3.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,816 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #10

Aug 082006

V70

  • miles
I own a 2001 Volvo V70 .. and have had repeated experiences with the vehicle either stalling while in gear and / or "surging" forward while at a stop with the brake pedal depressed... the vehicle has been brought to an authorized Volvo repair shop and to the dealer for these problems a minimum of 4 times upon the return of my vehicle to me the vehicle exhibited the same problems.. the most recent event having taken place on 08.08.06 at this most recent incident I had my two granddaughters in my vehicle and I believe that this event put all our lives in danger.. this is definitely a safety issue / hazard ! I placed a call to the dealership only to be given the "run-around" from jon, tony, and gloria... jon burnham suggested that I let them have my vehicle to drive until the "problem" is duplicated.. gloria masterly said I should not take my car to my local Volvo approved repair shop... that I should have it towed to them, instead both thru asc at no charge... and at my expense numerous times> tony rivas told me that he had to make a call and that he would get back to me... no one got back to me... nor has anyone issues with the magnate marelli ETM and am appalled at the devil may care attitude that Volvo is taking towards this whole affair I bought Volvo because of their reputation for safety ! I am now afraid to drive my car... and am receiving no assistance from any Volvo advisors or representatives I am nearly 80 years old.. and would hate to lose what years I do have left to an avoidable problem which may very well take my life

- La Habra, CA, USA

problem #9

Dec 012005

V70

  • miles
2001 Volvo V70 braking system failed and engine completely shut down without warning. *** no answer required***

- Menlo Park, CA, USA

problem #8

Oct 302005

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,030 miles
Car's check engine light came on while on interstate at 65 mph. Drove car additional 15 minutes to get home. Followed on-dash & owner's manual instructions to get checked at earliest convenience. Car broke down next day on way to mechanic. Car bucked and surged, decelerating and acculturating without any warning. Cel came on. Display read "performance reduced". could go no faster than 20-25 mph. In no position to stop vehicle. On busy road with no usable shoulder. Car required towing. Onboard diagnostics (obd) said thermostat was bad, but mechanic suspected failed ETM. He said this is a known issue with car. The thermostat was replaced. Car was drivable. Used approximately 5 miles more. Car broke down on way home, stranding me in intersection. Same issue. Car went into "limp home" mode. Shut it off. After five minutes, car returned to normal operation. Was able to drive back to mechanic. This time obd reported tell-tale codes for failed ETM. Electronic throttle module was replaced at total cost of $1200. I phoned stillman Volvo where I purchased the car. They denied knowledge of any widespread, well-known issue regarding ETM on 2001 Volvo. I called Volvo America customer care and they acknowledged a NHTSA investigation underway and that they hoped to have a resolution in a couple of weeks. The representative, however, told me that it would be unlikely that I would get any cost assistance from Volvo or my Volvo dealership since I had the work done by an independent mechanic. I am filing this complaint because I did a little research on-line with other Volvo owners. I now understand that Volvo America has known about this issue for years and has not issued a recall. I am upset regarding their statement regarding independent mechanics. But I am furious that this car manufacturer would risk the lives of their customers and their passengers by failing to take action on this issue.

- Springfield, PA, USA

problem #7

Jul 012005

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles
1) normal driving 65 mph westbound on I-25/I-40 intersection, passing a semi-truck on the left. 2)engine warning light came on, car slowed to 20 mph, swerved to avoid all traffic due to substantial loss of speed 3)towed to Volvo dealership, replaced electronic brake sensor, throttle body assembly, and had to buy new coding for computer:$1300 repair cost. Old parts at corroley Volvo, albuquerque, nm.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #6

Sep 192005

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,900 miles
For several months prior to failure, engine torque would fluctuate at steady highway speeds with or without cruise control on. Although it did not affect the speed of the vehicle visibly, I could feel it in the seat of my pants. After getting off of the highway (in a bad detroit neighborhood and in the middle of an intersection), the engine failed to accelerate the car and the information display indicated "performance reduced." I proceeded five miles to my home at no more than 10-20 mph which was all the car could muster. The car restarted normally the following morning and I was able to take it to the dealer. The dealer replaced the electronic throttle module and associated gaskets along with a software upgrade for approx. $1062

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #5

May 122003

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles
At about 8,000 miles, my 2001 (purchased summer 2002) Volvo V70 suddenly stopped when I slowed down on a road near my home. The car restarted, but did not seem to have the same pick-up as before. I subsequently took the car into the Volvo dealership and was told the throttle mechanism needed cleaning. After this was done, the car seemed fine for several months. At about 15,000 miles, the same thing happened on a difference stretch of road. The seemed weaker than before and it took longer to restart. The Volvo dealership again diagnosed a dirty throttle, cleaned it, and returned it to me. The car seemed normal until about 24,000 miles, when I was unable to start the car after it had been parked for about two hours. This time, I tried many times to start the vehicle, but ultimately had to call a tow truck. It was towed to Volvo, where they told it was a throttle problem again. After cleaning, it appeared normal. The car is currently at about 30,000 miles, but I take it in every three months to get the throttle mechanism cleaned as a precaution.

- Fpo, AP, USA

problem #4

Aug 152001

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles
2001 Volvo V70 ETM failure. "performance reduced" warning message on dash, causing loss of power and severe surging/bucking..very scary and unsafe, reluctant to drive car in this cond.

- Port Orchard, WA, USA

problem #3

Aug 092004

V70

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,313 miles
2001 Volvo station wagon V70. Vehicle stalled/died and lost power while driving at 25 mph. Throttle body sensor was replaced. The upper engine mount broke and oil leaked from the turbo return line seals.

- Winchester , VA, USA

problem #2

Jun 222005

V70 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,920 miles
We purchased our 2001 Volvo V70 station wagon 12 March and have since had the car into the dealer 3 times for problems with the transmision. It stalls and tends to not gain speed. We had it serviced 2 times and this last time that stated they replaced it. We are still experiencing the same problem with the engine though.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #1

Jun 012001

V70

  • miles
Heard loud "knocking" when turning right and left, decelerating, and entering/exiting parking lots. Took car to dealership three times and told nothing was wrong. It was simply a very heavy car and might make that noise in those circumstances. Problem worsened. Took to independent mechanic and he found broken motor mounts which left engine sitting on top of steering column. He stated it was a design flaw that has now damaged the steering and possibly alignment, suspension, etc. Also noted that placement of engine on top of steering column will probably cause the motor mounts to break again within six months.

- Riverbank, CA, USA