Volvo S70 adaptive cruise problems

Filed Aug 16, 2011 · Acceleration, Engine · 77,494 miles · MA

Upon accelerating up the hill of my street, today, august 16th, 2011, my car, a 1998 volvo s70 , sped up, unnaturally, close to the top . I had just driven out of my driveway, as I back into it always, and proceeded up the hill. As usual, the automatic transmission shifted down as the car approached a steeper portion of the hill. When braking for the stop sign at the top, I noticed that the engine was racing. I was unable to stop fully at the stop sign, and after going around the corner to the right, I pulled the floor mat away from the accelerator pedal. My left foot was now firmly planted on the brake pedal, as well as my right foot quickly pumping the accelerator pedal , all in an attempt to have the gas pedal unstuck, which it didn't. It just made the car engine continuously race even more. The RPM's increased also the more that the engine raced. Unable to fully stop at the next subsequent 2 stop signs, on a straight away, and my left foot to the floor with the brake pedal, I finally decided to place the car in neutral, the engine racing at what seemed a very high rate of speed by evidence of those RPM's. I continued to pump the gas pedal,with the car in neutral, my left foot on the brake, when suddenly the racing ceased, and the RPM's came down to an idle, just below 1000, I believe. I then proceeded to the side of the road, and stopped. After a bit, I placed the car from neutral into park, and then again shifted the automatic transmission into drive. I began moving down a hill by mere idling speed. I was careful, just coasting now, not to initially place any pressure on the accelerator as I proceeded in drive. I came to a stop at an intersection, for a red signal light, and when it was green, I drove back around a large city block to my driveway. I backed into my driveway with no further issues of sudden acceleration during the final distance driven. This has happened 2 other times recently when setting cruise control going up a hill.

Filed Sep 15, 2009 · Acceleration, Transmission · 91,500 miles · NJ

My 1999 s70 with approximately 92,000 has the following issues: - sometimes the engines start shaking? - hard to brake - no power even if you pedal is at the max - cruise control stop working my car has a malfunction with the electronic throttle module and I have been to the deal to get the software upgrade. Since the upgrade my check engine light came on and have had to replace my front 02 sensor. Now the car is undriveable because it will not go more than 20mph with the gas pedal floored. Volvo will not repair this know issue because the car is 10 1/2 years old. They state if the car was less than 10years old or under 200k in mileage they would repair it. This is not fair. They could have replaced this etm when I came for the software upgrade but they did not.

Filed Jul 24, 2007 · Acceleration, Brakes · 130,000 miles · TN

The ABS and stc light came on and cruise control became inoperable. It would often reset after turning engine off. After several weeks, the car began to also loose power and it would only run in a higher gear.

Filed Dec 6, 2005 · Brakes · 73,000 miles · NY

The ABS antilock brake system in my 1998 volvo s70 failed. The dashboard light indicated ABS & traction control (tracs) failure. Normal non-ABS braking remained. Research on several volvo owners web sites (such as brickboard: http://www.brickboard.com/awd/?model=s70) showed systemic failure of the ABS control module volvo part # 9162675 due to printed circuit board solder cracking after 6 years. The car was tested by a volvo dealer confirming ABS control module failedure. Volvo charges a total $650 to replace the unit. The "brickboard" owners group suggested a repair shop in california that resolders the circuit board, replaces and upgrades failed components, tests & returns it for $130 plus shipping. We had the old board repaired, since a new exact replacement board from volvo would have the same failure after another 5 years. The repaired ABS control unit has been reinstalled & the car now works properly, with full ABS and tracs control. This is not the first printed circuit failure from volvo. Our 1993 volvo 940 turbo had two board failures: 1, the relay base board solder cracked, and resulted in the overdrive relay not working; 2, cruise control operated erratically, due to bad board solder. Both of these boards were repaired by our local service shop. We are very concerned that two critical safety elements - the ABS system and traction control - are failing in a relatively short period of time, & because of a failure of what should be a simple assembly of tested parts. Further, we are most disturbed that volvo's remedy is a very expensive replacement, with the same failure prone part. Worse, although we opted for a complete repair, there are owners who cannot afford the fix. These will be driving with far less braking and control than the car is capable of providing.

Filed Oct 20, 2005 · Acceleration · 70,000 miles · CA

Dt: the throttle will flutter and the accelerator will cut out when pressing the accelerator pedal as well as vibrate. The vehicle stalled/died and lost power. The problem was fixed in february 2004, but it recurred. *ak *mr when the cruise control fails the odometer fails as well. The ABS and brake light illuminated as well.

Filed Sep 29, 2005 · Acceleration · 48,835 miles · FL

Dt: 2000 volvo s70 se. While driving 70-75 MPH vehicle bucked and lost cruise control. *ak the vehicle slowed down very quickly and would not regain speed. Each time the vehicle was stopped at a light the consumer had to put it in neutral and keep her foot on the gas pedal to keep it from stalling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was informed that the electronic throttle module was defective and needed to be replaced.

