NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
199 reportsMileage unknown · Sep 28, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE PEDAL WAS SLOWLY GOING LOWER BEFORE BRAKING OCCURRED. ORIGINAL PROBLEM WAS "FIXED" BY SERVICE ON 8/22/00, BUT SERVICE MANAGER STATED CAR NEEDED A NEW MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER, WHICH WAS SUPPOSEDLY ORDERED. PROBLEM BEGAN TO RE-OCCUR ON 9/22/00, AND CAR WAS DELIVERED TO SERVICE ON 9/26/00. AS OF NOW, IT HAS BEEN THERE 3 DAYS…
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BRAKE PEDAL WAS SLOWLY GOING LOWER BEFORE BRAKING OCCURRED. ORIGINAL PROBLEM WAS "FIXED" BY SERVICE ON 8/22/00, BUT SERVICE MANAGER STATED CAR NEEDED A NEW MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER, WHICH WAS SUPPOSEDLY ORDERED. PROBLEM BEGAN TO RE-OCCUR ON 9/22/00, AND CAR WAS DELIVERED TO SERVICE ON 9/26/00. AS OF NOW, IT HAS BEEN THERE 3 DAYS TO INSTALL A NEW MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER, ORIGINALLY DESCRIBED AS A 1-HOUR PROCEDURE. SUPPOSEDLY THE REPLACEMENT INSTALLED YESTERDAY, ALSO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. AS OF NOW (AFTER 5 P.M., 9/28/00) THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS UNABLE TO DEFINITELY STATE THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED - - AND THERE MAY BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH VOLVO MASTER BRAKE CYLINDERS (AND THEIR AVAILABILITY).
NHTSA ODI #732762
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
Fuel System, GasolineSteeringFire
DEALER ADVISED CAR HAD A DEFECTIVE STEERING RACK, WHICH WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH ASSOCIATED "O" RINGS. ELEVEN DAYS AFTER WARRANTY WORK WAS COMPLETED, OWNER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO A "CRIMPED" O-RING. DEALER REPLACED THE O-RING AND HAS BEEN TEST DRIVING VEHICLE SINCE THEN. THE O-…
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DEALER ADVISED CAR HAD A DEFECTIVE STEERING RACK, WHICH WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH ASSOCIATED "O" RINGS. ELEVEN DAYS AFTER WARRANTY WORK WAS COMPLETED, OWNER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO A "CRIMPED" O-RING. DEALER REPLACED THE O-RING AND HAS BEEN TEST DRIVING VEHICLE SINCE THEN. THE O-RING HAS CRIMPED AGAIN RECREATING THE SAME SCENARIO. OWNER IS NOW IN THE MIDDLE BETWEEN DEALER AND VOLVO POINTING FINGERS AT EACH OTHER.
NHTSA ODI #731015
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2000
Electrical SystemFire
CAR WAS PARKED. FIRE STARTED UNDER HOOD. APPEARS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. CAR WAS CONSIDERED A "TOTAL" BY THE INSURANCE CO.
