FaultScore

1998 Volvo V70 engine problems

25 of the 242 complaints about the 1998 Volvo V70 are about the engine — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 106,063 miles.

F

25

Complaints

0

Crashes

2

Fires

7

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Exhaust System 7 28.0%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 7 28.0%
Engine 5 20.0%
Emission Control 2 8.0%
Gasoline 2 8.0%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 1 4.0%
Engine 1 4.0%

Engine & Cooling across every Volvo V70 year

1998 25 21.4%
1999 24 20.5%
2000 16 13.7%
2001 24 20.5%
2004 28 23.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 151,000 miles Gwynn OAK, MD

ENGINE

I JUST PURCHASED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO A 1998 VOLVO V70 USED ON 4/3/2014 FOR 3000.00 . THE VEHICLE DROVE JUST FINE UP UNTIL TWO WEEKS AGO WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING. WHILE I WAS RIDING ON I695 AND WAS GOING ABOUT SIXTY MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR JERKED AND CUT OFF, MEANING BLINKING IN AND OUT OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALONG WITH THE ENGINE AS I WAS PULLING OVER ON THE SHOULDER, WHICH IS TERRIBLY UNSAFE. I ASSUMED AND THOUGHT VOLVO'S WERE GREAT ON MILES AND TRANSMISSION SO I DIDN'T EXPECT IT TO BE HAVING THESE TYPE OF ISSUES. I AM A FIRST TIME VOLVO PURCHASER AND HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED AND IT'S TO EXPENSIVE FOR ALL THE HASSLES. ALL OF THE MINOR ISSUES WERE EXPECTED BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE BEING A USED CAR. ALSO, I CANNOT EVEN CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVELS IN ORDER TO SEE IF ALL I NEED IS SOME TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE DIPSTICK THAT LEADS TO THE TRANSMISSION IS STUCK, AS IN I HAVE TRIED PULLING, TWISTING AND TURNING BUT TO NO AVAIL. AFTER PURCHASING A 300 DOLLAR KEY PAD FROM THE DEALER I EXPECT MORE FROM THE MANUAL AND AT LEAST TO BE ABLE TO CHECK ALL FLUIDS ON THE VEHICLE. IF THESE MINOR ISSUES DIDN'T EVOLVE INTO MAJOR ISSUES WITH MY VOLVO VEHICLE I WOULD NOT HAVE AN ISSUE. YET THE PROBLEM IS THAT THESE MINOR ISSUES ARE INDEED CAUSING MAJOR REPAIRS WHICH IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE AND CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS THAT COULD INDEED AFFECT THE LIFE OF MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTEN AND HOPEFULLY DIRECTLY ADDRESSING MY CONCERNS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 12/8/2014

NHTSA complaint #10592530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles NEW Bern, NC 1 killed

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE TIMING BELT HOLDER BROKE ON MY 1998 VOLVO WHILE ON DRIVING ON US ROUTE 40 IN CHAPEL HILL NORTH CAROLINA. THIS CAUSED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION. FORTUNATELY WE WERE IN THE RIGHT LANE AND WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #10151274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 106,063 miles Arlington, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

STALLING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. STALLING AT NORMAL OPERATING SPEED WITH RESULTING LOSS OF POWER, STEERING AND BRAKES. THE MASS AIR SENSOR AND INTAKE HOSE WERE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10131801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,251 miles Greensboro, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE SHUT-DOWN WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL. DISABLED VEHICLE WITH GROCERIES AND SMALL CHILDREN INSIDE ON A 90+ DEGREE (VERY HOT!!)AFTERNOON IN MID-JULY. $322 FOR REPLACEMENT OF AIR FLOW DEVICE (METER OR SENSOR?) TO CORRECT PROBLEM. APPROX. $50, LOSS OF PERISHABLE FOOD.

