NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Volvo V70 Recalls & Complaints

The 1999 Volvo V70 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 169 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 V70. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1999 Volvo V70 owner complaints

Owners have filed 169 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Volvo V70, describing incidents dated January 22, 1999 to October 20, 2020.

Most-cited components

Vehicle Speed Control 53 complaints
Electrical System 43 complaints
Engine 23 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 22 complaints
Service Brakes 13 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 9 complaints

Of the 169 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 169 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11365304 · Filed October 20, 2020
THROUGOUT THIS CARS HISTORY (FROM THE FIRST YEAR 20 + YEARS AGO THROUGH TO TODAY) THE ENGINE RANDOMLY CUTS OUT WITHOUT WARNING, THOUGH THIS HAPPENS WHEN USALLY WHILE DECLERATING AND BRAKING TO ROUND A STREET CORNER. ONCE IT CUTS OUT, OF COURSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES ARE VIRTUALLY INOPERATIVE…
ODI #11018946 · Filed August 22, 2017
CAR SURGES RANDOMLY AT LOWER SPEEDS. CAR ALSO LOSES POWER ON FREEWAY AND ACCELERATION FLUCTUATES UNCONTROLLABLY AT TIMES. ALL SYMPTOMS HAPPENING WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION, MOSTLY AT SPEEDS OVER 50MPH. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE THERE WERE OPEN RECALLS ON THE MODEL I OWN. AFTER…
ODI #10876462 · Filed June 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO V70. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REDUCED SPEED DRASTICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE…

Read all 169 complaints

Owner-reported

1999 Volvo V70 mileage at failure

110 of the 169 complaints on file for the 1999 Volvo V70 give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Vehicle Speed Control	Median 80,000 miles	Middle half 60,000–105,000 miles	Based on 41 complaints
Electrical System	Median 85,000 miles	Middle half 75,000–100,000 miles	Based on 31 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Complaints received before December 15, 2002 rarely give a mileage, so they aren't counted here.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1999 Volvo V70 in 5 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
Preliminary Evaluation PE00-031: TURN SIGNAL
Closed December 22, 2000
- Recall 00V-405
Preliminary Evaluation PE99-040: INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Closed October 27, 1999

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 March 5, 1998 – May 12, 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).

VOLVO/TAILPIPE BURNING

NHTSA #98V254000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe · NHTSA notice

Reported October 14, 1998 · VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.

Potentially affected: 50,835 vehicles

Owners notified November 16, 1998 · Vehicles built January 1, 1997 – October 31, 1998 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STATION WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH THIRD SEATS. USERS OF THE THIRD SEAT, WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TAILPIPE.

Safety consequence

CONTACT WITH THE TAILPIPE CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LENGTH OF THE VEHICLE'S TAILPIPE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR THE TAILPIPE.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 16, 1998. 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 1999 Volvo V70. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

169 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Volvo V70.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11365304

Incident: October 20, 2020 · Filed: October 20, 2020

THROUGOUT THIS CARS HISTORY (FROM THE FIRST YEAR 20 + YEARS AGO THROUGH TO TODAY) THE ENGINE RANDOMLY CUTS OUT WITHOUT WARNING, THOUGH THIS HAPPENS WHEN USALLY WHILE DECLERATING AND BRAKING TO ROUND A STREET CORNER. ONCE IT CUTS OUT, OF COURSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES ARE VIRTUALLY INOPERATIVE. HOWEVER, BY SIMPLY PUTTING IN NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE KEY THE CARE ALWAYS IMMEDIATELY RESTARTS.

Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control; Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #11018946

Incident: July 26, 2017 · Filed: August 22, 2017

CAR SURGES RANDOMLY AT LOWER SPEEDS. CAR ALSO LOSES POWER ON FREEWAY AND ACCELERATION FLUCTUATES UNCONTROLLABLY AT TIMES. ALL SYMPTOMS HAPPENING WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION, MOSTLY AT SPEEDS OVER 50MPH. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE THERE WERE OPEN RECALLS ON THE MODEL I OWN. AFTER RECALL WAS PERFORMED, THE SYMPTOMS HAVE INCREASED AND WORSENED. DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY.

Electrical System

ODI #10876462

Incident: June 20, 2016 · Filed: June 24, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO V70. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REDUCED SPEED DRASTICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, AND REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine

ODI #10667254

Incident: February 18, 2014 · Filed: December 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO V70. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION RANGE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,550.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10606947

Incident: June 14, 2014 · Filed: June 30, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ETM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER INDICATED THAT THE TIMEFRAME HAD EXPIRED TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR, EVEN IF THE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 200,000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10568698

Incident: February 5, 2014 · Filed: March 12, 2014

TRAVELING IN TOWN AT APPR. 45 MPH. CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE, ETM CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10470043

Incident: August 8, 2012 · Filed: August 9, 2012

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME THE CAR STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND WAS NOT ABLE TO GET IT ABOVE 25 MPH. IT ALSO STARTED TO LUNGE FORWARD SPORADICALLY AND IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL AT ANY MOMENT. I CONTACTED VOLVO DIRECTLY AND THEY CALLED IT "LIMP HOME MODE" AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS, HORRABLE!!. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY THAT MY CHILDREN WERE NOT WITH ME. APPARENTLY VOLVO RECOGNIZES THE PROBLEM BUT ARE NO LONGER FIXING THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. VOLVO ESTIMATED THAT THE FIX WOULD BE ON THE LOW END $900.00 UP TO ABOUT $1400.00. VOLVO IS NOT TAKING ANYMORE RESPONSIBILITY AND NOW IT'S UP TO THE CONSUMER TO ABSORB THE COST. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #10465804

Incident: June 16, 2012 · Filed: July 16, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE RPMS DECREASED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, ECM AND THE LIMP HOME MODE WARNING MESSAGES ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD SURPASSED THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10442253

Incident: December 26, 2011 · Filed: January 3, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE CONSTANTLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN SLOW AND SLUGGISH. THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED WHENEVER THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESET. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE IN 2006 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,877.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10398259

Incident: January 28, 2011 · Filed: April 29, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO XC70 (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED IN 2004. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM AND MADE UPDATES TO THE VEHICLE COMPUTER. THE CONTACT WAS OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THE FAILURE FOR UP TO TEN YEARS FROM THE DATE OF SERVICE. MOST RECENTLY, THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED IN 2008 AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,300.

Other Volvo V70 model years

Check your 1999 Volvo V70 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volvo V70 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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