Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I'm interested in heading up a complaint group to Volvo NA and cc the AG in NJ, where Volvo NA has it office; and my AG in MO. I will establish a website, soon, and track complaints. Is there an interest in this? Any advice?
More to follow....Lee 35divg2@gmail.com
I'm planning on buying an extended warranty in the next few days and taking it in to the dealer shortly after. Same issues as everyone else - intermittent transmission issues between 1st & 2nd and 2nd & 3rd - exactly as described above.
Funny, I just realized someone I know from work also has an XC 70 - only 1 year newer than ours (which is 2001)... I asked her if she's had transmission problems and she said "funny you should ask - I just had it replaced under warranty 2 days ago!!!"
We just bought the car w/ 56,000 on it in October - now up to 61,000 - things come and go, but when they come they seem to be getting progressively worse. We want to solve this ASAP and it seems as if the warranty will take care of us for the next for years at least (and perhaps by then Volvo will have fessed up to some sort of across the board failure)...
Still under the original warranty, less than two months later, I brought it to Stillman Volvo again to have service on vibrating when braking and transmission problems (clunking/jerking when switching gears). The fixed the vibrating problem, and said they checked the transmission problem and there was nothing wrong with it.
Invoice # VOCS131212 states: (.30) hrs - When going from reverse to drive there is a clunk, also when going from brake to gas. Technician identified neutral control activating and banging and heard axle ping. Technician checked vehicle for diagnostic codes. None stored. Performed TCM upgrade to remove neutral control. Applied adhesive to hug/axle interface (1hr)
In driving the car over the next few months, nothing changed. I still had a jerk when shifting from gear to gear. I mentioned it on my next oil change at Volvo and the service manager said it was just checked and there was nothing wrong with it. He said "It may be the way you drive, I should hold try leaving your foot on the break a little longer when switching gears."
So I believed it may be me. And let it go even though it was still a problem.
On April 3, 2006 I brought my car into Stillman Volvo again for Inspection. The other day I noticed a Recall 155 (.30 hrs) on invoice #VOCS147881 which states "This vehicle is subject to recall 155. Technician performed an ETM software upgrade to improve drivability. Recall 155 completed"
I wasn't told anything about this when I went and I wasn't charged since it was still under warranty. Being a woman, since it said it was something to improve the driveability of my car I figured it was fine. Until now, I've read the problems people have had with this upgrade and Volvo may just do it so that your car lasts long enough to outlive the warranty before it breaks and you are responsible for payment. I'm concerned now that even if I can fix this transmission that this will cause a problem and cost me more money.
On October 30, 2006 I brought my car to Stillman Volvo once again because not only was I having the transmission problem, but my engine light was on. I took it in and on invoice #VOCS159332 it states - "Check engine light is on, check codes ECM 4801/checked 02 sensor. First time fault / cleared codes and RESET CATALYTIC CONVERTOR" (.50hrs) @$49.98. When I returned to pickup the car the engine light was still on. The service guy told me they checked it and nothing is wrong. He actually showed me how to make the engine light go off by pulling/pushing on one of the buttons in the dash where the speedometer is.
On Friday, June 1, 2007 while driving down highway 291W my car failed to accelerate. I glided to pull over and tried to hit the gas. It felt like I was in neutral, so I tried reverse and nothing. My car now was not able to move at all.
After having it towed ($150) to Stillman Volvo they told me they couldn't look at it until Monday. Opening at 7am, I waited until 10am to call. No one had looked at it yet. I sent an email to the service department at 2:00pm, and at 2:25pm I received a response saying they didn't want to call me until they got proper diagnosis.
After not having a car now for 5 days Paul (service manager) called me this afternoon at 4pm to tell me it was an internal problem with the transmission and it needed to be replaced for $3,400 with a refurbished transmission.
After expressing my dissatisfaction with the outcome and how they never fixed the problem while under warranty. He disagreed and said my only option was to pay the $3,400 and have them replace it. I did tell him that under no circumstances should I have to pay #1 for a refurbished transmission at a rate of $3,400 #2 due to the fact they never fixed the problem when originally brought to their attention.
I have read up on Volvo transmission problems all night now and I wish I would have done so before purchase. How is Volvo not being held responsible for endangering people on the road by installing faulty transmissions and trying to cover it up with petty upgrades to prolong the use until warranties expire? The majority of these vehicles with the same problem as mine are only several years old with between 35k-60k miles on them? For a $30-$50k car that projects itself as such a high end, reliable, safe car don't you think that is stretching it?
After doing 12,000kms, I was home and things started to go wrong. The transmission did everything everyone else is reporting here. I had all the upgrades to the software and changed the tranny fluid. It is terrible, my local dealers shop foreman said these cars have a problem with the solenoids and if I wanted to change the tranny it would be close to $7,000 with taxes. Well I chose just to keep on driving it and so far I am at 107K and it is still sliding and slipping but because its tiptronic I use the shifter to lock it in gear at certain times. One of these days it is going to self destruct and then I am hooped. This car also has the drivers door lock stop locking and instead pops up again when trying to lock.
