Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 199 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Volvo V70, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 33 | 17% |
| Exterior lighting | 27 | 14% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 20 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 12 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 11 | 6% |
| Structure | 9 | 5% |
| Air bags | 8 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 4% |
| Tires | 6 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
SEVERE TIRE SIDEWALL BUBBLES ON ALL FOUR TIRES AFTER ONLY 2 YEARS OF NORMAL USE. TIRE BRAND AND TYPE: DUNLOP 195/60R15 888 H SIGNATURE II.
NHTSA complaint: Tires
THE IGNITION SWITCH FREQUENTLY JAMS, LOCKED, IN THE "OFF" POSITION. THE KEY CAN BE INSERTED, BUT THE IGNITION LOCK WILL NOT TURN, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START AND OPERATE THE VEHICLE OR TURN ON ACCESSORIES OR TURN THE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I WAS ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO I-94 WHEN THE ACCELERATOR STOMPED FLUSH TO THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE REVVED UNCONTROLLABLY AND I TRIED TO CLUTCH IT DOWN BUT KEPT ON ACCELERATING. AT THIS POINT I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION BUT THA
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
PURCHASED THIS CAR THIS MONTH FOR MY SON FOR HIM TO COMMUTE TO SCHOOL. MY SON TOLD ME THAT THE SEAT MOVES TO DIFFERENT POSITION WHEN THE CAR HIT THE POT HOLE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IF THE DRIVER HAS SHORT LEGS. THERE IS
NHTSA complaint: Seats
AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE IS A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL OUTSIDE THE CAR AND WHEN STOPPED INSIDE CAR. THE ENGINE CODE IS FOR A GROSS EVAP LEAK.I CAN SEE FUEL UNDER GAS TANK COMING
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I JUST PURCHASED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO A 1998 VOLVO V70 USED ON 4/3/2014 FOR 3000.00 . THE VEHICLE DROVE JUST FINE UP UNTIL TWO WEEKS AGO WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING. WHILE I WAS RIDING ON I695 AND WAS GOING
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HINGE/STRAP FAILED CAUSING DOOR TO BREAK FROM FRAME AND BECOME DYSFUNCTIONAL. AS IT WORSENED OVER A FEW DAYS THE DOOR BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO OPEN WHERE IT BECAME A SAFETY CONCERN. VOLVO MECHAN
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1998 Volvo V70. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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. TH
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE OVERLY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE.
Risk: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ASSURE SUFFICIENT GROUNDING.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.
Risk: DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
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.
Risk: THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN AN APPROACHING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET.
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 67 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 66 | good |
| Efficiency | 34 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other wagons in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 199 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 33 of them (17%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.