Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
1999 Volvo V70 etm (electronic throttle module) failure - my wife and 3 year old daughter were driving the car on a major four lane avenue, in heavy traffic, when the etm failed. The car started idling rough. When she came to a stop light, she had to press the brake extremely hard to prevent the car from lunging into the vehicle in front of her. When she accelerated to proceed, the car would only go a maximum of 30 MPH, even with the accelerator pressed to the floor. Luckily, the crown Volvo dealership (greensboro, nc) was on the same stretch of avenue. She managed to get to the dealership and get it repaired. We were devastated when they told us the repair would cost $934.00. We were able to get that reduced to $836.24, because we just happen to have a $100 discount coupon in the glove compartment. We had just had a 60,000 mile service performed on the car a couple months ago. …
I had my trottle unit, pcv system replaced twice on my 1999 Volvo V70, once under warranty and again 35000 miles later at my expense ($1041.91). I have subsequently learned that this is a pervasive problem with these model Volvo cars from years 1999 through 2001. An article in the las angelos times dated May 3, 2005 states that between 21 and 94% of these units fail within the first 100,000 miles. Volvo na refuces to recall these units apparently, according to the article, replacing some units under a silent extended warranty program. I am requesting your organization to investigate this matter and, if found that the majority of these units fail within the time period specified, you mandate that Volvo na recall these units. As such, those of us who have already paid to have them replaced can receive a full refund for the repair.
Malfunctioning of the electronic throttle system (ets) on my 1999 Volvo V70 station wagon caused me to lose power or stall completely while driving. It happened several times prior to having the ets replaced. It occurred for me at low speeds and in light traffic allowing me to get off the road. I was able to restart the engine after a short time interval. It could have been a major safety hazard if I had this failure at highway speeds and in traffic. This occurred several months ago and has been repaired at my expense, but on reading an associated press article today on an investigation of this problem by the NHTSA, I am submitting this as another instance of the problem being investigated. The air conditioning compressor and power windows had to be replaced. Currently, the check engine light is on.
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.
Sirs - I file this compliant to add to those already filed by others that document malfunctioning electronic throttle modules in 1999 to 2001 Volvo 60/70/80-series vehicles. My 1999 V70 t5 currently exhibits the conditions indicative of etm malfunction (e.g., rough starting, uneven acceleration, and intermittent surging when driving at steady state highway speeds). The ets dash panel light is illuminated. Only once has the car completely stalled (and it occurred in the Volvo of irvine, ca parking lot as I was departing). The car just turned 90K miles. It has not left me stranded on a highway but I'm very concerned that it will stall and go into "20-MPH limp home" mode and make me a target.
On aug. 13, 2005, my wife was driving on a public road in san francisco approx. 35 MPH when her 1999 Volvo V70 (approx. 72,500 miles on the odometer) stalled. I called putnam Volvo in burlingame the following Tuesday, and made a service appointment for Thursday, aug. 18. That Thursday morning, when I started the car, it began to idle roughly, surging from approx. 800 RPM to 1500 RPM repeatedly. I shut the car down, then restarted it; the car then ran fairly normally. Putnam Volvo diagnosed the problem as a faulty throttle control module, and charged me $1225.00 for the repair. It seems that many of these throttle control modules are failing prematurely.
Regular maintenance was performed on the vehicle (1999 Volvo V70). Aty 67000 miles, the ets light came on, and two days later the electronic throttle failed, resulting in almost no acceleration, and an inability to maintain a safe speed. Research indicates that this is well documented as a vehicle design flaw, and a common occurance at 70K miles. This seems to be a highly hazardous flaw, and should be acknowledged and repaired as a manufacturing defect. Instead, it is a dealer only repair, and is costing consumers $700-1500 for the repair. I believe it should be investigated. Volvo should be responsible to repair a noted design flaw at their expense.
As I was driving home the car started running very rough and was not able to get it above 25 MPH. It also started to lunge forward sporadically and it seemed like it was going to stall at any moment. I contacted Volvo directly and they called it "limp home mode" and that's exactly what it was, horrable!!. I consider myself lucky that my children were not with me. Apparently Volvo recognizes the problem but are no longer fixing this ongoing problem. Volvo estimated that the fix would be on the low end $900.00 up to about $1400.00. Volvo is not taking anymore responsibility and now it's up to the consumer to absorb the cost.
Car repeatedly stalls with no explanation. Volvo dealership has worked on car 8 times. Throttle parts have been replaced, etm, and many other parts. Now they say it's the catalytic converter. This is extremely frustrating and scary. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to why the car stalls. Sometimes, it will act as if there's a clogged fuel line, then it stalls the next time I have to decelerate. Other times, it dies when I'm driving.
I have a 99 Volvo V70 t5, on July 3rd of 2006 we had the vehicle in as the etm light was on, the dealer upgraded the software of the etm at no cost, now a year later the vehicle is undrivable. It surges at low idle causing the vehicle to jump forward, it consistently stalls out and now is beginning to surge while driving down the road at any RPM. I feel that this is a extreme hazard and I am no longer able to drive the vehicle.
Fuel System complaints in other V70 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1999 Volvo V70?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1999 Volvo V70, 13% of the model year's 169 complaints. The component named most often is delivery (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Volvo V70 fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.