10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,660 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #32

Nov 032005

V70

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles
The throttle on our 1999 Volvo V70 has failed. The problem was noticed by unusual throttle behavior on the freeway at 60 - 70 miles per hour. After this behavior had occurred several times over a period of months, the ets light came on indicating a throttle problem. The problem caused an unusual feeling to driving the car as if there were some resistance or impediment to the engine running properly. The ets warning light came on the date below listed as "incident date, " but the problem was occurring over a few month period before that date. The ets light did not stay on, but there is clearly a problem with the throttle. I took the car to the dealer, lee Volvo in wellesley, MA and was told the throttle needed to be replaced. This is worrisome, because the manual says to turn the car off and back on when the ets light comes on, but the ets light will not consistently indicate a problem, when the throttle is defective as ours is. We own a 2000 Volvo S70, which I understand may have the same throttle, and that you are considering a recall for Volvo throttles. It is expensive to replace the throttle $1,000+, and dangerous as it is a problem which may arise at 70 miles an hour with no warning.

- Waban, MA, USA

problem #31

Sep 102005

V70 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,600 miles
While driving on 09/10/2005 the vehicle hesitated/lost power and died. Also ets light appeared. In addition, brakes were not holding. This started in 2002.

- Cummings, GA, USA

problem #30

Sep 252005

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles
1999 Volvo V70 w/61,000. Electronic throttle module failure (ets and check engine lights: Rough idle on start (surging);slow speed only. Dealer service mgr. Indicated they replace many, but not at such low mileage. No indication that failure was imminent except slight, occasional hesitation after startup. Trip length of 3 miles. Subsequent startup and commute to dealer uneventful except check engine light was lit.

- Staunton, VA, USA

problem #29

Oct 202004

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles
I've had numerous electronic problems with my Volvo V70 since I bought it in 1998. The vehicle has been brought back to the Volvo repair dealer for many repairs (I have organized documents of all the repair orders) clearly identified as "lost of power" while driving. Mostly on small roads and only once on an interstate. Originally started under warranty, I was told that the same problem was not covered outside of warranty when I spoke with the president of Volvo North America's secretary. I have had many parts replaced trying to correct the situation including two electronic throttle control units (totaling three if you include the one that came with the car). "loss of power", "stalling at traffic lights", "hesitation when pressing on accelerator", an other comments are all documented in the Volvo repair shop repair orders. The problems continued until throughout my ownership of the car. I finally gave up and sold it June 05. The repairs that Volvo did to my V70 would work for a while and then the lights would soon come back on. I'd put up with it for a while until the car started to become to dangerous to drive (hesitation) and then I'd bring it in for repair. Volvo tried different solutions and told me that the computer codes indicated different repairs, but to me it was always the same symptoms. I would be glad to share the entire book of repair orders over the 7 years (and 167,000 miles) that I owned the car. Again they were always done at a certified Volvo dealership.

- Southbury, CT, USA

problem #28

Dec 242003

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
The contact stated basically the warning light was coming on in the latter part of 2003. It happened several times. He took the vehicle to the dealer, and the dealer told him that he could have it cleaned, but the warning light could still come on. He would eventually have to replaced the electronic throttle module (ETM). The contact had it replaced in 2-04, and just found out about the problem with the valves. He called the dealer stating he would like his money back from Volvo. Because the car was not under warranty at the time he had the ETM replaced, and because the mileage was 64,495, they could not reimburse him. The caller was not the original owner.

- Ann Arbor , MI, USA

problem #27

Sep 192005

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,020 miles
Failure of electronic throttle system occurred. No injuries due to immediate discontinued use after warning light illuminated. After light illuminated, I drove the car straight home from work, parked it and am currently researching where I will take it to get repaired. I have recently read numerous articles on this problem that others are having as well, and wanted to note this incident as well.

- Severn, MD, USA

problem #26

Aug 272005

V70

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Cars stalls without warning at varying speeds. Sometimes I just lose acceleration without warning- has caused two near causes. I have written in the date of my last incident -but it has occurred intermittently for the past year.

- Washington Crossing, PA, USA

problem #25

Jul 262005

V70 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
1) 1999 Volvo V70. Ets light appeared on dashboard. 2) throttle body assembly defective 3) parts replaced with new.

- Lewiston, ME, USA

problem #24

Aug 182005

V70 5-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 72,000 miles
Rough engine idle, fluctuating idle speed, unpredictable acceleration rate.

- Irvington, NY, USA

problem #23

Sep 232004

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,840 miles
The Volvo began to sporadically lose power and stall. I called the Volvo dealer and made an appointment after it stalled while cornering and my wife had almost lost control of the vehicle. On 9/23/04 the vehicle was towed to Volvo. They checked for codes, battery cables, fuel and ignition and battery and found nothing wrong. They replaced a relay. Total cost was $173.15. The problem was still present and I had the vehicle towed back in on 11/16/04. They then diagnosed the problem as a faulty throttle unit. They replaced it and performed a software reload. The cost of that service was $ $1077.14. The vehicle has not stalled since.

