In April 2021 I drove my newly acquired Volvo V70 wagon from Mississippi to my home in RI. Once I reached in and around NYC, the car began to surge forward as I applied the brakes at stop lights/signs. This became most pronounced at the GW Bridge Toll area, in high slow-moving traffic. Several times the car almost got out of control as the brakes were barely enough to stop the car from ramming into other vehicles. Cars and huge trucks were honking their horns as I broke, swerved, smoke clouds from high idling in neutral, and peeling rubber as I moved forward from standing still. I was trapped as there is no place to pull over to the sides to a breakdown lane. It eventually stopped surging but has threatened to do it in RI. I asked the mechanic about it when I had to get the car inspected. He basically said he would have to see the vehicle when it was happening. I am just funding out about Recall information and filing a report. I really want to have any necessary repairs made because the car performs well otherwise...AND I am hoping to give the car for my daughter to use as she starts her new job, but want to make sure it is safe first. I feel I would know how to handle it if it surges again (throw it in neutral, brake and pull to safe place, etc), but can't trust that she would be able to handle this emergency situation.
2002 Volvo V70 acceleration problems
12 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 116,331. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 12
- of this car's complaints
- 16%
- typical mileage
- 116,331
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Accelerator pedal1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Volvo V70 acceleration problems in other years
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing, and/or inefficient software calibration may cause a warning lamp to light and the subsequent onset of limp home modes.
- Risk
- This resulted in a high number of vehicles going into the limp home mode without need.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install the current software upgrade onto the involved vehicles. The recall began on december 29, 2006. Owners may contact volvo at 1‑800‑458‑1552.
Recall number 06V441000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Throttle control malfunction
On november 14, 2006 volvo submitted a defect information report to the federal safety agency concerning etm failures in model year (my) 1999 through 2001 volvo models (not including the s40 and v40), my 2002 s60 and v70 with naturally aspirated engines and my 2002 v70s.according to volvo, ?a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing and/or inefficient software calibration may cause a warning lamp to light and the subsequent onset of limp home modes.volvo further stated that,this resulted in a high number of these vehicles going into limp home mode without need.?volvo indicated that this was the most severe consequence of an etm fault in the subject vehicles.the recall remedy is a software upgrade introduced by volvo on march 16, 2006 in a customer satisfaction program.at the time of the notification 161,202 vehicles of the population of 331,301 had already had the software uploaded and were therefore not included in the population count of the recall. Odi?s analysis of complaints to odi and volvo, volvo field reports and warranty data found that etm failure could result in (1) engine stall; (2) mechanical limp mode; (3) lunging forward during low-speed driving maneuvers; and (4) faltering during high speed merges or when crossing traffic.odi identified 12 crashes related to etm failure, with 6 caused by lunging incidents, 3 caused by stalling incidents, 2 caused by mechanical limp mode and 1 from the faltering condition.odi's analysis of complaint data and information obtained from consumer interviews identified 1,289 incidents with safety related consequences (389.1 per 100,000 vehicles), including 479 involving engine stall (144.6 per 100,000 vehicles) and 729 involving mechanical limp mode (220.0 per 100,000 vehicles).odi's analysis of warranty claim narrative text shows at least 14,965 warranty claims with codes indicating an etm fault resulting in vehicle operation in mechanical limp mode (4.5% of the subject vehicles). Volvo?s recall addresses odi?s safety concerns with etm failures.odi will continue to monitor the subject vehicles to determine if additional action is required.this engineering analysis is closed.
EA05021
Throttle control malfunction
Pe05-041 was opened on july, 26, 2005, based on 136 consumer complaints to odi alleging throttle control malfunctions in the subject vehicles.odi has now received 591 complaints of etm failures which allege symptoms with potential safety related consequences.these include allegations of engine stall, vehicle surging forward without accelerator input, vehicle hesitation upon acceleration and sudden and unexpected transition into reduced performance operation (limp mode).volvo submitted over 2,900 complaints concerning the etm in the subject vehicles during pe05-041.odi's preliminary analysis of a sample the volvo complaints identified approximately 55 percent with one or more of the symptoms described above.odi is continuing its assessment of the information contained in the volvo complaints. In november 2005, to resolve an investigation by the california air resources board, volvo announced that it would extend the warranty coverage to 10 years / 200,000 miles for the etm in approximately 356,000 model year 1999 through 2002 passenger cars sold in the united states and canada.under volvo's policy, vehicles that experience etm failures will receive a variety of repairs including etm cleaning, reprogramming the engine control module and/or replacement of the etm. This investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea05-021) to continue to assess the safety consequences of etm failures in the subject vehicles.
