VOLVO C70 · model year

1999 VOLVO C70

29 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999VOLVOC70 carries 29 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 C70 is vehicle speed control with 4 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system (2) and electrical system:ignition (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 28 investigation files overlapping the 1999 C70. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

29
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

29 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION2
TIRES2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
EQUIPMENT1
STEERING:RACK AND PINION1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL1
STRUCTURE1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20140715ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CAR REDUCED THE SPEED AND NOW IT STOPPED RUNNING BECAUSE THE ETM IS NOT WORKING. I CONTACTED VOLVO AND THEY SAID THAT THE WARRANTY IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN OVER 10 YEARS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A PREVIOUS OWNER IN OCTOBER 2013 AND THEREFORE I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY APPROXIMATELY $900 TO FIX IT. THEY SAID THE WARRANTY STARTED FROM THE DAY THE FIRST CAR WAS BOUGHT WHICH WAS AUGUST 25, 1999 BUT IN MY OPINION IT SHOULD BE FROM THE FIRST TIME THERE WAS A PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED WITH THE ETM THAT CAUSED VOLVO TO RECALL AND BUY THE CARS BACK. VOLVO MADE APPROXIMATELY 300,000 CARS AND REPAIRED AND BOUGHT BACK AROUND 165,000 CARS. THIS MEANS THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE ENCOUNTERING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY VOLVO THAT THE CAR I CURRENTLY OWN THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED IN NORTH CAROLINA. AS I SEE IT THEY NEGLECTED TO CHANGE THE THROTTLE IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THIS CAR CAN CAUSE MY FAMILY TO GET IN A CAR ACCIDENT. THE REGION

Mileage: 15

20140620POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO C70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY REDUCED SPEED WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TO BE REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Mileage: 96,000

20130227VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO C70. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE ETS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 177,000....UPDATED 05/22/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE LIMP MODE AFFECTS THE BREAKING SYSTEM, IT'S DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES. UPDATED 06/505/2013 *JS

Mileage: 177,000

20081010SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ABS BRAKE MODULE FAILURE BOTH ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATED IT IS KNOWN PROBLEM WITH ABS BRAKING MODULE. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

20081010ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

ABS BRAKE MODULE FAILURE BOTH ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATED IT IS KNOWN PROBLEM WITH ABS BRAKING MODULE. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

20060213VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED IN FEBRUARY 2005 THE ENGINE SURGED WHILE IDLING AT STOP SIGNS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE MODULE. IN 2002 AND ON JULY 25, 2005 THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. UPON INSPECTION THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE ENGINE MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, ON JANUARY 20, 2005 THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT. UPON INSPECTION THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE DRIVE SHAFT BECAUSE IT HAD WEAKENED. ALL THE PROBLEMS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS.

Mileage: 35,000

20060213ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED IN FEBRUARY 2005 THE ENGINE SURGED WHILE IDLING AT STOP SIGNS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE MODULE. IN 2002 AND ON JULY 25, 2005 THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. UPON INSPECTION THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE ENGINE MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, ON JANUARY 20, 2005 THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT. UPON INSPECTION THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE DRIVE SHAFT BECAUSE IT HAD WEAKENED. ALL THE PROBLEMS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS.

Mileage: 35,000

20060213POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED IN FEBRUARY 2005 THE ENGINE SURGED WHILE IDLING AT STOP SIGNS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE MODULE. IN 2002 AND ON JULY 25, 2005 THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. UPON INSPECTION THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE ENGINE MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, ON JANUARY 20, 2005 THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT. UPON INSPECTION THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE DRIVE SHAFT BECAUSE IT HAD WEAKENED. ALL THE PROBLEMS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS.

Mileage: 35,000

20051209SEAT BELTS

WHILE REMOVING A CHILD CAR SEAT THE SEAT BELT BUTTON FELL OFF, THUS THE SEAT BELT RETRACTED COMPLETELY AND WAS COMPLETELY RETRACTED FORCING THE SEAT IN THE DECLINED POSITION AND PERMANENTLY LOCKED IN THIS POSITION. NOW THE SEAT IS UNUSABLE AS A CHILD SEAT OR ANY TYPE OF SEAT UNTIL A DEALER REPAIR. I WAS UNABLE TO USE THE CAR WITH A CHILD SEAT. ON A LONG TRIP WITH CHILDREN THIS PUTS THE CHILDREN AT GREAT RISK AND CREATES AN ILLEGAL DRIVING CONDITION. EVEN WITH THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY I WAS CHARGED $56. *NM

Mileage: 58,320

20051208ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ETM FAILED IN CAR FOR THE SECOND TIME AT 115,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, PREVIOUSLY REPLACED SEPTEMBER 2003 AT 64,000 MILES. DRIVING FROM OHIO TO PA FOR THANKSGIVING ETS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER THANKSGIVING DINNER WENT TO GO HOME AND MY VOLVO C70 QUIT ACCELERATING WHILE ENTERING A 4 LANE HIGHWAY FROM AN ENTRY RAMP. FORTUNATELY, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND TRAFFIC WAS EASILY ABLE TO PASS TO THE LEFT UNTIL I COASTED OFF TO THE BERM OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS IDLING BUT DID NOT HAVE POWER TO GO UP SMALL GRADE. SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, THROTTLE RESPONSE RESUMED AND WAS ABLE TO RETURN HOME. DEALER REPLACED ETM MODULE UNDER RECENTLY ANNOUNCED EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM ON 12/2/2005. I DO NOT HAVE OLD PART. *JB

