1998 Volvo V70 problems
Owners have filed 242 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Volvo V70. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 23% of complaints. After that come lighting (16%) and engine (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 242 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 23% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 20 and 9
- Injuries and deaths
- 15 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 79,000 miles 68 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 3 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 13 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 16 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 9 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 6 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 9 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 6 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Among the 68 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 79,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 72,000 miles (22 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 20 complaints mention a crash; 9 complaints mention a fire; 15 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1998 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 7 model years of the Volvo V70 with enough data (141 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
The timing belt holder broke on my 1998 volvo while on driving on us route 40 in chapel hill north carolina. This caused a complete loss of acceleration. Fortunately we were in the right lane and were able to pull off the road.
While driving at 45-50 MPH driver rearended another vehicle. Upon impact, dual airbags did not deploy, causing driver to hit steering wheel, and resulting in injuries even thoufg seat belt was worn. No indictation of airbags being defective.
While driving at approximately 45-50 MPH driver rearened another vehicle . Upon impact, dual airbags did not deploy, driver hit steering wheel, sustaining injuries with seatbelt on. No indictation of airbag being inoperative. 15,000 worth of damage to front end.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 20 MPH the rear hatchback opened without warning dumping the cargo onto the highway. A crash was avoided and the police were not contacted. The vehicle was seen by a dealer who determined the hatchback lock was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The hatchback lock was replaced once before due to a similar incident. Updated 05/04/06.
Drivers side door hinge/strap failed causing door to break from frame and become dysfunctional. As it worsened over a few days the door became increasingly difficult to open where it became a safety concern. Volvo mechanic referred to auto metal service shop which replaced/repaired door strap and welded door back to frame and confirmed this was a known "workmanship" defect with a number of volvo models and years. Volvo n.a.