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Comments
Kim
The sad part though is that I'm getting the SAME faulty trans installed. I'm planning to keep the car for another year or so then offload it. Apparently this is not an issue in 2006 - current models.
Overall I am very happy that Volvo stepped up to cover this, even though it's not in warranty and the fact that I bought the car used didn't seem to matter.
>
> The shop is called, Baywash Auto Repair, 2880 6th Line,
> RR#2, Collingwood On.,
>
> L9Y 3Z1, and ask for Mike. You may
> also want to ask for a towing service named, AR Towing,
Wasaga Beach (owners Earl & Shirley Dahmer on Wildwood Dr).
>
>
> They're great; honest reliable folks.
>
> Good Luck,
>
> Wasagabeach
However, the service manager told me the root cause (as determined by Volvo "forensics") of the transmission going on these models was actually the axle (which is why they replaced mine). Apparently, the original axle was hollow and there is a plug on the driver side that, due to bad design, comes out. This causes the trans fluid to run through the axle, picking up the grease from the bearings and everything else.
They replaced this axle with a new design, that is solid, so there is no chance of this occurring again. I was happy to hear this because I couldn't believe Volvo would replace everything but not fix the underlying cause for the trans going.
Make sure you get the axle replaced and it must be the new design (solid) otherwise your trans will go again in the future.
Luckily, I have an extended warranty and all but $200 was covered BUT ALL is not well!!! Otherwise the bill was $7800.
The “new” transmission software is NOT allowing the car to downshift at 1500 RPMs. It gets into this sluggish state and I have to step on the gas to get the RPMs up to be in the right gear. This should not happen.
After speaking with the volvo repair, they say that nothing can be done since the “software” is set by the manufacturer and they can not change it.
My question to you guys is is the new transmission/axel replacement any better or am I going to have to go throught this again in the not too distant future?
(I do not know if the replacement was a hollow or solid axel. I did have to pay $100 extra for the volvo one verses the rebuilt one. I did not know how wide this problem was until yesterday so did not ask these questions when it was in the shop.)
If others have been told of the tie between the axel and tranny, I'd love to hear the stories!
Thanks for the info
Lisa
Welcome to the unfortunate club known as the XC 90 transmission failures.
First, complain to Volvo and put it in writing-can do it online.
Second, same thing to the NTSB.
Third, online complaint to your state's Atty General
Fourth, online complaint to your state's Consumer Protection.
Then let Volvo know all the people you are complaining to as this shouldn't have happened and you are fully aware Volvo is replacing these transmissions and radiators, including cooling lines for free.
See how that works, and keep us posted on your progress! Best of luck!
So far, this has worked for nine people, and myself as well!
Lisa
Does anyone know if the "NEW" transmissions are any better than the "old" transmissions? Is this just a bandaid?
Even after the new transmission/axel work is completed, I still have shift problems at 1500 RPMs. Does anyone else have this issue?
Thanks for all your advice. I will use it all wisely and hope this issue gets resolved under their "Good Will" service. Then, I'll see what I can do to trade out of this thing since as you have all pointed out, it is not a matter of if this will happen again, but when!
Wish me luck!
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
I am sorry to hear that you have joined the club. Volvo has sworn over-and-over that the transmission problem was limited to the 2003 through 2005 models. They send they re-designed them and stopped getting them from GM in 2005. I guess not, now that the 2006's are getting up in years and mileage.
Good luck with Volvo Cars of North America, we have one of the first 2003 XC90s and we are on our 5th transmission in under 90,000 miles. Our dealership (in Falls Church, VA) is the one that has gone to bat for us each time and Volvo has been useless, all talk and no action.
Please keep us informed.
I called Volvo to see if they would open a case before I went to the dealer, they took the information looked up the VIN and told me the Dealer should be able to help me. They "didn't believe" I would have a problem. The car has been maintained at the same dealer I ordered it from new.
