David of Belleville MI (07/01/08) In 2001, I purchased a pre-owned 1999, Volvo V70 GLT with 22k miles on it for my wife. I had purchased this car because our previous Volvo, a 740 Wagon Turbo, had gone 189k miles with no major issues and some kid was delivering pizzas with it at 280k miles! I checked car fax and the dealer's service record on the vehicle and everything looked good. We purchased the extended warranty and I had them change the transmission fluid, cut the rotors, and put on new brake pads as part of the conditions of sale. Betten Motors in Grand Rapids MI was great and everything went as planned. When reading the next paragraph keep in mind a couple of items the vehicle has been meticiously maintained and I have not included the typical wear n' tear items like brake pads, timing belt, etc. which have been replaced at the service interval or when worn. Synthetic oil and filter every 12k miles with Amsoil (oil can go up to 25k before change). Transmission fluid flushed every 2yrs with synthetic fluid and coolant flush every 2 years with Prestone 150k mile coolant. Brakes power bled with ATEO Dot4 fluid twice since car was purchased. Power steering fluid replaced with synthetic. Tires always rotated when oil was changed. Plugs every 50k miles - Bosch Platinum good for 100k. Now the fun begins. I could feel a vibration at 42mph and again at 83mph and replaced the tires at 52k miles. Vibration lessened but did not go away. Sesi Volvo in Ann Arbor MI could not find issue and blamed tires, balance, alignment, and bad brakes. I completely redid the brakes and took the car back to the tire place for a check on all of the above. They could find nothing. After months of fighitng with the dealership and they would do nothing, I took to a suspension shop. The simply took the tire off the car and spun the hubs. They identified the bad corner and balanced the tire on the car to eliminate the vibration. The issue is something inside the hub, CV joint, or transmission. This is one example of the issues and incompetence of the dealership I took it too. Now, at 105k miles, I have replaced the following due to issues: Control arms, alternator, dipstick tube and dipstick, radio (5 times), stereo and antenna amplifier, CHMSL, bad section of wiring harness, one caliper, all rotors @ 52k miles (warped), ABS module, ETM, heater core, door\window switches (2), water pump, coolant expansion tank, coolant level sensor, power steering rack, shifter lever, cup holder, sunroof (leaking non stop), anti-theft immobilizer, and sway bar end links. The only items that were covered under the warranty were the control arms, dipstick and tube, power steering rack, and ETM. Horrible warranty had to fight with them every time because they never got a diagnostic code so the warranty would not cover the issues and the time wasted taking the car to Sesi. These issues cropped up around the 50k mile mark and continue today. Thanks to a Mitchells manual and the internet I have been able to fix many of the above items myself. Imagine that not even having a computer to read the codes and the problem can be fixed at home! At this point I am not ready to gamble on another Volvo. I will keep this one until a major item begins to or does fail. The car was bad but the service at Sesi Volvo was even worse. They could not fix hardly anything and their attitude was too bad, it's you problem - bring it back when there's a code.
Jean of Salisbury MD (06/26/08) After driving four hours steadily in heavy Washington beltway traffic , my 2006, XC70, with 36,210 miles, stopped running recently. Due to a decline in the road surface, I drifted to a shoulder where the car again would not restart. About one hour later, the engine turned over after I first experienced hearing a grinding noise coming from or behind the ignition site. It was towed to my dealership,nevertheless, on a flatbed truck where no codes came up on the diagnostic computer the next day. Asking for further investigation, I was told that two Volvo field reps, on two different occasions would inspect the vehicle. The results were eventually the same. I was then told there was nothing more that could be done and to pick up the vehicle. After calling Volvo of America I was also given the same directions:Drive your car off the lot. I was also offered another diagnostic work-up under my extended warranty.The person named Helen (no last name offered)at Volvo of America stated that their feeling was that human(driver)error was probably the culprit.(!) She further suggested that my knee could have jarred the key to turn off. I stated that is physically impossible...and furthermore that I stood 5'1 making it even more improbable. I should mention, too, that my dealership suggested that I was using the wrong key to drive the car...that the owner's manual specifically states that the valet key is limited in its usage...only for valet type services, whereas the programmed key, alone, was for long distance driving. I did not find any such info. in the manual. We purchased this car, especially, for its safety record, and spent $42,000 plus taxes in 2/06. Sadly, I have lost confidence in the car and expected more assistance/direction. Basically the onus is now, seemingly, on us to drive the car until the problem duplicates itself. We do not believe that an extended warranty should be spelled out in the manner quoted: that it is the responsibility of Volvo to drive the car for this possibility to reoccur. Our extended warranty is 100,000 mi. or 6 yrs.of operation. At the second Volvo dealership,the examiner was extremely interested in the sequence of events leading up to the mishap, paying keen attention to the details of when the car could or could not restrt, and, too, the grinding noise when the key finally turned over and strted the engine
Geoff of Newmarke, Canada (06/25/08) Volvo Extended Warranty Program 192. Defective Catalytic Converter Pipe in V40/S40 models. In cold climates the part cracks, the vehicle will not pass emission tests, pollute the environment and make an obnoxiously loud noise like you have a modified exhaust, how's that for class driving in your neighbourhood?? Volvo has half heartedly offered to pay for the repair for any vehicle for a period of 10 years or 160,000 kilometers, what a joke.
Oner of Ankara, Turkey (06/13/08) Good afternoon,
I have got a 2001 model Volvo S40 T-4 (137.000km). At 129.000km , i had a problem on the engine. There was a crack in the 4th cylinder which cause the cooling water to mix with the engine oil. So i went to the official dealer in ankara called Volan. They fixed my car with a huge bill (nearly 2.000EUR). After 3 months, i discover that my car can not do he first ignition correctly. i go to dealer (Volan) and left my car there for a day. they told me to change the sparks. i changed them but i still have the same problem. Yesterday i go to another private volvo service (not official). and they discover that i have still the same problem that was fixed by the (Volan)official service. i am asking for assitance from the customer relations department of Volvo car corporation. To be a Owner of Volvo cars should not be that much painfull in my opinion.
Douglas of Bristol CT (06/03/08) My wife and I bought a 2001 volvo v70 (do I need to say more) within 10,000 miles, 57,000 the tranny is acting up. When I called Volvo the sales girl was rude and she told me that she did not know what was wrong (I understand that) but when I mentioned the ETM all she said was it was done so sorry go to the dealer. Maybe the second one went out it seems that alot of things on this car fail more than once. I am just besides myself because I did a little research when looking at this car but did not uncover the tranny. I think that volvo needs to man up and fix the problem.
Sandra of Denver CO (05/19/08) 2001 S60 2.4T bought as certified pre owned from volvo with 47,000 miles. Have had complaints about poor & rough acceleration & shifting, rolling in park while under warranty. Now it is out of warranty and Volvo says I need new transmission, right axle, CV joint, rear seal, and motor mounts on my dime. The local Volvo service manager has offered to buy the remanufactured Volvo transmission, nut I have to pick up the costs on everything else. Have alwayas had it serviced by Volvo at their intervals. I see there are LOTS of complaints against Volvo regarding their transmissions, is there a class action lawsuit?
William of Boynton Beach FL (05/15/08) we brought our 2000s80 volvo in for service with an ignitionm problem on wed. 4/23 at 1:00 pm for an estimate.after calling at 9:00 am on thurs and getting no respones by 1:00 pm, i called the service mgr for help. no resronse from the voice message i left. at 3:30 the service advisor called me to tell me that the repair would be 2300.00 dollars.i asked first if there were any service loaners and he told me that all 15 cars were committed and none were available. i told him i would call in the am. after eliminating 700. dollars of add'l work i told him to proceed. i rec'd two calls from this person in the next 8 days our car was being fixed. all other comms. i had to initate...is my car being worked on yet? have the parts arrived? when will it be done? my complaint is no or very little communications from the advisor, no response from the service mgr who is too busy to respond to customers, the fact that i believe that the service tech and the advisor are on some type of incentive program to more wrong with your car so they will benefit....which is totally not in the best interest of the consumer. my wife and i both feel that we were trully treated poorly. thank you, we just wanted to tell someone about our experience since we both felt that contacting the dealer would be like talking to a snowman.
Kellie of Richwood NJ (05/13/08) I am in the middle of a lawsuit against a volvo dealer here in south jersey. I am finding I am not alone in the ongoing problems with relatively new volvo's. Let's see, I have had to replace, bushings, side motor mounts, a catalytic converter, oxygen sensors, computer engine software upgrade , drive shafts, an axle, upper torque engine mount, a head gasket, shock absorbers, mass air flow sensor and the car still runs like crap. Did I mention the partridge in the pear tree. Truly, if a partridge flew over my car the doors would probably fall off. Did I mention, I have barely put barely 50,000 miles on the car. I am looking for others who will consider a class action suit against Volvo of North America. How could I forget, after complaining for over a year about the engine idling high and and erratic noise, I just had to pay for a new transmission since the problem wasn't discovered until my purchased entended warranty had run out. We should get together and file a class action suit.
Clyde of Biscayne Park FL (04/26/08) Back in March,2008 my driver side rearview mirrior glass on my 2004 Volvo S60 started to vibrate and looked like it was ready to fall off. I quickly pressed on the glass and the glass stopped vibrating. Three days later while making a left hand turn my passenger side mirrior glass fell off and crashed to to the ground in pieces. Realizing this was an issue that needed my imediate attention I went to Weston Volvo in Weston ,Florida on 3/29/2008. Terry Millar the service writer told me that because my milage was at 53,062 I would have to pay out of pocket. An issue I thought would resolve as soon as I contacted Volvo who sells their cars by stressing their quality and craftsmenship. My last Volvo an 1983 two door Turbo lasted me 21years with only wear and tear items needing to be replaced. 21years and none of my mirriors ever fell off. Not to mention 2 at one time. I see this as manufacturing defect issue not a warrenty issue. If one mirrior had a problem maybe so but 2 at one time. So far they are only willing to compensate 50% of the $219 it cost me. Betty (as she identifies herself) at customercare@volvoforlife last stated in her e-mail reply We have taken your concerns seriously and have had it reviewed by our Volvo Regional Reprentitive(unnamed). He has made the deterimination this is not a warrenty issue. We have no where else to escalate this; the Regional Managers decision is final.She goes on to state While we regret you may disagree with our decision,we repect you choice to pursue this matter as you see fit. Volvo Cars of North America appreciates the opportunity to respond to your concerns but is unable to review this matter any further. Well this is my first attemp as I see fit. Does anyone out there have a simular problem with their mirriors? If so please contact me at clydster@bellsouth.net and let me know so I can contact Betty and let her know. So we can let Volvo know they have a serious problem with mirrior defects. Thanks Clyde
Adam of Seattle WA (04/22/08) I have a 2002 Volvo V70 XC cross counntry wagon owned for a year and a half. I have had nothing but problems. An LED light on the defrost button went out in the console. Dealership told me it would cost around $350 to fix. The pump for the rear windshield wiper fluid failed. Cost $400 for parts and labor. It started making a loud rattling noise, so our local Volvo shop repaired it and replaced some cross bar underneath for around $250. Two rear seatbelt buckles stopped latching, and had to be replaced, ~$90 each. The driver's seat belt had a problem with the pretensioner, where it was stuck tight against the frame, and would not retract at all, $600 to replace the belt. The dashboard cup holder broke. Light bulbs front and rear have constantly gone out. And then the kicker, the transmission. A previous poster here wrote about his V70 slamming into gear when going from first to second or second to third. Bingo, that is exactly what happened to my car, and now the dealer says that the angle drive gear is worn down and that the transmission needs to be replaced, for around $3500. Unbelievable. And for a car where supposedly safety is a feature, to have the transmission slam and lunge the car forward, and having faulty seat belts (SEAT BELTS!) is alarming.
Patti of Greencastle PA (04/02/08) I bought a pre-owned 1999 Volvo S80 in September 2005. Since purchasing this vehicle three items have been on the recall list. I had to replace a ball joint and now I need to replace strutts on the passenger side and other small items (cupholder, alarm system quit working) In addition, last summer my drivier's side window stopped working and stopped in an angled position inside my door. When I closed my door in the park position, key turned off, in my driveway the steering wheel airbag, seat airbag, window shield airbag and side curtain airbag deployed. Luckily my son had just gotten out of the care but still managed to inhale some of the powder from the bag. When I phoned Volvo I was told by an extremely rude customer service representative/consutltant that this was not their problem and I must have really slammed the door to initiate airbag deployment. She also informed me she reported directly to the President of Volvo, Anne Belec. I phoned my insurance company and they said it was a malfunction and that is not covered under insurance. My agent phoned the office and had them come to look at the car because the damages to the car should be covered. Insurance agreed to pay for damages but not airbags. They said they had 8-10 claims for same issue and are holding Volvo responsible. Now I am back to calling Volvo which is who I originally started calling. They agreed to have an agent come look at the car at my dealership. Volvo finally agreed to fix my car which I was happy about but all told the process took seven weeks to complete from deployment to car being fixed. Yesterday, my passenger door window quit working. What a surprise since the driver's window quite working 9 months earlier. My passenger window is currently hanging precariously at a right angle inside my door. I phoned Volvo this morning to tell them this is obviously a faulty product due to this happening twice in 9 months. They informed me this was not a responsibility of theirs because my car is past it's 50,000 mile warranty and because my car is a 1999. What ever happend to Volvo putting out a quality product. I know cars that have power windows from the 60's that still work. I phoned highway safety and they have three other complaints logged regarding the window in addition to numerous complaints on the web. I wish I had kept my Mitsubishi Galant instead of purchasing their vehicle. I owned a 1982 Jetta that had less problems than this car it was 15 years old when I bought it. I will never recommend nor purchase another Volvo.
Andrew of Hershey PA (03/16/08) My 1999 S70 AWD was purchased for the safety record that Volvo so effectively markets. Now after 77,000 I am ready to pay someone to take it off my hands. My beef is with the faulty Aisin Warner 50-42 transmission that is used in this model (an others). My first problem started at 33K miles with hard shifting. Dealer performed Service Bulletin fix (new software update and new ATF that meets the JWS-3309 Spec). This worked well until 61K miles (out of warranty)when it started to happen again. Another ATF flush and refill and new sotftware. (Dealer put Dextron 3 in this time for some reason that is not JWS-3309 compliant). At 69K I discover that the car ROLLS WHEN IN PARK! Dealer says - Internal Failure - Replace Transmission. I contacted Volvo NA concerned about the liability issues surrounding this roll in park issue. Sorry out of warrenty. Per the Owners Service Manual - this transmission only requires that ATF levels be checked unless you tow with the vehicle. This is bull... I would have much rather done ATF changes every 25k than be faced with the $3,600 estimate to put in a Volvo remanufactured unit. It appears to me that Volvo has purposefully instructed their clients to not perform maintenance on a very expensive component that has a very high failure rate. I have never had this type of issue with any car I have owned in the past. I would welcome the opportunity to join a class action against Volvo to force them to make us whole on these repair costs.
Jacqueline of Killingworth CT (03/12/08) My husband and I purchased a 2003 VOLVO XC90 in November of 2007. It is a one owner vehicle that has always been serviced and maintained by a VOLVO dealership. All suggested maintenance was completed as well as any recalls. Today, with the car having 53000 miles on it, we were informed that it needs a new transmission as well as new axles. We have researched this problem online and it seems very common. Volvo thus far is being less than helpful and denies that there has been an issue with transmissions. Huh!!! Isn't the slogan VOLVO for Life? How about VOLVO for 50000 miles if you're lucky?!?! I think its time to start that class action suit....
Doug of Newport Beach CA (02/12/08) I ordered a new Volvo S80. On the day of delivery, I was shown a 2007 S80 for a test drive and inspection. After inspection, I was sent into the finance department to sign the documents when personal switched the inspected vehicle with another vehicle that had a front fender that had been repainted. I know this to be a fact because during my inspection of the vehicle I took photos of the car and it's window sticker containing the VIN number. After I took delivery of the 2007 Volvo S80 I noticed the paint did not match the other body panels. I brought the issue to the management's attention and now, seven months later they have done nothing to resolve the issue.
G. of Amherst NY (02/04/08) The engine on my 2001 Volvo S60 seized with 56,000 mi. on it. Called Volvo Service since the oil light was on and I was advised that if there was oil in the car then it was o.k. to drive. The oil level was fine, I drove the car and after about 10 mi. the engine started making horrible noises and just came to a slow stop. I also have transmission problems. The service department says they can't find anything wrong with it. Upon acceleration, the car loses power and then suddenly jerks into gear. Light bulbs constantly out.
Susan of Buffalo Grove IL (02/04/08) Purchased a 2003 Volvo XC70 Cross Country brand new. Car was driven primarily in the Midwest including the Chicago area. It was not driven in the mountains or off-road. On a trip through central Illinois this winter we noticed the car would lose power when accelerating at the on-ramp. We stopped at the closest car dealer, Ford, in a small town. We talked with the Service Manager who could not help us but looked up Volvo dealerships in the closest city, St. Louis, over an hour away. He persuaded us to continue driving to St. Louis. We crossed our fingers and made it to the Brentwood dealership where our car stalled at the Service entrance. We learned we needed a new transmission for $4100. This on a road trip to be at the side of a dying parent. Dealership had a rental car waiting for us, all details handled expeditiously. However, our complaint is that this car is supposed to last, meaning a $4,100 repair is exorbitant at four years old, and totally contrary to the reliable, dependable, safe image Volvo has worked hard to market. We had previously planned to purchase a second Volvo this Spring. Our neighbor drives a twenty-three year old Toyota and has only required typical maintenance. After the fact we learned from reading Consumer Reports that our year Volvo has a poor rating for transmission problem. Would have been nice of Volvo to offer some type of rebate for this known defect rather than lose customers.
Jerry of Plymouth MN (01/30/08) They are SERIOUSLY telling me that the car I bought in Minnesota that was made in Sweden is SUPPOSED to take 20-30 minutes to warm up enough that my XC90 will actually go into reverse and then be driven when it is below zero. I mean it says so in the owners manual.
