2001 Volvo S80: loss of power steering

7 of the 164 complaints about the 2001 Volvo S80 describe loss of power steering.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 4%
typical mileage: 66,566
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 4 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Loss of power steering by model year

2004
1
2001
7
2000
9
1999
4

What owners say

Filed Mar 26, 2006 · Fuel system · 69,000 miles · AR

2001 s80 volvo etm failure. It started as vehicle hesitation, then proceeded to surging forward with no throttle input, then progressed to no accelerator response when applying the brake pedal, then to stalling when coasting leaving the driver with no power steering or brakes at speeds up to 55 MPH, then to rough idle and check engine light. All symptoms were present upon taking to the dealer based on some web research to identify to problem. The dealer returned with an analysis for timing belt replacement, engine tune up, engine coolant flush, crankcase ventilation system cleaning, brake system flushing, and mass air flow replacement amounting to an initial cost of $1980.00 us. I requested a conference with the technician, and a review of the diagnostics report. The end result was a maf replacement paid for by me (customer) and amazingly the tech notes recommended cleaning of the crankcase ventilation system and the etm cleaning which was covered by the dealer. Total cost was $328.21 to consumer and balance covered by dealer. The repairs were made on 3/07/06, replaced maf unavailable. I feel that I have been taken advantage of and essentially paid $328 unnecessarily due to further web research identifying cleaning of the etm and crankcase ventilation system would in fact cause trouble codes leading the replacement of the maf.

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 14, 2005 · Acceleration · 32,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Sep 16, 2005 · Acceleration · 44,000 miles · OR

1) driving in a 35 MPH zone. Slowing down to turn to side street, approximately 5 MPH. 2) without warning, the car stalled. Lost power steering and brakes. I coasted to the intersection and stopped. Placed car in park and restarted on second attempt. 3)took the car into dealer jim fisher volvo, portland oregon. They checked the throttle control module for cleaning. It was clean so no work was performed. They could not replicate problem, so the returned car with no corrective action. No charge.

Filed Aug 24, 2005 · Engine · 30,948 miles · OK

2001 volvo s80 developed problems with hard start up and shutting down. *mr the vehicle stalled without warning along with a loss of power steering and power brakes. (cranks but will not stay running which may be due to the engine control module)

Filed Feb 18, 2005 · Acceleration · 75,000 miles · FL

Do to the failure of the electron throttle module my engine has a loss in RPM and dies during certian periods of driving. It is mainly as I come to a stop or when the engine tries to idle. This has happened a number of times. I've had the engine trouble-shooted from failed spark plugs, to failed fuel injectors, but it turns out that the etm was the problem. As the engine dies, all power steering is gone as well as hydrolic breaks. I've had the engine die on me twice in the middle of a turn and I've almost been in accidents both times because the wheel wouldn't turn do to loss of steering pressure. The engin also surges sometimes while stopped. This abrupt increase in RPM moves the car forward and has the potential of causing a rearend collision. I have read many online forums about this etm by that manufacture on volvo vehicles. I would like to strongly encourage there to be a recall on item. I understand why it would be desirable to use electrol throttle, but this defective part has a risk to cause loss of life.

Filed Mar 20, 2002 · Electrical · NH

While driving 65 MPH lost steering ability and engine completely shut down. Took vehicle to the dealer, and problem has not been remeded as of yet. Dealer statesdthat it was a glitch in computer. Please provide any further information.