Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Volvo S70 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
1999 Volvo S70 t5, during 2004 car started an idle/surge problem. Took it to dealer who said the mass air flow control regulator needed cleaning. Paid around $200 and car seemed fine for awhile. In jan 2005 the problem returned, but worse. Took it to two different Volvo certified mechanics who said there were no codes in computer, they could see there was a problem but had no clue what was causing it, just opinions on a couple of part we could try replacing. In March 05 the vehicle stalled while driving in traffic, restarted and seemed to run fine, aside from the surging. However, surging continued and stalling, in traffic, occurred again two weeks ago. Doing my own research, I'm now finding this is a known and dangerous problem with this model vehicle. …
We own a 1999 Volvo S70. While driving the car it started to surge while at a stop without and foot on the gas pedal at all. While trying to pull out from a stop sign the car had a mind of its own. It did what it wanted too without my controlling it. The gas pedal went up and down all by itself. The car then stalled and would not start and run. A check engine light came on and a ets light came on. Lucky we where not on a major highway and where able to pull over. We had to get a tow truck to bring it home. I called a Volvo dealer in our area. After some research on the internet I find out this was a problem in all 99 to 2001 Volvo's. A recall had been issued for this problem. The Volvo dealer will only upgrade a software issue. If the part { etm} fails they will not replace it. We never had a car that the gas pedal is controlled by this system. …
I own a Volvo S70, sedan year 1999 4 door. I purchased vehicle in March of 1999. At 12K miles the headlights started malfuncitioning without warning. Most recently the entire lighting systems has started to heat up and all lights went out while driving in the miidle of the night. For a company who claims to have the "safetest vehicle on the road. I do not consider the vehicle which lights and entire electrical system fails while driving at nightsafe? . I have attempted to contact Volvo multiple times. Once they informed me that there was a recall on a part, of which I never received notification. They claim that since I take my vehicle for regular service I should not have to worry, but they would never admit or have records of whether the recall service was performed. These are not safe vehicle please check into recalling the entire electrical system before some gets furthered injured.
Volvo S70 1999 model, 3 times has stalled while driving..ets will light up on the control panel and immediately the car will no longer move forward. I switch off the ignition and then wait for the light to go off so I can once again drive. This has happened 3 different times and luckily I was not rear-ended while moving over to the shoulder of the road. I reported it to Volvo of clear lake who reported nothing wrong with my car. The car computer did have it recorded that a problem had happened with the electronic throttle control system, but after an inspection by Volvo, no repair was made to the system. I am frightened to drive in any freeway lane that is not next to a shoulder....I must always be able to pull over at any time. No special event has LED/caused this failure. I always take my car into the Volvo dealer for the required maintenance and service.
Tl* - the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated when accelerating. The vehicle was a 1999 Volvo S70, the contact took the vehicle to a mechanic ,and he informed her that there was a recall on the throttle body ,and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a Volvo dealer. The Volvo dealer performed a computer download. The contact stated she continued to experience hesitation when accelerating. Occasionally. The check engine light would turn on. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer because she did not feel safe driving the vehicle. The dealer advised her that she needed new spark plugs and a new 02 sensor. The engine size and number of cylinders were unknown by the contact. The contact believed that the problemwas related to recall # 06V441000. Updated 02/16/07.
Dt: the contact stated that 1999 Volvo S70 experienced the same problem with stalling while driving under 40 MPH. The engine light was coming on and the car was uncontrollable. The car would shake and jerk, speed ahead and slow down. T the contact took vehicle to the dealership and they replaced the fuel throttle body, put in new spark plugs, and reprogrammed the computer. The car has since then ran well. The contact stated that this happened a year ago. The repair cost for the contact was almost $1,000.00. The contact has been in touch with Volvo dealership, and they told him that they have not heard anything about recall. The Volvo manufacturer said that there was an investigation on the car, and to call the NHTSA. The contact has also filed a complaint with Volvo.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Volvo S70. In 2001, the speedometer failed and displayed zero when the vehicle was traveling 10 MPH. Eventually, the vehicle began to shut off in traffic and while driving between 60-65 MPH. The dealer replaced the sensors several times. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop and the sensors were replaced again. She was unsure about the name of the sensor; however, the failures continued and the vehicle was unable to be restarted. Recently, in June of 2009, the vehicle shut off and was towed to the dealer. They stated that the electronic throttle module failed and the battery cable was corroded. The repair cost was estimated at $1,021. The failure mileage was 79,842 and current mileage was 189,000.
I purchased a 1999 S70 Volvo in March of 1999 I was told that I would get the same warranty as a new car. The dealer had put 5000 miles on the car. After the car was approx. 4 yrs old it started to loose power the speed would drop to zero the car would reduce speed. In 2006 it started to shut down while driving. Each time I had it towed to the dealer. The dealer never spoke to me ref the etm. They would diag. Some other problem. They repaired it on oct. 8, 2008, it shut down again in nov 2008, I took it back and was told that the car was fine. The car shut down again June 19, 2009. Now I am told that it is the etm. O'steen Volvo will not honor the warranty.
Electrical complaints in other S70 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Volvo S70?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Volvo S70, 23% of the model year's 205 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Volvo S70 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1999 Volvo S70, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Volvo S70 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 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.