2001 Volvo S80: sudden loss of power

Filed Oct 31, 2008 · Engine · RI

Hesitation, surging, loss of power, etc. This car runs so erratically that I am even afraid to change lanes in traffic because I am just afraid that it is going to stop right in the middle and I am going to be hit by the car behind me. I am afraid to stop at traffic lights because the car wont accelerate and run normally therefore ill have upset drivers in back of me waiting until the car decides to move forward. This is very dangerous especially when you are driving with a lot of traffic around you. I have taken it to the dealer but they just say that if there are no messages or codes they cannot do anything about it because volvo wont reimburse them for the expense. This erratic behavior has been happening more and more often and I don't believe it has been a day that has not happened since it first started. I have had an upgrade, a cleaning but no replacement in sight.

Filed Sep 21, 2006 · Electrical · 55,620 miles · CA

For 6-12 months my wife has complained of surging or loss of power in our 2001 volvo t6 s80 (mileage 56,000 miles). On 9/10/2006 while driving at 35/MPH in traffic I had complete loss of power. I was able to coast to rt. Side of highway and restart after shifting to park. Local dealer found nothing wrong. Scary for I-40.

Filed Dec 6, 2005 · Acceleration · 82,700 miles · SC

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.

Filed Dec 2, 2005 · Acceleration · 44,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Nov 18, 2005 · Acceleration · 52,008 miles · GA

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.

Filed Nov 15, 2005 · Acceleration · 49,500 miles · MO

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.

Filed Oct 29, 2005 · Acceleration · 66,566 miles · OH

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.

Filed Oct 18, 2005 · Acceleration · 62,769 miles · MD

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.

Filed Oct 18, 2005 · Fuel system · 80,988 miles · SC

Week of 10/10/05 as traveling uphill, my car sputtered and loss power. After nearly being rear ended on the busy road, I was able to limb my car into a parking lot and turn off the engine. After a few minutes, I was able to restart my car and continue driving. Today, 10/18/05, as I was entering I-85, my car once again sputtered and stalled. The entrance ramp was downhill, so I was able to coast into the emergency lane as tractor trailers and cars whizzed by me. I restarted the car after a few minutes of being turned off. I went to a mechanic friend and he told me that it was probably the etm and if it was not, it would be the next time the car breaks down. He could not repair it. He estimated the dealership would charge me $1200.00. He reported that he sees this at least once a month in volvos. I took the car to the dealer. An hour and a half later, I was informed my etm needed to be replaced and the cost would be $1150.00. I relunctantly agreed to the repair. I have researched the etm problem over the internet and have learned that volvo knew of this problem years before they sold the car to me. At a personal level, I had to pay for a defective part that volvo has known it has a 94%-100% failure rate! At a much higher level, volvo is risking people lives by not informing or voluntarily recalling this defective part. Cars stall unexpectively. I was fortunate that I was not on the interstate yet. Otherwise, the outcome could have been deadly.

Filed Oct 12, 2005 · Acceleration · KS

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.

Filed Oct 6, 2005 · Acceleration · 81,067 miles · IL

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

Filed Sep 29, 2005 · Acceleration · 77,918 miles · GA

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.