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1999 Volvo S70

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 S70.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1999 Volvo S70 is a passenger car that sits on Volvo’s well‑regarded platform, requiring 5.8 qt of engine oil and accepting 5W‑30 or 10W‑30 API‑rated viscosities. In that model year, owners filed 218 complaints, with vehicle speed control issues topping the list, and the model was subject to four recalls. Looking at the broader 1995‑2002 complaint trend, the S70’s 1999 year falls well below the peak of 249 complaints in 1998 and far above the low of just two complaints in 1995, indicating a moderate reliability standing for researchers assessing long‑term durability.

Model year2000 1999 1998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.8 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque81 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 520 CCA battery, OE oil filter 3517857. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 520 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	3517857
Engine air filter	9186262
Fuel filter	30671182
Battery	9459947 alt 9459948
Front wiper blades	31276592 discontinued
Serpentine belt	9458376 alt 9458469
Thermostat	271664 alt 6842214
Cabin air filter	9171296

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	185.8 in
Overall width	69.3 in
Overall height	56.7 in
Wheelbase	105.1 in
Curb weight	3450 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.8 / 57.9 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the S70 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 1998 T5 Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1998	T5 Sedan 2.3L Turbo I-5	6.40 sec	14.90 sec	236 hp	FWD
2000	GLT Sedan 2.4L Turbo I-5	7.50 sec	15.80 sec	190 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.8 qt of 5W-30 / 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 81 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-4-5-3.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	5.8 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	5.8 qt
Power Steering Fluid	SYNTHETIC

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	13 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	13 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	81 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	27.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	27.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-4-5-3
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	Turbo: 850 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	Turbo: 50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	Ex. Turbo: 850 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	Ex. Turbo: 50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	0.5-1.5 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	8000-9000 ohms
Spark Plug Gap	0.020-0.030 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	Cold market vehicles, 1.818; warm market vehicles, 1.653. Refer to decal on lefthand suspension tower to determine vehicles market type. lbs
Oil Type	Volvo Part No. 11 61 407-0, or equivalent.
Oil Capacity	6.76 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	520 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	520 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	22 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	189-194 °F
RPM	43.0 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure	14.5 psi @ 750 rpm, 50.76 psi @ 4000

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	75 ft-lbs / 45 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.118; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0003 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0014 in / 0.0019 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.024 in / 0.378 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.024 in / 0.378 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.937 in / 0.35 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

15 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

33 ft. lbs., Step 2: 65

33 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Radio Antenna (clean) · Weatherstrip Seal (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Headlamp (inspect alignment) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (inspect) · PCV Hose (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Engine Breather Filter (inspect) · PCV Hose (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 mi	Fuel Filter (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record traces a distinct arc for this generation: negligible early activity through 1997, a sharp inflection in 1998 peaking at 249 complaints and 4 recalls, followed by a gradual descent through production end. The 1999 model sits immediately post-peak, registering 218 complaints—a modest decrease from 1998 yet still nearly matching that year's 4 recalls while actually exceeding its investigation count (5 versus 3). Relative to 2000, the 1999 carries comparable recall exposure but higher complaint volume (218 versus 188) and investigation activity, placing it within the generation's highest-risk period despite the slight downward trend. Federal filings for this specific year cite Vehicle Speed Control (52 incidents) and Electrical System (30 incidents) as dominant complaint categories, alongside 13 crash-related and 2 fire-related complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. Given that 1999 represents only a marginal improvement over the 1998 peak and remains significantly elevated above 2000 and 2002 levels, it constitutes a moderate-risk purchase requiring diligent pre-purchase verification of speed control and electrical functions rather than representing the generation's optimal choice.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

196

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

218

Owner complaints

13 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’95 ’97 ’98’99’00 ’02

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 218 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Vehicle Speed Control52

Electrical System30

Engine & Engine Cooling24

Fuel System, Gasoline15

Structure15

Air Bags9

Exterior Lighting6

Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06V441000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 15/11/2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

00V405000Exterior Lighting:Turn SignalReported 06/12/2000

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. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 196 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
C00009	2023-07-21	Unknown Or Other	COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADE C00009 DESCRIPTION.
TJ3656330	2023-06-12	Unknown Or Other	Rubber cushion
Special Tools Bu	2022-05-12	Unknown Or Other	The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to…
Service Manager	2022-05-06	Equipment	ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations
356EN01	2022-02-09	Equipment	VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific S70. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 5.8 qt Engine oil filter 3517857 Engine air filter 9186262 Fuel filter 30671182 Battery 9459947

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1999 S70 take?

5.8 qt of BELOW 86 degrees F: 5W-30 API, -4 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 S70 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.