2000 Volvo S80: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed May 9, 2011 · Acceleration · 108,000 miles · RI

The car throttle is faulty. My car revs to high RPM when idle and at low speeds. It also is in limp mode. When this problem was found and recalled in 2006 I brought the car in for the software upgrade, but the car is still trying to lunge forward at low speeds and revving in idle. I was told by volvo customer care there was nothing they will do for the problem since the software had been upgraded even though the throttle is faulty.

Filed Sep 19, 2009 · Transmission · 86,000 miles · CA

Own a 2000 volvo s80, I began to experience an uneven idling when driving either low or high speed, whether on cruise control or not. The car idle goes out of control, it feels as if the car goes on limp mode, I'm then compelled to accelerate to compensate and regain speed. I had the car checked, had the vehicle speed sensor replaced, complete tune up, but the problem remains. I did my research on the web only to find out that this problem is part of a recall from volvo. I took the car to a volvo dealer (volvo of los angeles) with the recall documentation, they kept the car for a week, then I was told that volvo does not repair the problem unless the computer code show up in their system, even though the symptoms of the car are clearly depicted in the federal safety agency action #ea05021. Driving this car is unnerving, as I do not know whether it would respond in time, when I have to gain speed on the freeway. The car failure is occurring more often, getting worse as I drive, sometimes I do not know if the car will respond as step on the gas to proceed after a red traffic light turns green. I'm disappointed with my volvo dealer for not addressing the issue.

Filed Sep 19, 2009 · Transmission · 86,000 miles · CA

Own a 2000 volvo s80, I began to experience an uneven ideling when driving either low or high speed, whether on cruise control or not. The car idle goes out of control, it feels as if the car goes on limp mode, I'm then compelled to accelerate to compensate and regain speed. I had the car checked, had the vehicle speed sensor replaced, complete tune up, but the problem remains. I did my research on the web only to find out that this problem is part of a recall from volvo. I took the car to a volvo dealer (volvo of los angeles) with the recall documentation, they kept the car for a week, then I was told that volvo does not repair the problem unless the computer code show up in their system, even though the symptoms of the car are clearly depicted in the federal safety agency action #ea05021. Driving this car is unnerving, as I do not know whether it would respond in time, when I have to gain speed on the freeway. The car failure is occurring more often, getting worse as I drive, sometimes I do not know if the car will respond as step on the gas to proceed after a red traffic light turns green. I'm disappointed with volvo for not addressing the issue.

Filed May 26, 2009 · Engine, Fuel system · 115,300 miles · NY

The vehicle sporadically surge/hesitate and stalls at low revs. This started maybe about half a year ago and has gotten worse with the problems even at high revs. The problem culminated on may 17th 2009 or there about when I nearly got into an accident. I was traveling on the middle at about 60 MPH and there was a slower vehicle in front of me. I accelerated to try to pass the vehicle on the fast lane. The vehicle did pick up and all of a sudden went on a limp mode even I stepped on the accelerator. My vehicle was almost just side by side to the slower vehicle when this happened. The next thing I heard was a loud continuous horning and screeching of brakes of a car behind me on the fast lane.. The vehicle is well maintained and perform service well above as what manufacturer recommended. Based on various info. Sources, the problem is almost identical to car that has an electronic throttle module problem.

Filed Nov 10, 2008 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · IL

Last year my s80 volvo stalled on the highway due to an etm defect. Two days, I experienced another serious safety issue with the volvo. I was driving the car on a busy street. Suddenly, an electronic message came up indicating a problem with the air bag. Then two seconds later, a 'check engine message' came up. Within another minute another message indicated 'transmission service required urgently'. Then within two minutes the car went to a limp mode. They were cars behind me. It was a miracle that we were not involved in an accident. I searched the internet and found out that many people have experienced similar problems. I found many complaints online related to volvo sudden transmission failure. Some were even involved in accidents when their cars suddenly stopped. I am wondering whether the government had looked at this serious safety hazard. Volvo must be aware of the defect. I am very concerned that no one holds them accountable and that no recall has been made thus far to address this issue. I had the car towed to the nearest volvo garage. I was told that the transmission needs to be replaced. It will cost $5000 to fix the car. I called volvo north america to report the problem. They did not help.

