Volvo, 2001 v70 - VIN [xxx] this specific vehicle is unreliable and unsafe. Since purchased new, car has had multiple system failures leading to various unsafe driving conditions including brake system failure and engine failure (including loss of braking and steering systems). Manufacturer has acknowledged unusual nature of this particular vehicle quality defects - concerned that car must be taken off road to avoid serious crash. Please advise. *nm updated 07/17/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
2001 Volvo V70 engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 24 of 24, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Car's check engine light came on while on interstate at 65 MPH. Drove car additional 15 minutes to get home. Followed on-dash & owner's manual instructions to get checked at earliest convenience. Car broke down next day on way to mechanic. Car bucked and surged, decelerating and acculturating without any warning. Cel came on. Display read "performance reduced". Could go no faster than 20-25 MPH. In no position to stop vehicle. On busy road with no usable shoulder. Car required towing. Onboard diagnostics (obd) said thermostat was bad, but mechanic suspected failed etm. He said this is a known issue with car. The thermostat was replaced. Car was drivable. Used approximately 5 miles more. Car broke down on way home, stranding me in intersection. Same issue. Car went into "limp home" mode. Shut it off. After five minutes, car returned to normal operation. Was able to drive back to mechanic. This time obd reported tell-tale codes for failed etm. Electronic throttle module was replaced at total cost of $1200. I phoned stillman volvo where I purchased the car. They denied knowledge of any widespread, well-known issue regarding etm on 2001 volvos. I called volvo america customer care and they acknowledged a the federal safety agency investigation underway and that they hoped to have a resolution in a couple of weeks. The representative, however, told me that it would be unlikely that I would get any cost assistance from volvo or my volvo dealership since I had the work done by an independent mechanic. I am filing this complaint because I did a little research on-line with other volvo owners. I now understand that volvo america has known about this issue for years and has not issued a recall. I am upset regarding their statement regarding independent mechanics. But I am furious that this car manufacturer would risk the lives of their customers and their passengers by failing to take action on this issue.
On 14 oct 05 as I turned off a major interstate highway in richmond, va my 2001 volvo v70 t-5 began running really rough and a red warning triangle illuminated and I received a message warning me that the engine was not operating properly. It cleared after I stopped and restarted the car and I was able to return half way to charlottesville before it started running rough again. It continued to cycle between normal operation and rough running until I reached the volvo dealer in charlottesville. On 18 oct 05, the dealer, volvo of charlottesville, informed me that I needed a new electronic throttle module and replaced it at a cost of $916.32. I looked on the web to find out exactly what an etm is and discovered the case against volvo concerning etm failures. This is a used car that I purchased in oct04 so I have no way of telling if this has happened before.
1) normal driving 65 MPH westbound on I-25/I-40 intersection, passing a semi-truck on the left. 2)engine warning light came on, car slowed to 20 MPH, swerved to avoid all traffic due to substantial loss of speed 3)towed to volvo dealership, replaced electronic brake sensor, throttle body assembly, and had to buy new coding for computer:$1300 repair cost. Old parts at corroley volvo, albuquerque, nm.
For several months prior to failure, engine torque would fluctuate at steady highway speeds with or without cruise control on. Although it did not affect the speed of the vehicle visibly, I could feel it in the seat of my pants. After getting off of the highway (in a bad detroit neighborhood and in the middle of an intersection), the engine failed to accelerate the car and the information display indicated "performance reduced." I proceeded five miles to my home at no more than 10-20 MPH which was all the car could muster. The car restarted normally the following morning and I was able to take it to the dealer. The dealer replaced the electronic throttle module and associated gaskets along with a software upgrade for approx. $1062
I was driving 65 miles per hour and my vehicle began to slow down. I got a "reduced performance" warning, and my speed reduced gradually. I took my car to the dealer and he stated that this was not a recall item eventhough I had heard of it happening to other volvo owners on the news broadcast. This is unsafe and how can many people have the same problem.
At about 8,000 miles, my 2001 (purchased summer 2002) volvo v70 suddenly stopped when I slowed down on a road near my home. The car restarted, but did not seem to have the same pick-up as before. I subsequently took the car into the volvo dealership and was told the throttle mechanism needed cleaning. After this was done, the car seemed fine for several months. At about 15,000 miles, the same thing happened on a difference stretch of road. The seemed weaker than before and it took longer to restart. The volvo dealership again diagnosed a dirty throttle, cleaned it, and returned it to me. The car seemed normal until about 24,000 miles, when I was unable to start the car after it had been parked for about two hours. This time, I tried many times to start the vehicle, but ultimately had to call a tow truck. It was towed to volvo, where they told it was a throttle problem again. After cleaning, it appeared normal. The car is currently at about 30,000 miles, but I take it in every three months to get the throttle mechanism cleaned as a precaution.
Dt: 2001 volvo station wagon v70. Vehicle stalled/died and lost power while driving at 25 MPH. Throttle body sensor was replaced. *ak the upper engine mount broke and oil leaked from the turbo return line seals.
2001 volvo v70 etm failure. "performance reduced" warning message on dash, causing loss of power and severe surging/bucking..very scary and unsafe, reluctant to drive car in this cond.
We purchased our 2001 volvo v70 station wagon 12 march and have since had the car into the dealer 3 times for problems with the transmision. It stalls and tends to not gain speed. We had it serviced 2 times and this last time that stated they replaced it. We are still experiencing the same problem with the engine though.
Dt: a 2001 volvo v70. The engine stalled on 7-30-04 while driving. The performance decreased and warning light came on. Consumer contacted the dealership and they told her not to worry about it since there was no performance decrease at that time. The next day vehiclewould start but would not accelerate. The engin stuttered and then stallled. Within a week this occurred at least 6 times. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership, but, she did not remember exactly what they did. Service records were available. There were no more problems again until 1-2005. This time the dealership could not find the cause of the problem. They did nothing to alter the vehicle. At this point there have been no other problems with the vehicle.
Dt: consumer stated the vehicle stalled while driving without any warning signs. The electronic throttle module (emt) was replaced, but this did resolve the problem. Contact tried to notify the manufacturer but did not succeed. Contact called the volvo dealership and they were aware of this problem. The problem was worked on before she purchased the vehicle.
Heard loud "knocking" when turning right and left, decelerating, and entering/exiting parking lots. Took car to dealership three times and told nothing was wrong. It was simply a very heavy car and might make that noise in those circumstances. Problem worsened. Took to independent mechanic and he found broken motor mounts which left engine sitting on top of steering column. He stated it was a design flaw that has now damaged the steering and possibly alignment, suspension, etc. Also noted that placement of engine on top of steering column will probably cause the motor mounts to break again within six months.
While trying to make a left turn vehicle it stalled without warning. Indicator lights flashed across dash, and vehicle stalled. Contacted dealer ,and couldn't find cause.
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