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 V70 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
I've had numerous electronic problems with my Volvo V70 since I bought it in 1998. The vehicle has been brought back to the Volvo repair dealer for many repairs (I have organized documents of all the repair orders) clearly identified as "lost of power" while driving. Mostly on small roads and only once on an interstate. Originally started under warranty, I was told that the same problem was not covered outside of warranty when I spoke with the president of Volvo north America's secretary. I have had many parts replaced trying to correct the situation including two electronic throttle control units (totaling three if you include the one that came with the car). "loss of power", "stalling at traffic lights", "hesitation when pressing on accelerator", an other comments are all documented in the Volvo repair shop repair orders. …
The indicator light on the gear selector has burnt out. There's a 'signal-orange' colored indicator mark that tracks the gear selector against the slate grey color shift assembly put there as a safety feature so you know what gear you're in and don't accidentally take off in an unintended direction, forward or reverse, or roll into someone while unintentionally finding yourself in neutral. Well now at night unless you turn on the interior light, you can just guess what gear you're in because when it's dark in the cab you can't see at all what's what as far a gear selection. I find this remarkable. At age 49, with all the cars we've owned and all I've had until over 100,000 miles, never do I recall any dashboard type indicator lamps burning out, I thought they just made them that way because they're not replaceable or something. …
Incidence 7 of 7 similar. As reported on service invoice: "customer states: ever since throttle was done a couple of months ago, feels like it is going in and out of gear while driving- feels for a micro second at various times going in and out of gear. Nino can call for more info if necessary. Refer to ro 435245 09/17/04 78697 miles - found defect in throttle unit assembly replaced -- technician found codes for etm internal malfunction. Replaced etm and performed download." this incident was the 7th of 7 similar problems occurring later that ultimately lead to having the throttle body cleaned twice & then replaced twice. I have reported all the previous incidents in sequence of occurrence on this NHTSA complaint site as well. …
Incidence 6 of 7 similar. As reported on service invoice: "customer states: ets light came on after driving car at highway speeds. When decelerating down to local (town) speed car has a severe sputtering, hesitation as if it was going to stall. Fault traced system with vadis and retrieved codes ECM-532d ECM-9190, ECM-91a7, and ECM-91f0... Replaced electronic throttle assembly, and downloaded new software to adapt car." this incident was the 6th of 7 similar problems occurring later that ultimately lead to having the throttle body cleaned twice & then replaced twice. I will be reporting all these subsequent incidents in sequence of occurrence on this NHTSA complaint site as well. …
The electronic throttle module in my 1999 Volvo V70 as begun to fail without warning. Often the problem will fix itself upon restarting. However, when the module fails (and the ets light comes on in the dash), an extremely sudden loss of power is experienced---enough that it could easily lead to a loss of control. The problem has occurred at least 15 times in the past 2 days, and is a serious safety hazard. Volvo, in the owners manual for the car, indicates that this failure May sometimes occur (in the section describing the ets light) and suggest trying to restart the car. While restarting the car does often work, I find this to be an unacceptable and very serious safety hazard. Volvo's solution for me is to replace the throttle module at $1000 or more. Many have experienced this same problem, though, and the defect seems to be clearly systemic. …
I was driving south on I-85 in duluth, ga. This stretch of metro atlanta interstate has six lanes in either direction and traffic was flowing at speeds of around 75 MPH. The ets light came on when we were in the far left (fast) lane, the car began losing power. I moved to the right as best I could and got off at the next exit. By the time I got to the exit ramp, the car was skipping and missing badly. My daughter looked up ets in the owner's manual and, based on what the manual said, I cut the car off and waited a few minutes for it to reset. I cranked it back up and we limped the rest of the way home. Since then I have only started it once, but it was running rough so I did not go anywhere. Considering what we have learned about etm failures since this happened and the amount of traffic in atlanta, I have been scared to drive it. …
11/12/04 mass air flow sensor replaced 12/16/04 map sensor & shut off valve replaced 3/15/05 shut off valve replaced again! 1/18 05 master window switch pack replaced - 5/31/05 master window switch pack replaced again!! 3/17/05 electronic throttle control module replaced!!! 5/9/05 oxygen sensor and ABS control unit replaced. When the throttle control module failed in March 2005, my 1999 Volvo V70 had only 55,000 miles on it! I was on the expressway when my car lost power and had no way to get back onto the road safely.....I have spent over $4000 in the past year replacing electrical control units in order to make this car safe. The check engine light came multiple times over the past year. I am afraid to drive this car for fear of something else going wrong with the electrical system. I have four small grandchildren who are with me at least three days a week.
1. Vehicle "sputtered", engine would rev with no change in pressure on gas pedal, followed by nearly complete loss of power and near engine cut off. 2. No complete failure, as soon as symptoms began, it was taken to a dealer 3. Volvo dealer and repair shop determined the failure was ECM code 903c, 91a7: "throttle internal fault". Replaced electronic throttle module. Old part is not available. 15 mar 2005 - 1. Same symptoms; car was unable to maintain highway speed of 60 MPH. 2. Engine stalled once before going to dealer repair but started back up without problem. 3. Exact failure codes not provided, but was determined to be "engine control module fault". Electronic throttle module was replaced. Covered by Volvo parts warranty. Old part is not available.
Electrical complaints in other V70 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Volvo V70?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Volvo V70, 25% of the model year's 169 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › fuses and circuit breakers (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Volvo V70 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1999 Volvo V70, 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 V70 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 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.