NHTSA complaint #10131699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 101,000 miles Rocky Mount, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE CAMSHAFT BELT TENSIONER BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE BELT TO COME OFF AND THE VEHICLE TO LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. *JB TIMING BELT TENSIONER, BELT AND VALVES AND HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10111369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Potomac, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO HAVE HIGH LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE. *NM BLACK SMOKE WAS BELCHING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. *SC THE TRANSMISSION FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10091898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Potomac, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

I OWN A 1998 VOLVO V70. WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE AIR PUMP AND THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED ON A CAR THAT IS FIVE YEARS OLD. SINCE THE CAR IS PAST ITS WARRANTY PERIOD, VOLVO WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THESE PARTS (A TOTAL OF $1,273). IN RESPONSE TO A LETTER FROM ME, VOLVO SAID, "IN THE EVENT THAT EITHER OF THESE COMPONENTS IS RECALLED, REIMBURSEMENT COULD BE CONSIDERED AT THAT TIME." PLEASE ADD MY NAME TO OTHERS WHO UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THESE FAULTY PARTS (AIR PUMP - PKS70AP AND ABS/TRAC - 8602266) SO THAT A RECALL CAN BE ISSUED. I WOULD BE GLAD TO SUBMIT TO NHTSA BOTH LETTERS BETWEEN VOLVO AND MYSELF.

NHTSA complaint #10067612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kirkland, WA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. DUE TO THE GASOLINE CAP BEING LOOSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER HAS TO GO TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT TURNED OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10025033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richmond, VA 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

CHILD WAS BURNED BY MUFFLER IN REAR OF VEHICLE. MUFFLER IS RIGHT AT EYE LEVEL TO CHILD. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *AK THE CHILD SUSTAINED 2ND DEGREE BURNS BY PLACING HAND ON THE STILL HOT MUFFLER. A FIELD REP. FROM VOLVO WILL ASESS THE SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #8016091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Weston, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE CAR ON A ROUTINE BASIS. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN OIL LEAKS, GASOLINE LEAKS, AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE AND SEAT BELT FAILURES. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED ALMOST ON A MONTHLY BASIS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF OWNERSHIP. THIS PAST WEEK, IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS. THE VOLVO DEALERSHIPS HAVE MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS AND WARRANTIES HAVE PAID MOST OF THE COSTS, THE AMOUNT OF TIME THIS CAR HAS SPENT BEING SERVICED IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. EVEN THE VOLVO DEALER HERE IN FLORIDA (PLANTATION VOLVO) SUGGESTED WE RESEARCH THE FLORIDA LEMON LAW. THE LAW DOES NOT APPLY TO US BECAUSE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN MASSACHUSETTS. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN GETTING VOLVO'S ATTENTION THAT THIS PARTICULAR CAR HAS MAJOR FLAWS, ESPECIALLY ELECTRICAL.

NHTSA complaint #745792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Merrifield, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A POWER LOSS AND HAS HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO GET IT TO START, DEALER CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #782520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aurora, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

CONSUMERS VEHICLE IS EMMITING A FOUL EXHAUST(ROTTEN EGG) ODOR WHICH ENTERS THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW IS DOWN 2", THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN CLEAN A REPLACED BUT THE ODOR PERSIST. NLM

NHTSA complaint #784633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aliso Viej, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

TAIL PIPE FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #609087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ventura, CA 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

TAIL PIPE CAUSED 3RD DEGREE BURN, DESIGN IS TOO EXPOSED. YH

NHTSA complaint #610019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bernardsville, NJ Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HAD DRIVEN VEHICLE .AFTER ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN ENGINE STOPPED COLD, TRIED STARTING, BUT NOTHING. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #838959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bernardsville, NJ Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA WITHOUT WARNING RIGHT AFTER BEING SERVICED BY A DEALER. PRIOR TO THIS VEHICLE STALLED ONCE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CANNOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #838688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Potomac, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

STRONG ODOR (SULPHUR?) ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS/CHILDREN HAVE BECOME NAUSEOUS AND PULLED OVER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. VOLVO CLAIMS IT IS A GASOLINE PROBLEM, BUT ALL INSTRUCTIONS RELATED TO THE GASOLINE TYPE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED. VOLVO REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BUT THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #706102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aurora, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

