The 1999 Volvo S70 has 4 safety recalls and 205 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (66 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints205filed by owners
Crashes · fires13 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths12 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Vehicle speed control
NHTSA recall 06V441000 · Nov 15, 2006 · 170,099 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
NHTSA recall 04V504000 · Oct 21, 2004 · 97,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting › Turn signal
NHTSA recall 00V405000 · Dec 6, 2000 · 245,894 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN AN APPROACHING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA recall 99V035000 · Feb 25, 1999 · 3,632 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILTER PROTECTION BRACKET.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1999 Volvo S70 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
S70
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.4 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
S70
21mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.4 L · 5 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
S70
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.3 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
S70
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.3 L · 5 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
S70
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.4 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
S70 AWD
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.3 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
S70 AWD
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.4 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal
66
3
0
2
80,000 mi
Electrical system Ignition; Ignition › Module
50
0
0
0
79,328 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
40
0
0
1
94,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline Delivery; Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
18
0
0
0
90,050 mi
Structure Body › Door › Hinge and attachments; Body › Door
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Mar 6, 2017 · 117,000 milesElectronic stability control (esc) WHILE DRIVING SPEED NEEDLE GOES BACK TO ZERO AS IF YOU ARE NOT MOVIN, SHOW NO MILEAGE NUMBERS N MILES YOU HAVE GONE OR ZERO TRIP MILES, MANY LIGHTON BREAKS, ABS ECT.ALL WHILE DRIVINGIF STOP WHEN TIME TO GO CAR THINKS IT IS IN PARK ALL THIS IS WHILE IN TRAFFICHAVE PIC CAN NOT DOWN LOAD BE GLAD TO SEND
Sep 12, 2017 · 221,000 miles · crashAir bags VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 45MPH COLLISION ON 9/12/2017. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WAS IMPACTED. THE COLLISION WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG TO BLOW. HOWEVER, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT BLOW UP, DESPITE THE IMPACT HAPPENING ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. A COMPLAINT WAS SUBMITTED TO VOLVO ON 9/19/2017. A CALL FROM (201) 768-7300 WAS RECEIVED TODAY 9/20. I FORGOT TO NOTE DOWN HER NAME BUT SHE WAS A VOLVO REPRESENTATIVE. SHE CORRECTLY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO OCCUPANT WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THEREFORE THEY CANNOT DISCRIMINATE WHEN A CRASH IS SEVERE. HOWEVER, SHE STATED THAT BECAUSE I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON, THE SYSTEM DETECTED THAT I WAS SAFE AND THEREFORE…
Aug 29, 2016 · 120,000 milesVehicle speed control TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO S70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. IN ADDITION, ALL THE LIGHTING AND WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED SIGNAL AND THROTTLE BODY CONTROL MODULE WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Oct 2, 2015 · 137,955 milesUnknown or other CAR STATIONARY. I HAVE TO TURN KEY TO '1' POSITION, PUSH IN' SHIFTLOCK'OVERRIDE' BUTTON BEFORE I CAN PUT CAR INTO GEAR.