NHTSA ODI #730944
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE NOTICED VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #868886
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2000
Fuel System, GasolineSteering
WHEN VEHICLE TURNS LEFT STEERING WHEEL BINDS UP. STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT ALLOW VEHICLE TO MAKE A FULL LEFT TURN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT, VEHICLE WILL GO HALF WAY, AND CONSUMER IS FORCED TO REVERSE AND MOVE STRAIGHT. DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE PROBLEM, AND ISSUE A REMEDY. ALSO, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO FILL …
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WHEN VEHICLE TURNS LEFT STEERING WHEEL BINDS UP. STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT ALLOW VEHICLE TO MAKE A FULL LEFT TURN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT, VEHICLE WILL GO HALF WAY, AND CONSUMER IS FORCED TO REVERSE AND MOVE STRAIGHT. DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE PROBLEM, AND ISSUE A REMEDY. ALSO, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO FILL THE GAS TANK W/ FUEL WHEN IT WAS 3/4 OF A WAY EMPTY. GAS NOZZLE WOULD NOT PUMP THE GAS AS IF THE TANK WAS FULL. SO CONSUMER PULLED THE FUEL PUMP OUT, AND FUEL STARTED TO SQUIRT OUT ON CONSUMER, AND A PUDDLE ON THE FLOOR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #868636
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE FUEL TANK (3/4 EMPTY, 112 DEGREES F), THE TANK WOULD NOT ACCEPT FUEL. I REMOVED THE NOZZLE TO SEE IF THE FILLER WAS OBSTRUCTED, AND A GEYSER OF PRESSURIZED GASOLINE WAS EJECTED FROM THE FILLER NECK LASTING ABOUT FIVE SECONDS, AND DRENCHING MY CLOTHING AND THE GROUND IN A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE. FORTUNA…
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WHILE ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE FUEL TANK (3/4 EMPTY, 112 DEGREES F), THE TANK WOULD NOT ACCEPT FUEL. I REMOVED THE NOZZLE TO SEE IF THE FILLER WAS OBSTRUCTED, AND A GEYSER OF PRESSURIZED GASOLINE WAS EJECTED FROM THE FILLER NECK LASTING ABOUT FIVE SECONDS, AND DRENCHING MY CLOTHING AND THE GROUND IN A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO IGNITION SOURCES PRESENT .
NHTSA ODI #728934
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2000
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
I APPROACHED A PARKING SPACE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, HOWEVER, SUDDENLY IT ACCELERATED IN SPITE OF MY FOOT PRESSING VERY HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I TRIED TO MANEUVER THE CAR WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING OTHER PARKED CARS AND FINALLY HIT BUSHES AND A SMALL TREE WHICH UPLIFTED T…
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I APPROACHED A PARKING SPACE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, HOWEVER, SUDDENLY IT ACCELERATED IN SPITE OF MY FOOT PRESSING VERY HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I TRIED TO MANEUVER THE CAR WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING OTHER PARKED CARS AND FINALLY HIT BUSHES AND A SMALL TREE WHICH UPLIFTED THE FRONT WHEELS OFF THE GROUND AND STOPPED THE CAR. AT THAT POINT, THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THERE WERE HEAVY TRACK MARKS ON THE HARD SURFACE AS WELL AS ON THE GRASS LAWN, SUGGESTING THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE LOCKED UP. I ESTIMATED $6,000 DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND PARKING AREA PROPERTY.
NHTSA ODI #727347
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2000
Suspension
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH BALL JOINT FAILURE, CAUSING A DISCONNECTION DUE TO A FAULTY PART. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. COULD NHTSA SHARE SOME LIGHT ON THIS MATTER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #867242
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2000
Suspension
THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE FRONT SIDE LEFT WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE SOMETHING RELATED TO THE SUB-FRAME. HOWEVER THERE IS STILL A RATTLE IN THE FRONT END WHICH I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ALL THE CARS HAVE. HOWEVER THE S70 LOANER CARS THEY PROVIDE DO NOT HAVE IT. THE RADIO AM PROBLEM IS FUSTRATING, AND THIS NEW PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCKS …
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THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE FRONT SIDE LEFT WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE SOMETHING RELATED TO THE SUB-FRAME. HOWEVER THERE IS STILL A RATTLE IN THE FRONT END WHICH I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ALL THE CARS HAVE. HOWEVER THE S70 LOANER CARS THEY PROVIDE DO NOT HAVE IT. THE RADIO AM PROBLEM IS FUSTRATING, AND THIS NEW PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCKS JUST ADDS ICEING TO THE CAKE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PART FOR THE RADIO IS NOT AVAILABLE, SO THEY WILL TRY AND MAKE IT WORK SOMEHOW. I AM JUST WAITNG FOR THE NEXT PROBLEM. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST VOLVO. *AK
NHTSA ODI #726344
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2000
Suspension
FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF THE AXLE DUE TO GREASE SEAL, AND ALLOWED WATER TO GET INTO THE BEARING AND CORRODED IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #866124