My service rep who I have dealt with told me the whole sorry story, then advised me I would have to get the software update. Cost $160.00. After the update it confirmed that I had a bad 4th gear ratio (transmission going to die) and I would be back in ~ 2 months or so. Volvo would pick up the Tab for replacement. Very smooth and no real issues. Car drives fine no slipping, he said it would. Also said many customers have been less than nice. I feel his pain this dealer is in a pretty well to do area. Now I am pissed about the $160 for software update!
I am sure Volvo has ran the numbers and even if someone gets KILLED because their Tranny slips and they get run over, the MILLIONS they would pay is still cheaper then many thousands of replaced Transmissions. Sad that companies do business this way. Being in the Aviation business I understand all of this and its just so common, so common.
I was going to sell the car, I'll wait until it gets a new transmission and take to CARMAX. I went thru issues with Land Rover so I won't keep any car past ~80k. Other than this my 2004 XC90 has been a great vehicle.
I'll update you all in a few months when the Tranny dies.
Sorry to hear of your transmission troubles-most of us have been there. I agree, unfortunately, if Volvo won't issue a recall-as that would admit a failure-it's easier for companies to deal with the onsie twosie's as they come up. Part of my plan was involving the NTSB-who will record the numbers and could actually have some leverage to get Volvo to do something. I can only hope and pray that a life isn't lost to this issue. I haven't heard of any thus far, thankfully!
Glad you had no issues dealing with Volvo. I refused to do the transmission upgrade-it sounded silly, and having worked at a dealer in my younger days gave my reasoning, and kept driving it until it got worse. The dealer didn't know how I drove it that way-but the replacement was free. My concern and many of ours is trade in as these are known for transmission failures and what that will do.
I was hoping the replacement tranny would be the end of the issues, as I've loved mine until this. I even feel issues with the replacement tranny and debate taking it back in, just to have it documented that I complained of trouble under the new wrty-but you know how that can go.
Best of luck to you!
Lisa
I didn't want to be the bearer of bad news, however, I'm seeing and being told that the replacement tranny's are no better than the originals. Many on this blog are on third and fourth transmissions to no avail!
I don't think any of us can say with certainty that the replacement will last either-a really unfortunate situation for all of us XC 90 owners....
Sorry I couldn't give you better news.
Lisa
Yes, good luck and please keep us posted on how things turn out! There is more power and voice in sheer numbers! I'll hope the best for you!
Lisa
Volvo knew the problem existed very early and continued to replace transmissions with rebuilt and faulty transmissions that had to be replaced again -
If you are like us, we have spent thousands and tons of time while receiving horrible service. I know we are not alone - I have found hundreds of blogs and complaints -
Our car is sitting idle, undrivable now and the dealer is stating we need to put the 3rd tranny in for a mere $6400.00 - not. :mad: :lemon:
http://chimicles.com/case/volvo-xc90-transmission
I think Volvo is owning up to the issue, and taking responsibility. I respect that.
Wife drove the car for the rest of the day, uneventfully.
:shades:
Lisa
Glad things worked out for you as well! It helps to work in numbers! Did they give you an explanation on the axel at all by chance?
Lisa
laws65@sbcglobal.net
:sick: :sick: :mad:
There is no reason to join a class action law suit for 2003 - 2005 XC90 T6 Transmissions. Volvo will cover these 100% up to 100,000 miles! This is more than generous! What more can Volvo do? They have admitted to the problem and they will stand behind their product! Stop thinking that Volvo owns your vehicle forever! It's time to take possession of your vehicle. Your retailer is empowered to make this decision on the behalf of Volvo. There is no Extended Warranty, No Recall, just pain good old GOODWILL! So take it for what it is, enjoy the free transmission and stop complaining!
