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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2002

Volvo S70 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 593 owner complaints for the Volvo S70, covering model years 1995 to 2002. The 1998 model year drew the most complaints (215), and Vehicle Speed Control is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Volvo S70 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 6 recall campaigns on file
  • 593 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 6 model years with data (1995–2002)
  • most complaints: 1998 (215 for that model year)
  • top component: Vehicle Speed Control (146 complaints)
  • latest recall 06V441000 (reported Nov 15, 2006)
  • 32 complaints reporting a crash (5.4%)
  • 5 complaints reporting a fire (0.8%)
  • 29 complaints reporting an injury (4.9%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Volvo S70 complaints by model year

6 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 1998 model year has the most complaints: 215 of 593, or 36.3%. Next come 1999 (205) and 2000 (164). The fewest are for 1995, with 2 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Volvo S70 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–2002Column chart of 593 complaints across 8 model years. The highest is 1998 with 215. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 2 complaints219951996: 0 complaints19961997: 4 complaints419971998: 215 complaints21519981999: 205 complaints20519992000: 164 complaints16420002001: 0 complaints20012002: 3 complaints32002
Volvo S70 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Volvo S70 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
199521010
199740000
1998215103110
1999205131100
20001648170
200230000
All model years593325290

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Volvo S70 components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Vehicle Speed Control is the component named most often, in 146 complaints (24.6% of all 593), followed by Electrical System (112) and Engine and Engine Cooling (83).

Components named most often in Volvo S70 complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Volvo S70 complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Vehicle Speed Control14624.6%
Electrical System11218.9%
Engine and Engine Cooling8314.0%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7412.5%
Exterior Lighting518.6%
Fuel System, Gasoline355.9%
Structure305.1%
Air Bags294.9%
Power Train244.0%
Latches/Locks/Linkages193.2%
Seat Belts152.5%
Service Brakes, Air152.5%
Tires122.0%
Unknown or Other122.0%
Equipment111.9%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Volvo S70 recalls

6 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name S70, newest first. The 6 campaigns cover model years 1998 to 2000. The 1998 and 1999 model years appear in the most campaigns (4 each).

  • 6 recall campaigns
Volvo S70 recall campaigns covering each model year
1998: 4 campaigns1999: 4 campaigns2000: 3 campaigns
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 06V441000

    Reported

    Vehicle Speed Control

    Model years 1999–2000

    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.

    Consequence:
    This resulted in a high number of vehicles going into the limp home mode without need.
    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.

    Filed by Volvo Car USA, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 04V504000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch

    Model years 1998–2000

    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.

    Filed by Volvo Car USA, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 00V405000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal

    Model years 1998–2000

    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.

    Filed by Volvo Car USA, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 99V236000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal

    Model year 1998

    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.

    Filed by Volvo Car USA, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 99V235000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch

    Model year 1998

    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.

    Filed by Volvo Car USA, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 99V035000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

    Model year 1999

    Vehicle description: all-wheel-drive sedans. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 301, "fuel system integrity." The fuel filter bracket configuration margins are insufficient.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a vehicle crash, fuel leakage could occur. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install a fuel filter protection bracket.

    Filed by Volvo Car USA, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Volvo S70 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Volvo S70 have?

NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recall campaigns for the Volvo S70, covering model years 1995 to 2002. The most recent, 06V441000, was reported on November 15, 2006 and is filed under “Vehicle speed control”. The 1998 and 1999 model years are covered by the most campaigns (4 each).

Which Volvo S70 model year has the most complaints?

The 1998 model year, with 215 of the 593 complaints in NHTSA’s file (36.3%). The next are 1999 (205) and 2000 (164). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Volvo S70 complaint?

Vehicle Speed Control is the component named most often: 146 complaints, or 24.6% of all 593. Electrical System (112) and Engine and Engine Cooling (83) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Volvo S70?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Volvo dealer.

How many Volvo S70 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 593 complaints, 32 report a crash, 5 a fire, 29 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Volvo models

8 models · most complaints first

The Volvo models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Volvo VIN decoder with every Volvo model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Volvo XC90 2003–2025 · 35 recalls · 1,521 complaints
  • Volvo S60 2000–2025 · 40 recalls · 1,264 complaints
  • Volvo S80 1999–2016 · 27 recalls · 954 complaints
  • Volvo V70 1996–2016 · 22 recalls · 933 complaints
  • Volvo XC60 2009–2025 · 36 recalls · 647 complaints
  • Volvo S40 2000–2011 · 12 recalls · 491 complaints
  • Volvo XC70 2001–2016 · 19 recalls · 417 complaints
  • Volvo 850 1995–2000 · 4 recalls · 413 complaints

All Volvo models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.