Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1998 Volvo V90
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
825.8%
Body & Structure
722.6%
Median failure at 89,000 miles
Wheels
39.7%
Brakes
39.7%
Median failure at 82,101 miles
Other & Unspecified
26.5%
Lights
26.5%
Median failure at 105,578 miles
Airbags
26.5%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Seats
13.2%
Seat Belts
13.2%
Steering
13.2%
Transmission & Drivetrain
13.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1999peak 18Aug 2007
NHTSA investigations into the 1998 Volvo V90
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE99040Opened 7 Jun 1999Closed 27 Oct 1999AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
NEW Orleans, LACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
THE VOLVO AUTOMOBILE WAS HIT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A MERCEDES- BENZ ML 320 SPEEDING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. THE SIPS DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY ; NEITHER DID THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG. THE FAILURE TO DEPLOY CAUSED OR FAILED TO MINIMIZE SEVERE INJURIES TO MY WIFE' S NECK AND BACK. WHEN I DISCUSSED THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WITH MR. WILLIAM THOMAS OF BERGERON VOLVO, THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD THE CAR TO US, HE STATED THAT THESE SIPS AIRBAGS WERE INTENDED ONLY TO ACTIVATE WHEN STRUCK DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE VOLVO ADVERTISING, SALES LITERATURE, COMMENTS MADE BY THE SALES STAFF AND THE SALES MANAGER AT THE VARIOUS VISITS PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE ALL LED US TO BELIEVE THAT WE WERE PROVIDED WITH SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION. THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE 1998 VOLVO MODELS V90, S90, S70 AND C70. I AM INTERESTED IN ANY OTHER REPORTS BY OWNERS/ OPERATORS OF THESE VEHICLES TO NHTSA REGARDING SIDE AIRBAG FAILURE, AS WELL AS HAVING NHTSA INVESTIGATE THESE DESIGN DEFECTS, FALSE ADVERTISING, INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING STATEMENTS, AND FAILURES TO ADEQUATELTY APPRISE PURCHASERS AND PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE TRUE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THESE SIPS AIRBAGS.
NHTSA complaint #714571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
THE VOLVO AUTOMOBILE WAS HIT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A MERCEDES- BENZ ML 320 SPEEDING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. THE SIPS DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY ; NEITHER DID THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG. THE FAILURE TO DEPLOY CAUSED OR FAILED TO MINIMIZE SEVERE INJURIES TO MY WIFE' S NECK AND BACK. WHEN I DISCUSSED THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WITH MR. WILLIAM THOMAS OF BERGERON VOLVO, THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD THE CAR TO US, HE STATED THAT THESE SIPS AIRBAGS WERE INTENDED ONLY TO ACTIVATE WHEN STRUCK DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE VOLVO ADVERTISING, SALES LITERATURE, COMMENTS MADE BY THE SALES STAFF AND THE SALES MANAGER AT THE VARIOUS VISITS PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE ALL LED US TO BELIEVE THAT WE WERE PROVIDED WITH SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION. THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE 1998 VOLVO MODELS V90, S90, S70 AND C70. I AM INTERESTED IN ANY OTHER REPORTS BY OWNERS/ OPERATORS OF THESE VEHICLES TO NHTSA REGARDING SIDE AIRBAG FAILURE, AS WELL AS HAVING NHTSA INVESTIGATE THESE DESIGN DEFECTS, FALSE ADVERTISING, INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING STATEMENTS, AND FAILURES TO ADEQUATELTY APPRISE PURCHASERS AND PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE TRUE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THESE SIPS AIRBAGS.
NHTSA complaint #714571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 105,578 milesFairfax, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE HEADLIGHTS CEASED OPERATING ON MY 1998 VOLVO V90. AFTER CHECKING FOR FAULTY BULBS AND FUSES, I FOUND NHTSA SAFETY RECALL # 04V504000 FOR 1998 VOLVOS OF THE S70/VIA/C70 SERIES. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE OF MY HEADLIGHTS TO OPERATE. THE DEALER FOUND THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO BE FAULTY AND REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. V90S ARE NOT CURRENTLY COVERED BY MENTIONED RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10199982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,101 milesNorwalk, CT
PARKING BRAKE
VOLVO 1998 MODEL V90--PARKING BRAKE FAILS TO RELEASE AND REAR BRAKE LOCKS.
NHTSA complaint #10146521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesPeachtree City, GA
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
REPEATED FAILURE OF SUNROOF "RAILS."
NHTSA complaint #10043479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cahppaqua, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THIS CAR IS REALLY DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NO ALARM OR WARNING LIGHT WHEN DOOR IS AJAR.
NHTSA complaint #743774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cahppaqua, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THIS CAR IS REALLY DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NO ALARM OR WARNING LIGHT WHEN DOOR IS AJAR.
