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Once again, Answer me this question: What other manufacturer would even consider doing this for their customers? I still have no answer.
It sounds like I am about to join the "Urgent Transmission Service" club, I had my gearbox serviced 2 weeks at 75,000 with no problems and today the service light is on. Back to the dealer but the car is now of the extended warranty by 1 week. We had the extended warranty as we purchased the car pre-owned from a Volvo dealership.
Do you know which department at Volvo you spoke to? I will be calling them first thing on Monday.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
GEO
For those waiting for a "Class Action Lawsuit" to resolve their problem, don't hold your breath. As I pointed out in great detail in an earlier post (#325), you're apt to get little from such litigation. The lawyers will make it sound like they're on your side. However, the end result will be mega-bucks for them versus only (1) a discount on the repair costs and/or (2) a coupon voucher towards the future purchase of a Volvo for you. I think you're much better off attempting to resolve the problem on your own -- getting 100% of the cost covered versus pennies on the dollar.
We purchased one of the original XC90 T6's. We love the car (great utility). Given, I'm the son of an auto mechanic and I'm also an engineer, I know to LISTEN to your car to make sure all is well. My wife is the primary driver of the car, but she'll just drive for miles without detecting strange noises to give her a clue that something is wrong with the vechile. So, whenever I do get an opportunity to drive it, I would listen to it for troubling sounds.
Well the car would always make weird noises at the front, driver side. We serviced the car EXCLUSIVELY with Volvo. This has gone on for as long as we've owned the vehicle. Volvo would replace axle bearings, bushings, sway bar bushings, etc. etc. Most of it under warranty, so no big deal. However, the strange noises would never go away and would return after a short period.
Fast forward, third gear gives out on the car at about 60K (notice how we are outside of the warranty period). So we bring the car to Volvo and, naturally, they say “You need a new transmission”. Trust me, I’ve got tons of experience with auto manufacturers and defects, and I know what to do. I’ve never visited the Volvo dealer to talk about the car with them, my wife does. But, I go over everything with her and she calls me when there’s a doubt about anything. So, she calls me to tell me the repair bill. I tell her, we’re not paying based simply on the fact that a transmission should not go out at 60k. Anyway, before it gets to the point where I need to get involved to personally start turning the screws, the head service rep says Volvo will cover the bill. This happened about 2 years ago.
Get the car back and drive it over the next 2 years and eventually we hear the weird noises again. This time, I just attribute it to age of the car and that, perhaps, it needed a chassis lube, since the weird noises appeared to be suspension related.
Recently, a front light head light bulb blows, and we take it to get it replaced. This shop is a non Volvo service center but manned by former Volvo techs (word of mouth sent us here). Again, it’s my wife who is talking to the rep, with me as an advisor/validator. Prior to going in, I tell her “Oh, btw, ask them about the strange noises.” (Mechanics intuition that something is not right about the car). The non Volvo authorized tech evaluates the car and says, what, Transmission. What else did you think we were going to say? LOL He also said Volvo has been having a nightmare with the trannies of the XC90 T6.
At this point, I hit the net and this forum comes up, along with the fact that there’s a class action in progress.
To sum this up, we’re getting another transmission put in with over 100k on the car. We’ve only ever serviced the car at Volvo, save for having that former Volvo tech “pop in” a blown bulb.
So where does it stand. The problem here is that the transmissions of the XC90’s are not “fit for their intended purposes”. This is from the UCC (Uniform Commercial Code). Hint hint about more of my background... LOL
Manufacturers are not going to be able to hide behind a warranty to get out of repairing their cars when they simply do not work as one would expect. Volvo knows this, but the question is does each individual Volvo owner know it and, hence, the reason why they (Volvo) are even fixing their cars. Do you think they would repair their car for free if they didn’t have to? Press your case and pray for the relief that's deserved.
They tried to get us to pay a portion of the repair bill for the transmission but we flat out refused (or rather I refused. Behind the scenes, of course. LOL). No bargaining nor begging, simply refused. They caved in. So that’s three transmissions in 106K miles.
Oh yea, another high end auto manufacturer that will repair their cars out of warranty is BMW. Do a search for "rear transaxle subframe defect in the E36 chassis (i.e., 3 series)". I owned one back in the early 90's. My rear transaxle of this car initially tore out at 27k miles. BMW fixed it for free. They repaired it again at 130K miles, all for free. The same thing happened to a colleague of mine in his E36 M3. BMW repaired it for free.