Official recalls
4Nov 15, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Sep 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SOME ELECTRIC COOLING FANS MAY OVERHEAT POTENTIALLY CAUSING HEAT DAMAGE AND, IN RARE INSTANCES, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
Apr 7, 2002
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN ELECTRIC COOLING FANS COULD BE INADEQUATE IN A HOT CLIMATE. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN COMPONENTS COULD OVERHEAT AND CAUSE THE MELTING OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND ADJACENT COMPONENTS, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Aug 24, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OVER TIME, THE BALL JOINT BETWEEN THE FRONT WHEEL KING PIN AND THE SUSPENSION LINK ARM, CAN EXPERIENCE INCREASED LOOSENESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT THE BALL JOINT'S DURABILITY AND PERFORMANCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA05021 · Throttle Control Malfunction
Opened Dec 6, 2005 · Closed Dec 12, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
ON NOVEMBER 14, 2006 VOLVO SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING ETM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2001 VOLVO MODELS (NOT INCLUDING THE S40 AND V40), MY 2002 S60 AND V70 WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINES AND MY 2002 V70S.ACCORDING TO VOLVO, ?A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.VOLVO FURTHER STATED THAT,THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES GOING INTO LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.?VOLVO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE MOST SEVERE CONSEQUENCE OF AN ETM FAULT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE RECALL REMEDY IS A SOFTWARE UPGRADE INTRODUCED BY VOLVO ON MARCH 16, 2006 IN A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM.AT THE TIME OF THE NOTIFICATION 161,202 VEHICLES OF THE POPULATION OF 331,301 HAD ALREADY HAD THE SOFTWARE UPLOADED AND WERE THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED IN THE POPULATION COUNT OF THE RECALL. ODI?S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND VOLVO, VOLVO FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY DATA FOUND THAT ETM FAILURE COULD RESULT IN (1) ENGINE STALL; (2) MECHANICAL LIMP MODE; (3) LUNGING FORWARD DURING LOW-SPEED DRIVING MANEUVERS; AND (4) FALTERING DURING HIGH SPEED MERGES OR WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC.ODI IDENTIFIED 12 CRASHES RELATED TO ETM FAILURE, WITH 6 CAUSED BY LUNGING INCIDENTS, 3 CAUSED BY STALLING INCIDENTS, 2 CAUSED BY MECHANICAL LIMP MODE AND 1 FROM THE FALTERING CONDITION.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA AND INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM CONSUMER INTERVIEWS IDENTIFIED 1,289 INCIDENTS WITH SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES (389.1 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), INCLUDING 479 INVOLVING ENGINE STALL (144.6 PER 100,000 VEHICLES) AND 729 INVOLVING MECHANICAL LIMP MODE (220.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES).ODI'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY CLAIM NARRATIVE TEXT SHOWS AT LEAST 14,965 WARRANTY CLAIMS WITH CODES INDICATING AN ETM FAULT RESULTING IN VEHICLE OPERATION IN MECHANICAL LIMP MODE (4.5% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES). VOLVO?S RECALL ADDRESSES ODI?S SAFETY CONCERNS WITH ETM FAILURES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF ADDITIONAL ACTION IS REQUIRED.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.
PE05041 · Throttle Control Malfunction
Opened Jul 26, 2005 · Closed Dec 7, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
PE05-041 WAS OPENED ON JULY, 26, 2005, BASED ON 136 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGING THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI HAS NOW RECEIVED 591 COMPLAINTS OF ETM FAILURES WHICH ALLEGE SYMPTOMS WITH POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES.THESE INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE STALL, VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD WITHOUT ACCELERATOR INPUT, VEHICLE HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED TRANSITION INTO REDUCED PERFORMANCE OPERATION (LIMP MODE).VOLVO SUBMITTED OVER 2,900 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE ETM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING PE05-041.ODI'S PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 55 PERCENT WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ABOVE.ODI IS CONTINUING ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS. IN NOVEMBER 2005, TO RESOLVE AN INVESTIGATION BY THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD, VOLVO ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 10 YEARS / 200,000 MILES FOR THE ETM IN APPROXIMATELY 356,000 MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 PASSENGER CARS SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.UNDER VOLVO'S POLICY, VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCE ETM FAILURES WILL RECEIVE A VARIETY OF REPAIRS INCLUDING ETM CLEANING, REPROGRAMMING THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND/OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ETM. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-021) TO CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF ETM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
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