Volvo V70XC loss of power problems

Filed May 1, 2013 · Brakes, Engine · 134,000 miles · CA

I own a 2001 xc 70 volvo which I just bought with 133900 miles last friday april 26, 2013. The dealer showed me the maintenance records including a 3 month old california safety inspection report. On april 27, 2013, I was driving on a downhill stretch when all of a sudden, the car engine lost power, kicked like it wanted to jump ahead of me, all indicator lights flashed, and the car stalled and shut down rendering the brake and steering system inoperable. I had no means to control the car as it rolled down hill. I engaged the reverse gear causing the vehicle to stop. I called dealer right away. He told me to bring the vehicle to his mechanic the following monday on 04/29/2013. The mechanic inspected the vehicle and test-drove it and could not find any problems with the vehicle. He performed a diagnostic computer test and got an error message indicating an air intake problem. He asked me to bring the vehicle the following morning so he can test drive it more and find out more. While driving home, the problem recurred again, this time in the middle of a freeway. It was dangerous...luckily I was in the far right lane, so immediately I coasted to the side, with my hazards lights on and pulled to the side where the vehicle stopped itself. Imagine driving 80mph on a california freeway, and all of a sudden, the vehicle loses power, the engines kick jumps, and without your input, attempts to engage a higher gear but then stalls and immediately shuts down and the brakes and the steering wheel jams.. That is not safety. As I await for the mechanic to address this issue, I am filing this complaint because this is a safety issue. A car that passes a safety inspection test should not be abruptly shutting down in the middle of traffic and render the brake system and steering wheel inoperable.

Filed Feb 21, 2008 · Transmission · 67,397 miles · MN

2001 volvo v70xc with serious transmission problems. Consumer states that the transmission will lose power while shifting. Consumer states that it could be very dangerous when it happens while making a left hand turn. *kb the consumer stated the transmission failed momentarily between second and third gear.

Filed Jan 14, 2008 · Acceleration · 74,000 miles · WA

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 volvo v70xc. While driving between 20-30 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The failure occurred intermittently during acceleration. The dealer replaced the gas cap, but the failure continued. The failure began after the vehicle was serviced for the federal safety agency campaign id number 06v441000 (vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 74,000 and current mileage was 79,000.

Filed Oct 24, 2007 · Acceleration, Electrical · MO

While traveling at high speed on an interstate my car lost power completely. I was able to get to the shoulder safely and call volvo roadside assistance. My car was towed to the nearest dealership where it sat for a month because the problem couldn't be determined. The car was returned to me. About six months later the same experience occurred, once again while traveling at a high speed on an interstate highway. The "problem" was fixed again. My car has been in and out of the dealership for various reasons for years. When I was finally fed up with it and decided to sell it, it needed more electrical work. The service manager at a dealership listened to the problems I had with the car over the years and felt that it warranted a call to the volvo rep. I gave him all work orders which I have from the purchase date of the car. He was told by the volvo rep that since all repair work had not been done at a volvo dealership they couldn't help me. Normal work such as oil changes, etc. Were done by a mechanic who only works on saabs and volvos. Upon looking for the names of volvo execs that I could write a letter to I stumbled on a website about volvo problems and people who were trying to hold the company accountable for mechanical failures of any type. I wrote to the individual who started the website and he suggested that I send my e-mail to stephen mchenry at the federal safety agency which I did. After trying for many days to do so and failing to connect because of some problem with the message trying to reach mr. Mchenry I just let it go. We need to sell the car because we can't afford to fix all that needs to be repaired. The problem is how do I sell a car that needs over a thousand dollars of work? I am forwarding the e-mail I tried to send to stephen mchenry to your e-mail address. What can I do? Am I too late in reporting this? What do you advise me to do? Thank you for your consideration. Susan k. Luxem

Filed Aug 9, 2007 · Electrical · 51,247 miles · CT

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 volvo v70xc. The contact believes that the electronic throttle module is a safety hazard. She stated that the vehicle will suddenly hesitate and come to a complete stop. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle had a sudden loss of power. All of the instrument panel lights illuminated and the power steering failed. The speed decreased from 60 MPH to 0. She was able to pull off the road and stated that the entire electrical system was not working. The vehicle was towed to a shop and they stated that the cause of failure was electrical. The VIN and engine size were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 51,247.

