I just purchased about 2 months ago a 1998 volvo v70 used on 4/3/2014 for 3000.00 . The vehicle drove just fine up until two weeks ago where the transmission seems to be slipping. While I was riding on i695 and was going about sixty miles per hour when the car jerked and cut off, meaning blinking in and out of the electrical system along with the engine as I was pulling over on the shoulder, which is terribly unsafe. I assumed and thought volvo's were great on miles and transmission so I didn't expect it to be having these type of issues. I am a first time volvo purchaser and highly disappointed and it's to expensive for all the hassles. All of the minor issues were expected because of the vehicle being a used car. Also, I cannot even check the transmission fluid levels in order to see if all I need is some transmission fluid, the dipstick that leads to the transmission is stuck, as in I have tried pulling, twisting and turning but to no avail. After purchasing a 300 dollar key pad from the dealer I expect more from the manual and at least to be able to check all fluids on the vehicle. If these minor issues didn't evolve into major issues with my volvo vehicle I would not have an issue. Yet the problem is that these minor issues are indeed causing major repairs which is simply unacceptable and causing unsafe driving hazardous situations that could indeed affect the life of myself and other drivers. Thank you very much for listen and hopefully directly addressing my concerns. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr updated 12/8/2014
Volvo V70 slipping problems
14 of the 934 owner complaints about the Volvo V70 describe transmission slipping, most of them for the 2001 model year.
- owner complaints
- 14
- worst model year
- 2001
- typical repair cost reported
- $5,000
- typical mileage
- 89,069
By model year
- 20033
- 20022
- 20017
- 20001
- 19981
Often reported together
Transmission failure 6Jerking 3Stalling 2Loss of power 2Harsh shifting 2Sudden acceleration 1Hesitation 1Coil spring 1
What owners say
The ignition is shut off momentarily as the transmission attempts to downshift causing it to slip into neutral then engage the lower gear hard as the transmissions computer reestablishes control. This action is recorded on a video car camera operated by the ignitions on and off position. The hard shifting problem thought to be fixed by software update may be addressing the symptom not the cause. Acceleration is also affected at other times where the foot pedal is inoperable, but reestablished when shutting the ignition off and on. The drive train becomes wobbly after a short period of time at highway speeds making travel between cities unsafe. A clunking sound from the rear, as broken spring or loose bowling ball makes, is heard at times of mild acceleration at lower speeds. Perhaps a grounding strap my alleviate static buildup in the ignition system.
I had just purchased my 2001 volvo v70 used from a reputable dealer when my wife noticed that the transmission would occasionally "slip" in and out of gear. I did not drive the car very often, so I did not experience the problem for another month or so. When you take you foot off the gas to coast or slow down for a turn the transmission completely disengages. When you push on the gas expecting to continue to keep going the engine revs - because there is no transmission engaged- and then suddenly "slams' back into gear. This condition has been with us now for several years. The car has been to the volvo shop twice and they claimed there were no codes showing up on their test equipment...and by the way that'll be another $300! I've learned to baby the car, and drive with this dangerous condition because I know a new transmission for this car would cost more than the car is worth. After checking with edmuds, I have come to realize there are dozens if not hundreds of people out there with the exact same problem as mine, and volvo appears to either be clueless, or not willing to do anything about it. My car has been acting this way since I purchased it with only 70,000 miles.
This car has been well cared since we got it at the day one. All schedule maintenance have been done at a volvo dealer. We have spend over $7000 on repairs and maintenance over the years. But its transmission started to slip since feb 2011 when there was only 100,000 miles on it. We took it to the dealer. They suggested a transmission fluid change. We followed their suggestion as we always did. But that did not resolved the problem. The transmission still does not work properly. We took it to the dealer again this oct, and the dealer said the transmission fluid was all black. Along with the problem we meet, they conclude the transmission is about to die, and the one fix is to replace with a new one which will cost $4500! We would expect the transmission of a well-care volvo would last longer than 100,000 miles. As I did some research on internet, I found many 99-02 volvo owners have the similar unfortunate issue. I would like the federal safety agency look into this issue, and initiate a recall on transmission of 2002 volvo v70.
I have a 2001 volvo v70 with 110,000 miles. The transmission has been slipping for the last 2 years. Last week the car was barely drivable. My volvo mechanic states that the transmission needs to be replaced (approx. $4700). I have heard of many other volvo owners having the same problem.
Driving 25 MPH going through the toll booth on the freeway, afterwards accelerating and immediately noticed transmission slip as the RPM gage went up and beyond 6,000 RPM. There was no sign leading up to the slipping. Afterwards I continued to drive for another 25 miles, stopped to check under the hood to see what happened. Nothing to do except drive home. The transmission continued to slip upon acceleration. The traffic began to stop and go for many miles. The transmission at some point after stopping wouldn't engage into any gear. I was unable move the car out of the fast lane. Called aaa for a tow truck and the chp. The car was towed to a volvo repair facility where it was inspected. I was told that the transmission needed to be replaced by a new one or a rebuilt transmission, which in either case would cost in excess of $5,000. Transmission service was performed on this car 3-4 months prior to this incident. There was never any indication that the transmission was failing in this car. There were no warning lights or notices on the dash board to indicate a problem with the transmission. The vehicle is in a repair facility awaiting my decision to either replace the transmission or donate the car.
Transmission began slipping around 90,000 miles. Changing from 2nd to 3rd was a pressurized build up resulting in a lunge forward or bucking of vehicle. Several times trying to get across traffic lanes almost resulted in near crash due to transmission not changing gear. Putting car in gear resulted in a bucking forward or lunge. Volvo advised a new transmission but advised us of a computer download that might fix the problem. After the download the car drove great for about three weeks. Then it began again. When on a trip the jerking in changing was so violent the gas line was forced loose from the fuel filter causing a stall in traffic. Fortunately we were able to push the car out of traffic and waited for a mechanic to arrive to re-install the line to the filter. Volvo dealer was about three miles down the road but refused to come out stating too much going on and that they could help but would wait until the next day since so close to 5 pm. Independent mechanic came to help. A new trans was installed but with less than 5000 miles the problem seems to be coming back. Also the brake booster went out. A failed recalled part left us stranded when we first bought the car and we paid the towing fees to volvo.
Transmission began slipping at about 80,000 miles. Replaced transmission last year, now jerks at 3rd gear. 92,000 miles.
Transmission slips when shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. This presents a serious hazard for collisions from the side and rear because the car does not accelerate from a stop or when crossing a street.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volvo v70. While accelerating from a stop or driving on an incline, the transmission slipped when shifting from first to second gear. The vehicle is currently with the dealer and they stated that the transmission software needed to be reset. The powertrain and speed were unknown. The current mileage was 7,000 and failure mileage was 6,000.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Volvo V70 slipping
Which Volvo V70 years have transmission slipping problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2001 (7 complaints), 2003 (3 complaints) and 2002 (2 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix transmission slipping on the Volvo V70?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $5,000 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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