Most common 1998 Volvo S90 problems
Share of the 25 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo S90 complaints by model year
Best S90 years: 2016, 2021, 2019. Years to avoid: 2018, 1998. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1998 Volvo S90:
Inadvertent side air bag deployment
What 1998 Volvo S90 owners say
Brakes
Dt*: the contact stated while performing a state inspection of the vehicle, it was determined the parking brake lines were worn and fractured. The parking brake lines were previously replaced for the same condition, but the problem had reoccurred. The dealer and manufacturer were notified.
Manufacturing defect on the rotors and brake pads. This results in brake vibration and premature/excessive wearing of brakes. Volvo is apparently aware of the problem and has instructed dealers as to what to do but has neglected to issue a technical bulletin.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
1988 Volvo S90 sunroof has broken down repeatedly since it was new. It would typically work approximately a few times then malfunction unexpectedly with broken pieces raining down upon the heads of the front occupants, posing a danger to driving. After the malfunction it would then not be operable at all, posing a threat to weather damage, theft, etc. After repairing it several times, both the dealer (dick dyer Volvo of columbia, sc) and Volvo refused to fix it any more under warranty, even when the vehicle was exactly at 50,000 miles and less than 1 year old. Both the dealer and Volvo claimed the warranty was good up to, but not including, 50,000 miles.
Transmission shifter sticks constantly. Currently, it sticks in park. Vehicle towed to the dealer. Noises coming from steering. Gear shift did not release, washers are inoperable, key sticks in ignition. Also the power steering rack and antenna were replaced.
Speed control & acceleration
Tl contact owns a 1998 Volvo S90. The gear shift became stuck when the contact attempted to drive the vehicle in reverse. She pressed the gear release button and placed the vehicle into reverse. The vehicle surged forward and crashed into the garage wall and then into the house. The vehicle, garage wall, and house were damaged. There were no injuries. The dealer has not been notified. The speed was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 109,000.
While backing into my garage on 2/6/2010, my 1998 Volvo S90 suddenly accelerated. I realized that the car was speeding and I applied the brake. Unfortunately, the car was going so fast that it crashed into a wooden platform in my garage. The platform and my car were severely damaged. The platform has been repaired; but my car was totaled (>$5000.00 in damages). I have contacted my local Volvo dealer and Volvo customer car and notified them of the problem.
1998 Volvo S90 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Volvo S90 a good car?
Based on 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 S90 rates use caution: 2.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the S90 at the same age. It is one of the S90 years we suggest avoiding. 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 1998 Volvo S90?
The brakes — 9 complaints, 36% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components › disc › pads. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (5) and speed control & acceleration (4).
How many recalls does the 1998 Volvo S90 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 Volvo S90. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volvo S90?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2021 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018 and 1998. See the full Volvo S90 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Volvo S90 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 89,000 miles; 17% 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.