VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 45MPH COLLISION ON 9/12/2017. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WAS IMPACTED. THE COLLISION WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG TO BLOW. HOWEVER, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT BLOW UP, DESPITE THE IMPACT HAPPENING ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. A COMPLAINT WAS SUBMITTED TO VOLVO ON 9/19/2017. …
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VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 45MPH COLLISION ON 9/12/2017. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WAS IMPACTED. THE COLLISION WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG TO BLOW. HOWEVER, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT BLOW UP, DESPITE THE IMPACT HAPPENING ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. A COMPLAINT WAS SUBMITTED TO VOLVO ON 9/19/2017. A CALL FROM (201) 768-7300 WAS RECEIVED TODAY 9/20. I FORGOT TO NOTE DOWN HER NAME BUT SHE WAS A VOLVO REPRESENTATIVE. SHE CORRECTLY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO OCCUPANT WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THEREFORE THEY CANNOT DISCRIMINATE WHEN A CRASH IS SEVERE. HOWEVER, SHE STATED THAT BECAUSE I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON, THE SYSTEM DETECTED THAT I WAS SAFE AND THEREFORE DID NOT BLOW UP THE DRIVER AIRBAG. THIS EXPLANATION SEEMED VERY BIZARRE TO ME AS I BELIEVE IF THE CRASH WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO BLOW UP THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, THE DRIVER AIRBAG SHOULD BLOW UP TOO, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE IMPACT WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I WAS REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT THE SYSTEM WAS COMPLICATED AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND. I FOUND THIS EXPLANATION TO BE UNACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11024735
100,000 miles · Jun 5, 2012
Air BagsCrashFireInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO S70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE CULVERT PIPE AND ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SEAT HOWEVER, WAS NOT OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BLACK AND WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE AFTER THE CRA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO S70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE CULVERT PIPE AND ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SEAT HOWEVER, WAS NOT OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BLACK AND WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE AFTER THE CRASH. THE CRASH CAUSED HEAD INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10460663
105,000 miles · Mar 22, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS IN A COLLISION THAT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THE AIR BAG(S) DID NOT DEPLOY. I WONDER IF THE AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED IF IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED MY HEAD FROM GOING FORWARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10222036
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury
IN A HIGH SPEED HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH A TREE (TREES), WITH ONLY A DRIVER OCCUPANT IN THE CAR, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT FOR MY MOTHER, WHO WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT AND DRIVER OF THE CAR. AS A RESULT OF THE INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE CRASH, MY MOTHER HAS SUFF…
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IN A HIGH SPEED HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH A TREE (TREES), WITH ONLY A DRIVER OCCUPANT IN THE CAR, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT FOR MY MOTHER, WHO WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT AND DRIVER OF THE CAR. AS A RESULT OF THE INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE CRASH, MY MOTHER HAS SUFFERED FROM IMPAIRED SHORT-TERM MEMORY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10202549
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY RESULTING IN INJURIES FROM HITTING STEERING WHEEL. VEHICLE TOTAL LOSS, BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS, AIRBAG FAILURE
NHTSA ODI #10126031
45,400 miles · Jun 20, 2005
Air BagsCrash
DT:CONSUMER SAYS THAT THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO VOLVO, AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW AIR BAG. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE REAR. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF GARAGE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. CONSUMER TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED; THE DEALER SAID THAT THE SRS CONTROL MODUL…
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DT:CONSUMER SAYS THAT THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO VOLVO, AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW AIR BAG. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE REAR. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF GARAGE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. CONSUMER TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED; THE DEALER SAID THAT THE SRS CONTROL MODULE HAD AN INTERNAL FAULT. THE DEALER ORDERED THE NEEDED PART, AND IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER'S WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND CONSUMER MUST PAY FOR REPAIRS $522. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10125967
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2005
Air Bags
WHILE DRIVING. THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER CONTACTED VOLVO. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT WARRANTY, EXPIRED, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST HIM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10111205
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury
HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, OWNER STRUCK WINDSHIELD WITH HEAD, BROKE WINDSHIELD AND INJURED NECK. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED, AND THE REPAIR SHOP SAID SOMETHING FAILED W.R.T THE AIRBAGS. THEY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. VOLVO HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT NO RESULTS YET REGARDING THEIR FINDINGS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #753774
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2000
Air BagsCrashInjury
CONSUMER HAD A FRONT END COLLISION, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED. PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY CEASE TO FUNCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE HEAD LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR NO HEADLIGHT FUNCTION. THIS COULD IMPAIR A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: ON VEHICLES WITH AN ORIGINAL OEM SWITCH, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE IF THE SWITCH HAS EEN DAMAGED AND REPLACE ONLY IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN AN APPROACHING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SEDANS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE FUEL FILTER BRACKET CONFIGURATION MARGINS ARE INSUFFICIENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILTER PROTECTION BRACKET.
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
5
EA05021 · 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.
ON AUGUST 23, 1999, VOLVO NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (99V235) ON CERTAIN 1997 MODEL YEAR (MY) 850 VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 1998 S/V/C 70 SERIES VEHICLES FOR FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THE DEFECT REPORT STATED IN PART: OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.VOLVO'S REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL WAS TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THIS RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON JUNE 8, 2004, BASED ON 13 REPORTS OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE ON 1998 AND 1999 S/V/C 70 SERIES VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE EARLIER RECALL.BY LETTER OF OCTOBER 18, 2004, VOLVO HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL NOW CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF AN ADDITIONAL 97,000 MY 1998 THROUGH 2000 S70/V70/V70XC AND C70 VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE 5, 1997 THROUGH JANUARY 11, 2000. VOLVO DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MASTER LIGHT SWITCH WITH ONE OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN. SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V504 FOR DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
ON AUGUST 23, 1999, VOLVO NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (99V235) ON CERTAIN 1997 MODEL YEAR (MY) 850 VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 1998 S/V/C 70 SERIES VEHICLES FOR FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THE DEFECT REPORT STATED IN PART: OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.VOLVO'S REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL WAS TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THIS RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON JUNE 8, 2004, BASED ON 13 REPORTS OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE ON 1998 AND 1999 S/V/C 70 SERIES VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE EARLIER RECALL.BY LETTER OF OCTOBER 18, 2004, VOLVO HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL NOW CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF AN ADDITIONAL 97,000 MY 1998 THROUGH 2000 S70/V70/V70XC AND C70 VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE 5, 1997 THROUGH JANUARY 11, 2000. VOLVO DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MASTER LIGHT SWITCH WITH ONE OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN. SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V504 FOR DETAILS.
Exterior Lighting:headlights
ON AUGUST 23, 1999, VOLVO NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (99V235) ON CERTAIN 1997 MODEL YEAR (MY) 850 VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 1998 S/V/C 70 SERIES VEHICLES FOR FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THE DEFECT REPORT STATED IN PART: OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.VOLVO'S REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL WAS TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THIS RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON JUNE 8, 2004, BASED ON 13 REPORTS OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE ON 1998 AND 1999 S/V/C 70 SERIES VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE EARLIER RECALL.BY LETTER OF OCTOBER 18, 2004, VOLVO HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL NOW CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF AN ADDITIONAL 97,000 MY 1998 THROUGH 2000 S70/V70/V70XC AND C70 VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE 5, 1997 THROUGH JANUARY 11, 2000. VOLVO DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MASTER LIGHT SWITCH WITH ONE OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN. SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V504 FOR DETAILS.
PE00031 · Turn Signal
Opened Aug 15, 2000 · Closed Dec 22, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available
PE99040 · Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment
Opened Jun 7, 1999 · Closed Oct 27, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
No summary supplied.
1999 Volvo S70 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year