Most common 1999 Volvo V70 problems
Share of the 169 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo V70 complaints by model year
Best V70 years: 2008, 2009, 2010. Years to avoid: 1998, 2001, 1999, 2000, 2004. Compare all years →
1999 Volvo V70 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.
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Vehicle description: station wagons equipped with third seats. Users of the third seat, when exiting the vehicle, can come in contact with the tailpipe.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the length of the vehicle's tailpipe and, if necessary, repair the tailpipe.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 5 possible defects involving the 1999 Volvo V70:
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 V70 owners say
Speed control & acceleration all 53 →
Car surges randomly at lower speeds. Car also loses power on freeway and acceleration fluctuates uncontrollably at times. All symptoms happening while car is in motion, mostly at speeds over 50mph. I brought the car to my local dealership where there were open recalls on the model I own. After recall was performed, the symptoms have increased and worsened. Dealership is refusing to take any responsibility.
I was driving my 1999 Volvo V70 on the highway, and it constantly accelerates and decelerates on its own with no action done by me. In one case it accelerated to the point in which I lost control and caused an accident. Vehicle is in the process of having the etm replaced at the dealership at a cost of 1000.00 to me because it is outside of warranty coverage.
Electrical system all 43 →
Car surges randomly at lower speeds. Car also loses power on freeway and acceleration fluctuates uncontrollably at times. All symptoms happening while car is in motion, mostly at speeds over 50mph. I brought the car to my local dealership where there were open recalls on the model I own. After recall was performed, the symptoms have increased and worsened. Dealership is refusing to take any responsibility.
Througout this cars history (from the first year 20 + years ago through to today) the engine randomly cuts out without warning, though this happens when usally while declerating and braking to round a street corner. Once it cuts out, of course power steering and brakes are virtually inoperative. However, by simply putting in neutral and turning the key the care always immediately restarts.
Engine & cooling all 23 →
Througout this cars history (from the first year 20 + years ago through to today) the engine randomly cuts out without warning, though this happens when usally while declerating and braking to round a street corner. Once it cuts out, of course power steering and brakes are virtually inoperative. However, by simply putting in neutral and turning the key the care always immediately restarts.
I am writing because my car has lost power without warning. I have experienced this several times, fortunately none in life threatening situations like pulling onto a busy road or freeway. The dealer reloaded the software, but the ets light came back on within a few days. I took it back to the dealer, they kept it a week, test drove it for some time and said there was nothing else they could do. I asked the Volvo service manager, greg, at turner Volvo in sacramento whether Volvo knows what the root cause of the problem and whether this software fixes it. He said that it fixes the problem in 95% of the cases. He refused to answer whether the specific problem that causes the loss of power has been addressed by the software they recently loaded and whether it is corrected in my particular vehicle. …
1999 Volvo V70 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: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Volvo V70 a good car?
Based on 169 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 V70 rates avoid: 7.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the V70 at the same age. It is one of the V70 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 1999 Volvo V70?
The speed control & acceleration — 53 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cables. Next are the electrical system (43) and engine & cooling (23).
How many recalls does the 1999 Volvo V70 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 1999 Volvo V70, 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 V70?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2008, 2009 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1998, 2001, 1999, 2000 and 2004. See the full Volvo V70 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Volvo V70 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 8% 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.