Sooooooooooooo . Get your cars fixed people. If they (the auto manufacturers) refuse, attack their reputation. The Internet is a wonderful thing, isn't it? LOL
Btw, does anything remember that Audi 4000? Was this the one that would jump into gear and crash into walls with no explanation? I still remember that problem to this day. Audi is still reeling from that rumor. Me personally I would never by an Audi. Get the point .
Take care....
How long have these "new" axels been holding out for before the next replacement? These axels have only been out the last 6 months to a year depending on location. (So I was told.)
Long story short. Out of warranty at 31k miles. Transmission gone today. Urgent transmission service light last night, dropped it off immediately, called by Freedom Volvo of Virginia Beach, Va at 9:00 am with the news......transmission gone.
Before I could even ask......they state they will replace parts and all labor, one time only, free of charge. No idea if new tranny will be warrantied at all.
Said they have fixed the tranny problem but it is too early to tell if the new replaced trannies will hold up. Gave me a loaner, but also reccomended I may want to unload it if I can.
Wife loves the XC90 and based on customer service I received today, a new but unexpected V8 XC90 may be in my future.
There were no previous warning signs, it just wouldn't accelerate, the urgent transmission service light came on and we towed it to the dealer. My car was at 45K miles and out of the 4 yr. warranty mark, but the dealer paid for the transmission rebuild, hoses, and radiator under their "good will" agreement. I also bought new and have only had the car serviced at the dealership, so that might be why they covered everything without an argument, which isn't fair.
Good luck in whatever you decide, but check if the dealer will repair your car for free despite it being out of warranty. Just mention what you found on this site.
I went to an independent Volvo mechanic who told me it appears to be the gasket.
I will have to replace the gasket and ATF. I'm worried now that the ATF is going to be replaced my transmission will die shortly after.
Any advice? I bought my car 2nd hand with 69,000 km on it and I found that the original transmission in it was replaced at 48,000 km. Hopefully this is a stronger one (or so dealer said).
Thanks for any advice,
Alex
Until this happened, I loved my car, but this drives me crazy and makes me so mad at Volvo. I was about ready to buy a new XC90 AWD when the whole transmission thing happened and now just don't know what to buy and I certainly don't want to unload my '04 on some unsuspecting person.
Well, yesterday it finally did. Husband drove it, and when I re-entered, I see the lovely red exclamation point and the "Transmission Service Urgent". Gave me no trouble, so I drove it to my in-laws, borrowed their Acura sedan, and it sits 'til tomorrow when it goes to my Volvo guy.
I've heard the various clunks, ticks, and needed brakes and rotors, but I do still love this car. Have had all work done before required mileage, and the previous owners did too. We owned an MDX previous, which also have documented transmission problems. I pray, pray, pray that my plan will cover this, as I WILL NOT fork out thousands for this, and that car will become one expensive plant holder if not.
Class-action, here we come!!!! My in-laws are Acura people (as we were, too), and they have had two transmissions replaced at no charge in their TL. I don't know whether to try to go fight with Volvo about this (in the short holiday week, no less) or just try to stick my warranty company with the expense. But one thing is for sure- I AM NOT PAYING FOR THIS. These cars were too expensive at the outcost, and for maintenance, for Volvo to not hold some responsibility. I can name 4 regular joe vehicles that we have owned in the past 12 years, which cost much less and never needed such repairs. Volvo should have known better than to stick GM junk in cars bought at that price point. And even if I can get mine covered under my warranty, I want to take a stand for the rest of you who don't have that option. :sick:
i test drove an 2004 xc90 T6 today. drove nice except when i went to park it. i turned hard to the right and heard a clunking sound. I then felt the steering was shifting and somewhat loose.
Anyone know about these problems? i love the car but sounds like potential trouble.
I did leave my sunroof open and interior got wet could this be the cause and what needs to get replaced?
some months ago dealer did replace a nylon assembly in the shifter that was causing similar problem but could always jiggle the key and it would come out.
i have a 2001xc70 that has had transmission issues that goes way back. i wanted to learn more about "goodwill " agreement ..option. how it applies and to what.. do you have any ideas where to learn about it ?
is it with volvo north america directly or specifically your dealer.
by the way, i'm in virginia beach, va
I bought a 2005 XC90-T6 last December, now it's down with the tranny problem.
I am in Oakville, Ontario. Volvo dealer quoted me $7500 for a new tranny. Can you please give me the details of your mechanic in your area.
