10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,231 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #50

Jan 302006

S70

  • miles
2000 S70 stalls after applying brakes. The vehicle has been taken tot he dealer several times but the technicians were unable to determine the cause of the stalling. The consumer did some research and found some information on faulty electronic throttle module in Volvo which cause stalling.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #49

Jan 182006

S70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
Theelectronic throttle system (ets) light has been on dashboard intermittently since a 50,000 miles. The car currently has nearly 95,000 miles. On numerous occasions the tachometer reached into the red line when cranked without any use of the accelerator. In traffic, when beginning to coast at cruising speeds, the car will surge slightly without the help of the accelerator. The ets light will appear and then the problem will cease. Took the vehicle to don beyer Volvo-dulles on January 18, 2005, and after being told the warranty on the throttle module was extended, the dealer refused to fix the problem stating the appropriate codes were not evident. However, the service representative said the throttle body needed to be cleaned, and that the unit would eventually fail. He said that when the unit failed, defined by him as the car failing to start or stalling while driving, the dealer would then replace it. Until then would have to wait for the unit to fail, putting myself and passengers in danger of the car malfunctioning in traffic.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #48

Jul 212005

S70 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,500 miles
Unexplained, involuntary acceleration from low speed. 2000 Volvo model S70 passenger car, AWD. During a slow-speed turn the vehicle accelerated at full throttle. Impact with residential structure severed a wheel and bent the front frame 90 degrees. What happened: During a slow turn into a neighbors driveway, speed about 5 mph, turning right, touching the accelerator, the car engine accelerated at full speed. Despite foot fully into the brake the car continued to accelerate 40-50 feet until impacting the foundation of the house. Speed a time of impact 40+ mph. Tried to turn off ignition but hit house first. Considerable damage to house and car, which was totaled by the insurance company. Reported throttle acceleration problem to Volvo in New Jersey, they stated no such previous complaints about unexplained acceleration. Knew of the NHTSA research into accelerator module slowing unexplained to 5 mph, but then saw a news report about unexplained acceleration and wanted to include this case in your list.

- Morrison, CO, USA

problem #47

Jun 112005

S70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving the vehicle surged and hesitated. The check engine light and ets lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, but the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the problem.

- Hamden, CT, USA

problem #46

Nov 102005

S70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,694 miles
The electronic throttle module on my 2000 Volvo S70 malfunctioned causing inability to accelerate. Mileage = 61,694. The ets light came on the day prior to the incident. ETM was replaced. After the ETM module was replaced, the electronic windows would not function. I was informed by the Volvo technician that this was a coincidence and not related to the ETM replacement. Prior to ETM replacement, I had no problems with the electronic windows. Last week while I was driving alone in my 2000 S70 Volvo, the passenger seat fully reclined on its own. This incident reminded me of a similar scenario one week after purchasing the vehicle. The driver's seat fully reclined without anyone touching the electronic seat control. In December 2000, the turn signals and hazard lights switch was found to be faulty and was replaced under the warranty. Then, in may, 2001, the drivers turn signal started blinking rapidly which was replaced under the recall campaign 101A and 101B. This makes me believe my entire vehicle's electronic system was defective from the day I purchased the vehicle.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #45

Jan 062006

S70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
Repeated failure and replacement of electronic throttle management system. Since the most recent replacement 3 months ago, the car has stuttered when rounding tighter corners. Now, the car stalls on tight corners, causing a loss of power steering and brakes leading to a loss of vehicle control. A crash was avoided by nearby vehicles when the car stalled mid corner, sending the car and driver into the opposite lane. The dealer/manufacturer continues to offer replacement, but the replacements quickly wear causing similar results.

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #44

Dec 312005

S70

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,954 miles
Vehicle surging forward without accelerator input roads wet, but not frozen (luckily). On making turn in residential neighborhood, Volvo S70 surged without accelerator input requiring driver to take corrective action and brake hard. In 2005, this vehicle experienced engine stall, vehicle hesitation upon acceleration. Vehicle hesitation was consistent at approximately 2100 RPM at freeway speeds. On taking it to the dealer they reprogrammed the ETM. After this repair, within days, the veehicle experienced and sudden and unexpected transition into reduced performance operation (limp mode) while driving on the pa turnpike. Dealer instructed us to bring car in where they installed a new ETM and reprogrammed it with the new software upgrade. After further negotiations with the dealer, the cost of these repairs were reimbursed by the dealer in an agreement with Volvo (so-called secret warranty). Note that this occured prior to the settlement in California. Volvo would refer me only to the dealer, and would not discuss the possible problemn with me. I believe that we have previously had the ETM cleaned when we had similar problems in the past. The current surging and hesitation at freeway speeds (2000-2200 RPM) and the surging with accelerator inputs are happening with the new ETM that is only about four months old in the vehicle.

- Wexford, PA, USA

problem #43

Nov 162005

S70 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,449 miles
2000 Volvo S70 needed a throttle body module installed. I understand this vehicle has had a number of complaints about tis module. I also understand that California is asking Volvo to either have a recall or extend the warranty.

- Old Lyme, CT, USA

problem #42

Nov 282005

S70

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,041 miles
I own a 2000 Volvo S70 and the throttle modulator (?) failed and had to be replaced at just over the 100K mile mark. The car is serviced regularly and not mishandled. I felt Volvo should have replaced this part without cost to me. However, they did not and it cost me almost $1,000 for the repairs. I have a friend who had the same problem with her Volvo and she gave me this web site. Hence my complaint.

