We began reporting problems with hesitation and surging in our 2001 s80 t6 several years ago to the service department at our nearest dealer, sill terhar motors in broomfield, colorado. They tried replacing a turbo valve and a software upgrade that was available at the time, and we were told that using the highest octane fuel would be necessary in order to prevent the hesitation. The problem continued. Given the inconvenience of the dealers location and that they had not seemed to be able to correct the problem, we had the vehicle serviced for a while at an independent volvo mechanic. Last fall the emissions and check engine warning lights turned on, and they replaced an oxygen sensor and/or mass air sensor. The warning lights turned on again, and they recommended that we go to the service department at the dealer. We learned of the "extended warranty" volvo was beginning to offer as a result of the problems in the design of the electronic throttle module. In early december we left the vehicle with the service department at sill terhar, and they did the software upgrade. Within days the vehicle was running horribly and was stalling in intersections. Sill terhar had the vehicle towed and reported that the problem was due to a hose that had not been fastened securely. Due to travel during the holidays and the multiple snowstorms in colorado in late december, we drove this vehicle in early january after having put only about 100 miles on the vehicle since the time that it was reportedly fully cleared of problems with regard to the etm, the check engine warning light turned on again. We returned to sill terhar, and they said that the problem was due to a faulty right front oxygen sensor. They were certain that this was unrelated to the etm problem. That most recent work cost us $400. We picked up the vehicle last friday evening and, today, only a few days later, the check engine warning light has turned on yet again.
2001 Volvo S80 acceleration complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 64, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My 2001 volvo s80 etm (electronic throttle control) failed, this caused a sudden loss of engine, steering, breaking and headlight systems.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle lurches forward and stalls. The vehicle speed is 25mph and below when the stalling happens. It was taken to the dealer for inspection and the etm was diagnosed as the problem. The etm was replaced; however the problem still occurs. The performance reduced lamp illuminates each time before the vehicle stalls. The vehicle is currently at the dealer for additional testing.
Dt*: the contact stated while in reverse the vehicle accelerated suddenly and ran into a cactus. As a result, the vehicle sustained body damage. The dealership inspected the vehicle; however they were unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, which replaced the rear passenger door and panel. The manufacturer was notified; however no additional repairs were made. Updated 5/10/2006 - the dealer replaced the electronic control module.
2001 s80, multiple failings of the electronic throttle module. This has happened repeatedly over the last 2 weeks. Too many times to count. Car w/o notice will not accelerate beyond 20 MPH, idles roughly. Has almost caused several accidents.
My 2001 volvo s-80 suddenly lost all power and came to a stop and would not restart. This occurred in sept. 2003. The dealership, beach volvo in myrtle beach, sc, wanted over $600 to repair the auto since it was beyond the 50,000 mile warranty. It had 60,000 miles at the time. After a lengthy discussion with volvo america, they agreed to split the cost between myself, the dealership and volvo america. The electronic throttle body was replaced. On 12/05/05 the same thing happened. The car now has 82,700 miles. It is being looked at by beach volvo at this moment.
I own a 2001 volvo s80, 4 dr. Sedan which I am in the process of trading in because on 3 different occasions this year (2005) the car stalled, the last time I needed to have it towed. After doing some research I noted that volvo had reached an agreement regarding complaints filed in california about the etm module. I believe that was the cause of my stalling. I did have the part replaced, at my expense and the mechanic showed me the part that would not stay closed consequently causing the car to stall. At no time was there an indication that there was a problem - no warning light. While I love the car, I don't feel I can trust it even though a new part was put in. According to the volvo dealer, part would not be replaced unless warning indicator came on. The last time the car stalled was thanksgiving night.
Dt: the contact states was driving on the highway when the car completely stalled, resulting in loss of power. The warning lights came on prior to the car stopping. She reported having no problems prior to this incident. The vehicle was towed to the dealership, and they stated to contact the federal safety agency hot line services and file a complaint. The cause has not been determined.
Dt: the contact stated the vehicle stalled while driving. There were no warning lights on when this happened. The vehicle was taken to the dealership ,and they replaced the throttle control module at the contact's expense. She received an extended warranty from volvo, and it stated she needed to contact the manufacturer for reimbursement.
2001 volvo s80 t6 1. Failure vehicle speed control/electronic throttle control module 2. Transmission failure - gm transmission.
Vehicle repeatedly stalls at low rpms, decelerating, or coming to stop at traffic lights, off-ramps, toll booths etc. Problem is intermittant, and doesn not yield diagnotics on consistant basis. Dealers refuse to follow-up on problem as diagnostics are inconsistant. One injury avoiding oncoming vehicle upon exiting stalled vehicle. Injury minor, and treated locally.
X ref 10131066, 2 etms, smch. 8-26-5 e-mail that is the unit that has caused the car to to be towed twice. Once while driving, and once while starting in a parking lot. The electrical throttle module (etm) failed.
