Model year guide

1998 Volvo S90

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Volvo S90 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 22 on record.

1998 Volvo S90 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Volvo S90 at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints39
Combined18 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1998 Volvo S90 recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1998 Volvo S90.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1998 Volvo S90 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

1998 Volvo S90 safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1998 Volvo S90 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1998 Volvo S90 MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,550
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume91 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$10,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 Volvo S90 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,750
Fuel only$22,750
Per mile$0.30

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
191.7 in
Width
68.9 in
Height
55.9 in
Wheelbase
109.1 in
Curb weight
3,461 lb
Front track
59.1 in
Rear track
59.8 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1998 Volvo S90. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT Closed

NHTSA #PE99040 · Air Bags · opened Jun 1999 · closed Oct 1999

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 140

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 140.

COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADE C00009 DESCRIPTION.

Bulletin C00009 · Electronic Stability Control (esc) · Jul 2023

Rubber cushion

Bulletin TJ3656330 · Jun 2023

The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to be updated as products and repair methods evolve.

Bulletin Special Tools Bu · May 2022

ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations

Bulletin Service Manager · Equipment · May 2022

VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App

Bulletin 356EN01 · Equipment · Feb 2022

Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)

Bulletin Service Manager · Electrical System, Equipment · Feb 2022

Volvo?s Warranty Department tracks Retailer warranty spending by utilizing the Warranty Retailer Counseling Process (WRCP). The WRCP is used to gauge individual retailer performance on objective measures over time. By setting clear performance expectations and…

Bulletin SMB00-288-2021-0 · Equipment · Feb 2021

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely…

Bulletin ST-001-2020-09-1 · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Sep 2020

Battery Charger/maintainer requirement

Bulletin Service Manager · Electrical System · Jun 2020

Service Manager Bulletin: Vehicle Type and Platform Information

Bulletin SMB00-013-2020-0 · Equipment · Jun 2020

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the S90. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Volvo S90

The Volvo S90 is an executive sedan manufactured and marketed by Swedish automaker Volvo Cars from 2016. Its estate variant is called the Volvo V90.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1998 Volvo S90 trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
2.9L 6-cyl

1998 Volvo S90 vehicles on record

Other Volvo S90 model years

1998 Volvo S90 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Volvo S90 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1998 Volvo S90. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Volvo S90?

Across all 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, hydraulic, visibility.

What is the 1998 Volvo S90 safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1998 Volvo S90 crash-test ratings of frontal 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1998 Volvo S90 get?

The 1998 Volvo S90 has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.