Jason of Raleigh NC (01/22/08) I will have had my Volvo S80 for two years this summer and have never hated a car more than this one. To give you a quick glimpse into my history with cars, just in the past six years I have had 4 cars, so to say the Volvo is the worst means a lot. As soon as the car reached 50,000 miles, which coincidentially is the exact time the warranty expired, things started going wrong. It all started with my transmission breaking...no lights, no warnings, just me only able to go into reverse. So, after close to a $4,000 bill I started driving the car for about a month and realize that there is an awful noise coming from the front passenger wheel. I go and pay another $100 for the diagnosis and they tell me that I have to replace my front strut mounts, which with an allignment will run close to $900. I thought this was insult to injury...as I am driving (one week mind you after the most recent repair) out of my garage I hear glass breaking...I was like oh damn what have I hit. Well, my side mirror decides to fall off and shatters on the ground into 5400 pieces. So, take it back in and have them replace the mirror. Now, a few weeks later I have to replace my brake pads and no joke...yesterday on the way to work my check engine light is on. It pains me to see people driving down the road in like a 1986 ford and assumingly sans car problems, but yet a close to $50,000 car is falling apart right under me. If anyone is reading this and is considering buying a Volvo...please DO NOT! I am making it my life's mission to convince everyone I know to never buy a Volvo! Buy a Lexus!
John of Sunnyside NY (11/20/07) The meaning of the Volvo name has charged drastically in the last 10 years. I cannot claim a fire with my 1999 V70, but the thing costs around $1000 /year in normal maintenance. The dealership would not own up to any product responsibility during the warranty years. the car I received is flawed very basically. The electrical system is constantly producing new phenomena that the dealership is either unable or unwilling to address. Two years after i bought the car a squeek developed in the dashboard because it had become loose. For two years they denied hearing the noise in the test drive, when the four year warranty ended they could hear it and advised me that it was an enormously expensive job.
It has several sets of headlights, tail light and signals replaced due to blown bulbs (recalled at various times), the door lock controllers have all been replaced ( fronts recalled I believe), as have half the window controls. I saw smoke come out of the drivers door lock or window control once, they tryed to tell me I didn't. The warning lights go on randomly , service engine, engine temp light. this was on and off for 2 years resulting in replacing the radiator. The temp light went back on on the way home. they then did somthing and it hasnt come on again. that was a year ago, it came on again yesterday. This light came on shortly after the service engine, ABS (brake) light , and skid control light last Friday.
They came on as I made a left turn and the ABS system engaged as if i was in an emergency stop condition. Since then when ever I start the car the ABS engages (in park) until I stomp down on the brake several times. a few years ago the parking lights would not go off. so I parked it in the garage and returned 2 hours later, thinking the circuit may dry our or somthing and the light would go off. the lights began to melt the plastic lenses so I had to pull the fuse. The switches and electrical circuitry is incredibly poorly put together with the cheapest materials. the head light switch broke in my hand when I turned them off once, but it broke into a dozen pieces. all the climate control switches and knobs have developed a soft coating like the plastic is melting, I can peal off layers of plastic on all these if I wished.
The top of the steering wheel , exposed to the sunlight, is degrading, like pitting. The computer throttle control was recently recalled. Before that the car got about 15-19 miles / gal no matter how or where you drove. now it gets about 15 city and 22 highway. but the 'timing' or the computer equivalent, is now (appearing to be) advancing to the point were it is difficult to crank the engine upon starting. T
he Battery has been replaced the second week of February every other (two) year ever since I drove this thing off the lot. There has always been voltage leaks in the electrical harness, and everyone knows that this is one problem the dealership will not tough. The car ( did I mention a 1999 V70) has a radio that picks up engine (EMF) noise on all the AM stations, along with the signal light clicking. I haven had a problem like this since the 1968 Chevy, when I bought a choke from Radio Shack to prevent it.
Now this is a ( I don't know... $1000) radio that needs a code punching after the battery is changed as a security measure of it wont work if it gets stolen. I would say that a full 1/3 of the owners manual is devoted to this radio system. Cold air comes in the driverside door through the window and lock control panel. I asked the dealership to look at it, and they sprayed foam or something into it, now the windows are running slower and a streak has developed on the glass presumably from the drive mechanism that controls the window movement. There is always cold air coming through under the dash during the winter, the dealership says it the 'flow-through air' system, I have just cranked up the heat there in the winter.
The front has gon through 2 sets of struts, and the plw profile mags (statndard on this model) are inappropriate in the potholes in the City. the car has less than 60,000 miles and has gon throught 8 tires 6 of these on the front. One of the mags has now begun to corode, the finishing ( like brushed stainless steel) arounf the center is pealing like paint. these are actually standard carbon steel (mags?) with a coating. This is the car that I spent (probably) $15,000 more than I should have, as opposed to a regular domestic model, that I would have been having similar problems after seven years. But then Foard bought a chunk the year before I bought it, I hear similar stories from Mercedes owners with Chrysler. Upon reflection the insides of my car dash is the same as a Ford Torus.
I thought the additional $15000 would have given me 10 years free of major problems, then maybe become more expensive to maintain. The plan for this car was to attempt to keep it for twenty years. Its readily becoming apparent that this may not last 10-12 years. My mothers volvo is 15 years old and running fine.I just want to document my disgust with this product and how it was corporately driven into the ground. their answer each year is more expensive systems controlling airbags, brake and steering, and yet the Volvo name is now off the list of safe-est cars.
Keesha of Hampton VA (11/08/07) I purchased my VOLVO S60 2001 ON 03/01/2004. I bought this car because I had previously been in a terrible car accident without my son in the car. I took the chance of purchasing a vehicle I new would be expensive for basic upkeep/maintence, but out lives are more important to me than money. And I do not have a lot of it being a single parent. I wanted the car because record had it that the volvo was the safest vehicles with all the air bags! In September my brake lights went out. The volvo dealership said the problem was a relay switch which the cost was under $50. Oh by the way, the day I went in for the check on those lights, I informed the manager that I believed my warrenty had expired because of notices in the mail. He said no I had up to 100,000 miles. When he totaled my bill he said I did not have to pay the $50 deductible because the cost was under $50. On Nov.5, my heater was blowing on and off every 20-30 minutes. I took it to the volvo dealership assuming I still had the warrenty. They said it needed an a/c blower motor fan and resistor. He called while the car was in the shop, the cost was $625 plus tax,parts,and labor. I explained, What about my warrenty? He then told me it expired in July 07 and that the diagonstic charge was $96 if I couldnt pay to fix it. I vented my issue back to the same manager. He agreed not to charge me anything that day. My warrenty expired in July 07. They say the warrenty begins from the date of the original owner not when I bought the car. Anyway after reading all the complaints, I will take the lose and look for a new vehicle even though the car depreciated $2000.
Arie of Carlsbad CA (11/06/07) I started leasing my 2004.5 Volvo S40 (2.4i) in 2004. The minute I drove the car off the lot, the problems started. As soon as I turned the car on, the check engine light was on. The car only had 19 miles! My brand new car was in the dealer's shop the first two days I owned it. Next, my immobilizer would come on randomly, so I couldn't start my car, the windshield wipers came on randomly while I was driving and wouldn't turn off even when I turned the car off and pulled the key out, the passenger air bag sensor was misscalibrated, the exterior temperature gauge was misscalibrated and probably other things I can't remember. My car was in the shop for 26 days two months after I signed the lease. Now, at 60,000 miles, my air conditioner compressor is completely shot - it will cost $1,100 to replace - so I've chosen to suffer through the summer until my lease ends next year. I've also had other assorted problems which were, fortunately, covered under warranty. I should have lemoned my car after that first 26 days in the shop. Now I'm afraid it's probably too late.
Elizabeth of Ashburn VA (10/31/07) We are the original owners of a 2001 Volvo S60 T5. It now has a little less than 71,000 miles on it - relatively low mileage on a 6+ year old car. In June 2007 we had to replace the alternator for a cost of $1,100. In September 2007 we had to replace the transmission for a cost of $3,289. Today we received word the fuel pump needs to be replaced at a cost of $1,000.
Michielle of Sunnyvale CA (10/11/07) I spoke with a Volvo Increased Protection agent on 10/10/07 regarding my latest repair work on my 2001 S80. She informed me that the repairs would not be covered under the warranty plan as I had not pre-authorized the repairs first. I told her that the warranty card that I was sent had an expiration date of 3/25/07 so we thought the warranty had expired according to the info that Volvo sent us.
The agent then told me the expiration date is 3/25/09 or 100,000 miles and that the info on the card we had was incorrect. She would be sending out new cards to reflect the correct expiration date. Because of the incorrect cards that Volvo sent us, we had to pay $741.51 for the repairs that should have been covered under warranty. I understand that a pre-authorization needs to take place before any repairs but as you can see, this did not take place due to the incorrect date on our warranty card. If we had the correct expiration date on the card, Scandia Auto Service would have done the pre-auth.
