The car went into a "limp home mode" as I was pulling into traffic, causing several cars to have to swerve to keep from hitting me. I called volvo and they said the 99 & 00 ( which I own both ) models had a recall on the part. I carried the car to the volvo dealership and they said the recall was only to install a software update, not to replace the part itself. Well, they did the software upgrade and about half way home, 5 miles or less, the etc light came on again and the car went into the limp home mode again, barely making it home. I called the dealership and they said that the module itself needed to be replaced and was not covered by the recall ????? They told me it would be between $1200-$1300 to replace. This is extremely wrong and dangerous. As much as I can gather from reading complaints on volvo forums, this is a problem volvo has known about since at least 2004 and has affected about 200,000 cars. Is there nothing that can be done about this matter ?? Please advise.. Ps. The VIN on my 2000 v70 xc is [xxx] , has 145,000 miles and has the exact same problem as the 1999 model. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
1999 Volvo V70XC acceleration problems
29 complaints (37% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 73,698.
- owner complaints
- 29
- of this car's complaints
- 37%
- typical mileage
- 73,698
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Linkages1
- Accelerator pedal1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Volvo V70XC 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 1999 Volvo V70XC owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
1999 volvo xc v70. Consumer states vehicle the would hesitate and then suddenly accelerate. *tgw the consumer stated the dealer informed him the vehicle was too old for warranty repairs concerning the etm components.
Tl*- the contact stated that while driving the 1999 volvo v70xc with 114000 failure mileage at 65 MPH the ets light turned on and the vehicle began to reduce speed. The contact pressed on the gas pedal, but nothing happened. The speed went down to 35 MPH, then the contact pulled to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic. The mechanic stated that there was a problem with the vehicle speed control. The vehicle had not been repaired.
The ABS/trac and brake warning lights are coming on simultaneously and then go off after a few minutes. On other occasions, the speedometer stops working and the orange arrow starts blinking. Sometimes when the orange light is blinking, the car shifts to winter mode and you cannot accelerate as you normally would. The dealer told me that it is the ABS module and cost of repair would be over $1000. I had the electronic throttle replaced last year. It looks like a poor design, as I have been reading a lot about these problems on volvos. I am requesting the federal safety agency contact volvo headquarters and demand a recall on this hazardous ABS and acceleration safety problem.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 20mph the vehicle accelerated without warning which caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle then suddenly slowed, and subsequently would not accelerate beyond 15mph. The check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined the problem was caused by the electronic throttle module. The contact expressed there was no brake interference to cause the vehicle to decelerate. The manufacturer was alerted who will be investigating the problem.
Ets warning. Prior to this lack of performance and power. Soon after purchase it had occurred and dealer reset computer.
Electronic throttle module (etm) failed twice at 8/1/03 68,000 miles and on 9/8/05 at 76,000 miles. Volvo dealership in medford, oregon charged over $800 each time to repair the defect.
This complaint is regarding 2 faulty throttle modules (etm) that have been replaced by volvo dealerships for my 1999 volvo v70 xc. The first/original etm was replaced under warranty with 58,635 miles on 22 may 03. 14 months and 12,474 miles later, that etm failed and I had to replace it at my cost. Symptoms included irregular and erratic acceleration and deceleration of the car at highway speeds with the acceleration pedal pressed, but steady. It should also be noted that the two etm's that were installed were both model# 8644347. This shows evidence that volvo is only replacing a failed defective etm with a new defective etm. I urge the federal safety agency to look into this matter for the safety of volvo drivers who might get into a future accident due to this defective part. Thank you.
1) ets light and check engine light would illuminate within a few minutes of starting car. Check engine light would occasionally turn off while driving, ets stayed on. Car began to hesitate and surge, particularly noticeable around 35-MPH and 60-MPH. 2) all most complete loss of power while driving on side street, under normal conditions. When pressing the accelerator there was very little response. Parked the car over night on side of road. Next day it was more responsive, though still had the ets and check engine lights on. 3) volvo dealer replace the electronic throttle body. Total cost $1300. I asked for the old throttle body, but was told it would cost several hundred dollars, as there was a "core charge" from volvo. Was also told that if there eventually was a recall on this part my receipt would be sufficient for reimbursement.
Electronic throttle module failure left my family stranded. Repair cost $1000. I've read that this issue is very common in my vehicle and that volvo has not made any attempt to rectify. The sputtering that LED up to the failure could have easily resulted in a merge accident with my family in the car. The federal safety agency and volvo should not wait for further expense and injury to force a recall.
Questions about the 1999 Volvo V70XC acceleration
Does the 1999 Volvo V70XC have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 29 complaints about the acceleration of the 1999 Volvo V70XC, 37% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1999 Volvo V70XC acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 73,698 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1999 Volvo V70XC acceleration?
Yes, 1 recall: 06V441000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Volvo V70XC have the most acceleration problems?
The Volvo V70XC model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2000 (45 complaints), 2001 (39 complaints) and 1999 (29 complaints).
Other 1999 Volvo V70XC problems
Electrical 18Fuel system 13Brakes 8Engine 8Transmission 6Lights 4Steering 2Airbags 1Seats 1Suspension 1Visibility 1
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