1998 Volvo C70 problems
The Volvo C70 is a two-door, four-passenger sports GT manufactured and marketed by Volvo Cars from 1996 to 2013 across two generations.
The first generation (1996–2005) was available as both a coupé (1996–2002) and softtop convertible (1997–2005). The second generation (2006–2013) was available as a retractable hardtop convertible.
First generation (1996–2005)
Volvo debuted the first generation C70 at the 1996 Paris Motor Show, and introduced it in Europe as a 1997 model, and a year later as a 1998 model in North America — with 2.0 (sold mostly in Italy), a low-pressure turbo (2.4L) and a high-pressure turbo (2.0L and 2.3L), 5-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engines and manual and automatic transmissions. Ian Callum designed the exterior and Mexican designer Jose Diaz de la Vega led the interior design team.
The C70 broke Volvo's decades-long styling tradition of boxy, rectilinear designs and was Volvo's first luxury coupe since the 780. According to a tongue-in-check remark made by Peter Horbury, Volvo's design chief from 1991 to 2002, with the C70, Volvo "kept the toy, and threw away the box!" "Our vision was to design a convertible that would meet the needs of a family of four looking for comfortable blue-sky motoring in a vehicle also providing stylish looks, performance and faultless driving and road-holding."
In a development program of 30 months and working with a Volvo 850-derived platform, Britain’s TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing) co-designed the car's basic design and suspension tuning with Volvo. Manufacture of the C70 was a joint venture until the two companies experienced disputes that threatened to interrupt production; TWR did not contribute to the second generation C70.
Volvo's first modern convertible, the C70 was manufactured in Uddevalla, Sweden on an assembly line separate from the 70-series sedan and station wagon. The four-passenger convertible featured an electrically heated glass rear window; automatic (pop-up) rollover hoops system, marketed as ROPS; seat belt pre-tensioners; A-pillars reinforced with boron steel; front and side airbags; and a safety cage — a horseshoe-like structure around the passenger compartment.
The cloth convertible top, initially available in four colors, was fully automatic, operated by a single, dashboard-mounted control. The top stored automatically under an integral rigid tonneau cover, using a system pioneered in modern convertibles with the fourth generation Mercedes SL.
The C70 convertible exhibited two negative traits endemic to convertibles: poor rear visibility and pronounced scuttle shake, a characteristic where the structural design of the bulkhead between the engine and passenger compartments of a convertible suffers sufficiently poor rigidity to negatively impact ride and handling — and allow noticeable vibration, shudder or chassis-flexing into the passenger compartment.
Early special editions featured two-tone leather interior with wood trim and a SC-901 (1998) Dolby Pro Logic I stereo with 3-disc integrated changer unit (via a cartridge) 400 watts of power and 11 high end Dynaudio speakers.
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Common 1998 Volvo C70 problems
The Volvo C70, produced from 1997 to 2006, is known for its reliability, but like any car, it has common problems that owners have reported. Here are some of the most common issues with the 1998 Volvo C70, based on complaints from owners:
- Door Mirror Leaks: The C70 is notorious for leaking door mirrors, which can be difficult to fix. If the front footwells are damp, the carpets might be wet due to this issue.
- Turbos: The turbos are reliable but work hard, and if an oil change has been skipped, it could spell trouble. It's essential to maintain the turbo engines properly to ensure their longevity.
- Wheels and Tyres: The bigger the turbo, the bigger the car's hunger for rubber. Therefore, check the wheels and tyres for wear and ensure they have enough life left. Uneven or irregular wear could indicate problems with the front suspension or driveshafts.
- Tailgate Interior Panel Failure: Nearly all Volvo wagon models from the 1980s to early 2000s have a problem of the interior tailgate panel breaking away from the tailgate, leaving the panel hanging loose and interfering with the function of the tailgate lock/latch. This issue is prevalent in the C70 as well.
- Fuel Door Hinge Failure: The plastic gas cap door hinge commonly fails at around 60,000 miles, leaving the gas door hanging from the side of the Volvo, which doesn't look good and can damage the paint job.
- ABS Control Module Failure: Many 1993-2000 850, S70, C70 and V70 models can have issues with the ABS control module, which can cause the ABS warning lamp to illuminate. The most common cause is related to an internal failure of the module that causes it to erroneously report an error for a faulty right rear wheel sensor.
- Convertible Top Problems: Convertible tops in the C70 may have problems with micro-switches/potentiometers, which can cause issues with the top's operation.
These common problems with the 1998 Volvo C70 are not major issues or flaws but can be annoying and drive you nuts if you don't know the cause and how to fix them. Regular maintenance and check-ups can help prevent these problems and ensure the car's longevity and reliability.
1998 Volvo C70 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volvo C70 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Steering problems
- Structure problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1998 Volvo C70 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1998 Volvo C70 complaints
The NHTSA has received 7 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1998 Volvo C70.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-06-20
- VIN: YV1NK5376WJ
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: CAR HAS BEEN AT A RECOGNIZED AUTO REPAIR FACILITY AND HAS BEEN HAVING MAINTENANCE WORK PERFORMED. IT WAS SEEN THAT THE CAR HAD SUFFERED A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING RACK WITH THE HOUSING FRACTURING, AND ALL OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID BEING LOST. THERE WAS NO IMPACT AND THE HOUSING APPEARS CRYSTALLINE AT THE BREAK. THERE WAS NO IMPACT CAUSING THIS DAMAGE, WHICH HAD THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD HAVE HAD SEVERE CONSEQUENCES
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-06-16
- VIN: YV1LS5673W2
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOORS SUDDENLY BECAME INOPERABLE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE. WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE ALSO FAILED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THIS COULD LEAD TO ENTRAPMENT IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE DOORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-07-07
- VIN: YV1NK5376WJ
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THIS HAS BEEN A REGULAR OCCURRENCE FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ABS MODULE NEEDED REPLACED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-12-09
- VIN: YV1NK5377WJ
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: DT: CONTACT STATED VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT 45 MPH. . THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 8-12 MONTHS AGO. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED. CONTACT HAD NOT REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. ALSO, LOST POWER STEERING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT TOOK ABOUT 30-60 SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO START AGAIN. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-11-12
- VIN: YV1NK5376WJ
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: 1998 VOLVO C70 PASSENGER DOOR LATCH FAILURE - HAVE REPLACED MECHANISM TWICE IN PAST 2 YEARS. NO INJURY BUT 2ND FAILURE PREVENTED OPENING DOOR FROM INSIDE CAR CREATING SAFETY RISK. THANK YOU. *LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-10-24
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: THE ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE SENSOR LIGHT TO STAY ON. *AK
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-12-11
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON OPEN HIGHWAY, DRIVER SIDE FONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND TIRE DESINTEGRATED CAUSING VEHICLE TO TURN LEFT ALMOST RUNNING OFF THE ROAD. TIRE TYPE BF GOODRICH COMP T/A, 225/45ZR-17. TIRE CAME APART COMPLETELY. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD SURFACE, EVEN PAVEMENT, AMBIENT TEMPERATURE 46 DEGREES, DRY SURFACE AND CALM WINDS.
1998 Volvo C70 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 1998 Volvo C70.
- Manufacturer: VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
- Components: 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.
- Manufacturer: VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
- Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THERE COULD BE INADEQUATE CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET WHICH COULD CAUSE THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL NOT TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED.
- Consequence: THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN AN APPROACHING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET.
- Manufacturer: VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
- Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE OVERLY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE.
- Consequence: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ASSURE SUFFICIENT GROUNDING.
- Manufacturer: VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
- Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.
- Consequence: DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
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