Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
1125–50K
1250–75K
1775–100K
13100–150K
3150K+
60 reports with mileage · 33 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 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
93 reports
79,500 miles · Dec 29, 2005
Electrical System
I AM SUBMITTING ETM FAILURE IN MY 2000 VOLVO V70 SE WAGON IN OCTOBER OF 2005. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY DRIVING THIS CAR BECAUSE THE CAR HESITATES UPON ACCELERATION, THERE'S SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED TRANSITION INTO REDUCED PERFORMANCE OPERATION (LIMP MODE) AND SOMETIMES WHEN THE ETS INDICATOR HAS ENGAGED WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE…
Read full complaint
I AM SUBMITTING ETM FAILURE IN MY 2000 VOLVO V70 SE WAGON IN OCTOBER OF 2005. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY DRIVING THIS CAR BECAUSE THE CAR HESITATES UPON ACCELERATION, THERE'S SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED TRANSITION INTO REDUCED PERFORMANCE OPERATION (LIMP MODE) AND SOMETIMES WHEN THE ETS INDICATOR HAS ENGAGED WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE THE CAR SURGES FORWARD AS IF I WERE GIVING IT A LOT OF GAS. I WENT TO THE DEALER IN CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA, TODAY, DECEMBER 28, 2005, AND THE MODULE WAS NOT REPLACED BUT, THE SERVICE REPS DID SAY THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE - WHATEVER THAT IS - AND UPGRADED THE SOFTWARE PROGRAM ON THE COMPUTER. FIVE MINUTES AFTER LEAVING THE VOLVO SERVICES DEPARTMENT THE ETM FAILED AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY DID ALL THAT THEY COULD DO. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10146320
Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN I BEGIN TO BRAKE AND THE CAR SLOWS, IT WILL SIMPLY CUT OFF. IT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND CUTS OFF ABOUT ONE-HALF THE TIME I BEGIN TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM SEVERAL YEARS AGO, AND IT REACHED THE POINT WHERE IT STALLED AT AS I WAS DRIVING IN A ROUNDABOUT AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. I TOOK TH…
Read full complaint
WHEN I BEGIN TO BRAKE AND THE CAR SLOWS, IT WILL SIMPLY CUT OFF. IT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND CUTS OFF ABOUT ONE-HALF THE TIME I BEGIN TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM SEVERAL YEARS AGO, AND IT REACHED THE POINT WHERE IT STALLED AT AS I WAS DRIVING IN A ROUNDABOUT AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND IT WAS REPAIRED. NOW, HOWEVER, THE STALLING FAILURE IS RECURRING. ALTHOUGH THE FIELD BELOW REQUIRES A SPECIFIC DATE, THIS PROBLEM IS ONGOING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10142459
79,129 miles · Nov 11, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, MY VOLVO V70 HAD A COMPLETE STALL. CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED AND WOULD NOT START. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES, IT RE STARTED. IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE VOLVO DEALER ONCE IT STARTED AGAIN AND THE "ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE" WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $800. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10142448
85,604 miles · Nov 8, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING/MULTIPLE TIMES (SOMETIMES WHILE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC). ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALER WHO REPLACED THROTTLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10142220
85,000 miles · Nov 1, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE IN MY 2000 V70 VOLVO WAGON WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR RAN BADLY, MISSED AND STALLED - BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING WAS ALSO AFFECTED. THE SITUATION CONTINUED TO HAPPEN WHILE ON AN EXTENDED TRIP WITH NO VOLVO DEALERS WITHIN RANGE. IT TOOK SEVERAL TRAYS FOR THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CA…
Read full complaint
THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE IN MY 2000 V70 VOLVO WAGON WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR RAN BADLY, MISSED AND STALLED - BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING WAS ALSO AFFECTED. THE SITUATION CONTINUED TO HAPPEN WHILE ON AN EXTENDED TRIP WITH NO VOLVO DEALERS WITHIN RANGE. IT TOOK SEVERAL TRAYS FOR THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS AT A COST OF ABOUT $900.00. I FEEL THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD REIMBURSE ME SINCE I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS SITUATION IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10141407
109,400 miles · Oct 31, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
MY VOLVO RECENTLY BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ITS ACCELERATION. IT WOULDN'T RESPOND AS WELL AND AT TIMES WOULD FEEL LIKE IT LOST POWER. ON 10/27/05 MY ETS LIGHT CAME ON AND MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WOULD COST AROUND 1000$ TO REPLACE MY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10141343
85,000 miles · Oct 26, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
DT: THE VEHICLE STALLED/DIED AND LOST POWER DUE TO ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE FAILURE. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10136309
43,143 miles · Oct 24, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
DT: THE CONTACT'S WIFE HAD THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE (ETM)REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN, ALMOST STALLING, AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ETM REMEDIED THE PROBLEM.*AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10140570
91,000 miles · Oct 21, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
A MONTH AND A HALF AGO MY 2000 VOLVO V70 THROTTLE HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I HAVE DETERMINED THIS IS AN MAJOR ON GOING ISSUE. I AM VERY UPSET I HAD TO SPEND OVER $1100 TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE. MY CAR ONLY HAD 90,500 MILES WHEN THE THROTTLE FAILED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10140436
67,400 miles · Oct 6, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
DT: THE CONSUMER SAID THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE (ETCM) ON 2000 VOLVO V70 HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DASHBOARD LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO ETCM FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ETCM. *AK *NM
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN STATION WAGONS, THE TAILGATE LOCKING MECHANISM MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED WHICH, IN COMBINATION WITH COLD TEMPERATURES, COULD CAUSE IMPROPER LOCKING OF THE TAILGATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE TAILGATE MAY NOT LOCK PROPERLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE TAILGATE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 25, 2000. 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
3
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.
2000 Volvo V70 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration