23, 1999, VOLVO NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (99V235) ON CERTAIN 1997 MODEL YEAR (MY) 850 VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 1998 S/V/C 70 SERIES VEHICLES FOR FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THE DEFECT REPORT STATED IN PART: OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN…
InvestigationRQ04004 Opened 2004-06-08 · closed 2004-11-05
HEADLIGHT FAILURE
ON AUGUST 23, 1999, VOLVO NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (99V235) ON CERTAIN 1997 MODEL YEAR (MY) 850 VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 1998 S/V/C 70 SERIES VEHICLES FOR FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THE DEFECT REPORT STATED IN PART: OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Volvo V70 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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