IllustrationREFERENCE 10143655 FOR SECOND ETM REPLACEMENT, FIRST REPLACED AT 42,000 MILES, WAS STALLING , HESITATING, ROUGH ID. E. HARD TO START AFTER STALLS. SMCH *AK
2001 Volvo V70
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all V70 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
60–25K
2125–50K
4750–75K
4475–100K
29100–150K
15150K+
162 reports with mileage · 59 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 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
61 reportsI HAVE A 2001 VOLVO V70 T5. THIS CAR HAS THE HIGH FAILURE RATE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE COMPONENT. DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING, I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE IN PASSING LANE OF A 2 LANE HIGHWAY. THE MESSAGE WINDOW ON THE DASH FLASHED "PERFORMANCE REDUCED" THIS OCCURRED DURING WHILE PASSING A SEMI WITH OTHER CARS FOLL…
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I HAVE A 2001 VOLVO V70 T5. THIS CAR HAS THE HIGH FAILURE RATE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE COMPONENT. DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING, I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE IN PASSING LANE OF A 2 LANE HIGHWAY. THE MESSAGE WINDOW ON THE DASH FLASHED "PERFORMANCE REDUCED" THIS OCCURRED DURING WHILE PASSING A SEMI WITH OTHER CARS FOLLOWING CLOSELY BEHIND IN A CARAVAN. IT WAS IN POURING RAIN WITH WATER FROM THE SEMI SPLASHING OVER THE WINDSHIELD. NEEDLESSTOSAY, THIS WAS A NERVOUS MOMENT WHEN POWER WAS SUDDENLY LOST. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL OFF TO THE NEXT EXIT RAMP WHERE THE ENGINE WAS SPUTTERING WHILE IDLING. SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING MADE THE PROBLEM DISAPPEAR. ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER, I'M GETTING "PERFORMANCE REDUCED" MESSAGE NEARLY EVERY DAY. FINALLY TRACE IT DOWN TO THE ETM INTERNAL FAULT USING A OBDII READER I PURCHASED TO DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM. VOLVO DEALER CONFIRMED THE FINDING AND REPLACED THE ETM. *NM
2001 VOLVO V70 - TRAVELING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY IN THIS VEHICLE, IT LOST ACCELERATION AND STARTED TO REDUCE POWER, EVENTUALLY RESULTING IN COMPLETE STALLING. CAUGHT BETWEEN TRUCKS AND CARS GOING APPROXIMATELY 65 - 75 MPH. I FELT HOPELESS TO HELP MYSELF, FEARING I WOULD BE KILLED BY TRAFFIC. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE (ETM) FAILED. THE ENGINE IDLE DROPPED, AND SURGED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT SURGED AND THEN LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START BACK. THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN AFTER THE FOURTH ATTEMPT. THE…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE (ETM) FAILED. THE ENGINE IDLE DROPPED, AND SURGED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT SURGED AND THEN LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START BACK. THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN AFTER THE FOURTH ATTEMPT. THE ETM WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO, BUT NOW THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. *AK AFTER THE REPAIRS THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. UPDATED 01/04/06. *JB
WHILE DRIVING ON I-695 NEAR BALTIMORE EXPERIENCED SIX EPISODES OF SUDDEN DECELERATION ,AND A ALMOST STALLING. ALSO, WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A DUMP TRUCK ON ONE OCCASION ,AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION BY AN 18-WHEELER BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD CROSS SLOWLY THROUGH LANES TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, DUE TO ROAD CO…
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WHILE DRIVING ON I-695 NEAR BALTIMORE EXPERIENCED SIX EPISODES OF SUDDEN DECELERATION ,AND A ALMOST STALLING. ALSO, WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A DUMP TRUCK ON ONE OCCASION ,AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION BY AN 18-WHEELER BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD CROSS SLOWLY THROUGH LANES TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION, DURING TWO OF THESE UNPLANNED STOPS, THERE WAS NO SHOULDER AND THE CONTACT BLOCKED A LANE OF TRAFFIC. THE MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD READ REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND THEN A FEW TIMES, NOTED A VERY ROUGH IDLE AND THE SAME MESSAGE. THEN , TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES ,AND INSTEAD OF THE REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE WARNING RECEIVED A NEEDED IMMEDIATE REPAIR SERVICE OR SOME SIMILAR MESSAGE, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. HE DROVE A FEW MILES AT 60-65 MPH, BUT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH. THIS WHOLE EPISODE REPEATED BY ITSELF 5 TIMES DURING 50 MILES DRIVE. THE CONTACT MADE IT HOME SAFELY WITH THREE YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. THESE PROBLEMS WERE EXACTLY THOSE DOCUMENTED WITH THE DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE (ETM) IN MOST 1999-2001 VOLVOS. HAS AN APPOINTMENT WITH LOCAL DEALER, AND HE WILL BE CHARGED THE USUAL $1000-$1200 TO REPLACE THE ETM MODULE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE REPLACEMENT MODULE WAS NOT BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL MODULE. *AK
DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER WHILE ACCELERATING AND WOULD ONLY GO 15 MPH. HE WOULD COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED DAILY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE THROTTLE BOX WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT COME BACK SINCE THE REPAIRS. *AK UPDA…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER WHILE ACCELERATING AND WOULD ONLY GO 15 MPH. HE WOULD COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED DAILY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE THROTTLE BOX WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT COME BACK SINCE THE REPAIRS. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE FOLLOWING WARNING COMES ON THE DASH BOARD "PERFORMANCE REDUCTION". CAR STARTS TO SHUDDER, SLOWS DOWN AND DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS. *NM
CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING VOLVO ELECTRONIC THROTTLE DEFECT. *TS UPDATED 11/7/2005 - WHILE DRIVING THE PERFORMANCE REDUCED LIGHT AND SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER AGREE TO REPLACED …
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CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING VOLVO ELECTRONIC THROTTLE DEFECT. *TS UPDATED 11/7/2005 - WHILE DRIVING THE PERFORMANCE REDUCED LIGHT AND SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER AGREE TO REPLACED THE THROTTLE FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. DURING INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE FRONT CONTROL ARM AND UPPER SPRING SEAT BROKEN. THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED DUE TO A FAULTY HOSE CLAMP. *NM
DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING A MESSAGE APPEARED THAT READ ENGINE SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED WHICH INTERNALLY MADE THE CRUISE CONTROL FAIL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO VOLVO, AND ALSO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE PROBLEM WAS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE .THE VEHICLE REPAIRS WILL BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONSEQUENCE OF NOT HAVI…
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DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING A MESSAGE APPEARED THAT READ ENGINE SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED WHICH INTERNALLY MADE THE CRUISE CONTROL FAIL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO VOLVO, AND ALSO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE PROBLEM WAS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE .THE VEHICLE REPAIRS WILL BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONSEQUENCE OF NOT HAVING THIS REPAIR MADE COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE LURCHING FORWARD AT ANY SPEED OR IT COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL OUT AT ANY TIME. HE IS CURRENTLY NOT EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AT THIS TIME.*AK UPDATED 11/30/2005 - VOLVO COVER THE COST OF THE NEW PART AND HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE PART TO 200000 MILES OR 10 YEARS. *NM
I HAVE VOLVO V70 T5 WAGON WITH REDUCED PERFORMANCE AND UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION AND REDUCTION OF ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON TRAFFIC AND I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE ENTERING THE GARAGE AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CLIMATE CONTROL IN THE CAR STOPPED WORKI…
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I HAVE VOLVO V70 T5 WAGON WITH REDUCED PERFORMANCE AND UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION AND REDUCTION OF ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON TRAFFIC AND I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE ENTERING THE GARAGE AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CLIMATE CONTROL IN THE CAR STOPPED WORKING. MY DEALER ED SCHMIDT VOLVO IN PERRYSBURG,OHIO NOW SAIDS THAT I NEED TO REPLACE MY THROOTTLE MODULE ($1300) AND THE PROCESSOR FOR THE CLIMATE CONTROL ($1400). THE VEHICLE IS ONLY THREE THOUSAND MILES BEYOND WARRANTY. I HAVE A DANGEROUS LEMON IN MY HANDS AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO. I THANK GOD THAT MY YOUNG CHILDREN WHERE NOT NEAR THE GARAGE WHEN THE CAR ACCELEARTED OUT OF CONTROL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD IN ITS PRESENT CONDITION. *NM
Official recalls
821V800000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Oct 14, 2021
Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2007 V70 and XC70 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 December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10136.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2007 V70 and XC70 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: 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 December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10136.
Air Bags:frontal
Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2007 V70 and XC70 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: 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 December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10136.
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.
03V284000 · Equipment:other:labels
Aug 1, 2003
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF THE GUIDE, IT WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO 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.
01V101000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Mar 26, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: WAGONS. THE BOLTED JOINT, USED FOR ATTACHING THE BRACKET THAT IS PART OF THE INSTALLATION HARDWARE FOR THE ISOFIX-TYPE CHILD RESTRAINT, 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.