NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Volvo C70 Recalls & Complaints

The 1999 Volvo C70 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 23 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 1999 Volvo C70. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1999 Volvo C70 owner complaints

Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Volvo C70, describing incidents dated August 1, 1999 to June 20, 2014.

Most-cited components

Engine 5 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 5 complaints
Electrical System 4 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints

Together, the 23 complaints on file report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10610765 · Filed July 15, 2014
THE CAR REDUCED THE SPEED AND NOW IT STOPPED RUNNING BECAUSE THE ETM IS NOT WORKING. I CONTACTED VOLVO AND THEY SAID THAT THE WARRANTY IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN OVER 10 YEARS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A PREVIOUS OWNER IN OCTOBER 2013 AND THEREFORE I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NOW THEY WANT…
ODI #10604702 · Filed June 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO C70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY REDUCED SPEED WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TO BE REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
ODI #10500650 · Filed February 27, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO C70. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE ETS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…

Read all 23 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1999 Volvo C70 in 3 investigations. 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.

Engineering Analysis EA05-021: THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION
Closed December 12, 2006
- Recall 06V-441
Preliminary Evaluation PE05-041: THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION
Closed December 7, 2005
Recall Query RQ04-004: HEADLIGHT FAILURE
Closed November 5, 2004
- Recall 04V-504

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION

NHTSA #06V441000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice

Reported November 15, 2006 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Potentially affected: 170,099 vehicles

Volvo campaign R155 · Owners notified December 29, 2006 · Vehicles built August 27, 1998 – May 18, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.

Safety consequence

THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Notes

VOLVO RECALL NO. R155. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

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).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1999 Volvo C70. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

23 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Volvo C70.

Electrical System

ODI #10610765

Incident: June 20, 2014 · Filed: July 15, 2014

THE CAR REDUCED THE SPEED AND NOW IT STOPPED RUNNING BECAUSE THE ETM IS NOT WORKING. I CONTACTED VOLVO AND THEY SAID THAT THE WARRANTY IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN OVER 10 YEARS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A PREVIOUS OWNER IN OCTOBER 2013 AND THEREFORE I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY APPROXIMATELY $900 TO FIX IT. THEY SAID THE WARRANTY STARTED FROM THE DAY THE FIRST CAR WAS BOUGHT WHICH WAS AUGUST 25, 1999 BUT IN MY OPINION IT SHOULD BE FROM THE FIRST TIME THERE WAS A PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED WITH THE ETM THAT CAUSED VOLVO TO RECALL AND BUY THE CARS BACK. VOLVO MADE APPROXIMATELY 300,000 CARS AND REPAIRED AND BOUGHT BACK AROUND 165,000 CARS. THIS MEANS THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE ENCOUNTERING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY VOLVO THAT THE CAR I CURRENTLY OWN THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED IN NORTH CAROLINA. AS I SEE IT THEY NEGLECTED TO CHANGE THE THROTTLE IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THIS CAR CAN CAUSE MY FAMILY TO GET IN A CAR ACCIDENT. THE REGIONAL MANAGER INDICATED THAT THE CAR COULD NOT BE FIXED AND THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE LABOR AND THE PARTS. THEY ARE OFFERING TO GIVE ME A DISCOUNT ON THE REPAIRS BUT I FEEL THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF A PROBLEM THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE DISCOUNTS FOR LABOR AND PARTS INDICATE THAT VOLVO UNDERSTAND THE SAFETY CONCERNS AND THE PROBLEMS OF THE CAR BUT ALSO THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. I ASK TO SPEAK TO THE REGIONAL MANAGER AND I WAS TOLD BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT I WAS NOT ALLOWED. I LEFT A MESSAGE TO HIM TO SEE IF WE CAN RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10604702

Incident: June 15, 2014 · Filed: June 20, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO C70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY REDUCED SPEED WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TO BE REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10500650

Incident: February 6, 2013 · Filed: February 27, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO C70. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE ETS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 177,000....UPDATED 05/22/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE LIMP MODE AFFECTS THE BREAKING SYSTEM, IT'S DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES. UPDATED 06/505/2013 *JS

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #10245093

Incident: October 2, 2008 · Filed: October 10, 2008

ABS BRAKE MODULE FAILURE BOTH ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATED IT IS KNOWN PROBLEM WITH ABS BRAKING MODULE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling; Power Train; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10150128

Incident: February 1, 2005 · Filed: February 13, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED IN FEBRUARY 2005 THE ENGINE SURGED WHILE IDLING AT STOP SIGNS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE MODULE. IN 2002 AND ON JULY 25, 2005 THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. UPON INSPECTION THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE ENGINE MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, ON JANUARY 20, 2005 THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT. UPON INSPECTION THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE DRIVE SHAFT BECAUSE IT HAD WEAKENED. ALL THE PROBLEMS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS.

