Exterior lighting: switch
Free remedy
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.
Research · 2 NHTSA variants
1998 Volvo S-ClassRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 251 owner complaints for the 1998 Volvo S-Class. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (69) and exterior lighting (32).
Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Oct 2004
Owner complaints
251
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
Safety recalls
4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Exterior lighting: turn signal
Free remedy
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.
Air bags: frontal
Free remedy
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE OVERLY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
251 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 1997 – Sep 2018
- Service brakes, hydraulic69
- Exterior lighting32
- Electrical system30
- Engine and engine cooling21
- Structure17
- Air bags15
- Service brakes, air14
- Vehicle speed control12
- Tires11
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each S-Class model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 251 |
| 1999 | 415 |
| 2000 | 628 |
| 2001 | 322 |
| 2002 | 216 |
| 2003 | 141 |
| 2004 | 298 |
| 2005 | 140 |
| 2006 | 102 |
| 2007 | 70 |
| 2008 | 52 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 36 |
| 2011 | 15 |
| 2012 | 129 |
| 2013 | 94 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2015 | 67 |
| 2016 | 35 |
| 2017 | 26 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 8 |
- Crashes reported
- 15
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 21
- Deaths reported
- 1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Service brakes, hydraulic
69 reports1 crash
“I HAVE A 1998 VOLVO S70 WHICH HAS ABS/TRAC LIGHT PROBLEMS. I'VE BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH THIS WHERE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON AND THE ABS WILL SOMETIMES PULSATE AND IT MAKES A TERRIBLE NOISE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WHEN THE ABS INDICATOR IS ON, I DON'T HAVE ABS BRAKES. IT APPEARS FROM THE VOLVO BRICKBOARD THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY (BESIDES THE FACT THAT IT IS SCARY WHEN THE BRAKES START GOING) AND THINK VOLVO SHOULD MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. IT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE ONLY ON THIS YEAR/MAKE. *TR”
Exterior lighting
32 reports
“THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE DIM I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS WITH BRIGHTER BULBS AND THEY ARE STILL DIM I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE FOG LIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME IN ORDER TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.”
Electrical system
30 reports1 fire
“I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED DECEMBER 16 2016 KNOWING IT NEEDED A LOT OF WORK. I HAVE SINCE GOTTEN ALL THE REPAIRS DONE ON JAN 4TH 2017. I NOW NEED TO GET THE CAR EMISSION TESTED AFTER DRIVING 200 MILES THE READINESS MONITORS ARE STILL NOT SET AND HAVE SINCE REPAIRED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND STILL CAN NOT GET AN EMISSIONS TEST. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Volvo S-Class as of Nov 11, 2026.
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| 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 |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
1998 S-Class questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Volvo S-Class have?
4 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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.
What are the most common 1998 Volvo S-Class problems?
Owners filed 251 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (69), exterior lighting (32), electrical system (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026