Filed Nov 15, 2006 · Acceleration, Electrical · 84,900 miles · CA

Erratic throttle post 10 minutes of drive, much acceleration, not enough acceleration, hesitation, backfires lean. Gets stuck 2nd gear. Cel on. "transmission service urgent" warning message displayed. Cruise control is lost and cannot be turned back on. Obdii pcodes stored 10-29-2006 10:21:18.464 read stored dtc: p0756 dtc: p1171 dtc: p1181 dtc: p1618 10-29-2006 10:21:18.474 read stored dtc: p1184 10-29-2006 10:21:18.474 read stored dtc: p1174 the first code always displayed when the fault occurs. Subsequent continued driving results in the second code pending or permanent. The remaining codes will be added in pairs. First dealer reports I have 18 codes but factory vadis indicates can only store 15 codes maximum. Requested additional $300 to adjust fuel trims, check exhaust and intake leaks, check o2 sensors, work declined. Second dealer reports needs complete transmission. No attempt to solve complaints by dealer, contacted volvo customer service and they declined to discuss problems, they declined any further involvement. Car had salvage title 2+ years ago from minor accident which prematurely deployed air bags, repaired and returned to service. I am retired ase master mechanic, service manager, and sae member, this is not a transmission issue but caused by the erratic actions of the throttle body system and module. Transmission passes all conventional tests. Results stuck in gear can be corrected by cycling the ignition switch off and back on. This can be done by pulling to the side of the road and stopping to cycle the key or traffic permitting placing in neutral and restarting and then back to drive. No observed failures above 65 MPH. Tsb send wrong signals to "network" are translated as instructions resulting in poor fuel consumption, high emissions, abnormal wear and tear on transmission, ignition switch, starter, and related components for normal operation, plus a dangerous driving condition.

Filed Nov 1, 2006 · Acceleration, Engine · 91,522 miles · NH

In early jul 05, I experienced electronic throttle system (ets) problems with my 2000 volvo s80. Particularly concerning to me from a safety standpoint was that several times, including when I was in highway driving situations, the car on its own suddenly accelerated and decelerated, hesitated on acceleration or would not accelerate, and displayed engine stall symptoms. The computer indicated degraded engine performance (limp mode). I lined up a service appointment with lovering volvo of meredith. After lovering's first attempt at repairs, the car was still not operating normally and I took it back to the dealer a second time. I paid a total of $2,074.42 for repairs, $1,741.44 the first time and $332.98 during the second visit. In accordance with a june 2006 volvo letter, I took my s80 back to lovering for inspection and ets software upgrade. I submitted to volvo a claim for reimbursement for ets repairs. The advertising checking bureau (acb), which administers the ets warranty rebate program on behalf of volvo, sent me a check for $747.93 for the ets repairs. Acb said it was authorized to reimburse me only the $587.93 cost of electronic throttle body, electronic throttle module reload, and gasket, and associated $160.00 labor cost. Acb advised me to contact the volvo customer care center. A volvo customer care representative confirmed that acb had done as instructed and suggested that I take up the matter of the remaining repair costs with lovering. The lovering invoices, dated july 26, 2005 and august 8, 2005, indicate that a $295.65 portion of the initial $1,741.44 repair bill had to do with totally unrelated steering/suspension and engine mount repairs. Still questionable in my mind are the oxygen sensor repairs which added up to $897.86 and the subsequent mass air flow sensor repairs which came to $332.98. I suspect the problems are all ets-related and I am currently pursuing the matter with the dealership.

Filed Aug 3, 2005 · Engine · 15,000 miles · FL

Dt: contact states owned a 2000 volvo s80, and the vehicle stalled several times. While driving at normal speeds ,slowing down to make a left turnand vehicle stalled the first time. The second time this happened the consumer was driving at normal speeds when vehicle stalled. A couple of times the vehicle would not go into reverse. The vehicle was towed to the local service dealer when this happened. Consumer stated saw on television where there had been several cases with volvo models who were having stalling problems. The vehicle has been to the service dealer on two separate occasions, but the consumer ccould not remember what repairs were done. Consumer no longer had the vehicle because she did not feel safe driving it. The manufacturer has not been contacted.