1998 VOLVO V70 Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLVO V70. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-60 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED. THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THE BRAKES MADE A GRINDING NOISE, ALTHOUGH THEY WERE NOT APPLIED. THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED NORMALLY. THE ABS CONTROL UNIT (PART NUMBER 860266) WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CEASED FOR 30,000 MILES BEFORE IT RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Mileage: 22,000

ABS / TRAC LIGHTS INTERMITTENT FAILURE, CAUSING OCCASIONAL LOSS OF BRAKING FOR 1-2 SECONDS. *JB

Mileage: 120,000

THE ABS / TRACTION CONTROL UNIT ON THESE CARS FAIL IN UNREASONABLY HIGH NUMBERS. IT'S SUCH A BIG BUSINESS, THAT MECHANICS SELL THOUSANDS OF REFURBISHED UNITS ON EBAY. VOLVO CHARGES OVER $700 FOR THE PARTS, AND IS AVOIDING REPAIRING THIS ITEM BECAUSE I'M SURE SOME ACTUARY TOLD THEM IT'S CHEAPER TO PAY CLAIMS AND DEFEND LAWSUITS THAN TO PROTECT THEIR CUSTOMERS. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED AN ACCIDENT OR CRASH AS A RESULT, BUT I'M SURE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PADS AND CALIPERS CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE ROTORS. THE REAR PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE FRONT PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED TWICE. PRIOR TO EACH REPLACEMENT, THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD SQUEAKING SOUND AND THE FRONT AND REAR END SHOOK WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. CURRENTLY THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE AND THE FRONT END SHOOK WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED.

Mileage: 80,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PADS AND CALIPERS CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE ROTORS. THE REAR PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE FRONT PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED TWICE. PRIOR TO EACH REPLACEMENT, THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD SQUEAKING SOUND AND THE FRONT AND REAR END SHOOK WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. CURRENTLY THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE AND THE FRONT END SHOOK WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED.

Mileage: 80,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PADS AND CALIPERS CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE ROTORS. THE REAR PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE FRONT PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED TWICE. PRIOR TO EACH REPLACEMENT, THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD SQUEAKING SOUND AND THE FRONT AND REAR END SHOOK WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. CURRENTLY THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE AND THE FRONT END SHOOK WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED.

Mileage: 80,000

THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED DURING A PANIC STOP, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP AND THE CAR TO SKID UNCONTROLLABLY INTO THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. FORTUNATELY IT DID NOT RESULT IN ANY SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. *AK THERE HAD BEEN NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON AFTER THE INCIDENT AND HAD NOT BEEN ON PREVIOUSLY. THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. UPON DISCUSSIONS WITH THE TECHNICIAN, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE WITH THESE MODELS AND IT LEAVES THE THE ABS SYSTEM COMPLETELY DISABLED WHEN IT OCCURS. AS MY INCIDENT SHOWS, THIS FAILURE CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE THE DRIVER IS RELYING ON THE ABS SYSTEM AND INSTEAD HAS THE BRAKES LOCK UP CAUSING AN UNCONTROLLABLE SKID. IN ADDITION TO THIS INCIDENT, THE TECHNICIAN ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE MODULE HAD ALREADY FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED PREVIOUSLY AT 31K MILES. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT THAT IS VERY COMMON AND WILL CAUSE UNSUSPECTING DRIVERS TO SUDDENLY LOSE CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLES IN A PANIC STOP SITUATION.

Mileage: 82,000

AT ONLY 70,000 MILES MY ABS UNIT FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM THAT THE DEALER AGREED TO PAY HALF. VOLVO SHOULD REPLACE THIS CRITICAL SAFETY COMPONET ON EVERY VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. *JB

THE VOLVO ABS / TRAC CONTROL MODULE IS FAILING AT AN ABNORMALLY HIGH RATE. LOCAL DEALERSHIP REPLACES IN EXCESS OF 5 OF THESE PER MONTH. VOLVO CORPORATE OFFICE WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEM WITH THIS SAFETY DEVICE, AND OTHERWISE REFUSES TO DISCUSS THE HIGH RATE OF FAILURES. OTHER RESEARCH, INCLUDING A HIGH DEMAND FOR NON-DEALER ACQUIRED ABS COMPUTER MODULES IN THE AFTERMARKET INDUSTRY STRONGLY SUGGESTS THAT THOSE UNITS INSTALLED IN VEHICLES ARE FAILING AT AN ABNORMALLY HIGH RATE. IN MY 1998 V70 WAGON THE ABS & TRAC OFF INDICATORS (WARNING LAMPS) RANDOMLY LIGHT. AS A RESULT THE SAFETY OFFERED BY THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM BECOMES DISABLED OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME. EVERY POTENTIAL CAUSE HAS BEEN RULED OUT EXCEPT FOR THE ABS COMPUTER MODULE (ABS / TRAC CONTROL MODULE). THIS SAFETY ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE NHTSA DUE TO THE IMPENDING RISK TO LIFE THAT CONTINUED FAILURES OF THIS SAFETY DEVICE WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BRING.

