NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
36 reportsClear category filter147,021 miles · Jul 10, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
PURCHASED USED S60 IN NOVEMBER 2011 WITH 137,000 MILES. A FEW WEEKS LATER VARIOUS PROBLEMS MANIFESTED: SCRAMBLED LETTERS IN DASHBOARD MESSAGE, DRIVER DOOR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY WORKED, RADIO SELF TUNED TO DIFFERENT STATION, SPEEDOMETER GIVING FALSE READINGS OR STUCK AT CURRENT SPEED OR READING ZERO, FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION, ALL I…
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PURCHASED USED S60 IN NOVEMBER 2011 WITH 137,000 MILES. A FEW WEEKS LATER VARIOUS PROBLEMS MANIFESTED: SCRAMBLED LETTERS IN DASHBOARD MESSAGE, DRIVER DOOR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY WORKED, RADIO SELF TUNED TO DIFFERENT STATION, SPEEDOMETER GIVING FALSE READINGS OR STUCK AT CURRENT SPEED OR READING ZERO, FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION, ALL INSTRUMENTS ON PANEL FLICKERED, ALL INSTRUMENTS WENT "DARK" WHILE DRIVING. AT FIRST RESTARTING CAR WOULD CLEAR PROBLEM. THEN FREQUENCY BETWEEN FAILURES INCREASED. JUST BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE - CAR NEEDED TO BE "COLD" FOR INSTRUMENTS TO WORK - WITH INSTRUMENTS FAILING ONCE ENGINE WARMED. FINALLY IN FEBRUARY 2012 AT ABOUT 147,021 MILES THE PANEL COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE DRIVING - GIVING DRIVER NO READINGS (SPEED, FUEL, TEMP, MILEAGE, OR WARNING INDICATORS) AND WOULD NOT RESET. INTERNET FORUMS OF VOLVO OWNERS SUGGESTED IT WAS A DRIVER INFORMATION MODULE FAILURE. OWNERS FORUMS PINPOINTED 3 PROBABLE CAUSES OF A DIM FAILURE - 1. LOOSE CONNECTION OF THE MOTOROLA MICROCHIP, 2. LOOSE CAPACITOR/RESISTOR 3. LACK OF PROTECTION FROM HEAT/HEAT TRANSFER TO INDIVIDUAL PRONGS IN MICROCHIP OR BETWEEN CAPACITOR/RESISTOR AND THE CIRCUIT BOARD. SOME ELECTRICALLY SAVVY OWNERS FIXED BY REFLOWING/RESOLDERING/HEAT PROTECTING SAID COMPONENTS. OUR LOCAL VOLVO DEALER CONFIRMED DIM FAILURE AND QUOTED APROX. $1500 FOR A NEW INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND 3 HRS. LABOR. WE CHOSE TO SEND DIM/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OUT FOR A REFURBISHMENT TO BAA REMANUFACTURING INC. ON REINSTALLATION WARNING MESSAGE READ "SRA/AIRBAG-SERVICE URGENT". ASKED DEALER TO CLEAR DIM CODE FIRST, THEN FROM SRS MODULE PER BAA-REMAN INSTRUCTIONS. DEALER JOB DESCRIPTION/RECEIPT STATED THEY CLEARED CODES DIM 0001, 0003, 0005, 0006, E003, SRS 00D4, E003. NO PROBLEMS WITH LOCKS/RADIO/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SINCE REMANUFACTURE IN THE LAST 10,000 MILES/5 MONTHS. VOLVO'S ORIGINAL DIM CIRCUIT BOARD POORLY DESIGNED/ASSEMBLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464832
80,000 miles · Jul 1, 2012
Electrical System
ELECTRICAL PANEL FAILS (GAS GAUGE SAYS EMPTY), PASSENGER AND REAR DOOR LOCKS, FUEL DOOR, AND TRUNK OPENING ALSO FAILS. INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AS CANNOT OPEN THE DOORS UNLESS PULLING THE DOOR LOCK UP MANUALLY FROM INSIDE THE CAR SO THEREFORE CAN'T GET TO CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT WITHOUT CRAWLING THROUGH THE FRONT SEAT AND MANUALLY …
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ELECTRICAL PANEL FAILS (GAS GAUGE SAYS EMPTY), PASSENGER AND REAR DOOR LOCKS, FUEL DOOR, AND TRUNK OPENING ALSO FAILS. INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AS CANNOT OPEN THE DOORS UNLESS PULLING THE DOOR LOCK UP MANUALLY FROM INSIDE THE CAR SO THEREFORE CAN'T GET TO CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT WITHOUT CRAWLING THROUGH THE FRONT SEAT AND MANUALLY UNLOCKING THEIR DOOR. HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE CAR BECAUSE GAS GAUGE FAILS AND CANNOT GET FUEL DOOR TO OPEN CONSITENTLY MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO REFUEL. CAR ALARM WENT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND COULD NOT OPEN THE CAR DOORS TO TURN IT OFF BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND THEREFORE BATTERY DRAINED. IT IS REALLY DANGEROUS TO NOT BE ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR DOORS. A CHILD COULD GET TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE OR SOMEONE COULD GET INTO THE CAR FOR FEAR OF LOCKING DOORS AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THEM UNLOCKED. THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET -REAR ELECTRICAL MODULE FAILURE AND VOLVO NEEDS TO ADDRESS AS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463910
145,821 miles · Nov 4, 2011
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (KNOWN AS DRIVER INFORMATION MODULE) COMPLETELY DIED WHILE DRIVING. CHECKED VOLVO FORUMS ONLINE AND SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. REPLACEMENT IS THE ONLY OPTION. $1500. MANY PEOPLE ARE DRIVING WITHOUT KNOWING THEIR SPEED OR FUEL LEVEL. ME INCLUDED. CAN'T AFFORD $1500 REPAIR BILL. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL I…
