The 1998 Volvo C70 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 606,863 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the latches/locks/linkages. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
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.
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.
AIR BAGS99V2360001999-08-30124,381 affected
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.
Complaints by component
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
1
STEERING
1
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
Total complaints7
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Car has been at a recognized auto repair facility and has been having maintenance work performed. It was seen that the car had suffered a complete failure of the power steering rack with the housing fracturing, and all of the power steering fluid being lost. There was no impact and the housing…”
“Dt*: the contact stated the passenger and driver's side front doors suddenly became inoperable from the inside of the vehicle. The contact has to roll the window down and open the doors from the outside. Within two weeks of the passenger side failing, the driver's side also failed. The contact is…”
“Dt: contact stated vehicle stalled while driving in traffic at 45 mph. . This happened about 8-12 months ago. This was the second time it happened. Contact had not reported it to the dealer or the manufacturer. Also, lost power steering when this happened. It took about 30-60 seconds for the…”
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving at no particular speed, the abs and traction control lamps illuminated. This has been a regular occurrence for the past 2 years. The vehicle was taken to the local dealership for inspection. The dealership determined the abs module needed replaced to repair…”
“1998 volvo c70 passenger door latch failure - have replaced mechanism twice in past 2 years. No injury but 2nd failure prevented opening door from inside car creating safety risk. Thank you. *la”
“The abs system malfunctioned, causing the sensor light to stay on. *ak”
“While traveling at 70 mph on open highway, driver side font tire tread separated and tire desintegrated causing vehicle to turn left almost running off the road. Tire type bf goodrich comp t/a, 225/45zr-17. Tire came apart completely. The road conditions were good surface, even pavement, ambient…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationRQ04004 Opened 2004-06-08 · closed 2004-11-05
HEADLIGHT 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…
InvestigationRQ04004 Opened 2004-06-08 · closed 2004-11-05
HEADLIGHT 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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Volvo C70 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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