PE05041
What 2002 Volvo V70 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volvo v70. After starting the vehicle, a loud rumbling noise was heard coming from the engine. In addition, the vehicle accelerated independently and stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact stated that the instrument panel was dark and not functioning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle control and driver information module needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 06v441000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volvo v70. When the contact started the vehicle and the rpms increased to 6,000. Additionally, the vehicle accelerated independently. An independent mechanic stated that the throttle body was defective. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign number: 06v441000 (vehicle speed control) in july of 2007 for the same defect. The vehicle was not repaired again and the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 120,000.
2002 volvo v70. Consumer writes in regarding the failure of the electronic throttle module and siren control module. *smd the dealer diagnosed the failure on august 3, 2012. However, they refused to correct the problems under the federal recall or under the ten year/20,000 mile warranty, which the vehicle was eligible. Additionally, the owner's manual stated an 80,000 mile guarantee, and the vehicle had 73,238 less than the owner's manual 80,0000. The consumer stated the etm was upgraded in 2006, but it didn't correct the problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volvo v70. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was advised to the contact that the electronic throttle module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 06v441000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 73,280 and the current mileage was 77,000. *tr updated 4/29/13
Vehicle lounges, stops, no acceleration. Volvo refuses to replace failed etm/ECM equipment and software which was installed .
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volvo v70. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. Upon restarting, the vehicle shifted into limp mode. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the electronic throttle module needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 06v441000 (vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 volvo v70. While traveling 20 MPH the contact noticed that the vehicle would not accelerate over 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. There were no prior warnings and the vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were 115000.
Over the past three years or so, I have had four or five incidences involving sudden acceleration of my 2002 volvo station wagon v-70. All have occurred in city driving not on the open highway. Once when parking, I almost rammed another parked vehicle because, after applying the brake, my volvo suddenly lurched ahead. I swerved, pressed harder on the brake and put the car in neutral. I then stopped. On other occasions, mostly when coming to a stop at a traffic light, the car slows down and then surges ahead, after applying the brake. Once again, to stop the car I had to slam down hard on the brake and put the car into neutral. On other occasions, after stopping at a traffic light or stop sign, the engine revs up to the point that I have to put it into neutral to stop the revving. I have brought the car into the martens volvo dealer and explained the problem each time I brought it in for servicing. They have adjusted the "throttle mechanism" each time but the problem still persists.
The first incident occurred when my wife and I were picking up my granddaughter at her home located on a steep hillside with a steep drive probably 8 plus degrees. I put the car in reverse and started to back down the drive. I had to back over the concrete drive edge as I had pulled off into the yard to make room for her parents vehicle. To get over the edge I had to press lightly on the accelerator. I have frequently backed down the drive usually in idle. The moment I pressed the accelerator the car immediately went into full throttle. I jammed the gear shift into park , pulled the emergency and pressed as hard as possible on the brake. Nothing slowed or even seem to effect the backward acceleration. I hit a railroad tie that was one of many that defined the drive. The front tire literally exploded. I was able to steer down the drive onto the road around a greater than 90 degree turn backwards and up hill. The rim dug into the asphalt , the car stopped and engine shut off. We put on the spare and drove home. Two days later, in the same place, I started to back onto the drive as before. I was very much aware of the situation and therefore was very careful to see that there was no overlap of foot on brake and accelerator. I also thought that if that terrible incident were to repeat itself I would turn off the key. When the back tire came in contact with the driveway lip I once again I had to press the accelerator to get on the driveway. Same terrible response. This time in addition to jamming into park, pulling the emergency, jamming on the brake, I also turned off the key. None of that evoked any response. This time I was unable to stay on the drive and went over a steep bank on the right side of the drive. The vehicle went through two trees at least 3" in diameter, a white picket fence and fence posts.. It hit the bank at the side of the street and stopped without the release of airbags. My glasses and keys were found in the back seat.
Questions about the 2002 Volvo V70 acceleration
Does the 2002 Volvo V70 have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 12 complaints about the acceleration of the 2002 Volvo V70, 16% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2002 Volvo V70 acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 116,331 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Volvo V70 acceleration?
Yes, 1 recall: 06V441000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Volvo V70 have the most acceleration problems?
The Volvo V70 model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2001 (61 complaints), 1999 (53 complaints) and 2000 (23 complaints).
Other 2002 Volvo V70 problems
Transmission 17Fuel system 13Airbags 7Lights 7Electrical 6Engine 5Seat belts 4Tires 4Visibility 3Brakes 2Steering 2Body 1Locks 1Seats 1Suspension 1
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