NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
93 reportsClear category filter67,000 miles · Aug 1, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
OVER THE COURSE OF OWNERSHIP OF A 2000 VOLVO S80 (I.E., FOUR YEARS), I HAVE THE TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED AT 67,000 MILES;HAD THE THROTTLE REPLACED WHEN MY CAR CHOKED ( LUCKILY ON A SIDE STREET); HAD A BAR ON THE SUNROOF DROP OFF; ENGINE MOUNTS BROKEN; WHEEL STOPS BROKEN; AND, MOST RECENTLY REPLACED AN ABS PANEL. NOT WITHSTANDING …
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OVER THE COURSE OF OWNERSHIP OF A 2000 VOLVO S80 (I.E., FOUR YEARS), I HAVE THE TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED AT 67,000 MILES;HAD THE THROTTLE REPLACED WHEN MY CAR CHOKED ( LUCKILY ON A SIDE STREET); HAD A BAR ON THE SUNROOF DROP OFF; ENGINE MOUNTS BROKEN; WHEEL STOPS BROKEN; AND, MOST RECENTLY REPLACED AN ABS PANEL. NOT WITHSTANDING IN ANY OF THESE INCIDENTS IS THE COOLING FAN AND BALL JOINT REPLACED DUE TO RECALL. TRULY THIS CAR HAS BEEN MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ANY OTHER KNOWN TO BE DRIVEN. EVERY TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP IS EASILY $1000 PLUS. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, THE RESEARCH WAS SCANT IN TERMS OF PROBLEMS. I HAVE TRULY BEEN DISMAYED BY VOLVO'S COMMITMENT TO ITS PRODUCT AND IS DESIGN FLAWS AND/OR DEFECTS. AFTER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS CORRECTED AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WENT TO TRADE THE CAR IN---TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR BASICALLY WOULD NOT GIVE MONEY ON ITS TRADE. AFTER SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS LATER IN REPAIRS, I AM STILL FUMING OVER A CAR THAT WAS PURCHASED SOLELY FOR THE "HISTORICAL" VOLVO STANDARD AND ITS COMMITMENT TO SAFETY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10130850
45,000 miles · Jul 29, 2005
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM THE PROBLEM IS NOT BEING HANDLED RESPONSIBLY AND THE DEALERS USE INTIMIDATION AND THEN BULLY THEIR CLIENTS INTO PAYING FOR OTHER SERVICES. THEY REFUSE TO ADDRESS THIS LIFE THREATENING ISSUE. THEY ARE WITHHOLDING VALUABLE INFORMATION. I OWN BOTH VOLVO S70 AND S80 AND THEY HAVE SHUT DOWN IN HIGHWAY TRA…
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ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM THE PROBLEM IS NOT BEING HANDLED RESPONSIBLY AND THE DEALERS USE INTIMIDATION AND THEN BULLY THEIR CLIENTS INTO PAYING FOR OTHER SERVICES. THEY REFUSE TO ADDRESS THIS LIFE THREATENING ISSUE. THEY ARE WITHHOLDING VALUABLE INFORMATION. I OWN BOTH VOLVO S70 AND S80 AND THEY HAVE SHUT DOWN IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. *THIS IS A DIRECT QUOTE I RECEIVED FROM A MASTER VOLVO MECHANIC WHEN I POSTED A QUESTION CONCERNING ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM. " YOUR ETS LIGHT IS A LITTLE MORE SEVERE THEN THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THE MANUFACTURE KNOWS THIS AND WILL NOT STAND BEHIND PROBLEM . HOWEVER THE PROBLEM IS THE THROTTLE UNIT, IT HAS A MALFUNCTION AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED THE DEALER WILL PROBABLY TELL YOU IT NEEDS A DOWNLOAD,THAT IS UNFORTUNATELY ONLY GOING TO FIX PROBLEM FOR A SHORT WHILE.". *NM
NHTSA ODI #10130593
48,000 miles · Jun 20, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH SURGING WHEN THE AIR WAS ON. THE ON BOARD COMPUTER DISPLAY SUGGESTED THAT THE PERFORMANCE WAS REDUCED. *JB THE ENGINE FAILURE EXHIBITED AN ENGINE SURGE OR RPM BUMP WHEN AT IDLE. NORMAL IDLE WAY 700 RPM. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP TO ABOUT 1000 RPM, THEN …
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THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH SURGING WHEN THE AIR WAS ON. THE ON BOARD COMPUTER DISPLAY SUGGESTED THAT THE PERFORMANCE WAS REDUCED. *JB THE ENGINE FAILURE EXHIBITED AN ENGINE SURGE OR RPM BUMP WHEN AT IDLE. NORMAL IDLE WAY 700 RPM. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP TO ABOUT 1000 RPM, THEN DROP BACK TO 700 RPM. *SC THE THROTTLE UNIT WAS REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10121619
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
2000 VOLVO S80 SUFFERED FROM A FAULTY THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE. *MR THERE WAS A PENDING LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA REGARDING THESE MODULES AND THEIR PREMATURE FAILURE RATES. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10125816
64,300 miles · May 23, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
I OWN A 2000 VOLVO S-80. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE FAILED SUDDENLY RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE AT NORMAL SPEED. THIS RESULTED IN IMMEDIATE UNCONTROLLED DECELERATION AND LIMITED VEHICLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED VOLVO DEALER. VOLVO IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THIS PART (REF…
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I OWN A 2000 VOLVO S-80. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE FAILED SUDDENLY RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE AT NORMAL SPEED. THIS RESULTED IN IMMEDIATE UNCONTROLLED DECELERATION AND LIMITED VEHICLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED VOLVO DEALER. VOLVO IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THIS PART (REFERENCE THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY, SEE WWW.AUTOSAFETY.ORG/ARTICLE.PHP?SCID=119&DID817) AND IS INVOLVED IN A PENDING LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA, IN ADDITION TO STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES BEING INVOLVED.