I'm in the USA, Ct. to be exact, so I'm not sure if all my tactics will work for you. I would still reach out to the National Transportation Safety Board, and Volvo complaints on line. As stated by many others, as well as myself, Volvo is doing "Good Will" gestures of either full tranny payment or partial-anything is better than nothing at all. Good luck and keep us all posted on how you do! I wish you the best of luck!
Lisa
laws65@sbcglobal.net
Cheers,
Wasaga Beach
My warranty was offered to me by Citibank, who holds our loan. I researched the tranny problems after I had a fluid spill last Dec in the middle of a raging snowstorm, and they scared the bejeezus out of me. I got the offer in the mail about a week later, which gave me 45 k of coverage for approx $3500 and figured that if it covered the tranny, and a new one would cost $6500, that I'd come out ahead or at least have the peace of mind at 0% financing, which I would never get if I had to charge a new tranny. So I bit, and the tranny repairs I just experienced ran $2000 from my Volvo guy. Because I envision still that I will need a complete new tranny at some point in time, I will keep renewing. I've heard of other people getting them through their insurance companies as well. Volvo USA probably would not have covered the solenoid, and because we're a good hour from any dealership and I love my Volvo guy, it just seemed easier. Peace of mind is priceless, especially for $160 bucks a month.
I'm reading about all the problems xc90 owners are having and I'm afraid that I might fall into their nightmare. So I would like to prepare myself. I have downloaded all the recalls from safecar.gov on the xc90 and I would like the info or contact person at Volvo USA corp.
I would like to tip my hat to you and mr Green for all the help you have been providing to the people on the Edmunds car forum.
Thank You
Jared Miller
2004 xc90 appx. 95K miles
do you have the contact at Volvo Corp. or the # you called? This fourm is scaring me, that we bought the wrong car?
ty
Jared
I then had the car towed to my local service department: Nalley Volvo in Marietta, GA. Upon arrival, I explained to the service advisor that I knew about the history of transmission failure on this vehicle (only because I had stumbled upon this forum; but, not before I bought the car—darn it), and that I had already contacted Volvo NA for assistance.
I waited for 2 hours while they diagnosed the problems. Once, they came back to me asking for permission to perform a $250 diagnostic test to determine if glycol was present in the transmission fluid. It was. The final verdict was that the car needed a new radiator and a new transmission!
Anyway, this story has a happy ending, because the repairs were almost entirely covered under Goodwill or Warranty, which is how they listed it on the invoice. However, I did “participate” in $952.45 of the repair costs, which I considered a bargain.
Although I did not ask (I know not to look a gift horse in the mouth), I am sure that the repairs were easily $10,000. The parts list alone was a full page long, and the labor hours must have been in the double digits.
Also, my Volvo is not under warranty. It is a pre-owned, trade-in that I purchased from a Toyota dealership. So, go figure. Miracles do happen.
Anyway, after this scare, and knowing what I now know about the vehicle, I am looking to purchase an extended warranty for when this happens again. Does anyone out there know of a good, honest company in this business?
I will be going thru the same thing Mon. and I already made calls to warranty co. and the price was coming back around $2,000 - 3,000 for 36 mts. thank you for your story. everyone pray for me I'll ley you know what happens
oh-volvo
Jared
Jared
Glad to hear your situation worked out. Today, on my way to the office, I was sitting at a red light. When the light turned green, I tried to accelerate and crash, sounded like a had metal in a wood chipper under my hood. Suffice to say, when the car is off and in park, it rolls around like neutral. Not good. I am waiting on a call from the trans. shop with the bad news. Question is, how did you get your work done at no charge (other than $150)?
Thanks,
Joe
I called Volvo of North America Customer Care. The lady told me they couldn't help since the vehicle was overseas, and that Volvo of Europe couldn't help since it was a US spec vehicle. She said to have it repaired and send them the bill with all other documentation and "they" would review it on a case-by-case basis. I asked if they could assist me with contacting Volvo headquarters in Sweden, and she said "they" didn't talk with them. Completely unsympathetic.
You know the rock and a hard place? I feel like I'm in it with no one to help.
Happy holidays to everyone,
Rob
I can only tell you what I did here in the States and you can make a decision/or do some research and see if there are corresponding type folks in Germany.
1. File a complaint on line with Volvo
2. File a complaint with the NTSB online
3. File a complaint with the Attorney General
4. File a complaint with Consumer Protection
These worked for myself and approximately 11 others of us. For items 3 and 4, I'd check and see who in your city/state/etc would be similar.
And keep complaining, unfortunately, as with anything in our lives, the more you complain, the more things get addressed.
Good luck, I'll wish you the best, and please let me know if I can be of more help.
Take care.
Lisa