1999 Volvo V70xc recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.
What could happen: THE HEAD LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR NO HEADLIGHT FUNCTION. THIS COULD IMPAIR A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: 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. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1999 V70XC.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V504000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-458-1552.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.
Consequence: THE HEAD LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR NO HEADLIGHT FUNCTION. THIS COULD IMPAIR A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Notes: VOLVO RECALL NO. 142. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
2. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. 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.
What could happen: THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1999 V70XC.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06V441000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-458-1552.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: 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.
Consequence: THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
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.
Notes: VOLVO RECALL NO. R155. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1999 Volvo V70xc owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Vehicle Speed Control (29), Electrical system (18), Fuel system (13), Gasoline (9), Engine (8).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
09/10/2018 · Unknown Or Other
KEY IGNITION IS FAILING WILL OFTEN NOT START THEN AFTER MOVING KEY AROUND IN IGNITION TO FIND THE PERFECT POSITION THE CAR WILL START
08/01/2018 · Engine · fire
MY VOLVO V70 WAS ON A TEST DRIVE BY THE MECHANIC BEFORE RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO ME AFTER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE CAR HAD 59,800 MILES. THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE ALLEGEDLY DUE TO AN OIL GASKET DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A LOCAL ROAD IN WAINSCOTT, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK.
01/15/2013 · Vehicle Speed Control
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 I…
07/05/2011 · Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO V70XC. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK CAUSING IT TO FAIL INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
04/12/2011 · Transmission / drivetrain
MY 1999 V70R WITH 122,000 MILES HAS HAD THE MOST PROBLEMS OF ANY VOLVO I HAVE OWNED IN 44 YEARS; HEATER CORE, ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE, STEERING RACK, WHEEL BEARINGS, LOWER CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINTS, PARKING BRAKE FAILURE, BRAKE LINES AND HOSES, AND NOW? THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED COMPLETELY AFTER A 105,000 MILE CHECKUP BY THE DEALER SHOWED NO ISSUES.…
04/12/2010 · Vehicle Speed Control
1999 VOLVO XC V70. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE THE WOULD HESITATE AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS CONCERNING THE ETM COMPONENTS. *JB
12/09/2009 · Fuel system
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1999 VOLVO V70XC, SHORTLY AFTER, THE CAR WENT INTO WHAT'S CALLED LIMP HOME MODE. I LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE WHAT WOULD CAUSE THIS AND SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2006 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED VOLVO TO SEE IF MY CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE, I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS REPAIRED. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD TH…
10/26/2009 · Engine
FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE ASSEMBLY CAUSING VERY POOR DRIVABLE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND SEVERE THAT THE CAR CAN NOT SAFELY BE DRIVEN IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT A RISK OF ACCIDENT. BRIEF CHRONOLOGY: I HAVE A VERY EARLY PRODUCTION 1999 VOLVO V70XC. IT HAD DRIVABLE PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. NEVER WAS FIXED. (SUPPOSEDLY) REPLACED ETM THE FIRST T…