This seems to be a common issue - the hood release from the car interior won't release the hood. If I have someone in the vehicle pulling the release, I can then pop the hood, but if I pull the release, then go out to pop the hood, no dice. Because of the scenario -it leads me to think that the spriings need some attention (if there are any) - shouldn't they pop the hood slightly up when the interior release lever is pulled, disengaging the catches (driver and passenger side)? The fact that if someone pulls the release and I pull the hood open indicates that the releases function fine... I realize that there are some band-aide fixes that I could employ (ie a block of wood to hold the interior release lever in the open position while i pop the hood), but i'd rather see which mechanism is at fault and address that rather than tote around a block of wood...

Same problem here. Just got this S70 (1998). I also have noticed that the secondary latch (plastic) is loose and unconnected on one side. I don't think this compounds the problem but points to a possible Volvo problem in the whole mechanism.

Took my V70 to the dealer for the same thing. He explained that both side latches need to be properly aligned in order to both release at the same time. He did mine for free. Adequate lubrication will always help too.