1999 Volvo S70 Consumer Discussions

Volvo S70 Starting Problems

• volvo s70 cranks but will not start!!!

  Written by: brkncar on Jun 2, 2008 6:18:04 PM

  My friend has a 1999 volvo s70 2.5L turbo that will not start and I cannot figure out what the problem is. A little backround on the car: it was stolen a while back but recovered, we have no idea what happened to the car while it was out of his possession. When we got it back the intercooler was broken but we replaced it and it ran fine afterwards. He ... Read More

Volvo S70 Engine Noise

• 1999 Volvo s70 Question

  Written by: bdc1989 on Feb 27, 2008 6:38:10 PM

  I am looking at getting an S70 from a mechanic friend as a work exchange. He replaced the heater core and removed the head and had it milled. When I start the car, it has what I would describe as "lifter noise" if it were on another vehicle. It goes away when it warms up. He said it is the cam follower. The car has 156,000 and is very clean otherwise. ... Read More

Volvo S70

• 99 S70 drivers door handle issue

  Written by: dfahlbusch on Jan 17, 2008 6:27:16 AM

  I bought a 1999 S70 new and my wife drove it up until May of '07. We got her a new vehicle but just couldn't part with the Volvo. I drove it a few times and it runs great, but one day, I unlocked the door and the door would not open. I went in through the passenger side and tried to use the inside door latch and the door still ... Read More

• Fair Price for a 99 S70

  Written by: liquid_nick on Jan 14, 2008 12:10:00 AM

  I found an 1999 White S70 STD with 71000 miles. Pretty much exactly what I am looking. The options above the standard are leather seats, dual power seats, alloy wheels, automatic and power moon roof. The car was well taken care of mechanically they have the complete service records from the Volvo dealership and an independent they use, they are the 2nd owners. but have the service records from the 1st ... Read More

• Five Years Ago...

  Written by: studbutter on Mar 3, 2007 12:02:25 PM

  ....I wrote post #361 on this very forum, in this very topic. "Positive Experience" on Apr. 2, 2002. Our S70 had 55k miles then and we still own it today. Today, it has just over 150,000 miles on it, and I still say it is the best car we have ever owned. We bought our 1999 S70 base brand new in 1999. We ordered it from the factory with no options ... Read More

Volvo S70 Lights

• S70 overheat light stays on

  Written by: coloradohv on Feb 25, 2007 3:22:25 PM

  I have a Volvo S70-T5 1999. The coolant level light stays on constantly, eventhough the level is fine in the reservoir. The thermostat has been changed. Are there any sensors that may be bad and where are they?

Volvo S70 Starting Problems

• Black exhaust and stalling problem

  Written by: bobkol on Dec 29, 2006 2:48:22 PM

  I tried to start my 1999 Volvo S70 AWD Turbo. It acted real rough, kept stalling and black smoke came form the exhaust. I was able to limp it home but it will not even start now. I know I have a bad downstream O2 sensor, but I don't think that would cause all of these problems. Any ideas?

Volvo S70

• Re: Volvo S70 w/bad engine [qbrozen]

  Written by: oculus1 on Jun 26, 2006 7:33:48 PM

  Hi folks. Since we're on the topic of fuel octane rating, my 1999 S70 (base) owner's manual says it'll run on regular 87 octane, but recommends 91. I've switched between 89 and 91, with no difference in performance or fuel consumption that I could tell. Have never tried 87 octane though. Any thoughts/experiences? Anyone suffered pings/knock with 87? Any long-term harm in using 87 or 89 rather than 91?

• ETS light lit on the dash

  Written by: volvohater on Nov 6, 2005 7:25:42 PM

  I gave a 1999 S70 AWD piece of crap. This car has nickeled and dimed me since it was new. I do however have an extended warranty good until May 2006. I have just under 62,000 miles on the car, and recently had it in to the dealer for the 60,000 mile check. The car is idling a little rough, and today the ETS light popped on. I seemed to run ... Read More

• Dash squeaking in 99 S70

  Written by: socalvolvodvr on Jun 28, 2005 12:32:54 PM

  I have a 1999 S70. It's in great shape, and has given me no major mechanical problems at 94000 miles. Bought it back in 2002 used with about 38k miles on it and loved it ever since. However, the dash has become lose and makes noise on anything but the smooth asphalt (from a slight rattle to and annoying squeak). The lose dash is something I noticed a few months after ... Read More

• Re: 1999 Volvo S70 T5 manual [qbrozen]

  Written by: jonjulie on Apr 18, 2005 8:33:11 AM

  No,,,,,no boost guage. I've also noticed my MPG's have gone down,,,,Is this a pretty simple test that any shop can do? Thanks, Julie

• Re: 1999 Volvo S70 T5 manual [jonjulie]

  Written by: qbrozen on Apr 18, 2005 7:40:30 AM

  dealer told me they never clean injectors on these cars. If you've done a full tuneup, including filter, cap, rotor, and wires, it could have a boost leak. Its supposedly very common on our vehicles that the rubber boost and vacuum hoses can crack/split with age. Do you have a boost guage. If so, the readings will tell you if this is your problem.