Goodwill is discretionary and probably wouldn't occur at all if people did not speak out. Also, it may not be provided as generously as you may believe.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
hmm you must work for Volvo.. sorry but the ordeal I have lived with Volvo has been more than enough. I DO accept resposibility for my vehicle but I have had mine LESS THAN ONE YEAR AND IT'S ON IT'S 2ND TRANSMISSION wait I lost count MAKE THAT IT'S 4TH TRANSMISSION since I was not informed that the car was on it's second transmission at the time of purchase.. so please, if you do not agree with the comments and frustrations from the folks that have been more than patient with Volvo like myself, then stay away from forums like these, it doesn't do nobody any good. Oh by the way, my dealership has been disgustingly unprofessional.. maybe you can send some of the good folks from your Volvo dealership over to train those near me.. thanks :lemon: :sick:
I totally empathize with you on the hassles you've had. There's no excuse for that.
As for being owed "$10,000 in lost and unreliable use", only you know the true value of that.
However, your reasoning on the trade-in value escapes me. You say you paid "well north of $50K" for your 2004 XC90 T6. When you traded it in, you say you "received $7,500 in trade in. I figured I am owed a min of $25,000 in lost value..." That implies you think your trade-in should have been worth at least $32,500 in total. We're in the 2010 model year now. Regardless of the mileage or make/model, with the possible exception of some "exotic" or extremely limited vehicle, no 6 year old vehicle retains 60-65% of its original price. Not even close.
Blame the ownership for the poor service!!
Of course they are. They chose to put those transmissions in and they sold it under their own name.
You also can't blame Volvo for the problems at your dealership!
Then by the same token you cannot give credit to Volvo for goodwill at the dealerships. You cannot have it both ways.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Volvo can only recommend to their retailer's how to treat their customer's Volvo does not pay it's retailer for CSI. Once again, Volvo does not own it's retailers.
But they do provide Goodwill to the retailers customers. The goodwill for the T6 transmission is not coming out of the retailers pocket, it comes from Volvo.
Please get your facts right. You can have it both ways!!
In simple terms, if we decide to buy say a reputable brand of laptop with a given specification, but the harddisk goes kaput every year. Is that a problem for you as a consumer with the company(or resellers) for that laptop or the original manufacturer/supplier of the part?
We bought a Volvo vehicle and if that vehicle doesn't is flawed due to specific components then it should be rectified or resolved by the manufacture. In which case, early 'solutions' performed by the authorized dealer was a TCM software upgrade (akin to a firmware/driver upgrade on a laptop), its a 'soft' solution which doesn't solve the hardware issue.
Specifically for the XC90 T6, its the transmission. In terms of the hypothetical laptop I've been referring to, the harddisk might not be able to manage the rate data is being read/written to the disk or a heat problem which kills the disk prematurely.
In my view, without providing a permanent fix that resolves the hardware failures, Volvo is not a responsible corporate entity. I own a XC90 T6 now, but I'll never own another Volvo. I seriously have doubts if Volvo ever conducted realistic durability test on the XC90 T6 before releasing the vehicle to the market. Especially when the T6 engine & transmission were taken directly from the S80 T6 which already have seen instances of transmission failures(in a vehicle that weights roughly 1000lbs less and meant for 5 pax) I rest my case.
Bernard
I bought my XC90 T6 2nd hand when it had 69,000 km on it. After I bought it I did some search and found that my vehicle had already had the original transmission replaced at 48,000 km (not miles)! My volvo has been servied only at the volvo dealership before and since my purchase. So why would I not be eligible for the good will assistance from volvo?
Luckily, in the US the class action has already been filed on Aug 13th and hopefully it will go through for all XC90 owners to sue volvo.
Alex
And that's the end of that story.
Please get your facts right. You can have it both ways!!
Which facts would those be? You can't blame Volvo for the behavior of the dealerships or that you give credit to Volvo for the behavior of the dealerships? Those weren't my claims. They were yours. :confuse:
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
So you must be in the USA to be considered for goodwill!
Answer this question: What other manufacturer would even consider paying for a transmission 100% at 100,000 miles? Come up with an example and proof and I'll stop posting!
Alex
Alex