Cynthia of Canton NY (10/09/07) I purchased my car in November of 2004 a 2001 xc70. I had the nightmare ETM and finally got it replaced. Then this past spring I brought my car in for the transmission computer upgrade only to be told at under 80,000 that I need a new transmission;like some hearts aren't made to last a lifetime that my car needs a heart transplant.... For 5,000 dollars. So finally after looking for a transmission I took the car to Aamaco who got a reconditioned transmission from Volvo. The total was 3100 dollars, with a one year warranty. My guess is this is another substandard product (transmission) by just looking at all of the Volvo owners who have had to pay for new transmissions. I think there needs to be another class action law suit like they did in California with the Electronic Throttle Module. I am going to send another letter to Volvo asking to be reimbursed and cc in the Attorney General and you all at consumer affairs. I guess the huge issue is safety and the transmissions going out while on the road.I have been so terribly disappointed in this vehicle. I bought it for safety and reliability and have had nothing but problems. What a shame they are not taking care of major manufacturing defects. I have had near misses with the ETM. I am a single parent who could really use some advocacy.
Christine of Shreveport LA (10/08/07) 1999 S70. 94,000 miles. ABS module went out. Various warning lights lit up on dash. Odometer and speeedometer would go blank. Speed sensor not working and car would struggle to shift out of first gear. ABS module replaced. Had ETM module replaced 2 years ago for about same price.... what's next
Elizabeth of Merion PA (09/29/07) I have a '01 V70 with low miles (61000). I had the Electronic Throttle Module recall repair done on the car in the winter of '07 and get regular service...in fact, we just had our 60,000 mile maintenance done on Thurs. and this evening our car went into LIMP HOME mode on the busy Schuykill Expressway outside of Phila. We are terribly lucky that traffic was already slowing to a crawl and we were able to get it to an exit very quickly (although we ended up in a very sketchy neighborhood). It was a harrowing experience and although I do not yet know what is wrong, I have a sinking feeling that I will end up like many others with similar problems...new transmission and/or whatever else the dealer can cook up. I thought there was a class action suit against Ford/Volvo over the alleged repair of the ETM. Where does this stand? What is your recourse if a recall does not actually fix the problem? It would seem the government should be involved as well as doesn't the NTSB oversee these official recalls? HELP!
Karen of Atlanta GA (09/12/07) I lost my last key to my Volvo S70. I contacted the dealership only to find out I had to come to the store to prove ownership of the car before I could order one. I found out the cost would be $104 for the key and another $230 for the remote. But what really disturbed me was the fact that I had to tow the car to the dealership to have the car hooked up to the computer to program both the remote and the key. I have a mechanic who was already going to replace three parts for me. Now, I can't have anything done until I come up with $500.00 for a key.
Judith of Brooklyn NY (09/06/07) I purchased a new Volvo in 2002. I had numerous complaints, and took it into the dealer, while still under warranty. The complaints were never resolved. The back doors never closed well unless they were banged shut. The radio developed static on all stations, unless the lock buttons were pressed and then it was playing well for a few minutes. The lights were always burning out, and the covers were filled with water, especially after a rainy day. These were supposed to be repaired or replaced, but never were. The car jerked while moving in slow traffic. The brakes needed replacement at my expense, after only 10,000 miles. The tires needed replacing as well. After going to the dealer so many times and not getting anything accomplished, the warranty period ended.I then took it to a private mechanic, who is in the process of changing the lights, and checking it out, at my expense. However, he says he doubts the radio can be repaired, or the doors made to close properly. Why should this be the case, on an almost new car, that has maybe 16,000 miles on it? A radio is not a luxury item, why cant I hear the AM news radio without static? This is very annoying, and I was wondering if you could help me. I called Volvo direct, and the best they offered me was a 30% REBATE on the parts used in the repair, up to $200. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Glenn of Seattle WA (08/27/07) 1999 Volvo XC70 ABS ECU Failure. Causes intermittent failure of the Speedometer, Odometer, places transmission into limp mode.
Allison of Lake Steves WA (07/24/07) I hate to add to the list of complaints about the 2000 Volvo S80 since I will likely need to unload one soon. However, I am seeing a consistant list of problems that I have suffered through, too. Where to start? How about the many times the car refused to? On MULTIPLE occassions I've had to have the car towed to the dealer because it went into limp mode in the middle of the road. I got a software download from the service dept and was sent back on my way to have near miss after near miss resulting from my randomly dying car. When I went back with the knowledge that his had been the subject of a recall that they were aware of I got a sorry for the inconvenience we'll fix it this time. Hmm, were you just faking it all those other times?. What is up with the headlamps, tail-lights, perimeter lights and anything else that lights in this car? I keep a box of various bulbs in the trunk because I can't go 1,000mi's w/out something burning out. (Includng my patience.) Burning - fortunately my car has NOT (yet) burst into flames, however, today I was told I have one of those piched fuel lines and a seal that is leaking oil onto my engine. I may have isolated the problem everyone is having in advance of having it myself, but it's certainly gonna cost me. Did I mention the defective seatbelt, steering wheel adjustment arm that broke off right after I got the car, the pop-up drink holder that pops off, the myriad warning lights that I've been told to ignore - they mean nothing - that I'm afraid will have cried wolf one time too many now that my car is over 100K mi's. It might finally be telling me something but I will have tuned it out like a whiny teenager. The front driver's side wheel eat the bolts that hold it onto the car. Ask the people at Les Schwaub to see the shaved-metal remnants I've left behind after seeking their help when yet another strange thing has happened to my $40K car. So did this all start happening when they were acquired by Ford? Timing seems about the same and other companies seem to handle defects similarly. At least it's still pretty.
Jennifer of Glendale AZ (07/14/07) I drive a 2003 Volvo C70 in May of 2006. I really loved my carand had no problems. On Monday I was involved in a major collision. I rear ended a car at a rate of 30 plus miles an hour. I was taken to the hospital with head,facial,neck and back injuries. I am now on a 2 month temperary disability while seeing the doctor 4xs a week. My complaint the roll bars deployed, I have a 13,000 dollar front end damage repair estimant and NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED!!! All emergency personal were amazed that given the amount of damage that the safest car made?? Deployed its roll bars and not air bags. I have been told that air bags would have made all the differance in my injuries.
Sandra of Marion IA (07/09/07) I have been experiencing problems with the transmission of my car. It has been slipping, surging, balking and bucking in to gear intermittently. I had my mechanic diagnose the problem. He informed me it was a common problem with transmissions of my make and model. I contacted Volvo's customer relations department. They informed me I needed to have it diagnosed by a Volvo dealer. I did.
They loaded new software to try and solve the problem, noting that it may be an internal transmission problem. I phoned the local Volvo dealership in Cedar Rapids to inform them the car was still exhibitting its original problems. I was told it takes the transmission time to relearn the program and to give it some time. I did this and the problem still exists. I had Junge Volvo re-evaluate the problem and they informed me I needed a new transmission.
I had Volvo consumer relations send all of the information on to their regional manager John Vitor to review for consideration for cost assistance for its repair due to the low mileage of the vehicle and it barely being beyond its warranty. Assistance was denied. I was not informed of this. I had to once again call their customer relations department to inquire about my case. It was then I was informed of the denial of assistance. I did some research on line regarding transmission problems others may have experienced with the same car.
The problems and complaints are ABUNDANT and Vovlo is quite aware of the issue. I even found a statement from an employee from a volvo dealership in North Carolina confirming Volvo's knowledge of this problem with S60 and V70 transmissions. As a Volvo tech he has had to address this problem a number of times. I think Volvo is taking complete advantage of it's trusting consumers saddling them with these money sieves. In my opinion they are conducting business fraudulently by knowingly selling this faulty product.
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Jennifer of Springfield NJ (06/23/07) We bought a 2003 Cross Country with 65,000 miles on it. Test drove fine, seemed in great condition. Jeff, the dealer, talked us into buying the 4-year warranty from the Eagle Warranty Corporation. He said they don't cover everything, but everything major. By signing up for that warranty, we signed a release that waived all dealer responsibility--for anything. Two days after we brought the car home, it wouldn't start. We assumed that the expensive warranty policy would cover it, though we had not received the package from Eagle Warranty yet--it was still in the mail. We had the car towed to our local mechanic, and $400 later, it still wasn't fixed. So we had the car towed to our local Volvo dealer. He had to replace the main computer module. $2000. When we called Eagle Warranty, we found out that it was not covered by Eagle Warranty. And since Jeff had covered himself with that waiver, we got stuck with paying it all.
Peter of Sebastopol CA (06/18/07) 2000 S80 T6. The worst car that I have ever owned. I have replaced just about every part on this car. Radiator, Cooling fans, ABS control module, Air Mass Controlor / sensor, ball joints, motor mounts, the entire fuel injection system wireing, sun roof, steering wheel almost fell off it was so loose. The car has 96,000 very gentle miles on it. It rattles, squeeks and now won't even let you turn the key on. (Obviously it is in the garage and you can't put the beast in neutral and roll it out for the tow truck to take it anywhere but my place. If I were working for Volvo, I would run and hide.
Eric of Miami FL (05/29/07) Well we leased a 2005 Volvo s40 2.4i in April of 2005 and this car has been nothing but trouble. Starting off back on August 29th 2005 the car would not start. When i took it into service they stated that the car has water damage and now the whole motor needs to be replaced. Therefore we had to pay a huge deductible. Then back on November 5th 2006 the car would not start. I made the call for a jump start and it was fine until the next day. November 6th 2006 I had to call Volvo roadside again for a tow because it was not starting again. I was stranded for 2 hours.
