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1999 Volvo S80

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most S80 years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Volvo S80 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 20.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

120 reports with mileage · 79 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports6 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

199 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2007
Structure

CUSTOMER WANT TO KNOW ABOUT SIMILAR DEFECTS ON THE VOLVO S 80**CC THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER IT RAINED, WATER WOULD APPEAR IN THE LUGGAGE CARRIER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10187942

65,000 miles · Jan 17, 2007
Suspension

I'VE REPLACED THE STRUTS AND STRUT MOUNTS TWICE; ORIGINAL OWNER REPLACED THEM ONCE.... SWAY BAR REPLACED LAST YEAR AND WHOLE FRONT END HAS BEEN RE-BUILT.... NOW I HAVE STEERING PROBLEMS.. REPLACED U-JOINT AND RACK.... *NM

NHTSA ODI #10178947

70,000 miles · Jan 3, 2007
Electrical SystemSuspension

THIS CAR HAS SEVERAL RECURRING PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE NEVER SEEN ON ANY CAR BEFORE. 1) ELECTRONIC THROTTLE HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES AS WELL AS OXYGEN SENSORS. 2) SUSPENSION PARTS REPLACED 3 TIMES, BALL JOINTS, STRUTS, STRUT MOUNTS, FRAME BUSHINGS. THE CAR STILL SQUEAKS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10177705

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

1999 S80 STALLED/SURGED AT 20,000 MILES AT THE TIME. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED WHENEVER THE STALLING OCCURRED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD GO OUT, AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE ENGINE WOULD START TO RUN IN AN UNEVEN/HESITATION MODE. THE PROBLEM WAS MUCH WORSE AT LOWER SPEEDS. THE DEALER INSTALLED TWO SOFTWARE UPDATES AT DIFFERENT TIME…

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1999 S80 STALLED/SURGED AT 20,000 MILES AT THE TIME. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED WHENEVER THE STALLING OCCURRED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD GO OUT, AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE ENGINE WOULD START TO RUN IN AN UNEVEN/HESITATION MODE. THE PROBLEM WAS MUCH WORSE AT LOWER SPEEDS. THE DEALER INSTALLED TWO SOFTWARE UPDATES AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. FINALLY, THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED WHEN THE AIRFLOW SENSOR AND THE ABS CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10177479

83,300 miles · Dec 12, 2006
Suspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED, AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION BY THE CONTACT, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS PARTIALLY SEPARATED AND TURNED PERPENDICULAR FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED, AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION BY THE CONTACT, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS PARTIALLY SEPARATED AND TURNED PERPENDICULAR FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A NHTSA RECALL, #00V238000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE FRONT SUSPENSION HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10175912

20,499 miles · Nov 27, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS (15-75 MPH) ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AND AFTER AN EXTENDED RIDE FROM 45 TO 90 MINUTES, ALL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED BY IT SELF AND THE ENGINE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE, WHO PERFO…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS (15-75 MPH) ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AND AFTER AN EXTENDED RIDE FROM 45 TO 90 MINUTES, ALL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED BY IT SELF AND THE ENGINE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE, WHO PERFORMED A NHTSA RECALL #06V41000 WHICH ENTAILED UPGRADING THE CURRENT SOFTWARE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED EITHER TIME, THE LURCH/STALL PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER COINCIDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR FLOW CONTROL AND THE ABS CONTROL UNIT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE VEHICLE'S EXTENDED WARRANTY, EVENTHOUGH THOSE REPLACEMENT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE RECALL DID NOT SOLVE THE DANGEROUS PROBLEM. UPDATED 12/28/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174461

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

FOR THE PAST YEAR MY CHECK ENGINE AND URGENT LIGHT HAVE BEEN POPPING ON. I HAVE TO GO TO MY MACHANIC (WHO IS VOLVO CERTIFIED) TO HAVE THEM TURN OFF. BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON MORE FREQUENT NOW. FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS, WHEN I START THE CAR, IT HESITATES AND RUNS ROUGH, LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPE…

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FOR THE PAST YEAR MY CHECK ENGINE AND URGENT LIGHT HAVE BEEN POPPING ON. I HAVE TO GO TO MY MACHANIC (WHO IS VOLVO CERTIFIED) TO HAVE THEM TURN OFF. BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON MORE FREQUENT NOW. FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS, WHEN I START THE CAR, IT HESITATES AND RUNS ROUGH, LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED MY MACHANIC SAID IT NEEDED A TUNE UP. TODAY 10/19/06 I BROUGHT IT TO MY MACANIC AGAIN, AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE THROTTLE MODULE AND THE 1999 S80 'S ARE HAVING ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND THAT I NEED TO TAKE IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BEFORE IT GETS WORSE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171355

