NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
318 reports106,987 miles · Aug 21, 2014
EngineFuel System, GasolineService Brakes
WHILE STOPPING OR TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS THE CARS IDLE SPEED WILL FLUCTUATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP UP TO 1100 RPMS. MOST OF THE TIME BETWEEN 500 & 1100 RPMS ! WHEN THE CAR STOPS RUNNING WHILE I AM TRYING TO TURN A CORNER , THE POWER STEERING OF COARSE DOES NOT WORK AND ITS HARD TO STEER IT. I DID TAKE IT TO A VOLVO DEALER, & THEY …
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WHILE STOPPING OR TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS THE CARS IDLE SPEED WILL FLUCTUATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP UP TO 1100 RPMS. MOST OF THE TIME BETWEEN 500 & 1100 RPMS ! WHEN THE CAR STOPS RUNNING WHILE I AM TRYING TO TURN A CORNER , THE POWER STEERING OF COARSE DOES NOT WORK AND ITS HARD TO STEER IT. I DID TAKE IT TO A VOLVO DEALER, & THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW THROTTLE SENSOR & COMPUTER SOFTWARE CHANGE, & IT WOULD COST ME $2400. I CAN'T FIND OUT IF ANY OF THE RECALLS HAVE EVER BEEN DONE #R155, R146, NHTSA I.D. #626114 & I.D. #10018801. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE CAR FOR THREE YEARS & DID NOT RECEIVE AND RECALLS NOTICES. MOST OF THE TIME THE CAR RUNS FINE, I HAVE DRIVEN IT OVER 40,000 MILES NOW WITH THE CHECK ENG. LIGHT ON & OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR A DAY OR TOO & GO OFF FOR THREE OR FOUR DAYS AT A TIME. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY OF THE RECALLS HAVE EVER BEEN DONE TO THIS CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627132
126,000 miles · Jul 23, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR HAD DRASTICALLY DECREASED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING ON THE GROUND NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE DIRECTLY UNDER THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR HAD DRASTICALLY DECREASED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING ON THE GROUND NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE DIRECTLY UNDER THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
NHTSA ODI #10615702
85,000 miles · Jun 6, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DEFECT HAD OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DEFECT HAD OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10596610
117,000 miles · Dec 30, 2013
EngineStructureFireInjury
AS I WAS DRIVING I HEARD A BANG AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH AND BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT AND QUICKLY FIRE SPREADING THROUGHOUT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR WINDOW BLEW OUT. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AS I DROVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE STREET. I HAD TO THROW MYSELF OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS INFLAMED AND…
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AS I WAS DRIVING I HEARD A BANG AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH AND BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT AND QUICKLY FIRE SPREADING THROUGHOUT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR WINDOW BLEW OUT. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AS I DROVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE STREET. I HAD TO THROW MYSELF OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS INFLAMED AND EXPLODED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557724
173,000 miles · Aug 14, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
THIS CAR BEEN PARKED SINCE MID MAY 2012 WITH 2 PROBLEMS, CVVT & INLET HOSES. I HAD THE BATTERY CHARGED & THE INLET HOSE FIX, SO IT COULD GO INTO THE SHOP FOR INSPECTION. AUG.13 I PUT THE PLATES ON IT & DROVE IT FOR THE 1ST TIME AT NIGHT TO DROP IT OFF AT THE SHOP FOR INSPECTION. WHICH I HAD SPOKEN WITH 2 DAYS EARLIER.. THE M…
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THIS CAR BEEN PARKED SINCE MID MAY 2012 WITH 2 PROBLEMS, CVVT & INLET HOSES. I HAD THE BATTERY CHARGED & THE INLET HOSE FIX, SO IT COULD GO INTO THE SHOP FOR INSPECTION. AUG.13 I PUT THE PLATES ON IT & DROVE IT FOR THE 1ST TIME AT NIGHT TO DROP IT OFF AT THE SHOP FOR INSPECTION. WHICH I HAD SPOKEN WITH 2 DAYS EARLIER.. THE MORNING OF AUG 14, I CALL THE SHOP AND WAS INFORMED MY CAR HAD A FUEL PUMP LEAK. I THAN CALL THE VOLVO CORP. CAUSE IT HAD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP. JUST TO BE TOLD IT WASN'T ON MY CAR & I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR.. THIS CAR GAVE NO WARNING OR SMELL OF GAS ABOUT A DEFECTED FUEL PUMP. THIS WASN'T AROUND THE CORNER DRIVE FOR ME. IT A BLESSING CAUSE THIS COULD'VE BEEN BAD...AS A WOMAN I LIKE TO KNOW, HOW IT WENT BAD JUST SITTING THERE?.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535339
120,000 miles · Mar 1, 2013
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND EXITING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE, PASSENGER'S SIDE AND THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND EXITING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE, PASSENGER'S SIDE AND THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND AGREED TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA ODI #10500978
130,000 miles · Oct 26, 2012
Air Bags
I CHANGED THE BATTERY AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WENT ON. WENT TO VOLVO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT CONTROL MODULE IS DEAD AND IT COST ME $900 TO REPLACE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482329
200,000 miles · Oct 25, 2012
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 VOLVO S80 ABOUT 20-25MPH ALL THE SUDDEN LOST POWER TO ALL MY GAUGES, DASHBOARD LIGHTS, POWER WINDOWS, & POWER LOCKS. THE RADIO WAS THE ONLY DEVICE THAT WAS WORKING. THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED SRS-AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT. I HAVE NOTICED A DIFFERENCE ON MY BRAKE PEDAL THAT IT DOES NOT RESPOND AS WELL A…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 VOLVO S80 ABOUT 20-25MPH ALL THE SUDDEN LOST POWER TO ALL MY GAUGES, DASHBOARD LIGHTS, POWER WINDOWS, & POWER LOCKS. THE RADIO WAS THE ONLY DEVICE THAT WAS WORKING. THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED SRS-AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT. I HAVE NOTICED A DIFFERENCE ON MY BRAKE PEDAL THAT IT DOES NOT RESPOND AS WELL AS IT USE TOO THERE IS A SHORT DELAY WHEN STEPPED ON. BEFORE THIS INCIDENT I HAD NOTICED A CLICKING NOISE ON THE DRIVER SIDE WHEN A CAME TO A STOP LIKE A RELAY CHATTERING & ALSO THE AC WOULD COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. AT TIMES THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE WOULD APPEAR FREQUENTLY ALARM NEEDS SERVICING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS MALFUNCTIONS BUT IF ITS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM VOLVO SHOULD BE LIABLE ON CORRECTING THE PROBLEM & PROVIDE US WITH A SAFE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482246
100,000 miles · Sep 6, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
NHTSA ODI #10474072
146,000 miles · Jun 27, 2012
Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN WORKING ON THEIR OWN. FOR THE DURATION OF THE DRIVE, THEY KEPT TURNING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE FUSE TO STOP THE FAILURE AND COMPLETE HIS TRIP. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED LITTLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN WORKING ON THEIR OWN. FOR THE DURATION OF THE DRIVE, THEY KEPT TURNING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE FUSE TO STOP THE FAILURE AND COMPLETE HIS TRIP. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED LITTLE ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 146,000... UPDATED 08-07-12 *BF UPDATED 08/09/12
NHTSA ODI #10463278
Official recalls
4Nov 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.
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.
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.
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
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.