- Wilton, CT, USA

problem #22

Mar 072005

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles
Vehicle speed control. 1st failure occurred when I was driving my 9 year old daughter and 6 year old neighbor. Traffic was heavy and the surge almost caused me to rear end the car in front of me. Lack of power with normal acceleration which leads to more pressure to the accelerator leading to an eventual dangerous surge. Very noticeable at a dead start, but does occur at different speeds. Explained by dealership that ETM needs replacing. Replacement cost will be $800-$1200.

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #21

Aug 272005

V70

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
1999 Volvo V70 wagon. Mass registration 9418pg my 16 year old daughter driving with her mother in the above described 1999 Volvo on rt 3 southbound between milton & marshfield Massachusetts, when the ets light came on and the vehicle began to shake and stall. My wife having experienced this before instructed my daughter to pull over onto the shoulder of the road and restart the car. My wife & I paid South shore Volvo of norwell Massachusetts $1100 to replace this ets or ETM system January of this year. We have also had spent $800. On two oxygen sensors that South shore Volvo initially diagnosed as the problem. We have further spent an additional $125. On an ignition switch which has been causing all of the dashboard light to continuously light and go out, now the speedometer and mileage meter have begun to fail.. South shore Volvo has refused to correct the problems, they will not even return our calls. California has filed a class action lawsuit in an attempt to get some relief for it's citizens. I am going to attempt to join theirs, would prefer some appreciate some assistance. Thank you vincent P stancato. Ps, 20 year Volvo owner, I drive a 1991 Volvo 245, used to like these cars.

- Milton, MA, USA

problem #20

Apr 022003

V70

  • 59,061 miles
Ets light on, dealer replaced ETM customer pay. Receipts faxed to ODI, this voq created from E-mail sent by current owner Mr. Scott. The consumer stated the part failed and was replaced before he purchased the vehicle, but he is sure it will have to replaced again.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #19

Oct 202004

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,091 miles
I have had two 1999 Volvo 70-series. One a V70 wagon, and the other a S70 sedan. Both had a failure of the electronic throttle module (ETM). The ETM on the V70 failed at 61,091 miles. The S70 failed at 101,312 miles for me, but since we bought the car used at about 98,000 miles, I do not know if it failed before. The V70 was exhibiting symtoms and was replaced under warranty when I brought it in for service. The S70 however failed on the road in traffic with my daughter driving, while I was also in the car. It was replaced by Volvo, but cost me as there was no warranty.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #18

Aug 142005

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles
While driving at highway speed 65-70 mph car suddenly jumped forward then slowed and stalled while driving on hwy. Luckily I was able to pull to the side of the road without a problem. After a few minutes the car restarted and would drive but was surging just like before it stalled. I quickly drove the car home and parked. The problem has not yet been corrected but was quoted $1000 to replace the electronic throttle module by dealer (wilde Volvo in brookfield, wi). The same dealer also told me that they replace an average of three of the electronic throttle modules every week. That seems like a defective part if they change 3 a week at 1,000 each and the stalling could cause a serious accident.

- Jackson, WI, USA

problem #17

Jul 082005

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer owns a 1999 Volvo V70. Vehicle stalled/ died and lost power due to throttle valve failure.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #16

Mar 292005

V70 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles
During the month of March, 2005, I was driving my 1999 Volvo V70 on the interstate at 65 miles per hour when the car jerked several times and slowed to 10 miles per hour; not accelerating pass that speed. I exited the interstate and drove home at the speed of 10 miles per hour or less. To prevent the car from stopping at red lights, I placed the car in park and pressed the accelerator to keep the car from stopping. I had the car towed to Volvo South atlanta and it was determined that the throttle body had to be replaced at a cost of $905.44. The parts were disposed of but I have a receipt for the throttle body, gasket and ETM reload.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #15

Nov 292002

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicle stalled. The dealer replaced throttle body 3 times.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #14

Aug 032005

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,734 miles
"check engine" light came on 8/3/05. Took car to dealership for diagnosis. Said it was malfunction of throttle that regulates air going into engine. No consequences as of yet.

- Newtown, PA, USA

problem #13

Mar 172005

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles
11/12/04 mass air flow sensor replaced 12/16/04 map sensor & shut off valve replaced 3/15/05 shut off valve replaced again! 1/18 05 master window switch pack replaced - 5/31/05 master window switch pack replaced again!! 3/17/05 electronic throttle control module replaced!!! 5/9/05 oxygen sensor and ABS control unit replaced. When the throttle control module failed in March 2005, my 1999 Volvo V70 had only 55,000 miles on it! I was on the expressway when my car lost power and had no way to get back onto the road safely.....I have spent over $4000 in the past year replacing electrical control units in order to make this car safe. The check engine light came multiple times over the past year. I am afraid to drive this car for fear of something else going wrong with the electrical system. I have four small grandchildren who are with me at least three days a week.

- Louisville, KY, USA

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