Check a VIN

2001 Volvo XC70 acceleration problems

15 complaints (23% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 76,250.

owner complaints
15
of this car's complaints
23%
typical mileage
76,250
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Cables
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volvo XC70 acceleration problems in other years

2001200220042005200620072008

Related recalls

Vehicle speed controlReported November 15, 2006 · 170,099 vehicles affected
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 malfunctionOpened December 6, 2005, closed December 12, 2006

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

What 2001 Volvo XC70 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 10, 2017 · Acceleration, Engine · 105,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo xc70. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle independently stopped. The vehicle was able to restart; however, it shook violently. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (mitchell volvo cars of simsbury 384 hopmeadow street, simsbury, ct 06070) where it was diagnosed that the throttle module needed an update. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer sent an electrical specialist to the local dealer to properly diagnose the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Filed Dec 5, 2008 · Acceleration · 89,000 miles · FL

Car engine surges without touching gas pedal and car accelerates without warning. Engine often stalls when trying to accelerate. Engine idle speed changes constantly. Dealership updated program twice and cleaned the throttle twice and car is ok for about 3 days and then all the same problems return. Dealership will not replace throttle under the warranty or even if I pay for it myself..

Filed Oct 11, 2007 · Acceleration · 91,795 miles · WA

2001 volvo v70xc with vehicle speed control malfunction. Customer states the vehicle lost all power when they hit the cruise control resume button. Dealer cleaned the etm and dealer told the consumer the problem was intermittent. *kb

Filed Jun 8, 2006 · Acceleration · 61,900 miles · MD

The warning light on the message board of my 2001 volvo xc70 displayed "performance reduced" and "engine service system urgent". The car lacks appropriate acceleration and shakes as if it were going to stall. After taking it to be repaired, I was informed that the electronic throttle on my car was faulty.

Filed Jan 18, 2006 · Acceleration · 91,910 miles · MD

I have had problems with this car stalling for over two years. I have had the throttle body replaced twice. In the month the car has been stalling at all speeds and surging when braking. This last stalling episode occurred while pulling out into a thoroughfare while I was accelerating to go slightly uphill. Since I had no power, I could not even steer the car off to the side of the road quickly. It was at night, therefore an extremely dangerous situation. These problems have been occurring over and over again, despite all of the service that I have had done on this car.

Filed Nov 27, 2005 · Acceleration · 78,000 miles · WA

Our 01 volvo v-70 xc had been acting a little off, kind of surging a little while at highway speeds, dealer couldn't find a problem.. So we tried to ignore it. One day a few months ago my wife (8 mo. Pregnant) took the car to the city. Along the way, she was going up a hill on a two-lane highway, when the car started loosing power and finally just quitting right there on the road....no shoulder...cars whizzing by. By the time I got there, the car started fine, so I switched her vehicle and she continued on. Upon calling the dealer, I was informed that I'd probably need to have the "etm throttle" replaced. Car stalled out two more times before we were able to get it to dealer. $900 later, the car works fine now. Upon looking into this problem, it sounds like it's happening to all the volvos like ours! This can be a very dangerous problem! What can the federal safety agency do about making volvo replace these faulty throttles with better ones?

Filed Nov 16, 2005 · Acceleration · 71,000 miles · MD

On september 10, 2004 volvo xc-70 (2001) stalled without warning while driving 55 MPH on 695 west in baltimore just before the exit for I-83. The car was almost hit by a semi trailer, and several other cars. The contact's car had to be towed, and the electronic throttle body was replaced. However, on december 1, 2004, the same problem occurred when car stalled at an intersection but was able to restart it. The electronic throttle was repaired again. *nm x-ref 10130923 2 replacements, smch.

Filed Nov 3, 2005 · Acceleration, Electrical · 510,000 miles · OR

Recently while driving my elderly mother in my 2001 volvo xc 70 from oregon to california we had a very unpleasant experience that could have cost us our lives. All of a sudden we lost total power in 70+ MPH traffic, had to sit on a very busy freeway for 2 hours in 100 degree heat (unable to run the air conditioner) unable to get out of the vehicle due to heavy truck traffic flying past us. My dear mother and I were finally rescued and towed to safety some 70 miles to the nearest volvo dealer. There we were told that our etm had failed. I am concerned about this very dangerous problem as I have now been told that the part that they replaced (a $1200.00 repair) is simply another of the same known faulty part. My etm faild at only 50,000 miles and could have caused a major fatality. We were really lucky but what happens next time? From the federal safety agency web site.

Filed Nov 1, 2005 · Acceleration · 76,250 miles · MD

We purchased our 2001 volvo xc70 from a reputable dealer in iowa city, ia with 72,000 miles in february of 2005. The dealer reported it had been well maintained prior to purchase and we have had it carefully maintained, since. On october 31st of 2005, on my way to an important interview the volvo began stuttering and running roughly. The vehicle reported "reduced performance" on the diagnostic display and the "service engine" light turned on. I couldn't maintain a reasonable speed so I pulled over and turned off the car. The car had difficulty starting but I was able to eventually start it and drive to a nearby repair shop. I was referred to a volvo specialist and they reported it was a problem with the electronic throttle module and I would have to take it to a dealer at a cost of about $1200. I don't feel that an essential piece of equipment like this should fail so early on a well maintained vehicle. This failure strikes me as a poor design - similar to the problems with the electric fan on this vehicle that was factory recalled. I understand that many other people have been experiencing this problem and there is a class action suit being tried in california. I understand that later model cars have a different etm and have fewer problems which leads me to believe volvo is aware of the issue and has taken steps to rectify it, but only for later model cars. I believe volvo should also be accountable for cars of the 2001 vintage and issue a factory recall. The costs to be for this problem have been: being late to my security interview for my new job. 4 hours of vacation time from work 6+ hours of personal time $1200 in repair costs 3+ hours driving wife to work because reliance on 1 car additional fuel costs because of back and forth ferrying wife to work please pressure volvo to accepting responsibility for this problem and have them issue a recall for this defect. Thanks.

Filed Oct 25, 2005 · Acceleration · 58,500 miles · MO

2001 volvo stalled without warning leaving my wife and 3 children stranded on the side of a very busy highway. When vehicle stalled a "reduced power" message was received on vehicle display. After letting vehicle sit for 10 minutes, vehicle restarted without error message. Drove for approx 15 minutes and vehicle stalled/cut-out again; again stranding my family on the side of the road. Had towed to dealership; volvo diagnosed a failed "electronic throttle module". The etm was replaced at a cost of $1016 to me. This incident occurred at approx 58,000 miles. Thank god nothing happened to my family as a result of this serious safety hazard.

Questions about the 2001 Volvo XC70 acceleration

Does the 2001 Volvo XC70 have acceleration problems?

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the acceleration of the 2001 Volvo XC70, 23% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2001 Volvo XC70 acceleration problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 76,250 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Volvo XC70 acceleration?

Yes, 1 recall: 06V441000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

Other 2001 Volvo XC70 problems

Transmission 21Engine 12Fuel system 9Electrical 6Suspension 6Body 1Brakes 1Locks 1Seat belts 1Visibility 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2001 Volvo XC70?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history