1998 Volvo S70: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 317 complaints
317
Total Complaints
78,000mi
Median Mileage
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Top Issue
11
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

70,500 25th Percentile
78,000 Median Mileage
101,958 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
31
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
20
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
16
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
11
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
10
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
10
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
8
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
8

Severity Assessment

11
Crashes
5
Fires
17
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"A PIECE OF THE VACUUM BRAKE SYSTEM CAME LOOSE, CAUSING ENGINE TO INCREASE ITS RPMS SPONTANEOUSLY AND LOCKE DUP THE BRAKES, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK"
"DUE TO THE DESIGN, DASHBOARD CAUSES EXCESSIVE GLARE ON WINDSHIELD WHICH STRAINS DRIVER'S EYES."
"THE STEERING COLUMN IS MAKING A RUBBING NOISE AND IS MORE PROMINENT WHEN TURNING, BUT THE OWNER AND THE MECHANIC FELT IT COULD TURN INTO A MUCH BIGGER STEERING PROBLEM. LIGHT CAME ON INSIDE OF VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPEN FOR NO REASON. *AK"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28