2000 Volvo S80: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed May 24, 2010 · Brakes, Suspension · 124,000 miles · WA

I was driving my 2000 volvo s80 on 5/19/10 and had exited I-405, onto hwy 169, heading home towards maple valley, when all of a sudden I heard a very loud bang, resulting in sudden steering loss, heard loud squealing, and saw lots of white smoke. The smoke was from the front passenger tire, which had turned outward, completely sideways at a 90 degree angle. The car is now in no condition to be driven. The wheel damaged the frame, warp/dented the quarter panel, broke off the molding, ripped out the cv drive or whatever that thing is that makes the wheel turn in a normal, forward direction, broke the lower control arm, messed up the brake line, struts, and who knows what else? I'm guessing that the repair costs are going to be towards the thousands, being that volvo parts are so expensive.

Filed May 22, 2008 · Acceleration, Suspension · 53,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 volvo s80. The contact experienced two failures listed as recalls for the suspension and vehicle speed control. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in the recalls. He is very upset with being excluded from the recalls because the failures are identical. While proceeding to make a left turn at approximately 5 MPH, the tire detached from the front driver side of the vehicle. The contact felt that this was a very serious safety hazard. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the wheel axle, lower control arm, and upper ball joint were replaced. The contact also observed the failure of the speed control mechanism. While driving between 55-60 MPH and applying pressure to the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated and hesitated. This failure occurs only during highway driving. The vehicle has not been repaired for this failure. The recall numbers were unknown. The failure mileage was 53,000 and the current mileage was unknown.

Filed Sep 4, 2007 · Suspension · 73,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 volvo s80. While driving 5 MPH, the left ball joint assembly detached and caused the front axle to fail. The contact stated that the left front wheel collapsed. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic and was sold to him. The current and failure mileages were 73,000. Updated 09/18/07.

Filed May 5, 2007 · Acceleration, Engine · PR

Trebol motors distributors corp. Po box 11204, fdez. Juncos sta. San juan, p.r. 00910-2304 phone # 787‑793‑2828 fax 787‑793‑2978 year 2000 s80 gentlemen: according to north america volvo I have at list three recalls on my unit. The same are under the numbers: 1- recall id # 06v441000 vehicle speed control dated nov. 15, 2006 model affected 2000 volvo s80 2- recall id # 04v451000- engine and engine cooling:cooling system fan 3- recall id # 00v238000-suspension front control arm: upper ball joint , dated aug. 24, 2000. Those recalls are applicable to my car as telephone call from volvo north america. Two of them, the first two, occurred to my vehicle, and I paid you for labor and parts. 2- invoices: 1- # 04937 dated 09/05/06 throttle housing 8644347 total cost paid $ 815.74. Paid 09-15-2006 2- # 02481 dated 06/18/04 electrical fan 30636445 total cost paid $ 498.02 paid 06-17-2004 the third recall I do not find invoices for, but may be invoices: that part probably damage the shock absorbers which were change on 09/05/2006 invoice 04937 , in which I paid for parts 8667253 , 8646713 the amount of $ 566.98, paid on 09/16/2006. I call several times to your service department but the manager of service never ever return my calls. I expect your reaction soon. Your promt attention will be appreciated. Please acknowledge receipt. I authorize my father jose d. Santiago to visit and make all efforts with trebol motors to take whatever actions may be needed to get reimbursement of payments made up to now.I also authorize him to sign all documents, deliver copies, and handle notifications to trebol motor & /or volvo.also to take car for service covered by any recalls not yet repair. Jose d. Santiago dated may 4, 2007

Filed Mar 14, 2007 · Suspension · 92,000 miles · PA

Tl* - the contact owns a 2000 volvo s80. The contact stated that there was safety recall 00v238000 that did not apply to this vehicle due to the VIN. The contact stated that the problems he had currently with this vehicle was directly related to the safety recall. There was front suspension noise prior to taking the vehicle through inspection, and the response time when making a turn was not as tight as it once was. The tie rods had an excessive amount of play in them, and he believed that it was directly related to the problem with the ball joints. The current and failure speed were both 92,000 miles.*ak update 05/04/07

Filed Nov 28, 2006 · Acceleration, Electrical · 45,000 miles · MA

1. Following download of recall software performance has been vastly reduced and now only achieves 8.2 mpg. 2. The ABS control module functions intermittently and usually in the failure mode. Abs brakes do not function properly-replacement $950 3. While backing (cold engine), brakes fail to stop the car for several seconds (feet). 4. The vehicle stalls mostly on turns but on straight away. A. Car now shuts off approx 6-8 times while driving, dangerous while driving at interstate/highway speeds. It "surges" forward and the lights (dash and headlights) fade - vehicle stalls with no power steering or power brakes. 5. Cruise control fails ?? Up hills/down hills shuts down. Now is inoperable. 6. The electronic door locks malfunction intermittently. 7. Following error codes display and total mileage, trip 1 & 2 mileage displays default to ?? --------?? And mileage does not log on the odometer: a.brake failure stop asap b.coolant level low stop asap c.ABS failure / service required d.stc service required e.power steering failure - service required f.emission system service required g.stop safely and restart engine h.alarm system service required I.alarm triggered j.emission system service required k.no oil pressure stop asap l.check engine. *nm the ball joint, driver side window motor, sunroof switch were replaced. Numerous bulb replacements and replacement of mass flow sensor. The cooling fan malfunctioned. The ABS control module would function intermittently which would cause the ABS to not function. The power steering failed. The vehicle will completely shut off while driving. The cruise control was inconsistent, the vehicle would loose power with the cruise activated. The electronic doors malfunctioned, the fob does not always open the door and at times when closing the driver side door. Updated 12/15/06.