The trunk lock decided to lock itself while I was traveling and not unlock. I had to crawl in the back door remove all the luggage, take out the rear panel and pull the plug out to stop it from locking. The drivers window goes up automatically and then starts to go down again when it reaches two inches from the top unless I hit the button twice.
The power sunroof sometimes stays open and even though I pull the fuses and check it makes no difference. Then suddenly it seems to work again.
The power steering fluid started to foam up and sometimes when it gets hot it just wines. Most of the time it is fine.
The power breaks for some strange reason on occasion start to make a hissing noise like a loss of vacuum and then that problem goes away.
The stereo periodically makes a clicking noise like the tape is switching from side A to B and back again, even if there is no tape in it.
The head lights have burnt out like they are free. The dealer has been good to replace them for free.
This is my forth Volvo in a row, I am so disappointed that I will never buy another Volvo and I have sworn an OATH that I will never by any automobile that has been even looked at by Ford, since Ford took over Volvo they have turned to garbage. So my dreams of owning an Aston Martin, or a Jaguar XJR Supercharger have gone out of the window too as Ford owns them also.
I love the way the car drives, it is a dream, but to spend all this money for a Lemon :lemon: and then have the prospect of spending another $10,000 in repairs, well I am going to just ride it out till it breaks.
Now I own an advertising agency and have actually thought of putting an ad together with a lemon and my car in the middle of it. Or maybe I ought to have the car wrapped so it looks like a lemon. I wonder how long it would be before I hear from Volvo North America to solve these problems.......
My next vehicle is going to be a Lexus as everyone I know who has one has not spent a dime on them since they bought them.
The car was due for a new timing belt and brakes - so we took it to our mechanic. I had told him about the transmission in the past, though he never felt it since it was intermittent. This time though he felt it. He said we needed a new transmission, but first suggested we change the transmission fluid since Volvo will want to do it anyway. He said the fluid was uber black.
After that, it drove like a dream for 1 week... then it started up again. Drove down to the dealership that day. Dropped $2,700 on an extended warranty rather than the $4000+ for the transmission replacement. We'll be taking the car in sometime in the next couple weeks to start the process of getting a new transmission. The software has been updated, the transmission fluid changed - hoping we won't have to endure too much wrangling with them - we intend to be firm so that it is taken care of immediately instead of having to deal with quick fixes and hemming and hawing you might expect.
Will try to remember to update once the work is done.
I hope they treat us fairly! Any words of wisdom for us?
I want to remove the center drive shaft off of my 98 v70xc.
I have removed all the bolts from the front and the back.
The shaft has come out of the transmission, but it will not come out of the rear, though the bolts are out.
Has anyone removed one of those shaft to drive the car as a front wheel drive only?
Thank you for any help you provide.
D :surprise: ">
I've been reading these posts, and they describe exactly what's happening with my 2001 XC70- the slipping between 1st and 2nd gears,especially in stop and go traffic, loud clunking that feels like you're getting rearended, the terrible, terrible service from the dealership (in my case, Pacific Coast Volvo) who tells you that nothing's wrong and to just "watch it" and that they can put a new transmission in for $4000. With the truly sucky service I've gotten, I sure don't want to put this kind of money into a car that will continue to have the same transmission problem, according to previous posts from people who've tried this.
Has anyone talked more about a class action suit? This is truly absurd that we're all having the same exact issue, but no one's taking care of it. Based on the failing transmission and the clueless service people, unless Volvo replaced my transmission for free I will never buy another of their cars. Any ideas, or are we all just stuck with this?
sadly, no success story here. i had the same software updates, and they didn't help at all for my 2001 xc70.
i just called volvo north america to register a complaint about this same transmission issue and poor service from dealers. if we all call, maybe we can at least get the ball rolling on them investigating a recall on these transmissions. clearly this is a manufacturer's defect, and after reading all of these posts, i think we need to hold volvo accountable for this problem.
my car has only 79,000 miles and I am not going to replace the transmission on my dollar and it seems that the people who have have had not luck with that solution. My friend has a 2003 and she thinks that it is starting to happen to her vehicle. I am calling Volvo NA registering a complaint.
Something has to be done and it seems that no one cares. Let all band together and start a movement/....
I prepared a personal letter to Volvo about my issue and will cc the MO Atty Gen. This was on advice from Army lawyers, who will assist mobilized personnel with consumer issues. It is the subtle approach. I will let everyone know the response. I encourage everyone to flood Volvo with written complaints with a cc to your respective AG's. Also, include copies of this forum to show how widespread this issue is.
Send complaints to:
Ms. Anne Belec
President and CEO
Volvo Cars of North America
1 Premier Place
Irvine CA 92618
RE: 2001 Volvo V70 T5 VIN XXXXXXXXXX
Dear Ms. Belec:
*****************************************************
Take care
Lee
I note that almost all of the transmission problems have been on either the XC70 or V70 2.5T models. Has anybody had any (or many) transmission problems with the V70 2.4?