The contact owns 2000 volvo s80. Purchased it under an extended warranty certified used car program from clayton volvo in knoxville tennessee in april 2001. Several months later, while the car was still under warranty, the car died in the middle of an intersection. After towing it to the dealer it was discovered the electronic throttle module wasfilled with carbon. That unit was replaced under warranty. A couple years later, the car again died. This time it happened in a parking lot. Thankfully, in both cases it happened in a safe situation. Again, the etm was determined to be the problem. But, the warranty had expired. The dealer and the manufacturer refused to recognize that the problem was an ongoing issue. This time the contact was forced to pay nearly $1000 for repairs. It was the contact's understanding that information was being collected on this problem, so he felt compelled to add this complaint. Although had specific dates available , the contact could check my records and provide them if necessary. *nm. X-ref 10131424, 2 etms installed, smch. *ak the throttle body was cleaned twice and the mass air flow sensor was replaced. Updated 12/07/05.
Dt: 2001 volvo s80. Vehicle stalled/died and lost power due to throttle body failure. *ak. The throttle body and gasket have been replaced three times to alleviate the stalling problem. *nm x-ref 10132057, second etm, smch.
Well, well - let's see, I bought a 2001 volvo s-80, t-6 in february 2005 to replace my 1996 740 il bmw - I thought I would get a more economical and safe car. Boy was I wrong! To my disgust I paid almost $20,000 for this used car and within weeks it started acting up. It turned out to be the mass airflow sensor and the throttle body. I finally - 9 months after purchasing the car - have had to get it fixed - over $1200.00. I, like another person who filed a complaint, was making a left hand turn on a very busy road, and the car died while in the middle of my turn. Luckily I was able to put it in neutral quick enough and restart it before I got hit. The car also surges dangerously at stops. If you don't have your foot on the brake 110%, the car would lurch forward and hit the car in front of it. I'm so disappointed in this car I will never buy another volvo. So much for looking forward to "one day purchasing this safe car". Now that I have dumped lots of money into this car, taken vacation time to pick it up and drop it off, it works okay. The throttle body was replaced about 2 weeks ago, but the car still feels like its not giving me 100% - but at least it isn't stalling or surging. I still have my bmw - thank goodness. I'll be getting rid of this volvo. Ford bought volvo and they are responsible for making this unreliable car. I also understand that there a class action lawsuit against volvo (ford) - it's time they do the right thing and reimburse customers who have been subjected to this dangerous and poorly designed fuel system.
While driving on an interstate highway at 65-70 MPH, 2001 volvo s80 t6 displayed a message indicating reduced power. Was able to steer the car, but pushing the accelerator pedal it had no effect. The contact was forced to maneuver to the shoulder, and had the car towed to local dealer. The car would start and continued to run, but the car would not go. It was as if the accelerator pedal had been disconnected. This happened at all speeds. The mechanic determined that the electrical throttle module (etm) malfunctioned.
Etm bad/ electronic throttle module this has been a nightmare and it's not resolved yet! I bought my used volvo s-80 t6 october 20 th with 76,000 miles. Within the day of ownership the service engine required light came on, and I failed mass inspection. I tried to get my money back, but I bought out of state, and they refuse to return calls. I researched the problem and found it was the etm. On wednesday nov 10th 2005, I called my local dealer pioneer volvo in south deerfield mass 1 800 680 2140, and was informed that the etm warranty expired at 70,000 miles, at 76,000 mile, there was no warranty. I asked him about known problems with the etm, and denied that he was aware of any! I asked him for an appointment, explained that he is the closest dealer at 47 minutes away, and that I needed help asap due to failed emissions. He told me "bring it in...at 9 30 am and maybe I'll look at it....when I asked him for a guaranteed time....he said ..."maybe in 2 weeks" I decided to fix the problem myself by cleaning the etm, which I understand helps temporarily. I had no choice being I am extremely busy in an unflexible job and financially strapped. However, when reinstalling the etm, the bolts are designed to sheer. The bolt snapped and I have been under my car for 3 days....still can't extract it. I need my car! I need it to pass inspection! Why won't volvo cover this?
Electronic throttle module (etm )replaced second time, 50 MPH, stalled x ref 10131141, smch. *ak updated 1/4/2006 -
I was driving down a us highway when I noticed my car was 'lurching' forward then would loose speed all together kind of like it wanted to stall. I would push on the accelerator and nothing would happen, then all of a sudden the car would drive normally. I was about a mile from my work, so I didn't pull over immediately. The next two stop lights I almost stalled, but didn't. At the third traffic light on another us highway, I wasn't so lucky - my car stalled and would not re-start. I had to call for a tow truck. My service report states that the code ECM-130a was detected. I figured for sure this would be covered under my extended warranty. Volvo said no as it was 'just a dirty throttle unit'. They supposedly took it apart, cleaned it, replaced a gasket, upgraded the ECM pet, and put it all back together and told me to be sure to use premium gasoline by only a reputable gas station, and once every few months use a fuel system cleaner and I shouldn't have any more problems.
