NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Volvo C70 Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 Volvo C70 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 7 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volvo dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Volvo C70. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1998 Volvo C70 owner complaints

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Volvo C70, describing incidents dated December 11, 2002 to June 20, 2011.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 2 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages 1 complaint
Steering 1 complaint
Structure 1 complaint
Tires 1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Control 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10409750 · Filed June 25, 2011
CAR HAS BEEN AT A RECOGNIZED AUTO REPAIR FACILITY AND HAS BEEN HAVING MAINTENANCE WORK PERFORMED. IT WAS SEEN THAT THE CAR HAD SUFFERED A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING RACK WITH THE HOUSING FRACTURING, AND ALL OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID BEING LOST. THERE WAS NO IMPACT AND THE HOUSING…
ODI #10159993 · Filed June 16, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOORS SUDDENLY BECAME INOPERABLE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE. WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE ALSO FAILED. THE CONTACT IS…
ODI #10149196 · Filed February 1, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THIS HAS BEEN A REGULAR OCCURRENCE FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ABS MODULE NEEDED REPLACED TO REPAIR THE…

Read all 7 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1998 Volvo C70 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Recall Query RQ04-004: HEADLIGHT FAILURE
Closed November 5, 2004
- Recall 04V-504

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

VOLVO/HEADLIGHT SWITCH

NHTSA #04V504000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported October 21, 2004 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Potentially affected: 97,000 vehicles

Volvo campaign 142/94 · Owners notified January 24, 2005 · Vehicles built June 5, 1997 – June 8, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

VOLVO RECALL NO. 142.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VOLVO/TURN SIGNAL

NHTSA #00V405000 · Exterior Lighting — Turn Signal · NHTSA notice

Reported December 6, 2000 · VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.

Potentially affected: 245,894 vehicles

Volvo campaign 101 · Owners notified March 19, 2001 · Vehicles built January 1, 1997 – November 30, 2000 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN AN APPROACHING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 2001.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-283-0117. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VOLVO/PASSENGER AIR BAG

NHTSA #99V236000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported August 30, 1999 · VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.

Potentially affected: 124,381 vehicles

Volvo campaign 96 · Owners notified September 15, 1999 · Vehicles built January 1, 1997 – August 1, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE OVERLY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ASSURE SUFFICIENT GROUNDING.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 15, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VOLVO/HEADLIGHT SWITCH

NHTSA #99V235000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported August 30, 1999 · VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.

Potentially affected: 139,588 vehicles

Volvo campaign 94 · Owners notified September 15, 1999 · Vehicles built January 1, 1997 – February 28, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.

Safety consequence

DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 15, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1998 Volvo C70. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

7 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Volvo C70.

Steering

ODI #10409750

Incident: June 20, 2011 · Filed: June 25, 2011

CAR HAS BEEN AT A RECOGNIZED AUTO REPAIR FACILITY AND HAS BEEN HAVING MAINTENANCE WORK PERFORMED. IT WAS SEEN THAT THE CAR HAD SUFFERED A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING RACK WITH THE HOUSING FRACTURING, AND ALL OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID BEING LOST. THERE WAS NO IMPACT AND THE HOUSING APPEARS CRYSTALLINE AT THE BREAK. THERE WAS NO IMPACT CAUSING THIS DAMAGE, WHICH HAD THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD HAVE HAD SEVERE CONSEQUENCES

Structure

ODI #10159993

Incident: June 16, 2006 · Filed: June 16, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOORS SUDDENLY BECAME INOPERABLE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE. WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE ALSO FAILED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THIS COULD LEAD TO ENTRAPMENT IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE DOORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10149196

Incident: July 7, 2004 · Filed: February 1, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THIS HAS BEEN A REGULAR OCCURRENCE FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ABS MODULE NEEDED REPLACED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10131950

Incident: December 9, 2004 · Filed: August 8, 2005

DT: CONTACT STATED VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT 45 MPH. . THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 8-12 MONTHS AGO. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED. CONTACT HAD NOT REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. ALSO, LOST POWER STEERING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT TOOK ABOUT 30-60 SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO START AGAIN. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #10046804

Incident: November 12, 2003 · Filed: November 12, 2003

1998 VOLVO C70 PASSENGER DOOR LATCH FAILURE - HAVE REPLACED MECHANISM TWICE IN PAST 2 YEARS. NO INJURY BUT 2ND FAILURE PREVENTED OPENING DOOR FROM INSIDE CAR CREATING SAFETY RISK. THANK YOU. *LA

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10046170

Incident: October 24, 2003 · Filed: November 3, 2003

THE ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE SENSOR LIGHT TO STAY ON. *AK

Tires

ODI #10000618

Incident: December 11, 2002 · Filed: December 27, 2002

WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON OPEN HIGHWAY, DRIVER SIDE FONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND TIRE DESINTEGRATED CAUSING VEHICLE TO TURN LEFT ALMOST RUNNING OFF THE ROAD. TIRE TYPE BF GOODRICH COMP T/A, 225/45ZR-17. TIRE CAME APART COMPLETELY. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD SURFACE, EVEN PAVEMENT, AMBIENT TEMPERATURE 46 DEGREES, DRY SURFACE AND CALM WINDS.

Other Volvo C70 model years

Check your 1998 Volvo C70 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volvo C70 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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