1998 Volvo S70
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 76 of 215 complaints (35%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (10) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,700–4,100 | 3,700–4,100 | 3,500–4,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–21 | 19–21 | 19–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–18 / 23–27 | 16–19 / 23–26 | 16–19 / 23–26 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–468 | 423–468 | 404–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 215 | 205 | 164 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 13 | 8 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 1 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 16 | 12 | 9 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 7 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Volvo S70 have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Volvo S70?
Brakes: 76 of 215 NHTSA complaints (35%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Volvo S70 get?
EPA rates it 19–21 MPG combined across 5 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Volvo S70?
EPA estimates $3,700–$4,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 5 | 2.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 24 mpg | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 5 | 2.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 17 mpg | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 5 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 5 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 5-spd | 5 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 17 mpg | 27 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 24 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 32 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 76 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 23 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 21 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 25 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH · Campaign 04V504000 · Oct 21, 2004
Defect: 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL · Campaign 00V405000 · Dec 7, 2000
Defect: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · Campaign 99V236000 · Aug 30, 1999
Defect: 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH · Campaign 99V235000 · Aug 30, 1999
Defect: 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.