NHTSA ODI #10121940
Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, AirVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE GOES INTO "LIMP" MODE AND A ERROR MESSAGE SAYING "SAFELY PULL OVER AND RESTART VEHICLE" GOES ON. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T EXCEED 5 MPH WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. IT IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION, WHICH HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. BUT I'VE FINALLY BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND APPARENTLY THE E…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE GOES INTO "LIMP" MODE AND A ERROR MESSAGE SAYING "SAFELY PULL OVER AND RESTART VEHICLE" GOES ON. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T EXCEED 5 MPH WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. IT IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION, WHICH HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. BUT I'VE FINALLY BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND APPARENTLY THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY MODULE, AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULE BOTH HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THEN AFTER CHECKING SEVERAL FORUMS THIS SEEMS TO BE AN EPIDEMIC FOR THE VOLVO S80.
NHTSA ODI #10116054
44,594 miles · Dec 21, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE DASHBOARD INDICATED TO STOP SAFELY AND RESTART. ANOTHER MESSAGE CAME ON STATING ENGINE SERVICE REQUIRED. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT SERVICED. DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE UNIT, AND DOWN LOADED SOFTWARE.*AK..........*AK
NHTSA ODI #10105147
49,747 miles · Jul 21, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE (ETM) FAILED WHILE VEHICLE TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH; CAUTION LIGHTS AND SERVICE ENGINE URGENT MESSAGE DISPLAYED; UNABLE TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 20 MPH TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC; THEN FAULT CLEARED AND VEHICLE RAN OK; ATTEMPTED TO RETURN HOME AND ETM FAILED AGAIN; THEN FAULT CLEARED AGAIN. NO W…
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ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE (ETM) FAILED WHILE VEHICLE TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH; CAUTION LIGHTS AND SERVICE ENGINE URGENT MESSAGE DISPLAYED; UNABLE TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 20 MPH TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC; THEN FAULT CLEARED AND VEHICLE RAN OK; ATTEMPTED TO RETURN HOME AND ETM FAILED AGAIN; THEN FAULT CLEARED AGAIN. NO WARNING LIGHTS; VEHICLE DRIVES OK, SUSPECTED LOOSE GAS CAP; TIGHTENED AND DROVE AGAIN; RAN OK, THEN EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM LATER IN THE DAY, THIS TIME LEFT CAR TO BE TOWED. FAILURE OF ETM AND WARNINGS MISLEADING TRUE SEVERITY OF FAILURE. VOLVO SHOULD CHANGE WARNING TO "DO NOT DRIVE" IS VEHICLE FAILURE MAKES DRIVING UNSAFE. ETM FAILURE MAKES VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN ANY CONDITIONS. REPORTED INCIDENT TO VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10082353
30,000 miles · Jun 24, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
AS THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE, IT PLACED ITSELF IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE REVVED AND ACCELERATED ACROSS A MEDIAN, AND THEN HAD COME TO REST AGAINST TWO OTHER VEHICLES AND AN ABUTMENT. *AK *SC
NHTSA ODI #10061030
Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control
NAR 1/15/2003. THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED 185.61 FOR A POSSIBLE DEFECT OF THE THROTTLE BODY. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXHIBITING ANY SYMPTOMS SO THE CLAIM WAS DENIED, HOWEVER THERE CONSUMER LOCATED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH STATED HOW CLAIMS COULD BE SUBMITTED FOR REIMBURSEMENT…
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NAR 1/15/2003. THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED 185.61 FOR A POSSIBLE DEFECT OF THE THROTTLE BODY. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXHIBITING ANY SYMPTOMS SO THE CLAIM WAS DENIED, HOWEVER THERE CONSUMER LOCATED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH STATED HOW CLAIMS COULD BE SUBMITTED FOR REIMBURSEMENT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10003933
Official recalls
4Nov 8, 2010
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Nov 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.
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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