December 1, 2006 The car did not start again due to electrical issues. December 12th 2006 received a jump start which was not effective. February 14 2007 the car won’t start towed back to deel Volvo. May 16th 2007 the motor mount broke therefore dropping the motor onto my axle and making me lose control while i was in motion. I was with my grandmother of 69 years of age which recently underwent surgery. I was taking her to the doctor when this happened. She nearly had a heart attack. Due to the vibrations and sounds we experienced when this happened she was shocked. She was in a total panic situation. Our lives were at risk that day. I call volvo roadside, they come pick my car up and take it to Deel Volvo.
I tried explaining that I was not feeling safe in this car anymore. Armando Ponce said that he can get me out of my current lease and put me into a new Volvo ,but the pay off will remain. This isn't sufficient why would I have to pay for this. I don't feel safe in this car anymore. Now it gets better May 29th 2007 I pick up my car from the previous incident and they state that it's ready. I picked it up and as I'm driving the car suddenly stops driving. It's like if i'm in neutral the whole time. Again i lost total power and i was obstructing traffic. I had to push my car for nearly 8 blocks. I am extremely afraid to drive this car and i feel that my life is at risk.
Patricia of Burr Ridge IL (04/28/07) I am the first owner of a 2004 Volvo XC90. Currently with 69,000 miles. Less than 20,000 miles ago, both bearings needed to be replaced and the Volvo dealership replaced them at no charge because the car was barely over the warranty. Now both bearings again need to be replaced. The charge is $1300 and the Volvo dealership offered a 20% discount off the $1300.
I am insisting that Volvo pick up the fee and in writing state the bearings are guaranteed for 100,000 miles. On my own, I have found out that the 2004 XC90 has a problem with bearings -Volvo was not honest disclosing this to me but admitted it after I told them I knew about it. Still so far they are not willing to cover the cost of their faulty equipment. By the way, I was blown off by Frank at Volvo Customer Service 800-458-1552, extension1981.
He told me on 4/23/07 he would discuss the bearings cost with the Volvo Field Rep and the Rep's decision could take 3-5 days. On 4/27/07 when my husband called Frank regarding the decision, Frank had not called the rep and told my husband he called the dealership and the dealership would give us a 20% discount. I had told Frank that in our initial conversation. I am going to sell the Volvo if this is not resolved. The next car I buy will be a GM with a 100,000 mile warranty.
Mike of Kennebunk ME (04/10/07) We own a 2003 xc 90 with 95,000 miles on it. I'm being told that we need a new transmission. I don't believe this is happening. Every time we take it in it is something else. We had to put $13,000 into new turbos about a year ago, b/c the dealer said we had not changed the oil for a long time, even though the car had been in for a full service a month or so before that. I asked why no one saw it and they said that it was not their responsibility to maintain levels of oil. I assumed a full service meant checking the oil. I decided to live with it b/c we moved to maine and i got lazy, but since we have been up here it has gone down hill since then. And now i need a new transmission. For $50,000 i derserve care that does better than that. CAn anyone help? I am willing to invest time in legal action if there seems to warrant it.
Robert of Rockville Centre NY (04/09/07) I purchased a new 2001 Volvo V70 and because of a great deal of unpleasantness in the delivery process vowed never to give that dealer any future business of any kind. I have had the car regularly serviced and maintained by a very reputable local mechanic who has serviced my family's cars for many years.
The mechanic knows when he sees me drive up with the Volvo that it is almost certain that he is going to be replacing a burnt out bulb. With only 37,000 miles on this car I have replaced headlamps three times and every other bulb including the license plate bulbs at least once. A number of the rear bulbs have been replaced several times.
On one occasion, on the recommendation of Volvo my mechanic replace3d evry rear bulb good and bad. Notwithstanding my constant comment that there has to be an electrical problem my mechanic seems to believe this is not the case. Recently, someone I met stated that he understood this was a problem with all 2000 and 2001 Volvos, at least the station wagons.I also have intermittent problems with the door locks and the alrm sytem.
The computer read outs for gas mileage, etc. has never worked properly from day 1 but I ultimately gave up on getting it to work right on the ground that the process was more trouble than it was worth.From now on I will stick only to Toyota products, which I have never had the slightest complaint about.
Keith of Lancaster PA (04/05/07) I currently own a 2004 Volvo XC90. I have had a comfortable and safe experience since purchasing it in April 2004. However, there have been a number of issues that are of great disappointment. Both left and right wheel bearings failed so far in addition to my latest critical problem; transmission failure. The vehicle has 87,000 miles on it.
The first wheel bearing was covered under warranty at approximately 35,000 miles. The second bearing went at approximately 70,000 miles, which I was responsible for. I have had 8 new cars previously and I have never had to replace a wheel bearing or a transmission in any of the eight vehicles. Now with this situation arising, we have major concerns of the quality Volvo is putting out to the consumers.
I can assure you we have done all the recommended maintenance through our dealership, Stadel Volvo in East Petersburg, PA and we have the records to prove it. I just am having a hard time excepting that I need to replace a transmission @ $3,800.00 on a fairly new $45,000.00 vehicle. It does not sit well and I think I have been taken advantage of.
John of Athens, GA (03/31/07)
2001 V70, Transmission Failure, 112K miles, transmission solenoid culprit. Cost - $6750 to repair.
Maria of Portland CT (02/08/07) The Volvo V70 had a significant problem with it's electronic throttle system.....I bought a 2001 V70 and spent 3 years paying for a variety of things..car had massive hesitation issues, then the dash board lights kept going off/on, then I replaced bulbs every month!
Then, my the passenger side door/window stopped working (more money spent to try to fix), then the temp guage on dash went out, but the car began not hesitating as much....this is when the recall came out. I did it. It fixed EVERYTHING! Now, not nearnly a year later and it is all starting over...I have an appointment with a dealer who is already telling me that it may not be this problem...I WILL NOT SPEND MORE MONEY!
Jenniferof Marietta GA (01/25/07) I am leasing a 2004 Volvo S60 2.5T. Lease is up in June. 11 months ago at 35K miles (still under warranty)my transmission slipped and needed to be serviced (light came on). I brought it in to Nalley Volvo to be serviced. They patched the problem by flushing trans fluid and updating computer, etc. Well now at 52K (2k miles over warranty).. guess what?!!.. same thing is happening and they are telling me that I need to replace the transmission!! Why didn't they do it at 32K miles when the same problem was occuring? I am so mad!!!
This will cost me around $6,000 probably (don't know exactly yet). Keep in mind that my lease is up in 5 months.
Eric of San Antonio TX (12/19/06) The high-end factory-installed CD player in my 2001 Volvo V70 jammed with three CDs in it (it holds four). There is no way to force the unit to eject, so I brought it to the dealer for troubleshooting. I had the service done while I waited. Two hours later a technician came to tell me that they'd checked things out and would have to order a new unit, after which the jammed discs would be returned to me. Upon returning to my car, I noticed with some dismay that the dust pattern on the radio and dash had not even been disturbed.
I called the service advisor and was told that all that had been done was for the technician to turn the car on, push eject, and confirm that no discs came out. I was furious at this ... why had I waited over two hours for someone to tell me what I already knew? I waited a few weeks for the new radio unit to come in to the dealer, then had the car serviced to install the new radio. I was told that the old jammed CDs could not be retrieved by the dealership, but that the unit would be sent in to the factory and the CDs would be returned to me in 4-6 weeks. It's now been over 6 weeks, so I called the dealership to see what was up.
They now tell me it can take up to one year to receive CDs back, and they have no way to check on the status of this. Had I known this, I would have asked for the unit back myself so I could dig the CDs out.
David of Randolph NJ (12/17/06) Just purchased a brand new Volvo XC90 on Friday, 12/15/06. Drove it a day and a half (12/17/06), when another car on the road blinked its lights and told us we had a huge gas leak. We pulled off and called for assistance. The car smells like gasoline. Terrible! This is a brand new vehicle (6 miles when I took it off the lot, 130 at the time of the event). Gas was pouring out from under the passenger side of the vehicle. I have never owned a new car that was so dangerous. My wife and two kids are fine. The car was flat bed towed to our dealership.
I am bringing them the keys and cancelled by security deposit check. Let them sue me, I will counter sue. This car is a tinder box waiting to explode and won't risk my family's life. We all felt sick from the gas fumes although we didn't go to the hospital.
Roy of Memphis TN (12/14/06) Own a volvo s60 with 47,000 miles ....just learned the transmission is going out....Volvo will not warranty this repair because the 4 year warranty expired in January of 2006. So the most important item in the warranty, the mileage is being ignored... This is my third and LAST volvo that i will ever own.
Elaine of Owings MD (12/13/06) My l990 Volvo burst into flames while it. was parked ina friend yard. The car was not even running. How fortunate I was that someone passing by knocked on the door and called the fire department. Was there a recall of this car? How can I be conpensated?
Heather of Kirkland WA (12/07/06) Volvo S60 2001, don't buy one. ALready having to replace transmission. These cars clearly have a manufacturing issue.
$3,000.00+ to be repaired.
