FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE ASSEMBLY CAUSING VERY POOR DRIVABLE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND SEVERE THAT THE CAR CAN NOT SAFELY BE DRIVEN IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT A RISK OF ACCIDENT. BRIEF CHRONOLOGY: I HAVE A VERY EARLY PRODUCTION 1999 VOLVO V70XC. IT HAD DRIVABLE PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. NEVER WAS FIXED. (SUPPOSE…
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FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE ASSEMBLY CAUSING VERY POOR DRIVABLE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND SEVERE THAT THE CAR CAN NOT SAFELY BE DRIVEN IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT A RISK OF ACCIDENT. BRIEF CHRONOLOGY: I HAVE A VERY EARLY PRODUCTION 1999 VOLVO V70XC. IT HAD DRIVABLE PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. NEVER WAS FIXED. (SUPPOSEDLY) REPLACED ETM THE FIRST TIME IN ~ 2004, USING PART WHOSE DESIGN WAS KNOWN TO BE FAULTY. LATER DID SOFTWARE UPDATE (CAMPAIGN 155). DRIVABLE IMPROVED SLIGHTLY, BUT WAS NEVER CORRECT. REPLACEMENT MODULE IS NOW FAILING. CAR CAN NOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY. ENGINE RUNS POORLY, RPM LIMITED TO < 2000, ALWAYS IN "LIMP HOME MODE". YOU ARE AWARE (I BELIEVE) THAT THERE IS A RECALL/REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY FOR THIS PART. HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT PART HAS THE SAME DESIGN FLAW AS THE ORIGINAL. (I AM ALREADY ON A "SUPPOSEDLY" REPLACED MODULE). VOLVO IS PRETENDING TO HONOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHILE EITHER: 1) CHANGING THE MODULE'S SOFTWARE TO POSTPONE OR HIDE THE ACTUAL (MECHANICAL) FAILURE MECHANISM. 2) REPLACING A FAILED MODULE WITH ONE HAVING THE SAME FLAWED DESIGN WHICH HAS THE SAME POTENTIAL FOR FAILURE AS BEFORE. THIS RESULTS IN A SERIOUS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE BEING QUITE LIKELY TO OCCUR TO A CUSTOMER LIKE MYSELF IN THE FUTURE. WORSE YET, THIS IS OCCURRING JUST AS A NUMBER OF THE VEHICLES ARE NEARING THE END OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE END RESULT OF THIS IS THEY LEAVE A SERIOUS DRIVEABILITY PROBLEM UNSOLVED, AND DUCK THE ACTUAL PROBLEM BY USING A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO GET THE CUSTOMER JUST PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD. IN CONCLUSION, THEY ARE CONTINUING TO SUPPLY UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE PARTS UNDER THE GUISE OF HAVING PROVIDED A SAFE, RELIABLE, AND WARRANTED REPAIR. THEY NEED TO BE FORCED TO: ISSUE A FULL RECALL FOR ALL VEHICLES USING THE CURRENT ETM DESIGN, ANNOUNCE A FULL RECALL FOR ALL CARS USING THIS DESIGN, AND SUPPLY ONLY A RE-DESIGNED ETM AS PART OF ALL FUTURE REPAIRS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289881
116,900 miles · Jan 25, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
DRIVING ON FREEWAY 65 MILES PER HOUR, VEHICLE LOSES COMPLETE POWER, ETS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON. I WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE FREEWAY ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. TRIED SEVERAL RESTARTS TO SEE IF ENGINE WILL RUN NORMALLY, AFTER 10-15 MINUTES, STARTED CAR, ENG RAN NORMAL, ETS AND CEL LIGHT STILL ON. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOM…
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DRIVING ON FREEWAY 65 MILES PER HOUR, VEHICLE LOSES COMPLETE POWER, ETS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON. I WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE FREEWAY ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. TRIED SEVERAL RESTARTS TO SEE IF ENGINE WILL RUN NORMALLY, AFTER 10-15 MINUTES, STARTED CAR, ENG RAN NORMAL, ETS AND CEL LIGHT STILL ON. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216034
130,000 miles · Sep 1, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Other
I BOUGHT THIS VOLVO USED W/ 120K MILES. I SAW RECORDS OF MAJOR WORK DONE AT THE DEALER JUST PREVIOUS TO 100,000 AND FIGURED IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR ANOTHER 100K. AT 131K, IT BEGAN CONSTANTLY STALLING AND LUNGING. I DID A TINY BIT OF RESEARCH AND LEARNED OF THE RECALL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME 200 TO D…
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I BOUGHT THIS VOLVO USED W/ 120K MILES. I SAW RECORDS OF MAJOR WORK DONE AT THE DEALER JUST PREVIOUS TO 100,000 AND FIGURED IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR ANOTHER 100K. AT 131K, IT BEGAN CONSTANTLY STALLING AND LUNGING. I DID A TINY BIT OF RESEARCH AND LEARNED OF THE RECALL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME 200 TO DO NOTHING OTHER THAN READ THE CODES AND TELL ME THE ETM SOFTWARE HAD ALREADY BEEN UPDATED, AND THAT THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WAS BAD. I REPLACED THE MAFS TO NO CHANGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10201666
53,395 miles · Nov 8, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
A SUDDEN DROP IN POWER ON FREEWAYS AND CITY STREETS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10142186
65,000 miles · Nov 7, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
SURGING, FOULING SPARK PLUGS, HESITATING, STALLING, CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND LOCKS UP. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10142015
46,000 miles · Aug 26, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering
DT: 1999 VOLVO WAGON VXC. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER . THE CAR DID NOT STALL EXCEPT AT A STOP SIGN WHEN GIVING IT A LOT OF GAS TO GET IT GOING. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY FOR TWO MONTHS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $1753.00 TO FIX IT. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY WOULD PUT IN A NEW STEERING R…
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DT: 1999 VOLVO WAGON VXC. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER . THE CAR DID NOT STALL EXCEPT AT A STOP SIGN WHEN GIVING IT A LOT OF GAS TO GET IT GOING. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY FOR TWO MONTHS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $1753.00 TO FIX IT. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY WOULD PUT IN A NEW STEERING ROD/ FRONT END ALIGNMENT/ VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR/ THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY/ AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND DRAIN AND REFILL THE COOLANT. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10131054
108,000 miles · Dec 8, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE PULLING ONTO AN EXIT RAMP AT 45 MPH THERE WAS AN OVERHEATING SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE, FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE STALLING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP FROM THE EXIT RAMP THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE ENGINE SEVERELY OVERHEATED, THE EXPANSION TANK AND ENGINE COVER MELTED, AND THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AT THE SI…
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WHILE PULLING ONTO AN EXIT RAMP AT 45 MPH THERE WAS AN OVERHEATING SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE, FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE STALLING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP FROM THE EXIT RAMP THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE ENGINE SEVERELY OVERHEATED, THE EXPANSION TANK AND ENGINE COVER MELTED, AND THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AT THE SIDE TANK. RADIATOR LOOKED LIKE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS RELATED TO COOLING FAN RECALL 04V451000, BUT THE VIN IS NOT INCLUDED.*AK...........*AK
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.
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.
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