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Research · Small Station Wagons

1998 Volvo V90Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints for the 1998 Volvo V90. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (2) and structure (2). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
10
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1998 Volvo V90 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

10 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 1999 – Aug 2007
  1. Exterior lighting2
  2. Structure2
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  4. Parking brake1
  5. Seat belts1
  6. Steering1
  7. Power train1
  8. Air bags1
  9. Visibility1

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 V90 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199810
20182
20191
20201
20211
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

2 reports
“THE HEADLIGHTS CEASED OPERATING ON MY 1998 VOLVO V90. AFTER CHECKING FOR FAULTY BULBS AND FUSES, I FOUND NHTSA SAFETY RECALL # 04V504000 FOR 1998 VOLVOS OF THE S70/VIA/C70 SERIES. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE OF MY HEADLIGHTS TO OPERATE. THE DEALER FOUND THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO BE FAULTY AND REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. V90S ARE NOT CURRENTLY COVERED BY MENTIONED RECALL. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2007Exterior lightingODI 10199982

Structure

2 reports
“REPEATED FAILURE OF SUNROOF "RAILS." *LA”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2003StructureODI 10043479

Service brakes, hydraulic

2 reports
“THIS CAR IS REALLY DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NO ALARM OR WARNING LIGHT WHEN DOOR IS AJAR. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2001Steering, Service brakes, hydraulic, Power train, StructureODI 743774
All 1998 V90 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
2.9L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
V90
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162318$4,300494
  • V90
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.9 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Volvo V90 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

1998 V90 questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Volvo V90 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 1998 Volvo V90 problems?

Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (2), structure (2), service brakes, hydraulic (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Volvo V90 get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Volvo V90 at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026