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (KNOWN AS DRIVER INFORMATION MODULE) COMPLETELY DIED WHILE DRIVING. CHECKED VOLVO FORUMS ONLINE AND SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. REPLACEMENT IS THE ONLY OPTION. $1500. MANY PEOPLE ARE DRIVING WITHOUT KNOWING THEIR SPEED OR FUEL LEVEL. ME INCLUDED. CAN'T AFFORD $1500 REPAIR BILL. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10434247
152,000 miles · Sep 6, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A RANDOM GAUGE WOULD FAIL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INCLUDING THE FUEL GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
NHTSA ODI #10423960
57,500 miles · Aug 30, 2011
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train
VOLVOS-60 24T TOOK CAR TO DEALER BILL GRAY VOLVO FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH AIR BAG PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM INOPERABLE AND DEALER REFUSES TO CORRECT PROBLEM OR TO EVEN ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10422584
130,400 miles · Feb 28, 2011
Electrical System
VIN: [XXX]. WHILE STARTING THE CAR THE LAST WEEK THE "ENGINE CHECK AND SERVICE ENGINE " WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP. I HAD IT CHECKED AND FOUND OUT THE ETM (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE) IS FAULTY. CALLED VOLVO USA AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEY TOLD ME MY CAR, WHICH IS A TURBO, IS NOT PART OF THEIR RECALL. IF THIS TYPE OF PR…
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VIN: [XXX]. WHILE STARTING THE CAR THE LAST WEEK THE "ENGINE CHECK AND SERVICE ENGINE " WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP. I HAD IT CHECKED AND FOUND OUT THE ETM (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE) IS FAULTY. CALLED VOLVO USA AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEY TOLD ME MY CAR, WHICH IS A TURBO, IS NOT PART OF THEIR RECALL. IF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM IS COMMON TO 360,000 VOLVOS AND WARRANTY EXTENDED TO 200,00 MILES OR 10 YEARS WHY THEN ARE THEY (VOLVO) REFUSING TO FIX MY ETM PROBLEM. SINCE MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ETM MALFUNCTION, PRIOR TO THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRES, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY CAR BE PART OF THE VOLVO RECALL BEFORE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCE HAPPENS. SO FAR NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE WITH THE PROBLEM. THE WARNING LIGHT "ENGINE CHECKS AND SERVICE ENGINE" CONTINUE TO LIT UP UNINTERRUPTED WHENEVER THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10384859
115,000 miles · Feb 7, 2011
Electrical System
ON A 2002 VOLVO S60, THE DRIVER'S INFORMATION MODULE INTERMITTENTLY BLANKS OUT RENDERING THE VEHICLE WITH NO SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE. THE SPEEDOMETER (AND WHOLE MODULE) MIGHT NOT WORK FOR DAYS. *LN
NHTSA ODI #10380976
90,000 miles · Oct 14, 2010
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S60. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO LIMP HOME MODE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY MOVE 5 MPH. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT; IT PERFORMED CORRECTLY AFTER THE RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THRE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S60. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO LIMP HOME MODE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY MOVE 5 MPH. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT; IT PERFORMED CORRECTLY AFTER THE RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE TIMES WHERE THE SOFTWARE AS UPDATE AND THE THROTTLE MODULAR AND MASS AIR FLOWS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
NHTSA ODI #10360469
152,000 miles · Oct 8, 2010
Electrical SystemEquipment
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED WHEN IT SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD ONLY BLOW OUTSIDE AIR INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE COMPRESSOR AND RECEIVER DRYER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED WHEN IT SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD ONLY BLOW OUTSIDE AIR INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE COMPRESSOR AND RECEIVER DRYER WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ UPDATED 5/24/11 *CN
NHTSA ODI #10359672
162,000 miles · Jul 22, 2010
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 TO 50 MPH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED THE ENGINE ON AND OFF AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THE REPAIR COST WOULD …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 TO 50 MPH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED THE ENGINE ON AND OFF AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE OVER $1000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 162,000.
