NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 31 owner complaints for the 1999 Volvo C-Class. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (9) and electrical system (6).
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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”
“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 REGIONAL MANAGER INDICATED THAT THE CAR COULD NOT BE FIXED AND THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE LABOR AND THE PARTS. THEY ARE OFFERING TO GIVE ME A DISCOUNT ON THE REPAIRS BUT I FEEL THEY NEED TO…”
“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.”
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (9), electrical system (6), engine and engine cooling (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.