Hi Marc,

I am not sure if someone from CR has posted here before but if this is your first time, welcome.

I have monitored this board ever since we got our first S70 in 1998. As a CR subscriber I am aware that CR's reliability ratings on autos are based on survey/feedback from hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of subscribers such as myself. A reliability rating of below average mean that the chances of getting a problem car increases. This means that SOME owners of a particular model rated below average MIGHT NOT experience problems. Similarly, SOME owners of a particular model rated above average COULD experience problems. Someone saying that even Lexus owners have problems is not accurate to point out that these are the MINORITY of Lexus owners.

What is interesting is that the problems commonly posted on this board have happened to either one or both our S70s: (1) rapid flashing front directionals, (2) door lock(s) not working, (3) bubbling door panels, and (3) headlight bulbs burned out. I originally thought that these problems reflected the MINORITY of Volvo owners and would not happen to us. Guess again.

Don't get me wrong, we like our S70s. It is one of the safer (if not one of the safest) places to be in while travelling on the road. Like you, I am trying to be objective in discussing reliability. The minor problems we had have been fixed under warranty and so far so good. We regularly maintain our cars as we tend to keep them for a while. We are hoping that the newer Volvo models (including our S70s) will prove to be as 'durable' as the 240 and older models.

Cheers,

Brian M.

1998 S70GLT, 1998 S70A, 1991 Maxima SE