Seat Belts

ODI #10144823

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

WHILE REMOVING A CHILD CAR SEAT THE SEAT BELT BUTTON FELL OFF, THUS THE SEAT BELT RETRACTED COMPLETELY AND WAS COMPLETELY RETRACTED FORCING THE SEAT IN THE DECLINED POSITION AND PERMANENTLY LOCKED IN THIS POSITION. NOW THE SEAT IS UNUSABLE AS A CHILD SEAT OR ANY TYPE OF SEAT UNTIL A DEALER REPAIR. I WAS UNABLE TO USE THE CAR WITH A CHILD SEAT. ON A LONG TRIP WITH CHILDREN THIS PUTS THE CHILDREN AT GREAT RISK AND CREATES AN ILLEGAL DRIVING CONDITION. EVEN WITH THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY I WAS CHARGED $56. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10144759

Incident: November 24, 2005 · Filed: December 8, 2005

ETM FAILED IN CAR FOR THE SECOND TIME AT 115,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, PREVIOUSLY REPLACED SEPTEMBER 2003 AT 64,000 MILES. DRIVING FROM OHIO TO PA FOR THANKSGIVING ETS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER THANKSGIVING DINNER WENT TO GO HOME AND MY VOLVO C70 QUIT ACCELERATING WHILE ENTERING A 4 LANE HIGHWAY FROM AN ENTRY RAMP. FORTUNATELY, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND TRAFFIC WAS EASILY ABLE TO PASS TO THE LEFT UNTIL I COASTED OFF TO THE BERM OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS IDLING BUT DID NOT HAVE POWER TO GO UP SMALL GRADE. SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, THROTTLE RESPONSE RESUMED AND WAS ABLE TO RETURN HOME. DEALER REPLACED ETM MODULE UNDER RECENTLY ANNOUNCED EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM ON 12/2/2005. I DO NOT HAVE OLD PART. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10143817

Incident: November 8, 2003 · Filed: November 28, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE CAR SURGED UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY ONCE AND TWICE. THEY HAVE DOWNLOADED SOFTWARE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THESE REPAIRS WERE DONE AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AND WAS GETTING WORSE. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AT HIS EXPENSE. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10136338

Incident: June 15, 2002 · Filed: September 13, 2005

THE THROTTLE BODY HAS FAILED IN TRAFFIC AND ON THE HWY. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES AND WAS CLEANED 2 - 3 TIMES. AT THIS TIME I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE IT OVER 15 MPH. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT IS SITTING. I AM GUESSING AT THE DAY IT STATED. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10133715

Incident: February 25, 2004 · Filed: August 22, 2005

DT:THE PROBLEM BEGAN LAST YEAR WHILE DRIVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT ABOUT 25-30 MPH, THE OWNER FELT TUGGING AND HESITATION. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON TO WARN OWNER OF A PROBLEM. THE CAR EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER UNTIL THE OPERATING TEMPERATURE WENT UP TO NORMAL TEMPERATURE PROBLEM HAPPENED EVERY TIME THE CAR WAS DRIVEN, AND GOT WORSE WITH TIME. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED ABOUT 20 TIMES, THEN OWNER TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER NOTIFIED OWNER HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE ( ETM). THE FAULT CODES THAT SHOWED ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM 9150 AND 914F). THE OWNER DID NOT HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE AND THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE. THEN ABOUT 9 MONTHS LATER, THE OWNER EXPERIENCED THE SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING/COMING ON TO THE OFF RAMP, AND MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. THE OWNER TRIED TO SPEED UP. THERE WAS A FEELING OF COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AT 3000 RPMS. THE OWNER PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THERE WAS NO POWER AFTER 3000 RPMS. THERE WAS A FEELING OF THE CAR HAVING ONLY ONE GEAR. THE OWNER COASTED OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT WAS FINE FOR A WHILE. THE PROBLEM IS STAYING THE SAME NOW, NOT GETTING WORSE. THE OWNER WISHED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, BUT COULD NOT AFFORD IT. THE OWNER HAS SPOKEN WITH VOLVO, WHO WON'T OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THEY SAY THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK

Other Volvo C70 model years

Check your 1999 Volvo C70 VIN

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