10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,343 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #29

May 302006

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
Purchased a 1999 Volvo S80 in June 2000. Since that time on dozens of occasions warning messages have constantly appeared on the dash display, I.e. fuel filler cap loose, emission system service required, and engine system service urgent. We had the vehicle checked by Volvo of annapolis for this problem and were informed that there was nothing wrong. Since then we have had the S80 checked by a reputable aaa certified auto service center who informed us that the throttle body was the cause of the problem and that Volvo had to rectify the problem which is very common. When the error message engine system service urgent appears the cruise control disconnects and will not re-engage. The vehicle surges and is a constant worry for my spouse who primarily operates the vehicle.

- Huntingtown, MD, USA

problem #28

Sep 242005

S80

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,230 miles
1999 S80 loss power while driving, service urgent light illuminated. The dealer replaced the electronic throttle module.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #27

Feb 122006

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
After reporting several problems traced to emt malfunction I had to pay out of pocket in excess of $800 to have emt replaced in 11/2002. Less than two years after that, I've experienced the same problems listed on previous complaints, to the point where I consider the vehicle unsafe. I have experienced no less than 15-20 incidents in the past 6 months alone. The last one being just yesterday where the vehicle all of a sudden stalled down to about 20 mph on the highway for no apparent reason and then back to normal speed several times.

- Daytona Beach, FL, USA

problem #26

Jan 102003

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
Engine shut down on numerous occasions while driving on the highway. No steering response or power brakes to help to stop the car. Very dangerous! the electronic throttle module (ETM) on 1999 Volvo S80 was replaced at the cost of 843$.

- Brossard, 00, USA

problem #25

Jan 132006

S80 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles
Vehicle stall without warning. Almost cause an accident. Dealer refuse to acknowledge the problem and stated that every is fine. Send me back without any work done.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #24

Nov 292005

S80

  • 45,000 miles
Vehicle stalled at 45 to 50 mph. Made several attempts to get restarted. Replaced electrical throttle module (ETM) and it fixed that problem.

- Absecon, NJ, USA

problem #23

Oct 152005

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles
ETM (electronic throttle module) failure while driving. Vehicle abruptly stalled in traffic, causing a near miss rear end collision. ETM replaced.

- Christiansburg, VA, USA

problem #22

Nov 072005

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles
The contact states while driving on the interstate the vehicle accelerated and experienced a loss of power. The engine did not stall, but operated at a reduced speed. The engine slowly resumed power and the contact was able to proceed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the problem was with the electronic throttle control module. Volvo offered no cost assistance. The consumer had the ETM replaced. Updated 12/27/2005.

- Asheboro, NC, USA

problem #21

Sep 122005

S80

  • miles
When the surging happens there are no necessarily warning messages. The first time the throttle module was replaced there were some messages on the dash, but for items not related to the throttle module. The second time there were not any messages until the car died and would not start. The third time the car started to surge, and brought the car to dealer before it got too bad. Basically, it would be necessary to replace throttle module a fourth time. The contact only had to pay for 1 replacement, and then it was replaced 2 more times by the dealer at no cost. From the time the surging started to the car stalled. The cleaning of the throttle module will keep the car running good. It seemed that the contact has to clean it every 6 months. It started to surge. About 8000 - 10000 miles. The last time it was replaced was 5/14/04, and I the contact cleaned it twice since then. Volvo told the contact that they would not warranty it any more because the contact declined to have them do $1000 worth of work that did not need to be done. The contact ended up doing the work himself, and there was nothing wrong with the parts they said were bad.

- Puyallup, WA, USA

problem #20

Sep 212005

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,489 miles
The contact stated this vehicle was experiencing the same problems mentioned in NHTSA investigation PE05-041. This has happened many times. The last time this happened the vehicle was traveling about 40 mph, and it lost power/stalled. The vehicle was pulled over without incident. The vehicle was restarted immediately, and would not go faster than 20 mph. The vehicle was taken to a service station. They were unable to assist the contact. The vehicle was taken the dealer. The problem was diagnosed as the ETM by their computer error notice. He was not the original owner. The problem has not been fixed. The manufacturer has been contact, and they offered no assistance.