For the past year (10/04-10/05), my 2001 volvo s80 sedan has had repeated problems with stalling and loss of power steering. It has occurred at slow speeds and up to 40 MPH in traffic. I have taken the car to the dealer twice. They can not find any fault codes during the computer troubleshooting, so my warranty will not cover any repair. They suggested it might be "bad gas" and have sent me home twice having done nothing. The stalling problem has occurred five times in the last month. The car has 66,500 miles on it.
No acceleration at times. From time to time when merging on freeways or traffic car would not accelerate. Sometimes it would serge. Had a few close calls. First had throttle body (etm) cleaned which didn't work then had throttle body replaced two days later at cost of $1,177.16.
Surging idle speed. Car lurches forward at times when accelerating from a stop. Car almost stalls when idling in bumper to bumper traffic, requiring you to press on the gas to keep it from stalling, but this makes the car lurch forward even more. Several times I have almost hit the car in front of me. This problem is due to a faulty etm (electronic throttle module) that is described in the federal safety agency defect investigation shown below. The etm in my car was replaced two years ago at 46k miles but the same symptoms are recurring. The federal safety agency action number : pe05041 the federal safety agency recall campaign number : n/a make : volvo model: s80 manufacturer : volvo cars of n.a. Llc. Year : 2001 component : vehicle speed control date investigation opened : july 26, 2005 date investigation closed : open summary: the office of defects investigation (odi) has received one hundred and thirty-one (131) consumer complaints alleging a variety of concerns resulting from failure of the electronic throttle control module (etm) in the subject vehicles, including a sudden loss of speed and steering assist when driving in highway traffic and sudden and complete stall without warning. In some instances, it has been reported that the vehicles would restart, and in some cases the vehicles were towed. Some consumers allege that after having the etm replaced the new component failed in a similar manner. A preliminary evaluation has been opened to determine the scope, frequency, and potential safety-related consequences of the alleged defect.
Purchased 2001 volvo s80 about a month and a half ago. In the past two weeks the vehicle has developed an engine surge and on two occasions has simply lost power while traveling at 55 miles per hour. Both times a message was displayed stating reduced performance but the vehicle had no power at all. After pulling on to the shoulder I was able to get it started again. The problem has subsequently been diagnosed as the etm. The car is now parked while I try to raise the money to have it fixed. As a retired state trooper I can only say that this is a very dangerous situation and I hope the federal safety agency and volvo will not wait until there are injuries or fatalities to correct the problem.
While driving lost steering power and engine completely shut down, unsafe on the turnpike, I scared. Took car to dealership while under warranty replaced throttle unit. Car shut down and lunges forward at a light/took to dealer and fixed reset valve sticking and gasket happened again replaced box and pipe removed trap box in pipe, shut down again replaced did total can up grade failed again. Until today car still shuts down very dangerous this car is a death trap and my warranty is over and they want to pay 3,000.00 dollars to fix, I feel they are responsible they sold me a lemon and a very dangerous car. And the customer service of volvo claim they care about customer service very untrue they got your money and the don't care my problems still exist and I get scared just getting into this car.
I was driving a 2001 volvo s80 t6 on the highway preparing to pass a vehicle in order to make my exit. At this time the car lost power and I received a message "performance reduction". After dodging a couple of cars I was able to make it to the side of the road. At that time the car would not start back up, I decided to let the car sit and cool down for about 15 minutes. The car would still not start. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership and they informed me that the etm had failed and the oxygen sensor which cost me about $1300.00 to repair.
Dt: the contact owns a 2001 volvo s80. The vehicle will begin to buck at highway speeds. The cruise control will drop off at random and stop working before the bucking starts. Sometimes at start up it will idle really rough. The contact purchased the vehicle on july 16, 2005 and this problem has been occurring ever since he purchased the vehicle. The vehicle will completely stall as well as run at low speeds. The vehicle failed at least 50 times since he purchased the vehicle. The consumer was not the original owner. The problem has been diagnosed as the electronic throttle module, but has not been fixed at this point. *ak
Dt: the consumer stated that the vehicle stalled / died and lost power. The engine was missing, and when the gas pedal was pressed the car wouldn't accerlate. The car would only get up to about 20-40 MPH. Consumer was going about 70 and the car lost power. The driver was able to drive the car to the dealership, they said the electronic throttle body failed. The dealership replaced it and charged the consumer $883.00 for the parts and labor. *ak
Volvo s80 electronic throttle module (etm) production defect not covered under warranty as the defect occurred just outside of warranty. Dealer cost to correct is outrageous given this is clearly a manufacturer engineering defect within the throttle body mechanism itself.
I have experienced repeated problems with the electronic throttle module on my 2000 s80 volvo. For the last couple years I have taken my vehicle to the volvo service dealer for repeated problems with the car engine surging when coming to a stop. The volvo dealer service worked on the issue multiple throughout the warranty period, stating they knew of a problem with the etm and to watch it. Now my vehicle is out of warranty and the problem was definitely diagnosed and I had to pay over $900.00 to get it fixed.
Dt: on september 12, 2005 the consumer's husband had his foot on the brake and the vehicle surged forward. The electronic throttle module failed and was replaced. *ak
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