- Tinton Falls, NJ, USA

problem #41

May 152004

S70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact stated engine sputtered and choked, then it eventually stalled. The electrical throttle system ( ets ) light illuminated. She took the vehicle to dealer for service. The ets and exhaust/crankcase emission control module (ECM) were replaced. The vehicle was operating correctly. The vehicle has been to the dealership five times since September 2005.

- Potomac Falls, VA, USA

problem #40

Nov 152005

S70 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,850 miles
Etc failure on a 2000 Volvo S70 ( see action #peo5041).

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #39

Sep 222005

S70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles
Contact's wife was driving on the interstate and vehicle speed slowed down to almost no speed at all. She was able to get the vehicle off the ramp. The vehicle was taken to Volvo dealership in June of 2005 to be checked. He was told at that time the throttle body needed to be cleaned. The vehicle ran fine until September, 22,005. This time the vehicle was taken to a Volvo mechanic, the throttle body was replaced at this time. The vehicle was under warranty at that time.then on November 12, 2005 he was pulling out of a parking place and the throttle body went out again. This, in turn, almost caused a serious accident. On November 14, 2005 he took the car back to the mechanic and he was told that the throttle body that was replaced in September 2005 was defective from Volvo. The vehicle is now at a repair shop having the throttle body replaced again. The vehicle is no longer under warranty. Updated 12/16/2005.

- Riverside , CA, USA

problem #38

Oct 282005

S70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,200 miles
Volvo 2000 S70 66,000 miles vehicle speed control after a trip of 300+ miles ets light and check engine light came on and vehicle went into "limp-home" mode [20 mph] vehicle was towed 100 miles to nearest dealer ETM [electronic throttle module] tested failed and was replaced by dealer on 10/30/2005 old part not available.

- Ithaca, NY, USA

problem #37

Oct 212005

S70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,338 miles
The ets warning light went on two different days leading to my calling my Volvo dealer. I was told I must replace my electronic throttle module because not replacing it could lead to failure of the throttle and could lead to an accident. I had to pay $971 on October 22 to have my dealer replace the module as the car was just past its warranty.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #36

Oct 182005

(reported on)

S70

  • 45,000 miles
At 45000 miles consumer replaced the throttle unit on 2000 Volvo S 70. The manufacturer reimbursed the consumer for replacing the defective throttle unit. The did not reimburse the consumer for the labor and tax paid to install the new unit.

- West Chester, PA, USA

problem #35

Jun 182004

S70 5-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 75,054 miles
My car was jerking and stalling without any notice. My wife use to tell me all the time that it was doing that. This went on for a few months or maybe even longer. I decided to drive the car and it never happened with me until I was driving on vacation to N.C. and it just cut off while I was with my family. I had to push the car of the road. I continued to attempt to restart the vehicle. It restarted, and I went to the nearest Volvo dealer and had to have the electronic throttle module (ETM) replaced. $1014 worth of repairs, from one of the best cars known for safety and reliability in the world and I felt helpless. I know that this is a defect and recall issue and would like to be reimbursed or given credit at a Volvo dealership to make up for my loss and just make this matter right. I still have the invoice service receipt with all the information on it. The Volvo dealership where the repairs were made was crown Volvo in greensboro N.C. thank you for allowing me to make a complaint. Hopefully enough people with the same problem can make some key personnel think about the safety issues and reliability concerns of these vehicles.

- Fort Lewis, WA, USA

problem #34

Apr 212005

S70

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,645 miles
The contact stated while driving in traffic vehicle lost power. The vehicle surged and lost most of the power for about four miles. The vehicle was then turned off. A few minutes later, the vehicle restarted. She took the vehicle to the dealership. The throttle body and a cp valve were replaced at contact's expense. This happened a few months before, and the dealer made minor adjustments, but did not fix the vehicle. The contact was the original owner of the vehicle.

- Marysville, WA, USA

problem #33

Aug 192005

S70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
At approx. 80K miles, my 2000 Volvo S70 computer system began returning a check engine light along with a ets light on several incidents. When those warning lights were on, the engine would not hold a steady curb idle. Rpms wavered from 500 to 1500 and caused a dangerous surging at stop signs and stop lights. Checking the owners manual on the ets light, it said to turn the engine off then back on, if the light went out-fine. If not, go to the dealer. The incidence this happening got more and more frequest until finally the ets light would not go out and the car could not be safely driven. Researching on the internet, I found that it was a common problem with the ETM or electronic throttle module, on this make and model year and that the only the dealer could replace it. So, I went to the dealer and had them replace the ETM on Aug 19, 2005 at the excessive cost of $917.91. (it was less expensive than an accident.) even though I have not experienced the problem since, I expect that the problem will reoccur some 50 to 80K miles in the future since the defective part was just replaced with a new part with the same flawed design. I feel that Volvo should recall this part immediately and make reparations to those of us who have had to have it replaced. I feel that they knew that the part was flawed at the time of manufacture. Why else would their owner's manual explain the ets error and the temporary fix like it does? the "turn the engine off" fix just postpones the repair until after the warranted mileage has past.

- Kingwood, TX, USA

problem #32

Oct 052005

S70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles
The ets system on my 2000 Volvo S70 is failing. The dealer is telling me that this will cost $1000 to fix. My car only has 62,000 miles on it, and is now stalling in traffic due to the etb needing to be replaced. This is a serious matter and could cause injury while driving. My car stalled in traffic the other day and I fearful to drive it on the highway or when crossing an intersection. Volvo needs to send a recall out on this vehicle.

- Claremore , OK, USA

problem #31

Sep 222005

S70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,431 miles
Car was stalling, slowing down and stopping. It was lurching forward when I stepped on the throttle almost causing an accident. The ETM has been replaced once on this vehicle.

- Bothell, WA, USA

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