NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
221 reports70,000 miles · May 3, 2012
Power Train
I HAD JUST PURCHASED MY 2001 VOLVO V70 USED FROM A REPUTABLE DEALER WHEN MY WIFE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD OCCASIONALLY "SLIP" IN AND OUT OF GEAR. I DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR VERY OFTEN, SO I DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM FOR ANOTHER MONTH OR SO. WHEN YOU TAKE YOU FOOT OFF THE GAS TO COAST OR SLOW DOWN FOR A TURN THE TR…
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I HAD JUST PURCHASED MY 2001 VOLVO V70 USED FROM A REPUTABLE DEALER WHEN MY WIFE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD OCCASIONALLY "SLIP" IN AND OUT OF GEAR. I DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR VERY OFTEN, SO I DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM FOR ANOTHER MONTH OR SO. WHEN YOU TAKE YOU FOOT OFF THE GAS TO COAST OR SLOW DOWN FOR A TURN THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY DISENGAGES. WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE GAS EXPECTING TO CONTINUE TO KEEP GOING THE ENGINE REVS - BECAUSE THERE IS NO TRANSMISSION ENGAGED- AND THEN SUDDENLY "SLAMS' BACK INTO GEAR. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN WITH US NOW FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE VOLVO SHOP TWICE AND THEY CLAIMED THERE WERE NO CODES SHOWING UP ON THEIR TEST EQUIPMENT...AND BY THE WAY THAT'LL BE ANOTHER $300! I'VE LEARNED TO BABY THE CAR, AND DRIVE WITH THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION BECAUSE I KNOW A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR THIS CAR WOULD COST MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. AFTER CHECKING WITH EDMUDS, I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THERE ARE DOZENS IF NOT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS MINE, AND VOLVO APPEARS TO EITHER BE CLUELESS, OR NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MY CAR HAS BEEN ACTING THIS WAY SINCE I PURCHASED IT WITH ONLY 70,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457243
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2012
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
2001 VOLVO V70. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPAIRS UNDER RECALL NOTICE EA05021 *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM OF THE VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD HAD BEEN UNDIAGNOSED SEVERAL TIMES BY MECHANICS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT DISCLOSE THE RECALL AND SHE NEVER RECEIV…
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2001 VOLVO V70. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPAIRS UNDER RECALL NOTICE EA05021 *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM OF THE VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD HAD BEEN UNDIAGNOSED SEVERAL TIMES BY MECHANICS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT DISCLOSE THE RECALL AND SHE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITH THE SECURITY SYSTEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10449873
51,003 miles · Dec 26, 2011
Power Train
I AM NOW THE OWNER OF A 2001 VOLVO V70 T5. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM ITS ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CAR HAS HAD THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION REPLACED 2 TIMES BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND NOW I AM FORCED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AS WELL. WE (ORIGINAL OWNER AND MYSELF) HAVE HAD THE VOLVO RECOMMENDED SOFTWARE UPDATES, FLUID FLUSHING, AND STILL …
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I AM NOW THE OWNER OF A 2001 VOLVO V70 T5. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM ITS ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CAR HAS HAD THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION REPLACED 2 TIMES BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND NOW I AM FORCED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AS WELL. WE (ORIGINAL OWNER AND MYSELF) HAVE HAD THE VOLVO RECOMMENDED SOFTWARE UPDATES, FLUID FLUSHING, AND STILL WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO CHANGE THREE TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH NUMEROUS VOLVO MECHANICS AND THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE THAT THEIR IS A PROBLEM BUT VOLVO IS OFFERING TO DO NOTHING TO FIX IT. I AM IN THE US ARMY AND STATIONED IN GERMANY, I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE VOLVO MECHANICS HERE IN GERMANY AND THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THEY CAN REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR 4100 EURO BUT THAT THEY WILL OFFER NO WARRANTY AS VOLVO KNOWS IT IS A PROBLEM. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 51000 MILES, THE SECOND AT 128567 AND NOW AGAIN I MUST DO IT AT 203000. AT WHAT POINT WILL THE NHTSA STEP UP TO PROTECT US AS THE CONSUMER? I HAVE SCANNED THE MESSAGE BOARDS AND FORUMS ONLINE AND THERE ARE HUGE COMPLAINT POOLS WITH EVERYONE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE CALLED VOLVO NA 18 TIMES AND AM YET TO TALK TO A PERSON. THEIR SYSTEM ROUTES YOU TO A DEAD END AND THEN HANGS UP. I HAVE EVEN GONE THE ROUTE OF CALLING VOLVO IN GOTHENBURG SWEDEN AND THEY AT LEAST TALKED TO ME. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED WHILE VOLVO WAS OWNED BY FORD THAT THEY (VOLVO) ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10441200
97,000 miles · Nov 28, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND WOULD NOT SHIFT IN OR OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND WOULD NOT SHIFT IN OR OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
NHTSA ODI #10437547
88,000 miles · Nov 1, 2011
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ISSUE. AT APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES, SHIFTING BETWEEN GEAR 2 TO 3 AND 3 TO 4 IS ACCOMPANIED BY HIGH RPMS INTO NEUTRAL BEFORE ENGAGING GEAR. RESULTS IN A HARD SHIFT WHEN GEAR ENGAGES. INITIAL DEALER SOLUTION WAS SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS. WHEN PROBLEM PERSISTED AND A "TRANSMISSION SERVICE REQUIRED" MESSAGE BE…
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ISSUE. AT APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES, SHIFTING BETWEEN GEAR 2 TO 3 AND 3 TO 4 IS ACCOMPANIED BY HIGH RPMS INTO NEUTRAL BEFORE ENGAGING GEAR. RESULTS IN A HARD SHIFT WHEN GEAR ENGAGES. INITIAL DEALER SOLUTION WAS SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS. WHEN PROBLEM PERSISTED AND A "TRANSMISSION SERVICE REQUIRED" MESSAGE BEGAN DISPLAYING, THE DEALER SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $7500 WITH NO EXPLANATION OF WHAT THE ACTUAL UNDERLYING PROBLEM IS. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IN THE NHTSA DATABASE AND OTHER WEB-BASED VOLVO FORUMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10433826
190,000 miles · Oct 29, 2011
Power TrainStructureSuspension
TURNING LEFT OUT OF DRIVEWAY, RIGHT (PASSENGER) BALL JOINT SEPARATED, PULLING THE CV JOINT APART AND DAMAGING THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER. I MOVED A TOTAL OF THREE FEET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10433524
160,000 miles · Oct 18, 2011
Steering
STEERING COLUMN LOCK LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. KEY STILL WORKED AND CAR STILL RUNNING BUT WAS UNABLE TO STEER. WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER IF I WAS DRIVING ANY FASTER. VERY SCARY AND SHOULD BE SAFETY RECALL!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430679
130,000 miles · Aug 18, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY AND EXPERIENCE A DECELERATION OF BETWEEN 10-20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL).THE FSAILURE PER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY AND EXPERIENCE A DECELERATION OF BETWEEN 10-20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL).THE FSAILURE PERSISTED AND NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA ODI #10419980
100,000 miles · Jul 31, 2011
Power Train
I HAVE A 2001 VOLVO V70 WITH 110,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. LAST WEEK THE CAR WAS BARELY DRIVABLE. MY VOLVO MECHANIC STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (APPROX. $4700). I HAVE HEARD OF MANY OTHER VOLVO OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10416406
105,000 miles · Jul 19, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10413530
Official recalls
8Oct 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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