Filed Sep 22, 2005 · Electrical, Fuel system · 22,600 miles · NC

Regarding volvo throttle control july 2001-purchased 1999 s70 with 22,600 miles; cruise control quit, warning lights lit, car began decelerating. Dealership said check gas cap securely-fitting. After restarting, cruise control worked and warning lights off. 30,000 mile service- told again to check gas cap whenever cruise problem occurred. August 2002-using cruise control, acceleration without reason. Immediately, cruise control quit, car decelerated, warning lights on. Normal function with manual acceleration. By this time, I had "learned" to restart car to get warning lights to turn off or to get cruise control to start working. At destination, car wouldn't restart. Tow truck driver jump-started battery. Ets warning light still on. Wrote to dealership october 28, 2003, regarding ets warning light. At 37,500 mile check-up, I was told car required only normal servicing. When I left dealership, ets light no longer on. Later car began idling roughly and didn't accelerate as smoothly. After 37,500 mile service, car operated more as expected. Within weeks, again idling roughly and not accelerating properly after turning corners. Dec. 31, 2003 (38,695 miles), volvo towed to dealership because unsafe to drive. When turning, car barely moved forward. Also, motor stalling out during acceleration after turning. Noise sounded like it emanated from power steering. Power steering rack replaced. After servicing, engine's acceleration better for few months. (did dealership cleaned throttle during service?) rest of this sent in separate description due to space limitations.

Filed Sep 22, 2005 · Electrical · 22,600 miles · NC

This is the second submission (part two, actually) of complaint # 10137311, regarding volvo throttle control module and cruise control. I had to divide the description into two sections due to space limitations. Part two of odi # 10137311: may 2004 (45,000 mile service) -car idling roughly, not accelerating smoothly, and clunking sound when accelerating. Upper engine torque mount. Clunking noise disappeared. Car seemed to accelerate more normally after servicing. Summer 2004- car cutting off when accelerating after turning and warning light(s) on. Cruise control continues cutting off, causing deceleration; car continues to idle roughly and accelerate un-smoothly. When it is time for engine to automatically be given a little more gas (such as going up a hill), the cruise control shuts off and the "ABS" light comes on. Sometimes "check engine" light comes on, either alone or in addition to the ABS warning light. September 20, 2005--warranty expired--67,500 mile service- again reported cruise control/warning light problem to dealership,supposedly need new control module, costing $1,000. Problem was reported repeatedly while car under warranty; don't repair at my expense because problem developed while under warranty. Using cell phone while conversing with dealership. Woman in same store overheard conversation, told me of similar problems with sudden deceleration, and gave me your url. [xxx]. Vin [xxx] (1999 s70) throttle control not yet replaced. *jb updated 07/18/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Aug 19, 2005 · Acceleration · 88,220 miles · PA

1) I was driving alone along state highway 283 in pa, which is a 4 lane (2 each direction) highway in a rural area with a posted speed limit of 65, between lancaster and harrisburg. Most traffic was trucks (tracter trailers). 2) the car (volvo s70 awd), travelling smoothly on cruise control at about the speed limit, suddenly lost power. Engine was still running, but at a much lower RPM, and running badly. Fortunately I was in the far right lane. I pulled off the road almost immediately to avoid being hit by the truck behind me. I noticed the ets yellow warning light was on. The vehicle seemed able to operate, albeit roughly, at about 30-35mph. Being in a rural area, I drove in this off the highway lane up to the next exit. I took the ramp off the highway, got to the top of the ramp, and the car seemed to be reasonable. Being in a rural area with nowhere seen for reparirs, I accelerated down the ramp to the highway, with the car seeming a bit sluggish, but otherwise ok. Then it lost power again at the bottom of the exit ramp. I pulled over, to the sound of the horn of another truck which was behind me. I shut off the car; waited a few seconds; and restarted the car. It ran much better, but the ets light was still on. After pulling back onto the highway, everything was ok for awhile, but I ran into problems when I hit some slowing traffic. When I tried to accelerate from the slowdown the car did not respond. It was as if I hadn't just pressed the pedal. I nursed it to a volvo dealership as soon as possible that day. 3) the throttle body was replaced after dealership first performed a diagnostic on the engine. The diagnostic showed 5 line items for the "throttle unit, internal fault..." I have a copy of the print out of this report. I have driven the car about 150 highway miles since the repar. The problem has not been observed during this time.

Filed Aug 18, 2005 · Engine · 69,000 miles · IL

While driving at 65 with cruise control on, the ets light came on and the cruise control turned off causing the car to decelerate suddenly. This is a safety issue as it can lead to a collision from the rear. The car was still drivable with manual control of the accelerator, but experienced intermittent stuttering while being driven at highway speed. Diagnostic by the dealer revealed that the electronic throttle module is failing and must be replaced. The cost of the repair being 900 dollars.