Model year guide

1998 Volvo S70

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Volvo S70 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 38 on record.

1998 Volvo S70 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Volvo S70 at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints249
Combined19–21 mpg
Typical price$1,002

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1998 Volvo S70 recalls 4

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch NHTSA Campaign #04V504000 · 21/10/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.

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. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #99V236000 · 30/08/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE OVERLY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ASSURE SUFFICIENT GROUNDING.

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch NHTSA Campaign #99V235000 · 30/08/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal NHTSA Campaign #00V405000 · 06/12/2000

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 5 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1998 Volvo S70 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 249 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

1998 Volvo S70 safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1998 Volvo S70 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1998 Volvo S70 MPG & running costs

Combined19–21 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,120

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 5 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 1998 Volvo S70 worth?

Low
$600
Typical price
$1,002
High
$1,100

From 23 comparable 1998 Volvo S70 listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 Volvo S70 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,600
Fuel only$20,600
Per mile$0.27

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1998 Volvo S70 trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · GLT · T5
Engines
2.4L 5-cyl · 2.3L 5-cyl

1998 Volvo S70 vehicles on record

1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 T5YV1LS5370W1480695 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 GLTYV1LS5646W3418160 1998 Volvo S70 GLTYV1LS5678W1551606 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 BaseYV1LS5583W1551944 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 GLTYV1LS5642W1432990 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 BaseYV1LS5578W1529588 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 BaseYV1LS557XW2492781 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 GLTYV1LS5648W1435439 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 BaseYV1LS5535W1420616 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 BaseYV1LS5589W1509763 1998 Volvo S70 BaseYV1LS5538W2447318 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 GLTYV1LS5648W1439765 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 BaseYV1LS5548W2477766 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 GLTYV1LS5646W2415409 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 GLTYV1LS5671W2477603 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 T5YV1LS5379W1545818 1998 Volvo S70 T5YV1LS5373W2554248 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 BaseYV1LS5539W2440717 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 BaseYV1LS5534W1462243 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 BaseYV1LS5540W1411461 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 T5YV1LS5343W1428077 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 BaseYV1LS5574W1496928 1998 Volvo S70 BaseYV1LS5573W1538506 1998 Volvo S70 1998 Volvo S70 BaseYV1LS5545W2440464

Other Volvo S70 model years

2000 1999

1998 Volvo S70 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Volvo S70 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1998 Volvo S70. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Volvo S70?

Across all 249 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, hydraulic, exterior lighting.

What is the 1998 Volvo S70 safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1998 Volvo S70 crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1998 Volvo S70 get?

The 1998 Volvo S70 has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (5 versions).

How much is a 1998 Volvo S70 worth?

Comparable 1998 Volvo S70 listings run roughly $600–$1,100, typically around $1,002 (from 23 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.