My accountant bought the same year and model. He has just installed his third radiator and his service bill for the past 12 months was ~US$5,000.
Volvo promotes to the market that it builds vehicles to above industry standards. Customers purchase Volvo's cars with its assurances of superior quality. However when we present serious failures such as these, Volvo's behaviour demonstrates a lack of commitment to its promise, and brings into question the honesty of its advertising.
Bad news Ford, because this qualifies for the lemon laws, since we can all document the same flaw.
Or even better, look at the class action lawsuits being served on the technology industry for simple things like "scratched glass on an iPod". Yes, I firmly believe a class action is the way to go. Since Ford have decided to take a great brand and drive it into the ground, they should be held to public account.
I am ready to sign on to the class action. I will even take the step of seeking out information on such firms and can follow up with a posting here.
Legal action. Time to write the letter to your state Attorney General. Point this person to this forum for review.
I'm in!
nope, no success story from me either
i just thought, i'd post an update for my case, since it's been a year since i joined this forum.
2001 XC70, purchased in 2005 at 82Kmiles
mileage now (2007): 110Kmiles
BAD stuff:
transmission problem: rough downshifts between 3rd and 2nd gear, with loud metallic clunking. most noticeable in stop-n-go traffic when you accelerate to say 20mph and drop the pedal.
transmission problem began: at 92K, 1 year ago (car was 4 y.o.)
GOOD stuff (ha-ha ha):
it still drives same way as a year ago when the problem just began (honestly, i expected the tranny break into pieces pretty soon, but it's been almost 20k since then and there is no improvement, although it's not progressing either)
this problem with rough shifts is very annoying.
but otherwise the car is perfect (surprise!)
things i've tried:
i've taken it to 3 Volvo dealers total. all of them scratch their head, and pretend like they see this first time in their life.
software upgrade - doesn't help
tranny maintenance (like fluid flush, etc.) - my advice: don't bother, this will not solve the problem. it's better not to touch tranny at all, it's not a serviceable part
so if you got this kind of problem: just relax. you bought a crappy car called Volvo XC70, live with it (i heard though that on XC90 this problem is even worse, because the torque is greater).
no Volvo dealer is going to help you. beware of their attitude, they are not going to be helpful or friendly about this problem with you.
basically, you've got 2 options: 1) replace tranny for $5k, or 2) drive it until it dies.
there is a 3rd option though: 3) sue Volvo/Ford and make them buy us new cars.
Bought an extended warranty after the fact (3 years for $2,700) and got the transmission replaced last month.
Car is in great shape otherwise - only has 63,000 miles, but now the issue is knowing the transmission is likely to fail again... after the warranty expires of course.
Though it sure would be interesting if the tranny wore out again before then.
NHTSA - National Highway Traffic Safety Admin. - ODI - Office of Defects Investigation - I haven't heard back from anyone yet, but hopefully with enough people complaining Volvo will be forced to acknowledge that a problem exists. This is not only a defect but a safety issue my transmission went out and I was lurching down the road with cars going 55+mph trying to pass by me and my "reliable & safe" Volvo.
How did you get Volvo to help pay for your repairs ??
Has anyone gone to the media with these stories, this is a defect in the vehicle which is jeopardizing the safety of the driver and passengers ???
the grinding noise . This does not fix the trans problem
but should let it function as front wheel drive full time.
Has any one done this and what results did you have .
It also has slippage problems and rough shifting 140K.
The transmission is a mechanical device. Transmissions don't just become defective after 90K+ miles.
Friction and heat is what kills gearboxes, and the non-synthetic oil that comes in these transmissions doesn't last forever.
If you don't change your oil, your gearbox will eventually self-destruct.
Just got in a few minutes ago after being driven 3 miles in a flatbed.
I tried to accelerate to keep up with another car.
Volvo didn't like it and I could feel the transmission self-destructing under me. No more Drive or Reverse,
Well now it's in front of my house AND there is NO WAY in hell I'm gonna pay several thousand dollars for a new tranny.
I will ask the tranny guy who would replace my families transmissions what he thinks.
This has made me reconsider buying a new Volvo in the future. Only 60,000 miles!!!
I just noticed that there is an ad for a new Volvo C30 in the sidebar. That's pretty funny how it would pop up here.
Damn spyware.
I said that I was going to contact the owner of the dealership about this and now they are on the lookout for me. I have continued to drive the car with the lurching and bucking and also the limp mode. The transmission light came on again and also the check engine light and they my mechanic put it on the computer and the ETC/ECM codes are finally missing and these are on a recall and underwarranty for ten years. I am taking the car in for service this week but I don't trust them and think that I am going to get the dealership saying that I need a transmission because it is such a good money maker. Why replace the transmission with the same thing that is for sure going to fail again and again. Volvo cars is in denial and until there is a class=action suit nothing will be done. Oh by the way my mechanic supposedly told the dealership when they called him that I needed a new transmission and that is after he told me that he has had quite a few people come back from the upgrade with the car bucking and slamming and going into the limp mode. Funny he forgot about all of this when the dealership called him for info.