- Fairhope , AL, USA

problem #19

Sep 292005

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles
Engine miss firing and emission light on. Later engine running good but cruise control would not work and text message 'engine system fix next service' with orange warning light on. Took to Volvo dealer and they replaced the ETM for no charge. They kept the old part because they had replaced the original one.

- Conyers, GA, USA

problem #18

Oct 282005

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles
The throttle surges at idle and while driving. Sometimes no power and sometimes it just takes off. Dealer says its the electronic throttle body. Stated they have replaced a number of these.

- Twinsburg, OH, USA

problem #17

Aug 042005

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles
Emt failure in 1999 S80T6 Volvo. The vehicle lost power, this was the second time in 2 weeks. The first time the dealer replaced the alternator >$900. The next time w/in 2 weeks it lost power and they replaced the emt >$1000. Only 41K miles on the vehicle.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #16

Sep 092005

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,700 miles
On September 10, 2005 at approximately 2:30 pm, my engine abruptly stalled while traveling at highway speeds with cruise control engaged. I pulled the car off to the side of the road. It would not restart. Upon each attempt to restart, the engine would actually run roughly for 1-2 seconds and then stall. I had the car towed about 35 miles to my Volvo dealer. When it arrived, it started. This is the second time this has happened. The last time, the dealer found no problem. I am aware that Volvo suspects the throttle body in these matters. Mine has already been replaced!

- Weatogue, CT, USA

problem #15

May 012005

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles
While driving at 20-25 mph the vehicle accelerated and surged on its own. The consumer was the vehicle's second owner. The first owner experienced a similar problem. The problems was first noticed on 05/01/2005.

- Memphis , TN, USA

problem #14

Aug 242005

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 165,992 miles
1999 Volvo S80; throttle unexpectedly stopped operating and vehicle went into a "limp home mode". vehicle was towed to a dealer. Diagnostic tests revealed a faulty throttle control module (tcm). The tcm was replaced and new software downloaded. Old parts were not provided by the dealer.

- Middleton, WI, USA

problem #13

Mar 152004

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles
My 1999 Volvo S80 simply decided to stall while I was merging into traffic. I was able to avoid an accident. A message came on the dash that stated that I needed an urgent service visit for my emission system. The Volvo dealership charged me $1,000 to replace the electronic throttle. A second defect of this car is a leaking fuel sender assembly which was a fire hazard. About $700 to repair. I emailed and called Volvo regarding both of these items. They have never responded.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #12

Jul 122005

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles
Months prior to electronic throttle module needing replacement, at my cost, 1999 Volvo S80T (@85K miles) engine idle surging and engine warning lights randomly occurred, requiring restarting car when it stalled in heavy traffic. New throttle(gas pedal) was replaced but did not resolve problem. Lastly, while driving on an interstate highway, car would not accelerated beyond 20 mph(limp home mode) and Volvo dealer replaced ETM to resolve problem. About a year before, the ABS module was replaced(under extended warranty) because a multitude of warning lights were occurring (ABS, brakes, power steering). While I'm listing failures, the engine cooling fan needed to be replaced(under extended warranty).

- Sicklerville, NJ, USA

problem #11

Aug 092005

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
While driving on a major highway, during rush hour traffic, the car lost all power. Fortunately, I was in the far right lane and was able to drift safely onto the shoulder. The indicator light read failure. The car would not start, so I had it towed to my home. The car subsequently started, but had developed the same acceleration problems within a few minutes of driving. My son-in-law, a mechanic, believes the problem is with the electronic throttle module and understands this is a common problem with this make of vehicles (Volvo). I have not as yet had the module replaced.

- Washington, NJ, USA

problem #10

Dec 242004

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles
The engine died while driving down the street. After coasting to a stop, I was able to restart the engine. Recently when idling, the engine RPM's have surged from about 700 to approximately 1400 without touching the accelerator pedal. Currently when the transmission is in park or neutral the engine surges from about 700 to approximately 1000. When I contacted a local Volvo dealer service person, they acknowledged this has been a frequent problem.

- Littleton, CO, USA

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