NHTSA complaint #743774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chappaqua, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #743770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cahppaqua, NY
STEERING:LINKAGES
THIS CAR IS REALLY DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NO ALARM OR WARNING LIGHT WHEN DOOR IS AJAR.
NHTSA complaint #743774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cahppaqua, NY
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
THIS CAR IS REALLY DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NO ALARM OR WARNING LIGHT WHEN DOOR IS AJAR.
NHTSA complaint #743774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
THE VOLVO AUTOMOBILE WAS HIT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A MERCEDES- BENZ ML 320 SPEEDING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. THE SIPS DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY ; NEITHER DID THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG. THE FAILURE TO DEPLOY CAUSED OR FAILED TO MINIMIZE SEVERE INJURIES TO MY WIFE' S NECK AND BACK. WHEN I DISCUSSED THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WITH MR. WILLIAM THOMAS OF BERGERON VOLVO, THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD THE CAR TO US, HE STATED THAT THESE SIPS AIRBAGS WERE INTENDED ONLY TO ACTIVATE WHEN STRUCK DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE VOLVO ADVERTISING, SALES LITERATURE, COMMENTS MADE BY THE SALES STAFF AND THE SALES MANAGER AT THE VARIOUS VISITS PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE ALL LED US TO BELIEVE THAT WE WERE PROVIDED WITH SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION. THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE 1998 VOLVO MODELS V90, S90, S70 AND C70. I AM INTERESTED IN ANY OTHER REPORTS BY OWNERS/ OPERATORS OF THESE VEHICLES TO NHTSA REGARDING SIDE AIRBAG FAILURE, AS WELL AS HAVING NHTSA INVESTIGATE THESE DESIGN DEFECTS, FALSE ADVERTISING, INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING STATEMENTS, AND FAILURES TO ADEQUATELTY APPRISE PURCHASERS AND PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE TRUE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THESE SIPS AIRBAGS.
NHTSA complaint #714571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
THE VOLVO AUTOMOBILE WAS HIT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A MERCEDES- BENZ ML 320 SPEEDING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. THE SIPS DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY ; NEITHER DID THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG. THE FAILURE TO DEPLOY CAUSED OR FAILED TO MINIMIZE SEVERE INJURIES TO MY WIFE' S NECK AND BACK. WHEN I DISCUSSED THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WITH MR. WILLIAM THOMAS OF BERGERON VOLVO, THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD THE CAR TO US, HE STATED THAT THESE SIPS AIRBAGS WERE INTENDED ONLY TO ACTIVATE WHEN STRUCK DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE VOLVO ADVERTISING, SALES LITERATURE, COMMENTS MADE BY THE SALES STAFF AND THE SALES MANAGER AT THE VARIOUS VISITS PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE ALL LED US TO BELIEVE THAT WE WERE PROVIDED WITH SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION. THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE 1998 VOLVO MODELS V90, S90, S70 AND C70. I AM INTERESTED IN ANY OTHER REPORTS BY OWNERS/ OPERATORS OF THESE VEHICLES TO NHTSA REGARDING SIDE AIRBAG FAILURE, AS WELL AS HAVING NHTSA INVESTIGATE THESE DESIGN DEFECTS, FALSE ADVERTISING, INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING STATEMENTS, AND FAILURES TO ADEQUATELTY APPRISE PURCHASERS AND PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE TRUE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THESE SIPS AIRBAGS.
NHTSA complaint #714571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
NO WARNING LIGHT OR SOUNDS FOR DOOR AJAR. YH
NHTSA complaint #549400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DOORS SEALS FAILED CAUSING COLD AIR TO LEAK. YH
NHTSA complaint #549400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
NO WARNING LIGHT OR SOUNDS FOR DOOR AJAR. YH
NHTSA complaint #549400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DOORS SEALS FAILED CAUSING COLD AIR TO LEAK. YH
NHTSA complaint #549400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DOORS SEALS FAILED CAUSING COLD AIR TO LEAK. YH
NHTSA complaint #549400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD BLADE IS DEFECTIVE. YH
NHTSA complaint #549400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD BLADE IS DEFECTIVE. YH
NHTSA complaint #549400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD BLADE IS DEFECTIVE. YH
NHTSA complaint #549400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
WHEELS
ALUMINUM WHEEL ALLOY RUSTED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
WHEELS
ALUMINUM WHEEL ALLOY RUSTED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
WHEELS
ALUMINUM WHEEL ALLOY RUSTED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUN ROOF GASKET WAS FALLING APART. YH
NHTSA complaint #549400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUN ROOF GASKET WAS FALLING APART. YH
NHTSA complaint #549400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUN ROOF GASKET WAS FALLING APART. YH
NHTSA complaint #549400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AIR VENTILIATION TEMPERATURE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING. YH
NHTSA complaint #549400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.