50,000 miles · Sep 22, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

THE INFORMATION PANEL GIVES THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS: BRAKE FAILURE STOP SAFELY ASAP (T2 GOES TO ------) STC SERVICE REQUIRED' WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK. WE HAVE CALLED THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT TO DO. HE SAYS TO BRING THE CAR IN WHEN THE MESSAGE IS SHOWING. THE MESSAGE COMES AND GOES AND IS…

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THE INFORMATION PANEL GIVES THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS: BRAKE FAILURE STOP SAFELY ASAP (T2 GOES TO ------) STC SERVICE REQUIRED' WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK. WE HAVE CALLED THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT TO DO. HE SAYS TO BRING THE CAR IN WHEN THE MESSAGE IS SHOWING. THE MESSAGE COMES AND GOES AND ISN'T CONSISTENT ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER WHEN IT IS ON. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE BRAKES SHOULD WORK WITHOUT THE ABS FEATURE. THE DEALER HAS MOVED TO 45 MILES FROM OUR HOUSE. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A FALSE WARNING. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10168924

80,200 miles · Aug 31, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A BRAKE FAILURE WARNING, POWER STEERING WARNING, CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT, ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE WARNING MESSAGES ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ABS MODULE WAS WORN OUT AN…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A BRAKE FAILURE WARNING, POWER STEERING WARNING, CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT, ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE WARNING MESSAGES ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ABS MODULE WAS WORN OUT AND SENDING A FALSE SIGNAL TO THE WARNING MESSAGE READOUT. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE.

NHTSA ODI #10167172

122,550 miles · Jul 19, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

AFTER VOLVO PERFORMED THEIR RECALL ON MY SECOND FAILURE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE IN APRIL 2006 MY CARS STALLS WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. AT THIS TIME VOLVO REPLACED THE FAILED ETM AND LOADED NEW CONTROLLER SOFTWARE INTO MY CAR. IN MAY 2006 I RETURNED MY CAR TO VOLVO AFTER 3 STALLING EVENTS IN ONE WEEK'S TIME, THEY TOLD ME …

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AFTER VOLVO PERFORMED THEIR RECALL ON MY SECOND FAILURE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE IN APRIL 2006 MY CARS STALLS WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. AT THIS TIME VOLVO REPLACED THE FAILED ETM AND LOADED NEW CONTROLLER SOFTWARE INTO MY CAR. IN MAY 2006 I RETURNED MY CAR TO VOLVO AFTER 3 STALLING EVENTS IN ONE WEEK'S TIME, THEY TOLD ME THE CAR SET NO CODES THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT HELP ME UNTIL THEY CAR TOLD THEM WHAT WAS WRONG. THE PROBLEM DID NOT REOCCUR AGAIN UNTIL JULY 8TH. AT THIS TIME I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR AND IN A ROLLING BACKUP AT AT 30 MPH ON I-95 IN DELAWARE. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON A DOWNHILL SECTION AND I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR WITHOUT THE CAR SLOWING DOWN. THE SECOND STALLING FAILURE OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING OTHER THEN THE DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS COMING ON, ON AN UPHILL SECTION WITH AN SEMI FOLLOWING DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. IN THE CASE ALSO THE CAR IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED, HOWEVER IF THIS HAD NOT BEEN THE CASE MY CAR AND FAMILY WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED BY THE SEMI. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING FROM RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET THAT THE PROGRAMMING CHANGES MADE BY VOLVO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE ETM TO SET A ODI FAILURE CODE. IF THIS IS THE CASE, IT MAY BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE AN ETM FAILURE EVEN WHEN THIS FAILURE RESULTS IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR IS SCHEDULED TO BE LOOKED AT ON JULY, 21, 2006. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10162832

Official recalls

4

06V441000 · Vehicle Speed Control

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.

04V451000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Sep 13, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SOME ELECTRIC COOLING FANS MAY OVERHEAT POTENTIALLY CAUSING HEAT DAMAGE AND, IN RARE INSTANCES, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

02V096000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Apr 7, 2002

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN ELECTRIC COOLING FANS COULD BE INADEQUATE IN A HOT CLIMATE. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN COMPONENTS COULD OVERHEAT AND CAUSE THE MELTING OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND ADJACENT COMPONENTS, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

00V238000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

Aug 24, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OVER TIME, THE BALL JOINT BETWEEN THE FRONT WHEEL KING PIN AND THE SUSPENSION LINK ARM, CAN EXPERIENCE INCREASED LOOSENESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT THE BALL JOINT'S DURABILITY AND PERFORMANCE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS.

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

2

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.