DAILY EXHAUST ODOR INSIDE CAR WHEN DRIVER OR PASSENGER WINDOW IS OPENED A LITTLE. THIS IS A HEALTH HAZARD. IT HAPPENS WHEN THERE ARE NO OTHER CARS AROUND AS WELL, SO I KNOW IT IS NOT COMING FROM OTHER CARS. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED IN ANY OTHER CAR WE HAVE HAD. IT HAS NOT HAPPENED WHEN I DRIVE A LOANER VOLVO (WHEN MY CAR IS BEING SERVICED). DEALER HAS CHECKED THIS OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE ON ONE THING OR ANOTHER EVERY 3-4 MONTHS. SHOULD I CONTACT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SINCE THIS COULD AFFECT OUR HEALTH? WE HAVE TO KEEP THE AIR CIRCULATION BUTTON ON INSIDE AIR OR EXHAUST COMES IN FROM OTHER CARS. IS THIS CAR A LEMON? DO WE HAVE ANY OPTIONS BESIDES BUYING A DIFFERENT CAR? THIS COMPLAINT DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE AIRBAGS. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO CHANGE THAT INFORMATION AFTER I REVIEWED ALL OF THE INFORMATION. SORRY.

NHTSA complaint #703311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Knoxville, TN 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

CHILD EXITING VEHICLE BURNED ON THE TAILPIPE DUE TO LOCATION.

NHTSA complaint #605845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plainview, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

THE DEFECTIVE EXHAUST SYSTEM LEAKS INTO THE CABIN. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #830589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shaftsbury, VT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

THE CATALITIC CONVERTER SMELLS INSIDE THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT I HAD WITH A PREVIOUS V70. AFTER NUMERUS COMPLAINTS TO VOLVO THEY REPLACED THE CAR WITH A SIMILAR CAR. NOW I FACE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. IT IS NOT AS BAD WHEN I USE THE HIGHEST OCTANE AVAILABLE AND ADD OCTANE BOOST. I CONSIDER THESE ODORS DANGEROUS BECOUSE I GET HEADACHES AND BURNING EYES WHILE DRIVING. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFO YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE FOLLOW UP ON THIS COMPLAINT. THANKYOU.

NHTSA complaint #700425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER SUFFERED A SECOND DEGREE BURN ON HER LEG BY COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST PIPE TIP AT THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR BY THE LIFT GATE. THE EXHAUST ON THIS CAR IS EXTREMELY HOT, SUBJECTILY, IT FEELS MUCH HOTTER THAN OTHER VEHICLES THAT I OWN. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A PE UNDERWAY BY NHTSA FOR THIS PROBLEM AND JUST WANTED TO SUPPLY SOME DATA. MY DAUGHTER IS FINE AND HAS RECOVERED COMPLETELY AND I DON'T EXPECT TO TAKE ANY ACTION AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER. THEY SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BY NOW.

NHTSA complaint #700353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gurnee, IL 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

HAD PARKED VEHICLE & GOT OUT W/CHILD. CHILD WENT BEHIND VEHICLE & WAS BURNED BY TAIL PIPE WHICH WAS STILL HOT.

NHTSA complaint #829982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Narberth, PA 2 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AFTER A ONE HOUR DRIVE. THERE IS A THIRD SEAT IN THE CAR. CHILD CLIMBED OUT OF BACK AND BURNED THE CALF ON THE TAIL PIPE. THE SECOND CHILD WAS WALKING AROUND THE CAR, AND BURNED THIGH ON THE TAIL PIPE. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #825944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Knoxville, TN 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

CONSUMER'S SON WAS EXITING FROM THE REAR DOOR. WHEN HE STEPPED DOWN HIS LEG WAS RIGHT UP AGAINST THE TAIL PIPE, HE SUFFERED 2ND DEGREE BURNS. CONSUMER WAS TAKEN TO DOCTOR AND WAS PRESCRIBED ANTI-BIOTICS FOR INFECTION DUE TO BURN. INCIDENT HAPPENED ON MAY 13, WHICH IS THE FIRST TIME CONSUMER WAS TAKEN TO THE DOCTOR AND AGAIN ON THE 15 OF MAY.

NHTSA complaint #823419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Volvo V70 problems

← Full 1998 Volvo V70 report