• 1999 Volvo S70 T5 manual

  Written by: jonjulie on Apr 17, 2005 8:59:13 PM

  My car seems to be acting a little sluggish lately....I was wondering if anyone knows wether or not these cars require their fuel injectors cleaned? It has 94,000 and the spark plugs were changed last year at 78,000. Thanks for your input.

• S70 AWD Questions

  Written by: scottl on Feb 1, 2005 1:58:28 PM

  I'm looking for a reasonably inexpensive, safe AWD car. A local dealer has a '99 S70 AWD Sedan with only 50K miles for $13K. I like to take my vehicles to 150-200K miles before I retire them, and I've been very successful with GM, Mazda and Mitsubishi. I've never owned a Volvo or any other Euro car. I know a lot of satisfied Volvo owners, but I also know a lot ... Read More

• interior fogging

  Written by: jbyrone1 on Oct 9, 2004 8:31:49 AM

  I own a 1999 volvo s70 and recently it has started fogging up. When you first start the car and drive off the front windscreen becomes covered with mist.. and even turning on the heat or AC does not get rid of it. Even if it warm out the problem still occurs... has any one seen this.?

• ETS warning light

  Written by: kizhe on Dec 24, 2003 7:21:42 AM

  We have 1999 Volvo GLT with about 30K miles. In general car was o'k and trouble free (my wife drives it and loves it)except common Volvo S70 problems: lights bulbs and driver's door electric disabling. We have two problems now: 1. 30K service was done in Aug 03.   I assume they checked the coolant level @ last service (maybe not?).   But now level is low. There are no puddles or other ... Read More

• 1999 Volvo S70 GLT Turbo

  Written by: fimo_s on Sep 25, 2003 5:24:31 PM

  What is a good price to pay to buy 1999 Volvo S70 GLT Turbo W/leather in good condition ? Thank's

• 1999 S70 base sedan--decent price?

  Written by: ymiller on Mar 10, 2003 12:38:37 PM

  I found a used 1999 S70 base sedan w/ leather seats, moonroof, AT, CD player, 32.7k miles, asking price $13999. Under factory warranty until 10/2003. Been corresponding with dealer (not a Volvo dealer) by e-mail, he seems to be willing to deal to move the car. Checked the Carfax and it looks clean, one owner, Florida lease. It did mention a police report of an accident in 2000, but doesn't mention ... Read More

• Service Light Reset

  Written by: webm2k on Dec 8, 2002 9:13:54 PM

  1999 - 2000 Volvo Service Light Reset Procedures   S / V / C70 Models   Press and hold odometer reset button. Turn ignition switch to "run" position. After SRL flashes, release odometer reset button. Turn ignition off, then back on to confirm reset accepted.   ...have fun. Does anyone have a spare S70 Owners Manual? I have misplaced mine. Please send email if so....

• Glad to have found you

  Written by: webm2k on Nov 27, 2002 12:21:21 AM

  I just purchased a 1999 S70 STD and after reading some of the posting here I see that no matter what may be our own individual experiences with the car, we all love this particular model. I for one shopped for 2 1/2 months and looked at the MB's and the BMW's and found that this was a better car for the price. I have a few questions for the board: ... Read More

• 1999 Volvo S70 AWD

  Written by: ajulius on Jan 20, 2002 11:13:36 AM

  Hello. I am looking into purchasing a 99 Volvo S70 AWD. I was looking online and saw a 99 S70AWD Certified with 56k miles for $19,995. Edmunds has tradein at around 18000. Is the market so soft that I might be able to do somewhat better than tradein price, maybe $17000 or so or would the tradein price of $18000 be about the best I could hope for?

• to bucky11

  Written by: joel2468 on Apr 28, 2002 5:28:20 PM

  I owned a 1999 Volvo S70 base model. This was touted to be more reliable than the turbos. Not so. The ride was rough, tore through light bulbs, squeaked and rattled, rode like a truck, and left me stranded three times. Each time, the dealer, though they tried, could not identify a problem. No, I didn't hate the Volvo, I just think a $30K car should not have the problems it ... Read More

• tire choices........