Mileage: 115,100

20051128VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE CAR SURGED UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY ONCE AND TWICE. THEY HAVE DOWNLOADED SOFTWARE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THESE REPAIRS WERE DONE AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AND WAS GETTING WORSE. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AT HIS EXPENSE. *AK

Mileage: 60,000

20050913FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

THE THROTTLE BODY HAS FAILED IN TRAFFIC AND ON THE HWY. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES AND WAS CLEANED 2 - 3 TIMES. AT THIS TIME I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE IT OVER 15 MPH. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT IS SITTING. I AM GUESSING AT THE DAY IT STATED. *NM

Mileage: 150,400

20050822VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DT:THE PROBLEM BEGAN LAST YEAR WHILE DRIVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT ABOUT 25-30 MPH, THE OWNER FELT TUGGING AND HESITATION. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON TO WARN OWNER OF A PROBLEM. THE CAR EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER UNTIL THE OPERATING TEMPERATURE WENT UP TO NORMAL TEMPERATURE PROBLEM HAPPENED EVERY TIME THE CAR WAS DRIVEN, AND GOT WORSE WITH TIME. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED ABOUT 20 TIMES, THEN OWNER TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER NOTIFIED OWNER HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE ( ETM). THE FAULT CODES THAT SHOWED ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM 9150 AND 914F). THE OWNER DID NOT HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE AND THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE. THEN ABOUT 9 MONTHS LATER, THE OWNER EXPERIENCED THE SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING/COMING ON TO THE OFF RAMP, AND MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. THE OWNER TRIED TO SPEED UP. THERE WAS A FEELING OF COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AT 3000 RPMS. THE OWNER PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THERE WAS NO POWER AFTER 3000

Mileage: 40,000

20050814ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I HAVE A 1999 VOLVO C70 AND I AM EXPERIENCING MY CAR TRYING TO PUSH ITSELF AND THE RPM IDLING VERY FAST AND THE CAR FEELS LIKE ITS GOING TO SHUT OFF. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT ALREADY ABOUT MY SONS S60 AND MY S80, WHICH ARE HAVE THE SAME TROUBLES AS MY S80. THE THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE I THINK IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. LUCKILY MY CAR HASN'T TURN OFF ON ME YET, BUT ONE TIME GETTING OUT OF MY GARAGE THE CAR STALLED. PLEASE GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED OR RECALLED. THANKS. *NM

20050809ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE OR VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL HAD TO BE REPLACED ON MY 1999 VOLVO C70. *JB

Mileage: 80,000

20050802ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

I WAS DRIVING ON GALLATIN RD IN TN , A BUSY 4 LANE BUSINESS DISTRICT, WHEN MY VOLVO C70 LOST POWER AND I WAS FORCED TO COAST INTO A CHURCH PARKING LOT - I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF THE INCIDENT UNTIL I SAW A SIMILAR STORY REPORTED ON YAHOO NEWS. THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER UNDER WARRANTY AND IT IS WORKING FINE NOW (2 YRS LATER), BUT HAD THIS BEEN A BUSY HIGHWAY, I WOULD HAVE CAUSED A TRAFFIC PROBLEM. *NM

Mileage: 32,000

20050328FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

ON 12/31/2004 WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE ETM DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO "LIMP" MODE. I BARELY MADE IT HOME, AND SINCE IT WAS FRIDAY NIGHT, I COULD NOT CALL MY LOCAL GARAGE. ON MONDAY I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL GARAGE, WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT I HAD THE "ERROR CODE OF DEATH", THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST BIG CITY VOLVO GARAGE. THEY HAD SEEN MANY OF THESE TB PROBLEMS. I HAD IT TOWED TO SMC, INC. WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE ETM UNIT FAILED AND IT WAS MY FAULT FOR "USING CHEAP GAS" AND "FAILING TO SERVICE THE AIR CLEANERS". SINCE I ALWAYS BURN THE BEST FUEL AVAILABLE, AND ALWAYS GO TO THE DEALER GARAGE FOR ALL MY MAINTENANCE, I KNEW THAT WAS BOGUS. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AS WAS A GASKET. I WAS OUTRAGED, AND EXPRESSED THIS TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, AND CHALLENGED HIS ACCUSATION. I EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE RELIABILITY OF THE REPLACEMENT PART. THE MAGNETI MORELLI ETM MODULES WHICH IS COMMON IN ALL 1999-2001 70-SERIES ENGINES

Mileage: 66,348

20050126STRUCTURE

WHILE DRIVINGTHE DASHBOARD WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY BECOME LOOSE AND BOUNCED UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN. A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED REPLACEMENT.*AK

20040823VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

THE VEHICLE IS NOT ACCELERATING. THE ETS LIGHT IS ON. THE ETS MODULE WAS REPLACED, BUT VEHICLE'S PERFORMANCE IS STILL POOR. *AK

Mileage: 581,000

20040525SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE VEHICLES ABS LIGHT KEPT ILLUMINATING ON AND OFF. THE ABS SYSTEM FUNCTIONS INTERMITTENTLY. *NM THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. *SC

Mileage: 60,000

Compare 1999VOLVOC70 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 VOLVO C70 have?
The 1999 VOLVO C70 has 29 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 VOLVO C70?
The most-complained component for the 1999 VOLVO C70 is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION.
Is the 1999 VOLVO C70 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.