Most common 1999 Volvo S70 problems
Share of the 205 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo S70 complaints by model year
Best S70 years: 2000. Compare all years →
1999 Volvo S70 recalls (4)
Vehicle speed control
On certain passenger vehicles, a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing, and/or inefficient software calibration May cause a warning lamp to light and the subsequent onset of limp home modes.
Remedy: Dealers will install the current software upgrade onto the involved vehicles. The recall began on December 29, 2006. Owners May contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, over an extended period of time, the headlight switch May cease to function.
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.
Exterior lighting › Turn signal
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right front turn signal bulb and socket.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: all-wheel-drive sedans. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 301, "fuel system integrity." the fuel filter bracket configuration margins are insufficient.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fuel filter protection bracket.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 5 possible defects involving the 1999 Volvo S70:
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 result in inconsistent operation of the switch.Volvo's remedy for this recall was to replace the…
Inadvertent side air bag deployment
Throttle control malfunction
Pe05-041 was opened on July, 26, 2005, based on 136 consumer complaints to odi alleging throttle control malfunctions in the subject vehicles.odi has now received 591 complaints of etm failures which allege symptoms with potential safety related consequences.these include allegations of engine stall, vehicle surging forward without accelerator input, vehicle hesitation upon acceleration and sudden and unexpected…
TURN SIGNAL
There is no summary currently available
Throttle control malfunction
On November 14, 2006 Volvo submitted a defect information report to NHTSA concerning etm failures in model year (my) 1999 through 2001 Volvo models (not including the s40 and v40), my 2002 s60 and v70 with naturally aspirated engines and my 2002 v70s.according to Volvo, ?a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing and/or inefficient software calibration May cause a warning…
What 1999 Volvo S70 owners say
Speed control & acceleration all 66 →
On November 17, 2006 my wife was backing her 1999 Volvo S70 out of our driveway. She stated that the car suddenly accelerated backwards, shot across the street and slid into our neighbor's landscaping/bushes etc. She was able to turn the car so that the left side of her car swiped the bushes and hedges. Result--no personal injuries, thank goodness. Over $6000 in damage to the car which was towed to paul's Volvo in hawthorne, nj from which it was forwarded to j&j auto body in haledon nj.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Volvo S70. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. In addition, all the lighting and warning indicators illuminated. The dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle speed signal and throttle body control module were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Electrical system all 48 →
While driving speed needle goes back to zero as if you are not movin, show no mileage numbers n miles you have gone or zero trip miles, many lighton breaks, ABS ect.all while drivingif stop when time to go car thinks it is in park all this is while in traffichave pic can not down load be glad to send
Hi - in April 2005 I had my car in for service just before the extended warrant expired in May. They mentioned this electrical problem but said it wasn't covered so I didn't do anything since I hadn't noticed a problem. The service mgr said it did not need fixed anytime soon and sent me on my way. In July I noticed that my car kept losing power on the highway (very dangerous i95 in ft lauderdale). I took it in on a Thursday for a diagnostic and they came back with a bunch of little things that totaled about $1500. I was thinking about a newer car so I asked if anything was urgent and they said no and sent me on my way again. I stopped back by the dealer the next day because the power windows quit working, they said it wasn't related and I made an appt to come in the following Monday to have that fixed ($210). On my way home, the etu light came on. …
Engine & cooling all 42 →
The engine throttle control light activated sporadically beginning in July, 2005. I noticed that the car was not performing adequately when going uphill or in severe heat. My husband contacted the Volvo dealership in allentown, pa where we purchased the vehicle. He was told that the cost to repair same would be over $800. We decided to pass on this repair due to the cost and thought that another auto service mechanic could perform the repairs at a lesser price. Approximately 3 weeks later, the ets light was activated on every occasion that the vehicle was used. Since a second mechanic (not affiliated with Volvo) stated that he was unable to do the repairs, we decided to contact another vovlo dealership. The repair of the throttle body and etm "reload" was performed by a Volvo of fort washtington, pa at a cost of over $800 on August 17, 2005. …
Twice, within 50 metres of the same spot each time, my car has suffered extreme acceleration whilst I was braking as hard as I could. First time, my mechanic checked all computer diagnostics using two different computer testing devices but there were no fault codes. Now, as well as happening twice within 50 metres of the same spot, I was at the same set of traffic lights, which I do not suspect as being the problem, but also next to a major hospital with an adjacent helipad. My best guess after 57 years in electronics and 40+ in computers is that some sort of rf interference is upsetting my vehicle. I know Volvo check all accidents involving their cars in sweden and wonder whether they have ever come across my problem. Both times the engine screamed its head off although I had no time to worry about the tachometer reading. …
1999 Volvo S70 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.4L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.3L 5-cyl turbo | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| 2.3L 5-cyl turbo | 5-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| 2.4L 5-cyl turbo | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| 2.3L 5-cyl turbo | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 2.4L 5-cyl turbo | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Volvo S70 a good car?
Based on 205 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 S70 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the S70 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Volvo S70?
The speed control & acceleration — 66 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about accelerator pedal. Next are the electrical system (48) and engine & cooling (42).
How many recalls does the 1999 Volvo S70 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 1999 Volvo S70, the most recent from November 15, 2006 (vehicle speed control). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volvo S70?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2000. See the full Volvo S70 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Volvo S70 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 15% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.