Filed Aug 8, 2007 · Engine · 102,500 miles · VA

7/26/07 traveling on I-77 and the car ran great. Suddenly, in same manner as car did approx 2 yrs ago on same interstate rpms dropped, car lost speed, no response at throttle, and within a few seconds we lost power, brakes, steering. Since this seemed just like 2 yrs ago (we reported this incident in 2005) we thought maybe the car will start in 10-15m. After 15-20 m of attempts where car started & immediately stalled car did start and ran fine. Since 2 years ago dealers were unable to diagnose & correct we continued to drive that evening and again the following day. The following day the car stalled again on I-? Near atlanta, but this time in more traffic with difficulty getting car to side safely. Again car started like the evening before. Again-similar fuel level. We traveled 2 1/2 more hours on interstate. At destination and local dealer found no faults so no correction was made. After this 2nd occurrence we filled up more often 1/2 full or more. 2 days later and 7 more hrs on road without any problem.. As we arrive. Check engine light came on. Although car ran fine we took car to local dealer 1 hour away. They said they had a catalytic converter error but they didn't have one in stock. I told them I wasn't sure this was the problem that was causing the stalling because it stalled 2x (+1x 2 years ago) before the check engine light came on. I called my local dealer to discuss and he said he didn't think the catalytic converter was causing the stalling. Again, no definitive answers. After we left the dealer, the check engine light was off and it has stayed off. A couple of days later we drove the car 9-10 hours on the interstate to get home. Again, I kept the fuel levels approximately 1/2 tank and above. The car performed fine. We are very concerned about the stalling. When I check other complaints listed it appeared that someone else may have had a similar issue with low fuel stalling. Please don't hesitate to call to discuss.

Filed Jul 5, 2006 · Fuel system · 118,042 miles · NY · fire

Dt*: the contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle cranked but would not start. Upon inspection, the fuse to the fuel pump was observed to be blown. The fuse was changed, and the vehicle was started. Later, while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle began to shudder and lose power. When the vehicle was pulled over, an odor of something burning appeared. Upon further inspection, the bottom of the fuel tank was smoldering, and then caught on fire. A police report was filed, and the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic shop. The mechanic shop determined the fuel pump short-circuited.

Filed Apr 17, 2006 · Acceleration · 84,500 miles · MA

The ets (electronic throttle system) light came on repeatedly over a period of two weeks. On two occasions, on the highway, the car lost power totally when the light illuminated. The dealer said the car needs a new electronic throttle module (etm), which will cost about $1,500. This car has 85,000 miles, virtually all of which were highway miles as it is used to commute from ma to ct. A search of the web indicated that this sensor--the etm--was defective in 1999 and 2000 volvos. In july 2001, volvo issued a tech bulletin stating that problems occurred only when the owner made many short trips. Further, the tech bulletins said the etm could be cleaned (but not replaced) if the car still was under the original warranty. This car has 85,000 and has always been serviced by a volvo dealer.

Filed Feb 14, 2006 · Acceleration · 74,000 miles · SC

We have experienced the "reduced power mode" on our 2001 volvo xc70 numerous times between dec '05 and feb '06. The vehicle refused to go over 15 MPH until the engine was shut-off and restarted. This occurred twice pulling out of our neighborhood onto a major road, entering the highway while attempting to accelerate to highway speed and while attempting a passing maneuver on the highway around 60 MPH. In all situations, we were fortunate that someone was not right behind us (my wife and 2 small children) when this occurred, as the potential for an accident is very high. I took the vehicle to my local volvo dealer, where they diagnosed a problem with the electronic throttle module (etm), but stated there was an extended warranty covering this component. However, instead of replacing it immediately, the "procedure" called for cleaning the etm and downloading new software. Only after this procedure was followed and that the event recurred (storing a code in memory), would they be allowed to replace the etm. I picked up the car the same night and again, when pulling out of the neighborhood, the familiar "reduced power mode" message was displayed. I do not see why if there is a potential for repeated failure, that volvo would not replace the component immediately, since they are equated with vehicle "safety". The etm will now be replaced, but I cannot say that I will be any more comfortable with driving our xc70.

Filed Feb 11, 2006 · Electrical · RI

My volvo v70 xc also has required replacement of the etm - electronic throttle module costing $1350. After, like many others have stated, losing all power, shutting down, locking up, causing me and those around me a near death experience on the highway. I had the car towed to the garage only to be told they could not find anything wrong. The car continued to drive in a very unpredictable manner, losing acceleration, stalling, dying, another near death experience when it died in an intersection, multiple tows and several different garages, several hundred dollars of no answers later, one garage was aware of the commonality of this problem and replaced the etm. This was at ~65k miles. Now at 92k and I am beginning to have the same problems-car dying, going into limp home mode-20 MPH with no acceleration, another $1000 in repairs without any resolution to problems. It feels like the etm might be going again. This is ridiculous and dangerous! We are talking about cars that cost over $30000!!