Petressee of Detroit MI (10/23/06) On October 6, 2006, I took my 2001 s80 to the Volvo dealer because my car stalled on the expressway. It surged until it completely stopped. The mechanic completed the Crank Vent Cleaning for a charge of $575.00 along with $248.00 in parts and a basic lube oil and filter change $29.95 Total 928.00 On October 7, the oil light came on and STOP engine light. I made it back to the dealer and the Service Advisor stated that if the light goes off there is nothing to worry about. On October 20, my car stalled again on the express way, I had the car towed back to the dealer, just to find out that there was a hole in my engine and the cost would be $5,200 for used engine. I feel that the service department took advantage of me because of my lack of knowledge on repairing cars and stated that it was MY FAULT. I sincerely trusted the dealer in all repairs of my car and based on the money I had already spent the could have at the LEAST CHECKED THE ENGINE and made notations for corrections when they released the car on the initial repair on Oct. 6, 2006.
Frances of Solon OH (10/23/06) On 8-23-06 my husband drove my 2000 S80 for a short trip across town. On the return trip he noticed the transmission would not allow him to accelerate. The car said to check engine. Also it read engine trouble urgent. I took my vehicle into Motorcars Volvo on Rockside Road. I was chared $103 to advise me that I need a new transmission. I left the dealership and called Consumer Service. I spoke with Margaret and after a play on words she advised me a field rep would call me
Motorcars Volvo said it would cost $4600. I'm waiting on a call from the Volvo Rep. Keep in mind that I have paid for the throttle problem and the ABS problem. I don't drive the car every day because it is not a positive reflection to my business. It has been serviced and maintained as according to Volvo's schedule. I am waiting for a Volvo rep to call me, but based on all the reports I've read on the web I'm going to reserve my opinion.
Tony of Thousand Oaks CA (10/10/06) I am the original owner of a 2001 Volvo V70 Station Wagon. I have brought this vehicle back to the dealer numerous times, to have them check and repair the slipping transmission. The slip occurs between first and second, and between second and third gears. When it slips, the automatic transmission goes into clutch mode, and no power is transmitted to the wheels; the engine just revs up for a few seconds, then the transmission grabs with a slam. I have told the dealer that this could be very dangerous during a left turn, or during slippery road conditions.
They deny that the slip occurs, and have downloaded updated programming into the cars computer in an attempt to make it shift better. I told them the slip feels like someone stepped on a clutch for a few seconds, but to no avail. I purchased an extended warranty, and currently only have 56K miles on the car. It has slipped since it had about 10K miles.
No accidents yet, but I fear making left turns, since the slip could result in total loss of power to the wheels while the automatic transmission shifts from 1st to 2nd gear. I have told the service technicians at Volvo of this concern, but they have not resolved the problem.
Matt of Burbank CA (10/02/06) For those of you considering a Volvo S-80, don't!! We have had ours since new in 1999. It made it to 110K miles - all freeway between the Valley and the Westside. In that time we have replaced the transmission twice...once at 36K miles and again at 92K miles - this one was out of our pocket to the tune of $4500. It has also developed a series of transmission fluid leaks since 50K miles - the seals have been replaced 8 times by the dealer and independent factory-trained techs - still no improvement. Also since 25K miles we have learned to live with permanent check engine or emission control warning lights. We would like it to make it 2,500 miles between oil changes before a warning light or message appears. Finally, we have replaced the motor mounts 3 times in the first 75K miles.
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Jane of Keswick VA (08/04/06) I purchased a new 2001 Volvo S 40 in July 2001. The car is driven my me, to work and back, about 40 miles a day. It has less than 45,000 miles on it. Today, I was told by the local Volvo dealer that it needs a new transmission. I am appalled by the news, having had the car in for every scheduled maintenance (I have the records and the bills), as well as the oil changed every 3,000 miles. The car was bought in Vermont and serviced in Vermont by a Volvo dealer for the past 5 years. In December 2005, I moved to Virginia and had the car serviced at the Charlottesville Volvo dealer for an oil change in April. At that time, they attempted to diagnose the problem -- a noise that was intermittent that might be an axle problem. Recently, the noise became permanent and lo and behold, it wasn't an axle problem but a transmission problem.
I have not yet heard from Volvo North America. I have also sent a request to Almartin Volvo in Vermont. The estimate for the transmission is over $3300.
Catherine of Salem NH (07/10/06) I was involved in a high speed accident on June 24 2006. I was driving a 1995 960 Volvo....After crashing into the car in front of me going approximately 60 miles a hour my air bag failed to deploy...After looking this up...Back in Nov. 1994 Volvo recalled 132 1995 960 Volvos for (guess what?) Failure of frontal air bag to deploy...After reporting this to Pat Sacus...Product Investigator Coordinator of Volvo....She said I am sorry, you are mistaken However, after I informed her of the NHSTA Campaign ID number(94V215000)(in regards to the recall) she decided to investigate it. I am currantly waiting a reply
Neck Trama....Not only did I hit the car in front of me going fast--BUT I was hit from behind by a car also traveling fast. This was on I-93. The accident was caused by an idiot stopped for a turtle in the FAST LANE.
Benno of Hendersonville NC (05/31/06) We purchased a 2000 Volvo S80 and it currently has 85,000 miles on it. In the past two years we have had to replace the alternator, a few electrical control modules, the drivers window track will not roll up or down, replaced the throttle body, the passenger headlight will go out at random, and of course three separate warning lights come on at random: ABS, Oxygen Sensor, & Traction control. I believe this an electrical design flaw. Understandably, some parts will need to be replaced over time. But one minute everything is fine and the next it's not. In the past year I have spent over $2600 in problems that shouldn't be happening.
Charles of Alexandria VA (04/12/06) We have a 2000 S80. Basically it has been a good, safe car. But, as my wife says, its always $500 for any repair, especially when taken to the Volvo dealership. Tires are $600 per set. The latest thing, and what people should really know is that the brakes are designed to wear the pads and the rotors. Yes, the rotors are designed to wear out every second brake job. That comes to $600 just for the rear pads and rotors. This I consider a significant design flaw, or at least a significant issue that should be disclosed to purchasers. The dealer repair fellow claims that this system is designed for better braking. Maybe so, but it probably will push us over the edge in terms of keeping the car and moving back into something more reliable and cheaper to maintain, like a Japanese built car.
Maryellen of Stamford CO (02/27/06) My 2001 Volvo S60 was parked in my driveway witht he ignition turned off for approximately one hour. When we went outside the front hood was literally in flames. The car was totally destroyed and melted into the driveway. The fire department said the cause of the blaze was traced back to the front hood. Volvo of North America inspected the car and declined responsibility. I have contacted them and they have refused to take responsibility. I am in the process of trying to find the best lawyer to sue them.
The out of pocket expenses and the repair to my driveway after insurance reimbursement has been close to $5000
Jeff of Santa Rosa Beach FL (01/31/06) I have a 2003 Volvo XC90 with 47,000 miles on it. The engine needs to be replaced due to sludge build up in the engine. The dealership is refusing to fix the car under warranty, claiming neglect on my part for a lack of oil changes between 4/04 and 6/05. I am claiming that less than 10,000 miles ago (6/05), the dealership performed a full service check up / inspection on the vehicle – including an oil change – and gave the car a clean bill of health. That is the purpose of the inspection. IF THAT IS THE CASE, the damage took place within the last few months after the last visit. This would mean faulty engine and therefore warrantable.
Abha of San Jose CA (01/28/06) I have a Volvo S80 T6 2000 model. It has only 42000.00 miles. I took the car for servicing because it was displaying Transmission Service urgent message. The dealer wants to replace the transmission. There are numerous other problems with this car.
The economic damage is close to $8000.00 and the loss of trust in the car. There is a good chance that I will get rid of the car, that is another $20,000.oo down the drain.
Michelle of Napa CA (12/02/05) Fuel rail leaking raw gas on 1995 960; extreme hazard-no safety recalls found. Did find recall notices on later models, but not on 1995 960's. Headache from smell of gas, in addition to extreme safey hazard. This should have been a recall event, especially after I have found so many other complaints of same origin.
Abraham of San Marcos CA (11/05/05) I own a 2001 Volvo S40. In early April 2005, my vehicle was diagnosed as being in need of oxygen sensors, which was the reason for my check engine to be activated. The problem is that my car had approximately 25,000 miles on it. As of mid October 2005, the check engine light has been reactivated and the vehicle was recently diagnosed at the Volvo dealership as needing new oxygen sensors-again. Currently, my car has 32,000 miles and is going on its third set of oxygen sensors. The parts and labor that are required to fix the problem are truly expensive. All my complaints to Volvo have fallen on deaf ears.