NHTSA ODI #10344791
Official recalls
8Sep 30, 2021
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2006 S80 and 2001-2009 S60 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10125.
Nov 4, 2020
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2003 S80 and S60 vehicles sold or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The driver side frontal air bag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments into the passage compartment, when the driver side air bag is deployed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10058.
Nov 8, 2010
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Dec 18, 2009
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 S80, MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 V70, S60, XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES SOLD IN OR REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, UTAH, VIRGINIA AND THE U.S. TERRITORIES. WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (HOT CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE CYCLING) OVER TIME AND IN COMBINATION WITH VARYING FUEL QUALITY, THE FUEL PUMP CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE CONDITION OCCURS VEHICLE OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Apr 5, 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA, DUE TO THE COMBINATION OF FUEL QUALITY AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS, THE FUEL PUMP MAY, IN CERTAIN CASES, EXPERIENCE A REDUCED FUNCTIONALITY. THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS WOULD BE FUEL ODOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Nov 15, 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 LIMP HOME MODES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
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.
Aug 21, 2003
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE TIRE PRESSURE LABEL IS INCORRECT. THESE VEHICLES DID NOT HAVE THE "MAX LOAD VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT" INFORMATION ON THE LABEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECTED LABEL. IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Aug 1, 2003
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF THE GUIDE, IT WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA05021 · Throttle Control Malfunction
Opened Dec 6, 2005 · Closed Dec 12, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
ON NOVEMBER 14, 2006 VOLVO SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING ETM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2001 VOLVO MODELS (NOT INCLUDING THE S40 AND V40), MY 2002 S60 AND V70 WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINES AND MY 2002 V70S.ACCORDING TO VOLVO, ?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 LIMP HOME MODES.VOLVO FURTHER STATED THAT,THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES GOING INTO LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.?VOLVO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE MOST SEVERE CONSEQUENCE OF AN ETM FAULT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE RECALL REMEDY IS A SOFTWARE UPGRADE INTRODUCED BY VOLVO ON MARCH 16, 2006 IN A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM.AT THE TIME OF THE NOTIFICATION 161,202 VEHICLES OF THE POPULATION OF 331,301 HAD ALREADY HAD THE SOFTWARE UPLOADED AND WERE THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED IN THE POPULATION COUNT OF THE RECALL. ODI?S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND VOLVO, VOLVO FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY DATA FOUND THAT ETM FAILURE COULD RESULT IN (1) ENGINE STALL; (2) MECHANICAL LIMP MODE; (3) LUNGING FORWARD DURING LOW-SPEED DRIVING MANEUVERS; AND (4) FALTERING DURING HIGH SPEED MERGES OR WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC.ODI IDENTIFIED 12 CRASHES RELATED TO ETM FAILURE, WITH 6 CAUSED BY LUNGING INCIDENTS, 3 CAUSED BY STALLING INCIDENTS, 2 CAUSED BY MECHANICAL LIMP MODE AND 1 FROM THE FALTERING CONDITION.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA AND INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM CONSUMER INTERVIEWS IDENTIFIED 1,289 INCIDENTS WITH SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES (389.1 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), INCLUDING 479 INVOLVING ENGINE STALL (144.6 PER 100,000 VEHICLES) AND 729 INVOLVING MECHANICAL LIMP MODE (220.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES).ODI'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY CLAIM NARRATIVE TEXT SHOWS AT LEAST 14,965 WARRANTY CLAIMS WITH CODES INDICATING AN ETM FAULT RESULTING IN VEHICLE OPERATION IN MECHANICAL LIMP MODE (4.5% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES). VOLVO?S RECALL ADDRESSES ODI?S SAFETY CONCERNS WITH ETM FAILURES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF ADDITIONAL ACTION IS REQUIRED.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.
PE05041 · Throttle Control Malfunction
Opened Jul 26, 2005 · Closed Dec 7, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
PE05-041 WAS OPENED ON JULY, 26, 2005, BASED ON 136 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGING THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI HAS NOW RECEIVED 591 COMPLAINTS OF ETM FAILURES WHICH ALLEGE SYMPTOMS WITH POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES.THESE INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE STALL, VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD WITHOUT ACCELERATOR INPUT, VEHICLE HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED TRANSITION INTO REDUCED PERFORMANCE OPERATION (LIMP MODE).VOLVO SUBMITTED OVER 2,900 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE ETM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING PE05-041.ODI'S PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 55 PERCENT WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ABOVE.ODI IS CONTINUING ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS. IN NOVEMBER 2005, TO RESOLVE AN INVESTIGATION BY THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD, VOLVO ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 10 YEARS / 200,000 MILES FOR THE ETM IN APPROXIMATELY 356,000 MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 PASSENGER CARS SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.UNDER VOLVO'S POLICY, VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCE ETM FAILURES WILL RECEIVE A VARIETY OF REPAIRS INCLUDING ETM CLEANING, REPROGRAMMING THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND/OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ETM. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-021) TO CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF ETM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
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