Most common 1999 Volvo V70XC problems
Share of the 79 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo V70XC complaints by model year
Best V70XC years: 2004, 2003, 2002. Years to avoid: 2001, 2000, 1999. Compare all years →
1999 Volvo V70XC recalls (2)
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1999 Volvo V70XC:
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…
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 V70XC owners say
Speed control & acceleration all 29 →
I own a 1999 Volvo V70XC. While driving to work on 9/8/05, suddenly the electronic throttle system (ets) light lit up on my driver control panel, and I lost a considerable amount of acceleration as I was driving through an intersection. I quickly pulled over to the side of the road, and checked my owner's manual. As the manual instructed, I contacted my mechanic from the road and he suggested I bring it in right away. After several stops & driving on the shoulder I made it to my mechanic (15 miles) who was actually surprised I had been able to drive it there at all. He told me the ets would probably need to be replaced at approximately $950 to $1150. I was floored by the news, especially since it seemed to be a safety issue. …
The car went into a "limp home mode" as I was pulling into traffic, causing several cars to have to swerve to keep from hitting me. I called Volvo and they said the 99 & 00 ( which I own both ) models had a recall on the part. I carried the car to the Volvo dealership and they said the recall was only to install a software update, not to replace the part itself. Well, they did the software upgrade and about half way home, 5 miles or less, the etc light came on again and the car went into the limp home mode again, barely making it home. I called the dealership and they said that the module itself needed to be replaced and was not covered by the recall ????? They told me it would be between $1200-$1300 to replace. This is extremely wrong and dangerous. …
Electrical system
The electronic throttle system warning light came on. There was intermittent loss of power. The dealer identified the following throttle failure codes, 914f, 91b7, 9150. They replaced the throttle, cleaned pvc system and upgraded the ECM software. Total cost was $1270.52. At the same time the brake light system failed. There was no warning light. The entire system, all three lights did not illuminate. The dealer replaced the electronic brake light switch. Cost $124.08.
My 1999 Volvo v70 xc suddenly lost power and throttle control while trying to pass another car. Luckily no accident occurred in what were extremely hazardous circumstances. I had to pull off the road and then coast downhill to find a safe area in which to park. The etc warning light came on and remained on. I was unable to regain power and the car had to be towed 20 miles to pioneer valley Volvo in south deerfield, massachusetts. The car has not yet been repaired.
Fuel & propulsion system
Recently I bought a used Volvo- 1999 v70 xc. Shortly afterwards, the ets light came on. The dealer told me it would cost $1000 to replace. I did some research and found that this not only affected the cruise control, but could eventually cause the failure of the engine and the car to suddenly stop running. The part it would be a replaced with was the exact same part that has the same problem that could occur. The local mechanic cannot fix it. It must be done by a dealer. I wrote to Volvo with no response. I met others online who is trying to lobby the company for a redesign and a recall. This is not a convenience issue, but a safety one. Volvo figures most affluent owners of new volvos would have traded up to a new one already. And is ignoring those subject to buying in the secondary market. Please ask Volvo to investigate this and issue a recall. …
My wife and daughter were driving in our Volvo V70XC (1999) on a busy highway when it stalled suddenly. She coasted to the shoulder and stopped the vehicle. She was unable to re-start the vehicle. The fuel gauge indicated plenty of fuel so running out of gas was ruled out. She called for assistance and the vehicle was towed to a local garage. The technician diagnosed the problem as a failed fuel pump & injector. The fuel pump and injector were replaced and the vehicle started. The cost was approximately $1800. Within 3 days it happened again. This time we took the vehicle to a Volvo dealer. The technician diagnosed the problem as an electronic throttle control module. The cost was approximately $1200. The vehicle does not stall any more, but after $3000 in repairs, it has an erratic idle which is an annoyance. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Volvo V70XC a good car?
Based on 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 V70XC rates avoid: 3.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the V70XC at the same age. It is one of the V70XC 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 V70XC?
The speed control & acceleration — 29 complaints, 37% of all complaints for this model year, most often about linkages. Next are the electrical system (18) and fuel & propulsion system (13).
How many recalls does the 1999 Volvo V70XC have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1999 Volvo V70XC, 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 V70XC?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004, 2003 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001, 2000 and 1999. See the full Volvo V70XC years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Volvo V70XC problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 6% 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.