Filed Oct 12, 2006 · Suspension · 59,000 miles · PA

Purchased a 2000 volvo s80 in march of 2006, experience power loss with thing such as sunroof and windows, terrible glare from front windshield impairs vision, suspension- ball joints, axles, rods, strut bushings, struts, brake calipers, cv boots/joints, control arm, and tires have been replaced ... Still hear noise., engine surges at low speeds and when car is stopped- engine torque mount replaced, brake pedal has to be pressed completely before car stops-despite brake booster, and master cylinder being replaced. Abs module was replaced. Car drags (has a delay) when accelerating. Received updates and recalls performed. Fixed almost everything car surged forward into a trailer hook on the back of a parked car-cosmetic damage very expensive. Have been hoping that the repairs will come to an end...first car ever purchased and have almost spent 1/2 of its blue book value in repairs. Seeking explanations, reimbursements, and national awareness. Love the appearance, wish it wasn't so many defects.

Filed Jul 29, 2006 · Electrical, Fuel system · 49,374 miles · IL

I want to add my documentation about the failure of the throttle module and subsequent lack of appropriate action. The unit in the 2000 volvo s80 failed to bring the car to a complete halt in traffic in december 2004. Subsequent repairs to solve the problem were $845. If volvo sent out a notice for etm repair refunds last winter, I did not receive it despite living at the same address as when I purchased the vehicle in dec 1999. I also want to call your attention to the increasing problem with the dstc system as evidence by activity in the chat rooms. Our vehicle shows a persistent dstc service message that the dealer claims can not be adequately diagnosed without first replacing the yaw sensor for $668. Others with this problem have turned to buying and self installing rebuilt ABS units which the federal safety agency should be proactively seeking to understand. The cause of the ABS unit failure? Some claim it is the vibration and pounding from the entirely inadequate front end suspension and wheel system causing the electronic parts to fail. I can attest to the suspension problem having spent $1790 yesterday to replace front bushings, stabilizer links, struts and spring seats on a car with 64k miles. The front struts previously were replace in jan '04 at a cost of $726 when mileage was 40k. I've also had to replace the ball joints several times already.

Filed Jul 16, 2006 · Suspension · 63,797 miles · CO

Without any prior warning, the left front ball joint separated and damaged the axle. No odd noises before hand. No unusual tire wear. We do all scheduled maintenance. No work had recently been done on the front end. The technician said he did not think the vehicle had ever been in a prior accident--he saw no indication of that. My daughter was on her way to work--going 40 MPH--no one around her, and not yet on the freeway where she was headed, thank god. The technician called it a "catastrophic failure" and said he was not exaggerating when he used that term. Both front ball joints were replaced (and the one that did not fail was not in good condition either) and the axle and 2 new tires. There had been a campaign to replace the original ball joints. This vehicle had the ball joints replaced in 2001.

Filed Nov 16, 2005 · Acceleration, Engine · 49,086 miles · NJ

I own a 2000 volvo s80 2.9 - VIN: [xxx]. I had purchased the vehicle new from bridgewater volvo in nj on aug 15, 2000. I have 49,100 miles on the car and I have maintained the vehicle impeccably in the last 5 years of ownership. Two weeks ago the car started stalling and the message display read "reduced performance". My wife uses the car to commute to work and the stalling of the car on the highways put her into a potentially dangerous situation. She was able to safely pullover and the car would re-start again every time it stalled. She finally got home and after the second day of the problems she left it in the garage and used the second car for commuting. She then took it to the volvo dealer in edison nj. Volvo of edison diagnosed the problem and here is the direct qoute from their bill - "performance reduced light fault trace ECM 91a7 and ABS 00b1-found internal fault in etm and brake pedal position sensor replace and download etm and brake pedal position sensor" since the car is no longer under warranty I had to pay the following amounts: parts - throttle body, gasket & sensor = $655.42 labor - $472.50 taxes = $67.68 total = $1,195.60 I called volvo customer service to complain about the pre-mature failures and their response was there is nothing they can do about it. I also stated that I am dissatisfied with their product quality and I may not consider buying another volvo product. The customer service rep told me that in that case volvo may not even consider reviewing my case as I may not consider buying another volvo. In addition to the above problem last year I had a cooling fan failure which was covered under warranty just before it expired. Now I have never ever received a recall notice from volvo on any problems. I understand that there was a recall on the front suspension ball joints and I do not know if volvo during the routine service visits ever applied the recall fix. *nm updated 07/17/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act

Filed Aug 19, 2005 · Fuel system, Suspension · 67,800 miles · PA

Shortly after buying a volvo 80, I noticed that the car would surge periodically. I was told that the throttle body needed to be cleaned. After reading up on this, it sounded like a waste of money so I am stuck with a $40+k car that has a sizable defect. The surging is so bad that if you don't hold the brake pedal hard the car will surge forward ie at red lights. Nothing was done to correct this failure. I am the second owner. Also I had to replace a ball joint on this car after a recalled ball joint was installed at my cost. The dealer said the recall was only a bolt and not the whole joint but I verified that the previous owner had both ball joints replaced via a volvo recall. I believe the recalled joint was defective like the original one. No accidents occured but it put my steering way out of whack and needed an alignment. (all at my cost)

Filed Aug 9, 2005 · Suspension · 70,362 miles · GA · crash

My wife was driving our car and the right front wheel fell off. She had just pulled out of a driveway and was not going very fast. The consequences were that the suspension was damaged and the ball joints, which had failed and caused the collapse, and the cv joints had to be replaced and some other body work and repairs had to be done. The ball joints were subject of a recall in 2001, then our accident was caused by a subsequent failure and now I am told the front suspension is loose and the ball joints need replacing again. Something is seriously wrong with that system on the car.