Volvo S80 won't shift problems

Filed Sep 27, 2022 · Transmission · WA

The lovely GM transmission suddenly decided to not shift while going uphill. Pushing the accelerator just made the RPMs go up and up while the car did nothing. Then a warning light. Transmission service Then limp mode. And all I could do literally was go 5 mph then. It occurred as I was turning at a light. I did call my local volvo dealer who kind of laughed about the price of a new transmission and told me that was all I could do.

Filed Jul 19, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 223,000 miles · CO

While driving at speed tachometer dropped to 900 RPM from about 3500 with an 18 wheeler not more than 6 car lengths behind me, needless to say if it weren't for diving onto the shoulder as is decelerated rapidly to 20 MPH in a matter of seconds I would have been rear-ended with my family in the car. This is a known issue. Volvo has extended the warranty on some of the etms to 10 years/200,000 miles. When I called volvo to ask if this model was part of that extended warranty they told me that it only covered '99-01' and that they would not repair it as " things break when they get old", and that I should drive it to the shop for diagnosis, at my own peril. They also informed me it would take a class action lawsuit to change this. Why should it take a lawsuit or death of a whole car full of people to get someone to take accountability for use of substandard parts? I drove the car home in "limp mode " and parked it. Today I went out to see if it would run and drive, to my amazement it did, so I took it for a little test <5 miles, and it did the same thing again, this time I was prepared. I checked the codes and it had none in the system. Call me for a first hand account. [xxx] parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 20, 2013 · Acceleration, Electrical · 147,054 miles · AZ · crash

Placed my vehicle in reverse to pull back out of my garage & my car accelerated out of control. I was forced into a parking sign that scratched and dented my left rear bumper. In the last 2 1/2 months related problems continue where my car surges & also experiences sudden & unexpected reduced performance. When I accelerate my car feels like it is stuck in gear & won't respond. It is a safety hazard!! Again!!! This duplicates the same electronic throttle module problem I had in august of 2005. After taking my car in 4 times (not knowing what the problem was), it was finally determined it is the etm again. Volvo performed a computerized upgrade on the etm & then it was finally recalled in january of 2006. It is another safety hazard ready to happen. Volvo should have in the beginning & should at this time be made to replace the faulty etm!

Filed Jul 18, 2012 · Acceleration · 87,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo s80. The contact stated that the rpms began to fluctuate abnormally as the vehicle exhibited signs of possible stalling. The vehicle then activated in limp mode and stopped running. The contact referenced the federal safety agency recall campaign id number: 06v441000 (vehicle speed control) that dealt with the dirty throttle housing. The recall repair consisted of a software upgrade to correct the failure. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was included in the recall, but the vehicle exceeded the warranty stipulations. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 87,000.

Filed Feb 9, 2012 · Acceleration · 170,000 miles · NM

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo s80. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH the vehicle shifted into limp mode and decelerated after the check engine lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the electronic throttle module was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was previously repaired under recall the federal safety agency campaign id number: 06v441000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 170,000 and the current mileage was 170,200.

Filed May 24, 2011 · Transmission · 126,741 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo s80. The contact stated that the transmission urgent warning lamp illuminated and the vehicle would not shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where it was diagnosed that the solenoid was defective and the transmission would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 126,741. Updated 3/1/12

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 Mar 20, 2011 · Acceleration · NY

My check engine light went on. I took my car to my mechanic who informed me the code was for throttle body position sensor and that there was a recall. I called the volvo dealer and asked them about it. They said, yes there was a recall for software and that my vehicle had gotten the upgrade. I asked if there was anything else they could do about it, the employee in volvo service said no. I received the same answer when I asked them in person. On march 1, 2011, nearly a year later, I asked another mechanic, who informed me that if the software upgrade didn't work, the dealer was supposed to replace the entire throttle body. I called the another volvo dealer who informed me that yes, this was the case. My car was one day out of coverage for the recall now. And sometime within the year my computer was reset and the problem code for the throttle body is gone. I am upset because when it was a problem for me, the first dealer gave me the incorrect information about the recall. I was driving for a long time with my car in limp mode and a malfunctioning throttle body. I am sure that the dealer was obligated to replace the throttle body, since it is part of the acceleration system. I think you should compel them to replace my throttle body or guarantee replacement if my throttle body malfunctions again.

Filed Jun 12, 2010 · Transmission · 129,000 miles · RI

2003 volvo s80 t6 - gm transmission noticed transmission shifting oddly but no codes. Codes came after climbing hill, took to volvo dealer. Code (dtc) 0053 pressure switch lock up. Volvo says replace transmission. Software upgraded - did not fix. Declined. Transmission shifts oddly, car rev's and won't shift where it needs to causing trouble with acceleration and deceleration. There is a consistent problem with volvo's early 90's gm transmissions.

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.