Total Complaints
38 filings
VOLVO S90 · model year
1998 VOLVO S90
38 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998VOLVOS90 carries 38 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, 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 1998 S90 is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:pads with 3 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (3) and visibility:sun/moon roof assembly (3). 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 1998 S90. 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.
38
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 3 |
| VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20141119TIRES
MICHELIN TIRES - PILOT SPORT A/S SPORT PLUS- 205/55/ZR16. TIRE SIDE WALLS ARE SEPARATING - THIS PROBLEM IS KNOW AS CHUNKING. TIRES ARE UNSAFE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
20101027VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER FROM REGARDING VOLVO PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE WOULD RACE IN AN ERRATIC MANNER FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON AS HIGH AS 5,000 RPM'S. USING THE BRAKE HAD NO EFFECT. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB
20100315CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE BACKING INTO MY GARAGE ON 2/6/2010, MY 1998 VOLVO S90 SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS SPEEDING AND I APPLIED THE BRAKE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS GOING SO FAST THAT IT CRASHED INTO A WOODEN PLATFORM IN MY GARAGE. THE PLATFORM AND MY CAR WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE PLATFORM HAS BEEN REPAIRED; BUT MY CAR WAS TOTALED (>$5000.00 IN DAMAGES). I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL VOLVO DEALER AND VOLVO CUSTOMER CAR AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 212,994
20080104CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLVO S90. THE GEAR SHIFT BECAME STUCK WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. SHE PRESSED THE GEAR RELEASE BUTTON AND PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL AND THEN INTO THE HOUSE. THE VEHICLE, GARAGE WALL, AND HOUSE WERE DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109,000.
Mileage: 109,000
20060920PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PERFORMING A STATE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE PARKING BRAKE LINES WERE WORN AND FRACTURED. THE PARKING BRAKE LINES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED FOR THE SAME CONDITION, BUT THE PROBLEM HAD REOCCURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.
Mileage: 89,187
20060314VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
1988 VOLVO S90 SUNROOF HAS BROKEN DOWN REPEATEDLY SINCE IT WAS NEW. IT WOULD TYPICALLY WORK APPROXIMATELY A FEW TIMES THEN MALFUNCTION UNEXPECTEDLY WITH BROKEN PIECES RAINING DOWN UPON THE HEADS OF THE FRONT OCCUPANTS, POSING A DANGER TO DRIVING. AFTER THE MALFUNCTION IT WOULD THEN NOT BE OPERABLE AT ALL, POSING A THREAT TO WEATHER DAMAGE, THEFT, ETC. AFTER REPAIRING IT SEVERAL TIMES, BOTH THE DEALER (DICK DYER VOLVO OF COLUMBIA, SC) AND VOLVO REFUSED TO FIX IT ANY MORE UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS EXACTLY AT 50,000 MILES AND LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD. BOTH THE DEALER AND VOLVO CLAIMED THE WARRANTY WAS GOOD UP TO, BUT NOT INCLUDING, 50,000 MILES. *JB
Mileage: 50,000
20050901POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 VOLVO S90 WITH 69,000 MILES. THE ETM UNIT ON THE CAR HAS FAILED. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON IT AND FOUND THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THAT CAR. IT CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO ACT ERRATICALLY. MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT EVEN IF I CHANGE IT , IT WILL FAIL AGAIN IN A SHORT WHILE BECAUSE IT HAS A BAD DESIGN. I HAVE CONTACTED VOLVO ABOUT IT, AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I JUST WANT TO HAVE THIS COMPLAINT REGISTERED IN CASE VOLVO IS MADE TO CORRECT THIS THROUGH SOME LAWSUIT OR OTHER. *NM
20040907VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
THE SUN ROOF STRUTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TRYING TO OPEN/CLOSE THE SUN ROOF. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT THE CONSUMER IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *JB
Mileage: 50,000
20030929VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TRANSMISSION SHIFTER STICKS CONSTANTLY. CURRENTLY, IT STICKS IN PARK. VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK NOISES COMING FROM STEERING. GEAR SHIFT DID NOT RELEASE, WASHERS ARE INOPERABLE, KEY STICKS IN IGNITION.*TS ALSO THE POWER STEERING RACK AND ANTENNA WERE REPLACED. *JB
Mileage: 48,699
20030929EQUIPMENT
TRANSMISSION SHIFTER STICKS CONSTANTLY. CURRENTLY, IT STICKS IN PARK. VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK NOISES COMING FROM STEERING. GEAR SHIFT DID NOT RELEASE, WASHERS ARE INOPERABLE, KEY STICKS IN IGNITION.*TS ALSO THE POWER STEERING RACK AND ANTENNA WERE REPLACED. *JB
Mileage: 48,699
20030929ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TRANSMISSION SHIFTER STICKS CONSTANTLY. CURRENTLY, IT STICKS IN PARK. VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK NOISES COMING FROM STEERING. GEAR SHIFT DID NOT RELEASE, WASHERS ARE INOPERABLE, KEY STICKS IN IGNITION.*TS ALSO THE POWER STEERING RACK AND ANTENNA WERE REPLACED. *JB
Mileage: 48,699
20030929POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SHIFTER STICKS CONSTANTLY. CURRENTLY, IT STICKS IN PARK. VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK NOISES COMING FROM STEERING. GEAR SHIFT DID NOT RELEASE, WASHERS ARE INOPERABLE, KEY STICKS IN IGNITION.*TS ALSO THE POWER STEERING RACK AND ANTENNA WERE REPLACED. *JB
Mileage: 48,699
20030929STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
TRANSMISSION SHIFTER STICKS CONSTANTLY. CURRENTLY, IT STICKS IN PARK. VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK NOISES COMING FROM STEERING. GEAR SHIFT DID NOT RELEASE, WASHERS ARE INOPERABLE, KEY STICKS IN IGNITION.*TS ALSO THE POWER STEERING RACK AND ANTENNA WERE REPLACED. *JB
Mileage: 48,699
20030324VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
THE SUNROOF TRACK PANEL ASSEMBLY SEPARATED WHILE THE SUNROOF WAS LIFTED OPEN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM
20020917SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE LINE IS FRAYED WITHOUT ANYTHING TOUCHING THE LINE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
20010807SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE PADS ARE BURNING OUT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 13 TIMES FOR REPLACEMENT OF BRAKES AND PADS.*AK *JB
20010807SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PADS ARE BURNING OUT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 13 TIMES FOR REPLACEMENT OF BRAKES AND PADS.*AK *JB
20010807SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE PADS ARE BURNING OUT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 13 TIMES FOR REPLACEMENT OF BRAKES AND PADS.*AK *JB
20000724SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES AND ROTORS FAILED. NLM
20000724SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKES AND ROTORS FAILED. NLM
Compare 1998VOLVOS90 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1998 VOLVO S90 have?▼
The 1998 VOLVO S90 has 38 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 VOLVO S90?▼
The most-complained component for the 1998 VOLVO S90 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS and VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY.
Is the 1998 VOLVO S90 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.