  Written by: lflowers on Jan 8, 2002 2:00:52 PM

  I'm a regular poster on the Chrysler 300M forum here at Town Hall. I have a friend who has a 1999 volvo S70. He needs to purchase new tires soon and has been having a problem finding tire choices other than the original equipment Michelins for his car. The stock tire size on his car is 195/60R15 and that is evidently an unusual size. He has been relatively happy with the ... Read More

• To boxer6

  Written by: joel2468 on Aug 23, 2001 5:47:37 AM

  I had a 1999 Volvo S70. It, too, was undependable, in the shop almost every month. I think the trick with Volvos is to know when to hold em, know when to fold em. The S70 either (a) is good and solid right from the get go, and will last forever or (b) will always be a problem. There is no in between. Even superb dealer service does not make up ... Read More

• To hatemyS70

  Written by: joel2468 on Jun 22, 2001 6:10:10 AM

  I had a 1999 Volvo S70, and as much as I liked the car (when it ran properly), it kept trying to make me get rid of it. I didn't have a problem with the squeaks/rattles, and got used to replacing the bulbs (I kept a pile of them in the garage and trunk), but it left me dead 3 times, two tows required, and no problem ever found...just would not ... Read More

• BAD SERVICE, BAD DESIGN, BAD CAR

  Written by: naim on Jun 11, 2001 8:34:48 PM

  In 1999, I decided to lease a s70 T5 for my dad. First week when he check the body and found rust inside the trunk. A few weeks later he complained about the wind noise from the windshield so I took to the dealership where I leased it from. They checked and repaired so many times. They even went inside the ventilation and opened up dash board complete, the car was ... Read More

• To miahmad

  Written by: joel2468 on May 6, 2001 5:40:11 AM

  If you go back in this forum, you'll see my comments about the 1999 S70 I owned. I liked the car, but it was way too much trouble for the money. It never ran the same day to day, always had little things that went wrong, and finally, after three times leaving me stranded, I traded it in on a Toyota. I have friends who own S70s, S60s and S80s. The ... Read More

• To golfnut7

  Written by: joel2468 on Feb 17, 2001 6:25:32 AM

  I owned an S70 (1999 Base) for 18 months. As I've said in previous posts, the car had many fine points, and I will remember it as one of the more interesting and endearing cars I've owned. BUT, it was not reliable, and I consider it crude by today's standards. The S60/V70/S80 are much closer to what people want today. My S70 left me stranded three times, two required tows, one ... Read More

• to xiane

  Written by: joel2468 on Jan 25, 2001 6:34:46 AM

  I had a 1999 Base S70 loaner. It seemed OK until I started to have repeated problems with it not starting. After three times, and two tows, and dealer NOT being able to find the problem, I traded the S70 just to get away from it. I have ridden with people who have had service loaners, and they (sometimes) treat them badly. Loaners start at 0 miles, and are used during ... Read More

• S70 exhaust fumes

  Written by: ryskit on Aug 5, 2000 9:24:21 AM

  We own a 1999 S70 and notice that we are getting exhaust fumes in the cabin of the car. We've taken it to the dealer twice and they have done different things but nothing seems to fix it. Do any of you Volvo owners out there have or heard of this problem ?

• dpares rebuttal

  Written by: sunliner on Jul 31, 2000 12:31:10 PM

  Hey Steve, I echo most of what you had to say. Fit and finish is excellent and the seats are even better. The ride is stiffer than most American cars, but the handling is a touch better. Not as good as a BMW, though. Brakes are excellent on ours...I don't notice any pause. Actually, I hardly ever use the full capacity of our brakes, and I always shoot an eye toward ... Read More

• Very Uncomfortable S70

  Written by: docholliday on May 6, 2000 3:34:13 AM

  I understand your frustration and discomfort. I have had a 1999 Volvo S70 for about 11 months now and have found it to be very uncomfortable. I get a very rough ride, road and engine noise and vibration into the cabin, brake noise and windshield wiper noise during rains. Even though I have spent much time with Volvo, none of my car's comfort problems have been resolved and Volvo has left ... Read More

• Volvo ride

  Written by: joel2468 on May 5, 2000 1:50:27 PM

  I have owned an S70 1999 Base for about 10 months now, and am very pleased with the car. My initial impression of the ride was the same as yours. I have softened the ride (somewhat) by paying close attetion to the tire pressures front and rear. I have the Michelins on my car (came with the car) and I find keeping 31PSI front and 32PSI rear improves the ride considerably. ... Read More