Frantisek of Praha Czech Republic (10/20/05) Two years ago I bought a new Volvo XC 90, a car I have dreamt about for a long time. I decided against VW Touareg and Lexus RX 300 because of at the moment I was very satisfied with VOLVO V70 (1999). I though Volvo would be a decision I could rely on... Following is the list of defects I have had to cope with for past 2 years of using Volvo: - change of SIM card holder, integrated phones switches off spontaneously - change of a component of power steering ssystem - change of trunk cover - strange noise - High Performance Audio - strange noise when playing CDs; not repaired yet - strange noise at engine start, not repaired yet - carpet holder - could not open the rear door and take out luggage :-)) - change Continental PremiumContact tyres after 25 000 km - change of the driver safety belt - change of stabilizator bar after 48 000 km - change of seat cover after 80 000 km - change of the rear absorber after 80 000 km - engine stops spontaneously; change of software, overall maintenance necessary In 2005 I could not use my car for more than 2 months only because of maintenance. I think that quality of Volvo cars decreased rapidly after Volvo was purchased by Ford as my Volvo V70 (1999) with more than 300 000 km works without any serious defect. Volvo XC90 is my last Volvo.
Mithat of Flushing NY (09/18/05) On the highway, I was driving my Volvo S80 @ 78 M.P.H when my engine suddenly stalled. I had an accident, however I was lucky nothing serious had happened. After this, the maximum speed that the car can drive is 30 M.P.H. I have invested thousands of dollars into this vehicle, especially at the Volvo Hassel Dealer of Glen Cove only to hear that there are more problems with my car. Since last year they have both replaced and repaired:Fuel line (replaced), ABS contol module(replaced), Fuel Filter and Pressure line (replaced),airflue meter sensor(replaced). Then, my own personal mechanic replaced 4 oxygen sensors, and 2 front struts, and 2 rear shocks,and 2 sway bar links replaced. Volvo Hassel continues to tell me that ETM electronic throttle module needs to be replaced due to a defect during manufacturing because over 400K cars (Volvo S80 1999 & 2000) were affected.
I already spent 5,000 USD, and now I must spend more for this ETM problem. I have lost my confidence in the Volvo brand because I once owned a 760 GLE and had never experienced the problems that I have to face today with the Volvo S80.
Bruce of Duvall WA (09/12/05) On the 1998 Volvo V70, failure of ABS system (electronic brake computer module), random and intermittant diagnostic alerts on instrument dashboard suggesting multiple sensor readings leading to needless repairs, and premature brake component failures requiring frequent rotor and pad replacements.
The consequences of owning this car include thousands of dollars of repair costs, hundreds of hours of the vehicle not being available while in the repair shop, and unmeasurable hours of conflict with Volvo service organizations beginning with Volvo the manufacturer. I join a long list of Volvo owners who own poorly engineered vehicles manufactured by a corporation that fails to recognize any degree of responsibility in corrective action or for that matter in even acknowledging that the product they have sold is of poor design and inherently flawed. Volvo's reputation for comfortable seats and doors that close well is meaningless when their vehicle design is inferior to minimally accepted engineering standards resulting in the car becoming a thirsty money sponge and ultimately traded or sold away in disgrace. Volvo should be ashamed for their own arrogance, and the marketplace is quickly becoming educated on Volvo's digraceful performance to its customers.
Dave of Chehalis WA (08/23/05) I have a 2001 Volvo S80. The enigine has failed to respond to the throttle on three occaisions. Two of those times the car would barely cross the street and was almost stalled in font of oncoming traffic. I noted that your site indicates there is an NTSB investigation on this car and its throttle problems. I've reported this to Topping Volvo in Olympia, Washington and am taking it in tomorrow to have it checked.
Richard of Oak Ridge NJ (08/15/05) Car suddenly slows to nearly a stop. It won't take the gas or accelerate. Mechanic said this is a common problem with Volvos and it should be part of a recall.
Debra of Hauppauge NY (11/17/03): This is the first and last Volvo I will ever have. I will never recommend one! I have a 2001 S40 with 30,000 miles on it. I have had nothing but problems with the brakes and headlamps. I have replaced the front brakes and rotors three times. I have replaced the rear rotors once and the pads twice. The headlamps constantly blow out. I wrote Volvo and they tell me the brakes go because of the material they use. apparently it is soft. Too bad they did not tell me I would incur these expenses before I leased it! I am on a lease that expires June 2005. Is there any way I can get out of it with all the problems I am having? I have had many cars in the past and never replaced the brakes as I do with this Volvo.
Debra should consult a Lemon Law attorney in her area.
Richard of Huntington NY (11/16/03): I leased a new 2002 Volvo v70 in April of 2002. The car has approximately 19,000 miles on it. Since we leased the car, it has been in the shop 7 times. The brake pedal position sensor broke twice (causing the check engine light to go on). The power steering pump began to leak within months of obtaining the car.
Most troubling, however, is the fact that the power locks have broken 4 times. At times, the locks would unlock by themselves, leaving my family at risk of a carjacking. At other times, we cannot unlock the door locks -- surely a dangerous situation in an accident or if the car is accidently driven into a body of water. I have contacted Volvo Corporate three times (once on the phone and two times by letter).
The "customer services" representative on the phone didn't seem to care, despite her acknowledgement that these have been common problems with this car. The dealer told me to contact the President of Volvo, Vic Doolan. I have sent to letters to him and have received no response whatsoever. I desperately want out of my lease, as I believe this car is a hazard.
Richard should also consult a Lemon Law attorney.
Vic of Santa Monica CA (9/25/03): Purchased a new Volvo 2004 XC90. After 250 miles on the car it started to make knocking noises in the transmission and suspension. The vehicle rattles and the brakes grind. I have taken the vehicle in for service 3 times. Volvo reps claim this is up to Volvo standards. They basically refuse to fix these issues.
Volvo sold me a car I'm not happy with and my car buying experience was a huge dissapointment. I want to return the car for a full refund.
Sandy of Edmonton AB, Canada (8/23/03): I have a 1999 S80 T6. It has had many minor problems while under warranty. We were transferred from Louisiana to Canada & drove up, no problem, but we used up our warranty. After a year here our transmission started burning up. It would get stuck in 3rd gear. It would cycle often & hunt for gears. Volvo said to watch it. It continued to do this. They said they needed to change the transmission & it would take $4,400 Canadian & it would take 3 weeks for the new transmission to come in.
An independant transmission shop said they could fix it for half of that price & start the next day. They showed me the dipstick that the transmission fluid was charcoal colored. We had vacation, needing a car in 4 weeks so we had it fixed by the transmission shop. Now the transmission works fine but the car does not want to start. The tachometer spikes & the starter does not get gas or spark, most of the time. It usually starts after 6 long tries. The dealer told me the transmission shop installed the transmissions in the wrong position. Horizontally instead of transverse. They could re-orient it for $1,000 C.
While it was there it developed the starting problem. They were not able to solve it & referred us to a private shop that works on Volvos. They were not able to fix it. After 1 month my car is back at the transmission shop & they might have found the problem, something to do with the battery cable. They say they tried a longer battery cable on it & it seems to start normally. I won't believe it until I get it back & it actually works. They are charging up the battery because the long starts was draining the battery.
A $45,000 US car that does not want to start & no one could figure out why. WE are extremely aggravated with volvo. Volvo canada told us the estimate from the dealer was high but they could do nothing about it. Volvo canada said they had traveling experts to help with difficult cases. My dealer did not offer us that option.
Harris of Bridgewater NJ (6/8/03): At 51,000 miles the car did not run smoothly. The dealer indicated that motor control system died and the gas sensor went bad. Electronic parts should last at least 10 years or 100,000 miles. The dealer had the parts in stock which meant that there was a design defect and this happened often to other volvos since dealers do not stock parts that seldom fail.
The parts and labor cost over $1000 and Volvo said that there was no design defect. Volvo said that the electronic problems that Volvo cars had(as told in Consumer's Guide) were on earlier models and were fixed. Evidently Volvo did not fix all their problems. They refused to refund the cost and indicated that the dealer might provide some satisfaction. THIS IS NOT A DEALER PROBLEM, THIS IS A VOLVO DESIGN PROBLEM.
NOTE: I am a retired Chief Scientist and professor emeritus in electrical engineering and am familier with electronic reliability. If this type of failure occurs in other S70s, it is a design defect; and if the dealer had the parts in stock it indicates that the parts fail often.
Robert of Chehalis WA (6/3/03): Just took delivery of a new 2004 S60 Volvo. After driving in full daylight the display lights are washed out to be almost unreadable. The LED lights are blue green and the glare from the windows interferes with the ability to view the clock, temp, mileage, cruise, radio and message center displays.
Volvo has no fix. Customer service center states that that is just how the car is designed. This is a small problem compared to others I have read about. This is my 3rd new volvo since 1997 and I have had no unsolved issues in the past. This issue is annoying since the displays are distracting while driving when you can't see them due to the glare and dullness of the dislay.
Martin of Howell MI (4/16/03): I bought an S80 in 2000 and it wil be my last. I've had $6000 in repairs in the last 18 months. Prior to that repairs were covered under warranty (body side molding coming unglued, couldn't get it out of park, etc.). This car is a lemon however the Lemon Laws in Michigan are such that I don't have recourse.
Leon of South San Francisco CA (4/16/03): Not only has my Volvo had tremendous and expensive maintenance problems, even though some started before the car was out of warranty, I have had to pay for them once they continued into the after-warranty period. Recently, in response to a recall for seat heaters, the "fix" has consisted of basically emasculating the unit so it does not produce any appreciable warmth. This assures that the seats will not catch fire: They no longer warm.