Mileage: 74,000

WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. BOTH LIGHTS STAYED FOR THE DURATION OF TRAVEL. *AK *JB *NM

Mileage: 49,000

ABS MODULE FAILED. ABS AND TRACKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON/OFF. *AK

Mileage: 129,900

ANTI LOCK BRAKES CONTROL UNIT FAILED. A LIGHT INDICATED THAT THE ABS BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING, BUT THE CONSUMER HEARD AND FELT THE ABS BRAKES WERE WORKING WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. *AK

Mileage: 55,000

ANTI LOCK BRAKES CONTROL UNIT FAILED. A LIGHT INDICATED THAT THE ABS BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING, BUT THE CONSUMER HEARD AND FELT THE ABS BRAKES WERE WORKING WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. *AK

Mileage: 55,000

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE AIR MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND CODES WERE NOT CORRECT. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS THE COMPUTER CHIP ON THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. VOLVO WOULDN'T REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. *SCC *JB

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES NOT FUNCTIONING. CAUSE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A DEFECTIVE ABS/TRACS MODULE, A KNOWN WEAK SPOT ON 1998 MODEL VOLVO S/V/C 70 SERIES.*AK

Mileage: 62,500

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. BRAKING POWER HESITATED, WHICH CAUSED THE TO HAVE NO BRAKES.*AK THE BRAKES ACTIVATED WITHOUT DRIVER APPLICATION. YET, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THERE WAS A DELAY IN BRAKING. *PH *JB

Mileage: 55,000

1998 VOLVO - (V70 AND OTHERS) ABS/TRAC CONTROL MODULE FAILS WITH 64,000 MILES ON CAR. SYMPTOMS ARE INTERMITTENT WARNING LIGHTS. WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ACCORDING TO DEALER AND OTHER OWNERS (SEE WWW.BRICKBOARD.COM) REPAIR IS NEARLY $700. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SINCE ABS AND TRAC DO NOT WORK WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON AND MODULE FAILS.*AK

ABS / TRACTION CONTROL MODULE FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY ISSUE WITH VOLVOS. ACCORDING TO MY SERVICE WRITER AT THE VOLVO THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. THE REPAIR IS ALSO NOT CHEAP AT APPROX. $650.00. EXCLUDED IN THE VOLVO INCREASED PROTECTION (VIP) "LIMITED" EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK

Mileage: 45,000

DEFECTIVE ABS COMPUTER MODULE. *NLM

Mileage: 77,500

FAILURE OF ABS CONTROL MODULE. 1998 VOLVO V70. INTERMITTENT AND PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKES, USUALLY (NOT ALWAYS) WHEN GOING OVER BUMP. SOMETIMES BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST GOES TO FLOOR BEFORE ENGAGING. THE PROBLEM STARTED SPORADICALLY ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO (ABS FAULT LIGHT WITH NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEM). SEVERAL VISITS TO DEALER, BUT NO REMEDY. ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO, PROBLEM BECAME MORE SEVERE WITH ACTUAL LOSS OF BRAKES OCCURRING. IT SEEMS FROM NEWSGROUPS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR VOLVO, SO I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS A ISOLATED INCIDENT. *NLM

Mileage: 25,000

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED WITH LESS THAN 35K MILES IN FEB 2002. PROBLEM WAS A FROZEN RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER AND A FAULTY RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WHICH ENGAGES THE ABS UNNECESSARILY/RANDOMLY. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN FOR ABOUT A YEAR AFTER OWNING THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE APPEARS TO BE QUITE COMMON BECAUSE HE HAS SEEN IT IN MANY OF THE SAME CARS. THE PART THAT IS USED TO REPLACE IT IS ALSO A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT VOLVO IS MOST LIKELY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS WELL BUT HAVE NEVER ISSUED A RECALL. THERE WERE MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SUCH AS BAROMETRIC PRESSURE SENSOR FAILURE, UPPER MOTOR MOUNT REQUIRING REPLACING, AC SENSOR FAILURE, WHEEL BEARING, ETC. ALL WITHIN THE PERIOD OF 1 YEAR BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS AFFECTED THE SAFETY/BRAKING OF THE CAR SO I DO NOT CONSIDER THAT TRULY DANGEROUS. THOSE ISSUES INVOLVE AGGRAVATION AND MONEY, NOT SAFETY. *NLM

