RecallMyCar

1998 Volvo V70 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

5 safety recalls list the 1998 Volvo V70, and owners have filed 187 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

5
safety recalls
187
owner complaints to NHTSA
10 / 7
complaints citing a crash / fire
19–21
MPG combined (EPA)

5 safety recalls for the 1998 Volvo V70

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 04V504000 Reported 97,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

    On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, over an extended period of time, the headlight switch may cease to function.

    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…

  2. Turn signal (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 00V405000 Reported 245,894 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right front turn signal bulb and socket.

  3. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 99V235000 Reported 139,588 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Operation of the headlight switch, over an extended period of time, can result in inconsistent operation of the switch.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the headlight switch.

  4. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 99V236000 Reported 124,381 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The frontal passenger air bag may be overly sensitive to certain electrostatic discharge.

    Remedy: Dealers will install an additional ground wire in the passenger side to assure sufficient grounding.

  5. Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 98V254000 Reported 50,835 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.

    Vehicle description: station wagons equipped with third seats. Users of the third seat, when exiting the vehicle, can come in contact with the tailpipe.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the length of the vehicle's tailpipe and, if necessary, repair the tailpipe.

187 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1998 Volvo V70 have filed 187 complaints with NHTSA; 10 describe a crash and 7 describe a fire. Reports cite 15 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 88,133 miles. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 42 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 11, 2016 · Tires

“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 acces”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 14, 2016 · Electrical system

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1998 Volvo V70 (V70 AWD, V70 FWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined19–21 mpg
City / Highway16–18 / 22–27
FuelPremium
EPA classMidsize Station Wagons
Engine5 cyl, 2.3/2.4 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Volvo V70 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Volvo V70 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1996 Volvo V7001
1997 Volvo V7003
1998 Volvo V705187
1999 Volvo V704169
2000 Volvo V70593
2001 Volvo V708221
2002 Volvo V70676
2003 Volvo V70532
2004 Volvo V70583
2005 Volvo V70321
2006 Volvo V70321
2007 Volvo V7027
2008 Volvo V70411
2009 Volvo V7034
2010 Volvo V7034
2011 Volvo V7010
2012 Volvo V7010
2013 Volvo V7010
2014 Volvo V7010
2015 Volvo V7010
2016 Volvo V7010

Checking a specific 1998 Volvo V70

How do I know if my 1998 Volvo V70 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 1998 Volvo V70; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Volvo dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 00V405000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Volvo models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.