Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1998 Volvo S70. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗VOLVO/HEADLIGHT SWITCH
- Summary
- 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.
VOLVO/TURN SIGNAL
- Summary
- 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.
VOLVO/HEADLIGHT SWITCH
- Summary
- 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.
VOLVO/PASSENGER AIR BAG
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (215)
215 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 215 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 76 | 35.3% |
| Exterior lighting | 35 | 16.3% |
| Electrical system | 31 | 14.4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 22 | 10.2% |
| Air bags | 13 | 6% |
| Structure | 13 | 6% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 11 | 5.1% |
| Suspension | 11 | 5.1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 4.2% |
| Power train | 8 | 3.7% |
How 1998 compares with other S70 years
Best and worst S70 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 | 0 |
| 1997 | 4 | 0 |
| 1998 | 215 | 4 |
| 1999 | 205 | 4 |
| 2000 | 164 | 3 |
| 2002 | 3 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,900
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2.4 L 5-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 27 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2.4 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2.3 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
| 2.3 L 5-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1998 S70 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1998 Volvo S70 FAQ
How many recalls does the 1998 Volvo S70 have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 04V504000 (lighting), 00V405000 (lighting), 99V235000 (lighting), 99V236000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1998 Volvo S70 problems?
Owners filed 215 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (76), Exterior lighting (35), Electrical system (31) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1998 Volvo S70 get?
EPA rates the 2.4 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 18 city, 26 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1998 S70 compare with other years?
Among the 1995–2002 Volvo S70 model years at least five years old, the 1995 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 1998 the most (215). The 1998 drew 215. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.