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1998 Volvo S90 problems

The most common problem on the 1998 Volvo S90 is brakes. It has 8.3 times the complaints of a typical S90 model year.

Typical year8.3x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
25
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
133
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 1998 Volvo S90 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    9
  • Visibility
    5
  • Acceleration
    4
  • Transmission
    3
  • Body
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    9
  • Visibility
    5
  • Acceleration
    4
  • Transmission
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Electrical
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Tires
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Defect investigations

Inadvertent side air bag deploymentOpened June 7, 1999, closed October 27, 1999

PE99040

Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Volvo S90 133

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 133 bulletins for the 1998 Volvo S90

What 1998 Volvo S90 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 19, 2014 · Tires · GA

Michelin tires - pilot sport a/s sport plus- 205/55/zr16. Tire side walls are separating - this problem is know as chunking. Tires are unsafe and need to be replaced.

Filed Oct 27, 2010 · Acceleration · CA

S10 appropriate handling- letter from regarding volvo problems *tgw the consumer stated the engine would race in an erratic manner for no particular reason as high as 5,000 RPM's. Using the brake had no effect. The consumer stated he had to shift the vehicle in park to stop the vehicle. The consumer has since traded the vehicle.

Filed Mar 15, 2010 · Acceleration · 212,994 miles · GA · crash

While backing into my garage on 2/6/2010, my 1998 volvo s90 suddenly accelerated. I realized that the car was speeding and I applied the brake. Unfortunately, the car was going so fast that it crashed into a wooden platform in my garage. The platform and my car were severely damaged. The platform has been repaired; but my car was totaled (>$5000.00 in damages). I have contacted my local volvo dealer and volvo customer car and notified them of the problem.

Filed Jan 4, 2008 · Acceleration · 109,000 miles · AL · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 volvo s90. The gear shift became stuck when the contact attempted to drive the vehicle in reverse. She pressed the gear release button and placed the vehicle into reverse. The vehicle surged forward and crashed into the garage wall and then into the house. The vehicle, garage wall, and house were damaged. There were no injuries. The dealer has not been notified. The speed was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 109,000.

Filed Sep 20, 2006 · Brakes · 89,187 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated while performing a state inspection of the vehicle, it was determined the parking brake lines were worn and fractured. The parking brake lines were previously replaced for the same condition, but the problem had reoccurred. The dealer and manufacturer were notified.

Filed Mar 14, 2006 · Visibility · 50,000 miles · SC

1988 volvo s90 sunroof has broken down repeatedly since it was new. It would typically work approximately a few times then malfunction unexpectedly with broken pieces raining down upon the heads of the front occupants, posing a danger to driving. After the malfunction it would then not be operable at all, posing a threat to weather damage, theft, etc. After repairing it several times, both the dealer (dick dyer volvo of columbia, sc) and volvo refused to fix it any more under warranty, even when the vehicle was exactly at 50,000 miles and less than 1 year old. Both the dealer and volvo claimed the warranty was good up to, but not including, 50,000 miles.

Filed Sep 1, 2005 · Transmission · GA

I am the owner of a 1998 volvo s90 with 69,000 miles. The etm unit on the car has failed. I did some research on it and found that it is a known problem with that car. It causes the transmission to act erratically. My mechanic has told me that even if I change it , it will fail again in a short while because it has a bad design. I have contacted volvo about it, and they refuse to do anything about it. I just want to have this complaint registered in case volvo is made to correct this through some lawsuit or other.

Filed Sep 7, 2004 · Visibility · 50,000 miles · FL

The sun roof struts failed intermittently when trying to open/close the sun roof. The dealership repaired the problem once, but the consumer is still having the same problems.

Filed Oct 24, 2003 · Electrical, Steering · 48,699 miles · VA

Transmission shifter sticks constantly. Currently, it sticks in park. Vehicle towed to the dealer. *ak noises coming from steering. Gear shift did not release, washers are inoperable, key sticks in ignition.*ts also the power steering rack and antenna were replaced.

Filed Mar 24, 2003 · Visibility · CA

The sunroof track panel assembly separated while the sunroof was lifted open. Dealer notified.

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Questions about the 1998 Volvo S90

Is the 1998 Volvo S90 reliable?

Owners have filed 25 complaints about the 1998 Volvo S90, 8.3 times a typical S90 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Volvo S90?

Brakes, with 9 complaints. Next is visibility (5).

How many recalls does the 1998 Volvo S90 have?

No recalls on record.

Is there a class action lawsuit over the Volvo S90?

Yes. New class action says Volvo's Google-based infotainment screens freeze and take climate and rearview camera with them (November 9, 2026).

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