AI Damage1998 Volvo V70awd: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Volvo V70awd filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 33% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 17% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 17% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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.
Dt: vehicle stalled/died, and lost power due to throttle body failure.
It would not start again and had to be towed to the dealer. The dealer said the mass air flow sensor had to be replaced. The cost was $385.19. This was an extremely scary experience and could have been life-threatening if we had been driving on the freeway.
Power steering and all. I've spent over $700 in repairs and the mechanic cannot figure it out. Now I dare not take it on a highway. The recent reports of this happening to years 1999 and on must be amended to include the 1998. I bought this wagon because of volvo's longevity reputation.
1) vehicle stalls while driving in any weather condition 2) vehicle will not start after stalling 3) power brakes and power steering are reduced and present a dangerous driving situation 4) volvo dealership avoids faulty design responsibility.
Anti-lock braking (abs) controller failure leads to loss of abs and traction control. Manufacturer refuses to replace controller out of warranty.
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 13,281 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Volvo V70awd?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, electrical system, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: won't start (33%), stalls while driving (33%), steering or power steering problems (33%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 Volvo V70awd?
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 1998 Volvo V70awd 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 1998 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 2026-11-06.