Melanie of Edison NJ writes (4/1/03): My Volvo S80 T6 is a wreck. I've put a great number of miles on the car, and have gone past the warranty limit, but even if the mileage was doubled, the car should never have the problems it does. THIS IS THE E-MAIL I WROTE TO VOLVO. IT EXPLAINS SEVERAL OF THE PROBLEMS, BUT CERTAINLY NOT ALL OF THEM:
In 1999, I purchased a new S80 T6. Since the acquisition, I have had nothing but problems. These include a slipping transmission, non-spooling turbos, and a dashboard that's lit up like a Christmas tree.
Before these most recent problems, I have had the police and fire departments, and HAZMAT called to my residence to control the life-threatening cracked gas tank that came about through no fault of my own. I never made a complaint or asked for any compensation for the damage caused. In fact, through all of these faults, I have maintained the car to the best of my ability and willingly paid for service when necessary.
I have become overwhelmed with the recurring difficulties experienced with this car, and once and for all want to diagnose each and every little problem with it. I called the dealership I purchased the car from (and get it serviced at) and explained my current dilemma. It was explained to me that to get a complete diagnostic test of the vehicle, it would cost $88.00 per hour. Although this is nothing compared to the money I have invested into the car, it is an insult after all of the problems experienced.
I am writing to ask for any assistance you can provide in diagnosing and/or repairing the vehicle (or connecting me with someone in my area who can). I’d like to add that I have been a Volvo owner since 1986. I have passed down your cars to my daughters when they first started driving and have entrusted their lives in your safe vehicles. I have never been so let down mainly because I never thought I’d be hesitant about giving one of your cars to one of my kids. Again, I appeal to you; Please restore my faith in your company.
A very nonsympathetic, seemingly unconcerned customer relations consultant contacted me. He explained that there was nothing that could be done, nothing at all. He did try to explain it away by saying that it "wasn't the best car we ever made" and several of the problems I stated were common. I wanted to scream, I was so upset. Can anything be done?
Melanie should contact an experienced Lemon Law attorney in New Jersey at once. She may have waited too long but she won't know until she consults someone who knows her state's laws.
Dorothy Murray of Patchogue NY writes (1/2/03): I purchased this Demo model Volvo cross country in feb 1999. It was a 98 model with 12,000 miles on it and cost $32,000. I have had non-stop problems with it. Most recently the axle went. In the last 5 months of 2002, I paid over $5,000 in repairs. Since I purchased this car, the repairs have cost me over $10,000.
I have written to Volvo and they replied that all cars need repairs. A year after I bought the car I had a crash and while it was being repaired, the repairman said it was in a previous crash; not by me, but obviously the dealer had a crash and didn't disclose it. Then a week after I bought the car, I found a sale notice in the car that was $1,000 less than I paid. i have always had the car serviced by Volvoville but at this stage it is getting outrageous. I have had many cars and we also own many trucks but have never put this kind of money into them. The only answer that volvoville can give is that I don't have the extended warranty.
Fred of Escondido CA writes (8/6/02): I own a 2000 Volvo S40. The clear coat of the paint has came off the entire top of the car (hood, roof, and trunk) Volvo is trying to tell me that it is from a pressure washer car wash, but if that is it why does the paint only come off where the sun hits.
This car is a 2000, now if they don't fix it I have to spend 5000 to have it repainted. That is a great way to treat a Marine, sell him a car that the paint comes off.
Cathy of Irvine CA (9/10/02): I purchased a 1999 Volvo C70 brand new. In the past 3 years I have gone though 3 sets of brakes, 2 sets of rotors, 2 sets of tires, 3 motors on the passenger seat, 1 motor on the driver's seat, the front headlight came loose causing severe damage to my front fender, the CD player has had to be replaced twice, the battery cable was faulty causing me to have a dead battery for over a month and the replacement of 3 batteries, the door latches lock which does not allow you to shut the doors, and now the transmission has to be completely replaced. Not to mention that making a U-Turn is impossible in the car because of the grinding and squealing noise the car makes with just a simple turn. It only has 50,000 miles on it and is a $48,000 car.
While the dealer has been quite phenomenal at handling all of these issues, it is more than inconvenient to have to constantly take my car into the shop. I am a single mom raising 2 kids and do not have the luxury of a second car or the time to run to the dealership and wait for hours on end while they fix my car. With the transmission issue, the dealership had 2 technicians drive it and put it on the "diagnosis" machine and said it was fine. It was only when one of the customer service reps who used to be a technician offered to take the car home for the evening that he confirmed my diagnosis of the transmission failing. Then he would not give me the specifics on what was wrong with the car, only that Volvo was paying to put a brand new transmission in my car and they'll call me when it is ready. This leads me to believe that this transmission issue is much bigger than my one little C70. My payments on this car are $600.00 a month and it is definitely not a car worth $600.00 a month.
Marlene of San Francisco (10/11/02): I brought the vehicle in March 1999, a Volvo c70 convertible. Approximately 3 to 6 months after purchase the car began emitting black smoke. I took the car to Royal Motors (where I purchased it). They said they fixed the smoke problem. Two weeks later the same thing with the smoke happened. I took it in again and they said it was fixed. That afternoon, after picking up the vehicle, the smoke began again. I returned the vehicle and waited without a vehicle for 3 and 1/2 weeks for vehicle. They said they fixed the smoke problem.
The problem with the smoke reappeared three months later and I returned the car, this time the car was in the shop for approximately 2 weeks, they said they fixed the problem. Needless to say the car emitting smoke approximately 3 weeks after I took it in and they said they fixed it. I believe the last time it was in for the same thing black smoke coming from my vehicle, was in February of 2001, I asked for a replacement car saying my car was a lemon,and the warranty was up in March. I found out I had a 4 year warranty and they fixed it again and once more problem returned. I can't count the number of times it's been in for this black smoke, which is now occurring again for about the 6th or 7th time the cd has been replaced three times. The front passenger seat motor has broken down twice. The recalls on the vehicle were never done till just recently and all at once, there were 15 recalls since buying the car. The battery died because of one of the recalls that drained it. The primary problem is the black smoke coming from my vehicle, and the warranty is up March of 2003.
This car may be a candidate for Lemon Law action. Marlene should consult an attorney who specializes in Lemon Law actions.
Don of Portland OR (4/6/02): I had a failure of the ABS brake system control module on my 1998 Volvo Cross Country at 90,000 miles. I am told by my service advisor and manager that these failures are epidemic; and very long waits may be anticipated as part demand far exceeds supply.
I was charged for a new part when it was repaired, and I asked to keep the old. Only for a $200 "core fee" so I did not. (In Europe, these are rebuilt and sold for $80.00, they cannot tell me what I got here.) My complaint: it is a safety issue. The part fails in cycles; when it is off, it works fine, just no ABS, when it is on, it works fine. The failing cycle, which repeats many times until the part is replaced, results in loss of brake effectiveness for that particular braking application.
Brake pedal feel on the failing cycle encounters the resistance of the ABS pump, which is quite surprising the first few cycles. I had many per day for the time between detection of the failure and part replacement. Nobody at Volvo has contested or argued this braking effectiveness point with me, and I have brought it up many times. One senior resolution resolver flat stated I was likely correct. However, as a corporation, they refuse to address the issue, or cover it, or consider recalling the part.
I have received lip service from all at Volvo, and an offer to give me a discount at the dealer, which I refused, because I did not think it was their fault. FYI, I worked as a mechanic in college, am anal about service, and perform most services sooner than recommended schedules. I am also a fairly conservative driver. I have copies of all bills and correspondece related to this issue.
I remain convinced that anybody driving around with this part in the failing cycle is an accident waiting to happen. The aggravation is considerable, and I frankly regret coming to a decision to leave a brand that builds a car that so closely fits my requirements.
Fred of South Pleasantville NY (3/20/02): My Volvo S80 has had over a dozen different failures during the first two years of ownership. The dealership promised to contact Volvo North America about this problem but now the manager will not take my calls or return my calls concerning this matter.
Afraid to drive car since it has broken down so many times. Have spent many days bringing car in for service. For $40,000, shouln't have to put up with this. Dealer will not help
Morris of West Palm Beach FL (8/2/01): I purchased a brand new Volvo S60 at Volvo Palm Beach in November. Ever since the right front speaker sounds blown. They replaced it once but the noise is still there. The problem is the speaker doesn't sound busted all the time. Sometimes I take the car to the dealer and by the time I get there the noise is gone. One time they did hear the noise and replaced the speaker, but the next day the same noise was there. Therefore it's not the speaker. When the noise is there, it's all but impossible to listen to the radio or CDs. I know this seems minor but it's a BRAND new car. Why should I have to deal with this? Everytime someone rides in my car I'm praying that the noise won't start so I'm not embarrassed.
I just can't believe Volvo cannot resolve the issue and I'm tired of the same excuses. It's a BRAND new car - they should be willing to do whatever it takes to get it fixed. Eight months later I'm still driving this car with a noise from the front speaker. It's very time consuming to drive to the dealership and then get rejected because I can't recreate the same noise. I've even contacted Volvo Corporate, sent faxes, mailed a compliant and NO ONE even had the courtesy to contact me. My first Volvo and, unfortunately, likely my last.
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