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2001 Volvo V70

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Visibility complaints

8 reports
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115,636 miles · Mar 9, 2009
VisibilityInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE SUNROOF IN HER VEHICLE, A METAL BAR CRASHED DOWN ON HER HEAD. SHE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND A SLIGHT LACERATION TO HER HEAD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE SUNROOF IN HER VEHICLE, A METAL BAR CRASHED DOWN ON HER HEAD. SHE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND A SLIGHT LACERATION TO HER HEAD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 115,636. UPDATED 04-24-09 *BF UPDATED 04/27/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10261270

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2007
Visibility

WHILE TRAVELING ON I-25 AT 65 MPH THE GLASS SUN OOF EXPLODED AND SHOWERED BOTH OF US WITH SHARDS OF GLASS. THERE WAS NO WARNING. JUST A LOUD BOOM AND THE GLASS BROKE. 2001 VOLVO STATION WAGON V-70. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10187757

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2005
Visibility

THE DAMPER MOTOR AND RECIRCULATION MOTOR IN THE CONSUMER'S 2001 VOLVO V70 FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. *NM *JB

NHTSA ODI #10115676

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2004
Exterior LightingVisibility

PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD AND HEADLIGHTS. *MR THE WINDSHIELD PRESENTED A GLARE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM SETTING RESULTED IN INSUFFICIENT LIGHT PROTECTION, AND THE HIGH BEAM HAD LIMITED USE. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10074021

22,000 miles · Oct 22, 2003
Visibility

THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. *JB *TS *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10038620

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2001
VisibilityInjury

SUNROOF BLEW IN WHILE GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH DRYING CYCLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #754090

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2000
Visibility

I LEASED A 2001 VOLVO V70 WAGON ON 9/27/00. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SEVERE AMOUNT OF REFLECTION FROM TOP OF DASHBOARD ONTO THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. REFLECTION IS POSITIONED HIGH UP ON THE WINDSHIELD IN THE AREA WERE THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY LOOK OUT OF THE CAR. WHEN DIRECT SUNLIGHT IS ON THE DASHBOARD T…

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I LEASED A 2001 VOLVO V70 WAGON ON 9/27/00. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SEVERE AMOUNT OF REFLECTION FROM TOP OF DASHBOARD ONTO THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. REFLECTION IS POSITIONED HIGH UP ON THE WINDSHIELD IN THE AREA WERE THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY LOOK OUT OF THE CAR. WHEN DIRECT SUNLIGHT IS ON THE DASHBOARD TOP, THE REFLECTION IN THE WINDSHIELD IS SO GREAT THAT IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. EVEN IN LOWER LIGHT SITUATIONS (AS WITH NIGHTTIME STREET LIGHTING AND OVERCAST DAYS), THE REFLECTION POPS UP AND IS DISTRACTING TO THE DRIVER. IT APPEARS THAT THE REFLECTION IS DUE TO THE RAKE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THE ANGLE OF THE DASHBOARD TOP. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE VOLVO DEALER AND THEY IN TURN NOTIFIED THE VOLVO REPRESENTATIVE. THE RESPONSE WAS "CONDITION NORMAL TO ALL 01 MODELS". I NOTE THAT THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT INDICATED THAT OTHER OWNERS HAD ALSO COMPLAINED OF THIS PROBLEM. I AM 53 AND HAVE DRIVEN AND OWNED MANY CARS, BUT HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF SAFETY IMPAIRMENT IN ANY OTHER CAR. TO FIND OUT IF I WAS ALONE IN MY PERCEPTION, I POSTED A NOTE ON EDMUNDS.COM AND WITHIN SEVERAL HOURS I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING RESPONSE: "YEP, I'M SURE EVERYONE HAS THIS PROBLEM." THE AMAZING THING ABOUT THIS REFLECTION IS THAT IT APPEARS TO EXIST IN THE FULL LINE OF VOLVO'S NEW MODELS. MY GUESS IS THAT OVER TIME THERE WILL BE NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS RELATED TO THE DRIVER'S INABILITY TO FOCUS THROUGH THE REFLECTION OR DUE TO THE DISTRACTION CAUSED BY IT POPPING UP IN CHANGING LIGHT SITUATIONS SUCH AS TRANSITIONS DRIVING FROM SHADE TO SUNLIGHT ON A TREE LINED STREET. FOR MY PART, ALTHOUGH IT WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL LOSS, I AM GOING TO DISPOSE OF THE CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I KNOW THIS SOUND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE THAT A COMPANY SUCH AS VOLVO COULD PRODUCE A CAR WITH THIS DEFECT, BUT SIT IN ONE WHEN THERE IS LIGHT SHINING ON THE DASH TOP AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND.

NHTSA ODI #737025

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2000
Visibility

DESIGN OF DASHBOARD AND WINDSHIELD IS OF SUCH AN ANGLE THAT CONSUMER CANNOT SEE ON A BRIGHT DAY. GLARE IS BAD ENOUGH, AND SHE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING. CONTACTED VOLVO WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE.*AK CONSUMER FEELS IF THE DASHBOARD WERE A DARKER COLOR, THE GLARE WOULD NOT BE THERE. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #875325

Official recalls

8

21V800000 · 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

2

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.