May 1, 2003Vehicle speed control TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO S70. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Dec 14, 2014 · 160,000 milesElectrical system › Ignition TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO S70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION AND WAS ABLE TO TURN IN A COMPLETE CIRCLE CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Dec 12, 2013 · 10,560 milesVehicle speed control I HAVE A VOVLO 1999 S70 TURBO I HAVEN'T HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS OUT OF IT..JUST NORMAL MAINTENANCE UNTIL LATE DEC I GOT IN MY CAR STARTED IT UP IT STARTED WITH NOW PROBLEM BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY PULLED UP INTO ONGOING TRAFFIC I HAD DROVE THIS CAR ALL WEEK NO SIGNS OF ANY PROBLEM WAS COMING NO LIGHTS FLASHING IN THE CAR PANEL SO JUST KNOW THAT YOU HAVE TO BECAREFUL BECAUSE YOU CAN BE ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WILL NOT GIVE YOU NO SIGNS AS IT DIDN'T ME LUCKILY I WASN'T GOING AS FAST AS SOMEONE ON A HIGHWAY BUT AS SOON AS I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GO WITH THE FLOW OF THE TRAFFIC I AM GETTING UP TO ABOUT 35 OUT OF NO WHERE I CAN NOT PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL TO GET SPEED IT WAS THE OTHER WAY AROUND THE…
Dec 17, 2013 · 150,800 milesService brakes THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY. I CAME TO A STOP RIGHT OUTSIDE MY DRIVEWAY WAITING FOR IT TO BE SAFE FOR ME TO PULL OUT IN ON GOING TRAFFIC I PUSH THE GAS PEDAL IT GAVE ME ENOUGH FORCE TO PULL OUT ON THE STREET AS SOON AS I TRY TO GIVE IT MORE PICK UP BUT KINDA IDLE GOT UP TO ABOUT 40 I WOULD SAY BOUT SOON AS I HIT FORTY IT OUT OF NO WHERE IT WOULDN'T LET ME PICK UP OR PRESS ON GAS PEDAL WHEN I WOULD IT WOULD SLOW DOWN SO I TRY TO PUSH HARDER THAT IS WHEN THE CAR DIED SO I QUICKLY PULLED UP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS LOCKING UP GAS IT WOULD NOT LET ME ACCELERATE MY CHECK ENGINE LET FLASH ON AND PUT MY FLASH LIGHTS ON AND SAT FOR A MINUTE…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA05021 · opened Dec 6, 2005 · closed Dec 12, 2006 · led to recall 06V441000THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION ON NOVEMBER 14, 2006 VOLVO SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING ETM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2001 VOLVO MODELS (NOT INCLUDING THE S40 AND V40), MY 2002 S60 AND V70 WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINES AND MY 2002 V70S.ACCORDING TO VOLVO, ?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.VOLVO FURTHER STATED THAT,THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES GOING INTO LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.?VOLVO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE MOST SEVERE CONSEQUENCE OF AN ETM FAULT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE RECALL REMEDY IS A SOFTWARE UPGRADE INTRODUCED BY VOLVO ON MARCH 16, 2006 IN A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM.AT THE TIME OF THE NOTIFICATION 161,202 VEHICLES OF THE POPULATION OF 331,301 HAD ALREADY HAD THE…
PE05041 · opened Jul 26, 2005 · closed Dec 7, 2005THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION PE05-041 WAS OPENED ON JULY, 26, 2005, BASED ON 136 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGING THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI HAS NOW RECEIVED 591 COMPLAINTS OF ETM FAILURES WHICH ALLEGE SYMPTOMS WITH POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES.THESE INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE STALL, VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD WITHOUT ACCELERATOR INPUT, VEHICLE HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED TRANSITION INTO REDUCED PERFORMANCE OPERATION (LIMP MODE).VOLVO SUBMITTED OVER 2,900 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE ETM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING PE05-041.ODI'S PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 55 PERCENT WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ABOVE.ODI IS CONTINUING ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS. IN NOVEMBER 2005, TO RESOLVE AN INVESTIGATION BY THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD, VOLVO…
RQ04004 · opened Jun 8, 2004 · closed Nov 5, 2004 · led to recall 04V504000HEADLIGHT FAILURE ON AUGUST 23, 1999, VOLVO NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (99V235) ON CERTAIN 1997 MODEL YEAR (MY) 850 VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 1998 S/V/C 70 SERIES VEHICLES FOR FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THE DEFECT REPORT STATED IN PART: OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.VOLVO'S REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL WAS TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THIS RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON JUNE 8, 2004, BASED ON 13 REPORTS OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE ON 1998 AND 1999 S/V/C 70 SERIES VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE EARLIER RECALL.BY LETTER OF OCTOBER 18, 2004, VOLVO HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL NOW CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF AN ADDITIONAL 97,000 MY 1998 THROUGH 2000 S70/V70/V70XC AND C70 VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE 5, 1997 THROUGH JANUARY 11, 2000. VOLVO DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT…
PE00031 · opened Aug 15, 2000 · closed Dec 22, 2000 · led to recall 00V405000TURN SIGNAL There is no summary currently available
PE99040 · opened Jun 7, 1999 · closed Oct 27, 1999INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT