Volvo 900 Series Recall R/1998/023: Loss Of Brake Servo Assistance, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 15 Apr 1998
- Launched
- 8,502
- vehicles in the UK
- R/1998/023
- DVSA reference
Volvo recalled 900 Series vehicles built between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 1997. Heat transmitted from the turbocharger may adversely affect the rubber membrane in the brake servo unit. The recall notice describes the fix as: the affected vehicles are being recalled for replacement of the brake servo unit and the installation of a heat shield between the servo unit and the turbocharger. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Heat transmitted from the turbocharger may adversely affect the rubber membrane in the brake servo unit. This could result in loss of brake vacuum assistance and increase the pedal effort and stopping distance when the brakes are applied.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: LOSS OF BRAKE SERVO ASSISTANCE Defect: Heat transmitted from the turbocharger may adversely affect the rubber membrane in the brake servo unit. This could result in loss of brake vacuum assistance and increase the pedal effort and stopping distance when the brakes are applied. Remedy: The affected vehicles are being recalled for replacement of the brake servo unit and the installation of a heat shield between the servo unit and the turbocharger.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could result in loss of brake vacuum assistance and increase the pedal effort and stopping distance when the brakes are applied.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: the affected vehicles are being recalled for replacement of the brake servo unit and the installation of a heat shield between the servo unit and the turbocharger.
Are You Affected?
900 Series built between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 1997 may be included. Volvo estimates 8,502 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Volvo, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Volvo.
- Book with any franchised Volvo dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/1998/023. See how to get a Volvo recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 700 Series, 800 Series, 900 Series, S40 and 6 moreDetachable tow bar may work loose | Low | R/2003/008 | |
| 700 Series, 800 Series, 900 Series, S40 and 6 moreDetachable tow bar may work loose | Low | R/2002/097 | |
| 900 SeriesPossible jamming of throttle | Low | R/1993/033 | |
| C40, S90, V60, V90 and 3 moreSafety Notice | Urgent | R/2025/211 | |
| S60, S90, V60, V90 and 3 morePush Road | Urgent | R/2024/446 |
This is one of 175 Volvo recalls in DVSA’s data. The Volvo recall launched before it was R/1996/099 on 25 Oct 1996, for possibility of throttle sticking. The one launched after it was R/1999/040 on 19 May 1999, for possibility of an electrical short circuit. You can also see every Volvo recall, all recalls launched in 1998 and brake recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/1998/023, launched 15 April 1998. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.