Illustration2001 S80, MULTIPLE FAILINGS OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY OVER THE LAST 2 WEEKS. TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT. CAR W/O NOTICE WILL NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 20 MPH, IDLES ROUGHLY. HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS.*AK
2001 Volvo S80
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most S80 years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Volvo S80 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 20.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all S80 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
2125–50K
5650–75K
2875–100K
10100–150K
5150K+
125 reports with mileage · 39 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 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
164 reportsCONSUMER WAS REFUSED RENTAL VEHICLE WHILE 2001 VOVLO S80 WAS HAVING RECALL WORK DONE. CONSUMER HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNIT. *TS ****NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER STATED IT TOOK 4 TIMES TO FINALLY GET A WINDOW LIFT MOTOR REPLACED. *JB
MY 2001 VOLVO S-80 SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND CAME TO A STOP AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS OCCURRED IN SEPT. 2003. THE DEALERSHIP, BEACH VOLVO IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC, WANTED OVER $600 TO REPAIR THE AUTO SINCE IT WAS BEYOND THE 50,000 MILE WARRANTY. IT HAD 60,000 MILES AT THE TIME. AFTER A LENGTHY DISCUSSION WITH VOLVO AMERICA, THEY …
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MY 2001 VOLVO S-80 SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND CAME TO A STOP AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS OCCURRED IN SEPT. 2003. THE DEALERSHIP, BEACH VOLVO IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC, WANTED OVER $600 TO REPAIR THE AUTO SINCE IT WAS BEYOND THE 50,000 MILE WARRANTY. IT HAD 60,000 MILES AT THE TIME. AFTER A LENGTHY DISCUSSION WITH VOLVO AMERICA, THEY AGREED TO SPLIT THE COST BETWEEN MYSELF, THE DEALERSHIP AND VOLVO AMERICA. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. ON 12/05/05 THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE CAR NOW HAS 82,700 MILES. IT IS BEING LOOKED AT BY BEACH VOLVO AT THIS MOMENT. *NM
I OWN A 2001 VOLVO S80, 4 DR. SEDAN WHICH I AM IN THE PROCESS OF TRADING IN BECAUSE ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THIS YEAR (2005) THE CAR STALLED, THE LAST TIME I NEEDED TO HAVE IT TOWED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I NOTED THAT VOLVO HAD REACHED AN AGREEMENT REGARDING COMPLAINTS FILED IN CALIFORNIA ABOUT THE ETM MODULE. I BELIEVE T…
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I OWN A 2001 VOLVO S80, 4 DR. SEDAN WHICH I AM IN THE PROCESS OF TRADING IN BECAUSE ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THIS YEAR (2005) THE CAR STALLED, THE LAST TIME I NEEDED TO HAVE IT TOWED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I NOTED THAT VOLVO HAD REACHED AN AGREEMENT REGARDING COMPLAINTS FILED IN CALIFORNIA ABOUT THE ETM MODULE. I BELIEVE THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF MY STALLING. I DID HAVE THE PART REPLACED, AT MY EXPENSE AND THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE PART THAT WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED CONSEQUENTLY CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL. AT NO TIME WAS THERE AN INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM - NO WARNING LIGHT. WHILE I LOVE THE CAR, I DON'T FEEL I CAN TRUST IT EVEN THOUGH A NEW PART WAS PUT IN. ACCORDING TO THE VOLVO DEALER, PART WOULD NOT BE REPLACED UNLESS WARNING INDICATOR CAME ON. THE LAST TIME THE CAR STALLED WAS THANKSGIVING NIGHT. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATES WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER. THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON PRIOR TO THE CAR STOPPING. SHE REPORTED HAVING NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED TO CONTACT THE NHTSA HOT LINE SERVICES AND FILE …
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DT: THE CONTACT STATES WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER. THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON PRIOR TO THE CAR STOPPING. SHE REPORTED HAVING NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED TO CONTACT THE NHTSA HOT LINE SERVICES AND FILE A COMPLAINT. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.*AK
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ,AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. SHE RECEIVED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM VOLVO, AND IT STATED SHE NEEDED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER FO…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ,AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. SHE RECEIVED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM VOLVO, AND IT STATED SHE NEEDED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER FOR REIMBURSEMENT. *AK
I OWN A 2001 VOLVO S-80. THERE IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR . IT INVOLVES THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE (ETM). THE CAR AT TIMES WILL NOT MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE CAR IS IN GEAR. IT JUST WILL NOT MOVE. PARTICULARLY WHEN TRYING TO MOVE INTO TRAFFIC. I AM AWARE THROUGH MY READING OF THE FACT THAT THER…
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I OWN A 2001 VOLVO S-80. THERE IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR . IT INVOLVES THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE (ETM). THE CAR AT TIMES WILL NOT MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE CAR IS IN GEAR. IT JUST WILL NOT MOVE. PARTICULARLY WHEN TRYING TO MOVE INTO TRAFFIC. I AM AWARE THROUGH MY READING OF THE FACT THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. VOLVO KNOWS ABOUT THIS BUT TO DATE HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. I ALSO KNOW THAT NHTSA IS INVESTIGATIONS THE PROBLEM AND I WANTED TO LIST MY NAME WITH YOU FOR A COMPLAINT ON THIS. *JB
2001 VOLVO S80 T6 1. FAILURE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL/ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE 2. TRANSMISSION FAILURE - GM TRANSMISSION. *JB
VEHICLE REPEATEDLY STALLS AT LOW RPMS, DECELERATING, OR COMING TO STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, OFF-RAMPS, TOLL BOOTHS ETC. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTANT, AND DOESN NOT YIELD DIAGNOTICS ON CONSISTANT BASIS. DEALERS REFUSE TO FOLLOW-UP ON PROBLEM AS DIAGNOSTICS ARE INCONSISTANT. ONE INJURY AVOIDING ONCOMING VEHICLE UPON EXITING STALLED VE…
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VEHICLE REPEATEDLY STALLS AT LOW RPMS, DECELERATING, OR COMING TO STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, OFF-RAMPS, TOLL BOOTHS ETC. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTANT, AND DOESN NOT YIELD DIAGNOTICS ON CONSISTANT BASIS. DEALERS REFUSE TO FOLLOW-UP ON PROBLEM AS DIAGNOSTICS ARE INCONSISTANT. ONE INJURY AVOIDING ONCOMING VEHICLE UPON EXITING STALLED VEHICLE. INJURY MINOR, AND TREATED LOCALLY. *NM
X REF 10131066, 2 ETMS, SMCH. 8-26-5 E-MAIL THAT IS THE UNIT THAT HAS CAUSED THE CAR TO TO BE TOWED TWICE. ONCE WHILE DRIVING, AND ONCE WHILE STARTING IN A PARKING LOT. THE ELECTRICAL THROTTLE MODULE (ETM) FAILED. *AK
Official recalls
721V766000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Sep 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.
20V681000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
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.
10V566000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)
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.
09V483000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
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.
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.
01V100000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Mar 26, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDANS AND WAGONS. THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BOLTS MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ANCHORAGE BOLTS AND TIGHTEN TO THE CORRECT TORQUE LEVEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2001. 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.
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.