Mileage: 45,000

ABS/ TRACTION COMPUTER FAILURE, PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE, SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FALSELY (VOLVO V 70 AWD CROSS COUNTRY). *NLM

Mileage: 85,000

I HAVE A 1998 VOLVO V70R AWD AND BOTH THE ABS/TRAC WARNING LIGHTS HAD BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS. THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN GO OFF. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAVE NOW HAD THE CONTROL UNIT REPLACED. THE COST TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT WAS APPROXIMATELY $563.60. *JB

Mileage: 86,000

ABS MODULE FAILURE LOOKING AT A FEW VOLVO ON LINE BOARDS THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AN ISOLATED CASE SO MUCH FOR THE "SAFTY" CAR COMPANY. DT

THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ON SEVERAL MODELS OF VOLVO INCLUDING THE V70 HAS A TERRIBLE TRACK RECORD. WHEN IT FAILS THE CAR IS WITHOUT ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL, MAKING THE CAR MUCH LESS SAFE. WHEN REPLACING MINE AT THE DEALERSHIP (ALMOST A THOUSAND DOLLARS) I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T KEEP THE REPLACEMENTS IN STOCK BECAUSE SO MANY WERE FAILING, AND THAT THE PART HAD BEEN REDESIGNED AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURES. I WOULD LIKE VOLVO TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS FAULTY PART SO THAT OWNERS CAN HAVE THEM REPLACED FOR FREE BEFORE THEIR BRAKES FAIL IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. DT

ABS CONTROL MODULE IS CRACKED. I HAVE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. ABS SYSTEM IS NOT OPERABLE UNTIL ECU IS REPLACED. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM (ABS LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY). DT

AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION, FOLLOWED BY ABS/TRACS WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON. THE ABS NO LONGER WORKS AFTER THIS OCCURS. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENLY AT FIRST, BUT ON A CONSTANT BASIS NOW. MR

ABS / TRACTION CONTROL MODULE FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY ISSUE WITH VOLVOS. MY MECHANIC FROM PRO VOLVO (TELE# 732-303-0770)CLAIMS HE CHANGES 2 ABS MODULES EVERY WEEK. THE DEALERSHIP EVEN STOCKS 14 OF THESE MODULES IN ITS INVENTORY. THE REPAIR IS ALSO NOT CHEAP AT APPROX. $650.00. MR

ABS MODULE FAILED. IT IS APPARENTLY A COMMON SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR VOLVO.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABS/ TRACKING LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON DASHBOARD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

BOTH REAR ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES IN ONE YEAR DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. STARTING WITH THE 2000 MODELS VOLVO CHANGED TO LARGER ROTORS.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

ABS ANF TRACKING SYSTEM OFF WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. SOMETIMES AT STARTUP, WHILE DRIVING OR BRAKING. DEALER HAS SERVICED SYSTEM WITH NEW SENSORS AND RESETTING COMPUTER WITH NO SUCCESS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THEY SAY IT ISN'T IMPORTANT.*AK

ABS ANF TRACKING SYSTEM OFF WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. SOMETIMES AT STARTUP, WHILE DRIVING OR BRAKING. DEALER HAS SERVICED SYSTEM WITH NEW SENSORS AND RESETTING COMPUTER WITH NO SUCCESS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THEY SAY IT ISN'T IMPORTANT.*AK

THE REAR BRAKES REQUIRED REPLACEMENT PADS AT 19,000 MILES. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THAT THE NEXT MODEL YEAR HAD A REDESIGNED REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY. THE TIRES WERE WORN AT 23,000 MILES.( DOT NUMBER: )

THE REAR BRAKES REQUIRED REPLACEMENT PADS AT 19,000 MILES. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THAT THE NEXT MODEL YEAR HAD A REDESIGNED REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY. THE TIRES WERE WORN AT 23,000 MILES.( DOT NUMBER: )

BRAKE ROTORS WARP. HAVE BEEN REPLACE 4 TIMES UNDER WARRENTEE. PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED. THEY JUST REPLACE THE PARTS WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH, STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL, BRAKES DID NOT ACTIVATE. *AK

COMPLETELY WORN BRAKE PADS AFTER ONLY 14K MILES.

THE ROTORS WARPED IN LESS THAN 23,000 MILES SEE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED FROM THE INTERNET MULTIPLE INSTANCES REPORTED BY OTHERS AS WELL.

SAFETY CONCERNS AFTER PURCHASE OF NEW VEHICLE. MANY OTHER PROBLEMS. NO SAFET DEFECTS MENTIONED IN THE SUMMARY.

BRAKE PADS FAILED. NLM

THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK ON AN INCLINE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. EMERGENCY BRAKES HAD TO BE USED TO STOP. DEALER SAYS IT'S NORMAL. *ML