NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
169 reports117,212 miles · Mar 20, 2006
Electrical SystemPower Train
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE OPERATING AT A REDUCED SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND REPLACED THE COMPUTER, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER.…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE OPERATING AT A REDUCED SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND REPLACED THE COMPUTER, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE BATTERY. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN SEEN BY THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AWAITING THIS REPLACEMENT. THE CONSUMER STATED HE IS STILL EXPERIENCING STALLING PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT AUTHORIZE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ETS. THE DEALER STATED NO CODES WERE SHOWING UP. UPDATED 08/25/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10153172
78,700 miles · Feb 27, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ETS LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THIS OCCURRED AT ANY SPEED AND MAINLY WHILE TURNING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM, AND HAPPENED 50-60 TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10151332
95,000 miles · Dec 31, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE RESIULTED IN ERRATIC THROTTLE RESPONSE. SURGING ON IDLE WAS CAUSING PROBLEMS IF BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED STRONGLY ENOUGH. CRUISE CONTROL WAS ALSO ERRATIC IN FUNCTION. TOOK TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT @ $1200.00. THEY GAVE NO INDICATION THAT THIS WAS A CHRONIC PROBLEM. I ONLY DISCOVERED TH…
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FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE RESIULTED IN ERRATIC THROTTLE RESPONSE. SURGING ON IDLE WAS CAUSING PROBLEMS IF BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED STRONGLY ENOUGH. CRUISE CONTROL WAS ALSO ERRATIC IN FUNCTION. TOOK TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT @ $1200.00. THEY GAVE NO INDICATION THAT THIS WAS A CHRONIC PROBLEM. I ONLY DISCOVERED THE CHRONIC NATURE OF THE PROBLEM ON A BULLETIN BOARD WEB SITE FOR VOLVO'S. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10146633
65,000 miles · Dec 30, 2005
Latches/locks/linkagesSuspensionVehicle Speed Control
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES TO HAVE THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER REPAIRS MADE. THE VEHICLE SURGES AND STUTTERS VIOLENTLY THE MANUFACTURER HAS BE…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES TO HAVE THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER REPAIRS MADE. THE VEHICLE SURGES AND STUTTERS VIOLENTLY THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK THE DOOR LATCH WAS BROKEN. A LOOSE BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED. THE DRIVERS WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP. UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10146582
44,807 miles · Dec 12, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY 1999 VOLVO V70'S ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY STOPPED RUNNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON I -95 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY, AS THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE ETS WARNING LIGHT WAS ON AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. NO "LIMP HOME" MODE WAS AVAILABLE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPEND…
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MY 1999 VOLVO V70'S ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY STOPPED RUNNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON I -95 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY, AS THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE ETS WARNING LIGHT WAS ON AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. NO "LIMP HOME" MODE WAS AVAILABLE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. THEY GOT THE CAR RUNNING BUT CRUISE C. STILL INOP. INCIDENT OCCURRED 4-12-05. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10144944
139,100 miles · Dec 5, 2005
Electrical System
MY VOLVO V70 WILL SUDDENLY DE-ACCELERATE. I UNDERSTAND THIS MAY BE DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENTS PARTS THAT ARE ALSO FAULTY. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 1999. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10144481
70,000 miles · Nov 29, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
CAR STALLS AT ANY TIME. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10143972
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
1999 VOLVO V70 WAGON. VEHICLE STALLED/LOST POWER AND DIED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE (ETM) FAILURE. THE ETM WAS REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10143234
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2005
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
STALLING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE ETM HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, XREF 10137600. *AK THE MASS AIR FLOW UNIT WAS REPLACED, THE BULBS BURNED OUT, THE BLOWER MOTOR FAN WOULD RUN CONSTANTLY, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE CONSUMER SOLD THE VEHICLE IN MAY 2005. UPDATED 01/09/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10143177
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
I OWN A 99 VOLVO V70 WAGON, PURCHASED USED. VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED DRIVABLILITY PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE ETM, (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE) AND WILL SUDDENLY STOP OR CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING, OFTEN RESULTING IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALER SAYS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR VOLVO A…
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I OWN A 99 VOLVO V70 WAGON, PURCHASED USED. VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED DRIVABLILITY PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE ETM, (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE) AND WILL SUDDENLY STOP OR CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING, OFTEN RESULTING IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALER SAYS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR VOLVO AND ESTIMATES COST TO REPAIR AT $800-$1200 BUT ALSO NOTES THAT PROBLEM OFTEN RETURNS BECAUSE REPLACED PARTS OFTEN FAIL ALSO. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS AFFECTING LARGE NUMBERS OF VOLVO CARS, AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY NHTSA!*JB
NHTSA ODI #10142196
Official recalls
4Nov 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.
Oct 21, 2004
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.
Dec 6, 2000
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.
Oct 14, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STATION WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH THIRD SEATS. USERS OF THE THIRD SEAT, WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TAILPIPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONTACT WITH THE TAILPIPE CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LENGTH OF THE VEHICLE'S TAILPIPE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR THE TAILPIPE.
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
5EA05021 · 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.
RQ04004 · Headlight Failure
Opened Jun 8, 2004 · Closed Nov 5, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights; 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.
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.
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