AI Damage1999 Volvo C70 Convertible: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Volvo C70 Convertible filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about vehicle speed control and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Vehicle speed control 50% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 4 Equipment 13% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 13% of all complaints
- Vehicle speed control: 4 complaints (50% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (25% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Two weeks later, I experienced complete brake failure,without warning and the only way to stop was to hit the car in front of me. No warning lights illuminated, there were no other warnings prior to complete brake failure. I called my dealer who denied any problems.
Convertible top back bar structure cracked in half and top will not operate(close or open) now. While the top broke, as I was opening it, it also fell on the sensor for the lock and broke that also.
After work I drove home, and the etm light came on again. I thought the light was not a problem since I was told so by the dealer. A few months later while navigating the web I found a forum mentioning that volvo has a problem with the etms.
Ets warning light came on, continues to do so intermittently. Dealer (tasca volvo, seekonk, ma) stated on 01-09-06 that, based on orders from volvo na,vehicle needed a "system upgrade" and other repairs & diagnostics before part replacement could be performed. Said upgrade done & paid for.
Check engine and ets lights sometimes come on. Took it in for computer diagnosis and mechanic's test drive. Problem is faulty electronic throttle module. Needs replacement at cost of $900.00.
Soon after, customer complained to us that ets light was on and they had experienced loss of power. We reimbursed customer for having "faulty throttle unit" replaced at bill gray volvo.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,896 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the C70 Convertible has 7 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 8, about average.
What to check before buying
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Volvo C70 Convertible?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: vehicle speed control, electrical system, air bags. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (50%), loss of power / limp mode (25%), brake failure (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Volvo C70 Convertible?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1999 Volvo C70 Convertible from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1999 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.