CAR HAS APPROX 94,000 MILES. STANDARD STREET AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO TIRE PUNCTURE. THANKFULLY, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE MOVING. REPLACED BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS. *TR
2001 Volvo V70XC
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 V70XC 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
122 reports with mileage · 22 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 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
144 reportsTRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR WHEN SHIFTING AT LOW GEARS. SHIFTING IS VIOLENT. CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY OR PREDICTABLY, MAKING IT UNSAFE TO OPERATE. HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. TOOK IT TO VOLVO DEALER, THEY RECOMMENDED REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION (REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS NOT AVAILABLE). TOOK IT TO …
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TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR WHEN SHIFTING AT LOW GEARS. SHIFTING IS VIOLENT. CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY OR PREDICTABLY, MAKING IT UNSAFE TO OPERATE. HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. TOOK IT TO VOLVO DEALER, THEY RECOMMENDED REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION (REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS NOT AVAILABLE). TOOK IT TO AAMCO AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. PROBLEM CONTINUED FOR 7 MONTHS. CONTINUED TAKING IT BACK AND THEY CONTINUED TO WORK ON IT UNTIL THEY WERE FINALLY ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70XC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR DURING MOMENTS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING LOW RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V70XC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR DURING MOMENTS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING LOW RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 2001 VOLVO V70XC CROSS COUNTRY WAGON CAUSES CAR TO INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING AND NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. I UNDERSTAND THIS TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE THAT MAY WARRANT TAKING ACTION AGAINST VOLVO TO ISSUE A RECALL OR COVER THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPAIR. I BELIEVE THE "GEARTRONIC" TECHNOLO…
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TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 2001 VOLVO V70XC CROSS COUNTRY WAGON CAUSES CAR TO INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING AND NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. I UNDERSTAND THIS TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE THAT MAY WARRANT TAKING ACTION AGAINST VOLVO TO ISSUE A RECALL OR COVER THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPAIR. I BELIEVE THE "GEARTRONIC" TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ADAPTIVE SYSTEM IN THE TRANSMISSION TO BE AT FAULT. I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION RECENTLY ONLY TO HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES WITH HESITATION LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS A BIGGER ISSUE INHERENT IN THIS PARTICULAR MAKE/MODEL. *TR
THE ORIGINAL REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS A SPECIAL COATING TO MAKE IT UNNECESSARY TO FLIP THE MIRROR UP AND DOWN TO REDUCE GLARE FROM HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. THE COATING ON THIS MIRROR APPEARS TO HAVE "MELTED" WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED NORMALLY OUTSIDE OUR TEXAS HOME, RESULTING IN WARPED, OBSTRUCTED VISION IN THIS MIRROR BOTH DAY AND …
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THE ORIGINAL REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS A SPECIAL COATING TO MAKE IT UNNECESSARY TO FLIP THE MIRROR UP AND DOWN TO REDUCE GLARE FROM HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. THE COATING ON THIS MIRROR APPEARS TO HAVE "MELTED" WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED NORMALLY OUTSIDE OUR TEXAS HOME, RESULTING IN WARPED, OBSTRUCTED VISION IN THIS MIRROR BOTH DAY AND NIGHT. PASSENGERS SEATED IN THE REAR SEAT APPEAR TO HAVE ELONGATED FACES WHEN OBSERVED IN THE MIRROR, AND THE UNEVEN, IRREGULAR VIEW OF THE STREET BEHIND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO FOCUS AND DETERMINE WHERE ONCOMING CARS ARE LOCATED. AN AREA OF THE MIRROR APPROXIMATELY 3X1 INCHES NO LONGER HAS ANY COATING, BUT STILL DOES NOT REFLECT CLEARLY. THE REMAINDER OF THE MIRROR STILL HAS THE DAY/NIGHT COATING, BUT IMAGES IN THIS AREA ARE PARTICULARLY DISTORTED. *TR
MY 2001 VOLVO XC V70 TRANSMISSION IS ALSO SLIPPING AND LURCHING. LATELY THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON A DAILY BASIS. I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS, BUT WHEN IT SLIPS AND HESITATES WHILE PULLING ONTO A MAIN ROAD MY HEART SKIPS A BEAT HOPING I WON'T LOSE TRANSMISSION POWER WITH NO WAY TO GET OUT OF ANOTHER VEHICLES PATH. MY MECHANIC, W…
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MY 2001 VOLVO XC V70 TRANSMISSION IS ALSO SLIPPING AND LURCHING. LATELY THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON A DAILY BASIS. I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS, BUT WHEN IT SLIPS AND HESITATES WHILE PULLING ONTO A MAIN ROAD MY HEART SKIPS A BEAT HOPING I WON'T LOSE TRANSMISSION POWER WITH NO WAY TO GET OUT OF ANOTHER VEHICLES PATH. MY MECHANIC, WHO WORKS STRICTLY ON VOLVO AND SAABS, HAS TOLD ME HE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT REPAIRS OR ADJUSTMENTS WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THAT CHANGES COULD POSSIBLY MAKE MATTERS WORSE (I.E., COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE). I WILL BE TRADING THIS CAR IN TO A DEALER IN NEXT WEEK OR TWO. FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN ON THIS FORUM, VOLVO IS NOT OWNING UP TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO HAD POWER STEERING ISSUES SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING USED. LOTS OF NOISE IN FRONT AND AT PARKING SPEEDS, TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING POWER. *TR
2001 VOLVO V70XC. TRANSMISSION LURCHES AND SLIPS. VEHICLE INVOLVED IN MAJOR ACCIDENT IN 2002. VOLVO INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND NO ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER ON TWO ADDITIONAL VISITS WITH SAME CONCERN. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO MADE AN ADJUSTME…
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2001 VOLVO V70XC. TRANSMISSION LURCHES AND SLIPS. VEHICLE INVOLVED IN MAJOR ACCIDENT IN 2002. VOLVO INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND NO ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER ON TWO ADDITIONAL VISITS WITH SAME CONCERN. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO MADE AN ADJUSTMENT TO TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE AGAIN LURCHING AND SLIPPING. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND INFORMED A SERVICE REPORT NOW INDICATED WE NEEDED TO REPLACE A VALVE ASSEMBLY. COST: $1,100-1,800. CALL DEALERSHIP AND INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT HELP. PHONED VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA. INFORMED THE ONLY RECALL WAS ON FUEL PUMP AND THE ONLY RECALL ON TRANSMISSIONS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS ON THEIR V90. BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE THEY COULD NOT ASSIST ME IN RESOLVING THIS CLAIM. *TR
TOTAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FAILURE IN A 2001 VOLVO V70 CROSS COUNTRY ALL WHEEL DRIVE WAGON MODEL. I HAD TO WAIT NEARLY SIX WEEKS FOR A REPLACEMENT PART BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE DEALER EVEN SAID THAT THERE WAS SUCH A DEMAND FOR THIS TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THEY FAIL CONSISTENTLY DUE TO A SOFTWARE …
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TOTAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FAILURE IN A 2001 VOLVO V70 CROSS COUNTRY ALL WHEEL DRIVE WAGON MODEL. I HAD TO WAIT NEARLY SIX WEEKS FOR A REPLACEMENT PART BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE DEALER EVEN SAID THAT THERE WAS SUCH A DEMAND FOR THIS TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THEY FAIL CONSISTENTLY DUE TO A SOFTWARE SIGNAL THAT BURNS OUT THE INADEQUATE TRANSMISSION. THIS REPAIR IS COSTING ME NEARLY $4000 ON A MODEL WITH LESS THAN 65K MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE BLOGS ARE FULL OF STORIES JUST LIKE MINE. MOST USED CAR DEALERS WON'T ACCEPT THIS MODEL BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT WAS THE FIRST YEAR OF A TOTAL VEHICLE REDO. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS TO HAVE AFFECTED NEARLY ALL THE 2001 V70 WAGONS. I HAVE TRIED TO BRING THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF VOLVO NORTH AMERICA TO NO AVAIL. PERHAPS YOU CAN HELP ALL OF US FRUSTRATED OWNERS OF THIS MODEL! *JB THANK YOU.
BACKING OUT OF GARAGE. LEFT FRONT ROAD SPRING BROKE IN TWO APPROX. 1/2 COIL FROM BOTTOM. FAILURE WAS CORRECTED BY REPLACING BOTH FRONT SPRINGS. SPRINGS ARE AVAILABLE. RUST EXTENDS APPROX. 1 MM INTO FRACTURE INDICATING SPRING WAS CRACKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE. INTERNET SOURCES (INCLUDING NHTSA) INDICATE T…
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BACKING OUT OF GARAGE. LEFT FRONT ROAD SPRING BROKE IN TWO APPROX. 1/2 COIL FROM BOTTOM. FAILURE WAS CORRECTED BY REPLACING BOTH FRONT SPRINGS. SPRINGS ARE AVAILABLE. RUST EXTENDS APPROX. 1 MM INTO FRACTURE INDICATING SPRING WAS CRACKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE TOTAL FAILURE. INTERNET SOURCES (INCLUDING NHTSA) INDICATE THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT AFFECTING NUMEROUS 2001-2004 VOLVO XC70S (AKA V70XC). SOME FAILURES ARE REPORTED TO HAVE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE ARE ALSO REPORTS OF THE FAILED SPRING CUTTING OPEN A TIRE. VOLVO IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT, INCREDIBLY, TAKES THE POSITION THAT SUDDEN SPRING FAILURE IS NORMAL AND REPLACING BROKEN ROAD SPRINGS IS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. PLEASE OPEN AN INVESTIGATION (AND ORDER A RECALL) BEFORE THIS DEFECT MAIMS OR KILLS SOMEONE. *TR
I PURCHASED THIS 2001 VOLVO V70 XC NEW FROM SWEDEN, FACTORY DELIVERY.THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED @ 19,000MI I HAVE SINCE THEN HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR VARIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SUDDEN SURGES, HARSH UP SHIFTING AND DOWN SHIFTING. THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS DOES EVERYTHING EXCEPT REPLACING IT AGAIN, I.E. SOFTWARE ISSUES ONLY. …
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I PURCHASED THIS 2001 VOLVO V70 XC NEW FROM SWEDEN, FACTORY DELIVERY.THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED @ 19,000MI I HAVE SINCE THEN HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR VARIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SUDDEN SURGES, HARSH UP SHIFTING AND DOWN SHIFTING. THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS DOES EVERYTHING EXCEPT REPLACING IT AGAIN, I.E. SOFTWARE ISSUES ONLY. BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THEY ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION NO LONGER GOES TO NEUTRAL WITH THE BRAKE ON. THAT FEATURE WAS ORIGINALLY ENGINEERED FOR THESE TRANSMISSIONS, FOR FUEL ECONOMY. VOLVO DECIDED THAT THIS FEATURE WAS MORE TROUBLE THAN IT IS WORTH. I STILL HAVE THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THE SURGES, AND HARSH SHIFTING, AND SOON I SHOULD HAVE ANOTHER COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WITH ALL OF THESE SIMILAR TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS FROM 100'S OF VOLVO CUSTOMERS SHOULDN'T VOLVO OF NORTH AMERICA ADMIT THAT THERE TRANSMISSION IS JUST NO GOOD PAY FOR THE COSTS. *TR
Official recalls
104V451000 · 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.
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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