Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

144 reports

95,000 miles · Dec 29, 2008

Power Train

RECURRING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR JERKS AND STALLS REPEATEDLY AT LOW SPEEDS. LOUD CLUNK FOLLOWED BY SUDDEN ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. DEALER HAS BEEN INEFFECTIVE AT SOLVING THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253084

95,000 miles · Nov 4, 2008

Power Train

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I PURCHASED MY CAR NEW. AT 95,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. BECAUSE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE FAILED TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW ONE, I TOOK IT TO AAMCO TO INSTALL A USED TRANSMISSION. THE CAR NOW HAS 120,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AGAIN. I HEAR CONSISTENTLY FROM OWNERS, THE LOCAL DEALER PARTS DEPARTMENT, AND MY REPAIR SHOP THAT THIS FAILURE IS COMMON IN THIS MODEL AND YEAR. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO BE DYSFUNCTIONAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247660

100,054 miles · Oct 16, 2008

Power Train

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TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES AT LOW RPM (AT ABOUT 20MPH) WITH SLIGHT PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL - FEELS LIKE THE CAR WANTS TO UPSHIFT TO THE NEXT HIGHER GEAR (POSSIBLY 2ND GEAR), TRANSMISSION THEN DISENGAGES...THE ENGINE RPMS SURGE TO 3,000-4,000 AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES WITH A HUGE CLUNK AND SURGES FORWARD. WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITHOUT ANY GAS PEDAL PRESSURE, TRANSMISSION DOES NOT DISENGAGE, BUT SEEMS TO SHIFT INTO THE LOWEST GEAR AND SURGES FORWARD WHILE TRYING TO STOP THE CAR AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. AGAIN, THERE IS NO PRESSURE ON THE GAS, THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY DOWNSHIFT MAKING A LOUD CLUNK AND THEN THE ENGINE SURGES AND PULLS THE CAR FORWARD. AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF THE CAR TRYING TO PULL FORWARD WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES THE GEAR AND RETURNS TO A "NEUTRAL" SETTING WHILE THE CAR IS STOPPED. TRANSMISSION DISENGAGEMENT AND ENGINE SURGING ARE CONSISTENT WHETHER THE CAR IS HOT OR COLD AND THE PATTERN IS CONSISTENT - ALWAYS AT LOW RPMS WHEN THE CAR'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EITHER WANTS TO SHIFT UP OR DOWN IN GEARS. IT SEEMS LIKE THE ISSUE IS ALWAYS BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEARS. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE CAR SEEMS FINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245745

70,000 miles · Sep 19, 2008

Power Train

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NHTSA ODI #10242906

95,000 miles · Jun 12, 2008

Air BagsCrashInjury

AFTER A SIDE IMPACT THE SIDE/CURTAIN AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IMPACT TO THE PASSENGER REAR AND FRONT DOOR. THE IMPACT WAS BETWEEN 30-35 MILES PER HOUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230832

67,397 miles · Feb 21, 2008

Power Train

2001 VOLVO V70XC WITH SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL LOSE POWER WHILE SHIFTING. CONSUMER STATES THAT IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED MOMENTARILY BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10219450

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2008

Power Train

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2001 VOLVO V70XC WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT PULLED BACK AND WENT FORWARD. SECOND INCIDENT THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED AND WENT FROM ABOUT 65 MPH TO 40 MPH AND THEN LUNGED FORWARD. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND TIME THE INCIDENT HAPPENED, THERE WAS NO THIRD GEAR. AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE THROUGH FIRST, SECOND OR THIRD GEAR. IT WOULD START OUT IN FOURTH GEAR WHICH WAS TOO SLOW TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #10218316

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2008

Exterior Lighting

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WAS NEARLY HIT IN REAR WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN DUE TO FAILURE OF BRAKE LAMPS TO LIGHT AND WARN DRIVER BEHIND ME. DRIVER BEHIND ME SKIDDED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE FLAGGED ME DOWN TO ADVISE ME THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2001 VOLVO XC70 DID NOT WORK. FOR THIS I WAS THANKFUL. INVESTIGATION AS TO WHY THE BRAKE LAMPS FAILED TO LIGHT, LED TO REPLACEMENT OF BOTH LOWER LAMPS AND CHECKING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FOR PROPER CONTINUITY. BRAKE LIGHTS STILL DO NOT WORK. APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL RESULTS IN NO POWER BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE LAMPS. THE SWITCH IS SUPPLYING POWER BUT NOT TO THE LAMPS. FURTHER INVESTIGATION HAS SHOWN THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM FOR THE 2002 MODEL, NHTSA CASE 04V051000, VOLVO RECALL R131. THE RESOLUTION IS THE REPLACEMENT OF RELAYS MANUFACTURED BY TYCO ELECTRONICS WHICH DO NOT MEET THE ORIGINAL VOLVO DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT MY VEHICLE AND OTHERS HAVE PROBABLY BEEN EQUIPPED WITH THESE SAME DEFECTIVE RELAYS AND, AFTER CALLING VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE, VOLVO REFUSES TO RESOLVE THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BY NOT INCLUDING MY VEHICLE IN THIS RECALL, WHICH IS THE FIRST YEAR OF THIS MODEL DESIGN CHANGE OVER. I AM GOING TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON MAKING THE APPROPRIATE REPAIRS FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214065

152,000 miles · Jan 3, 2008

Exterior Lighting

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THE LEFT & RIGHT BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO COME ON WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED. THE HIGH POSITION LIGHT STILL COMES ON. THIS FAILURE OF THE BRAKES LIGHTS CAN RESULT IN A WRECK. VOLVO REPLACED A FAULTY RELAY WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT IS ADDRESSED IN A VOLVO RECALL (SEE BELOW) FOR 2002 MODELS OF THIS VEHICLE.THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE 2001 MODEL. THE REAR LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT RELAYS MAY NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. THE HIGH POSITIONED BRAKE LIGHT AND ALL OTHER TAIL LIGHTS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED. CONSEQUENCE: IF THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO COME ON, THERE WILL BE NO LOWER BRAKE LIGHTS TO INDICATE TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES THAT THE VEHICLE IS DECELERATING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT RELAY WITH TWO RELAYS OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. VOLVO RECALL NO. R131. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10213574

114,662 miles · Dec 12, 2007

Power Train

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NOTICED A RHYTHMIC RUBBING TYPE NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND INCREASES ITS TEMPO AS SPEED INCREASES. I TOOK IT TO VOLVO OF CERRITOS TO INVESTIGATE NOISE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ANGLE GEAR ASSEMBLY THAT PROPELS THE RIGHT AND REAR WHEELS IS FAULTY SO, I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN VOLVO CARS FOR A SECOND OPINION AND I WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. I HAD THE ANGLE GEAR ASSEMBLY REPLACED BY THE INDEPENDENT SHOP AT A COST OF $2,565 AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS BONE DRY AND RUSTY INSIDE AND THE BEARINGS WERE BROKEN. THE CAR HAS 114,600 MILES ON IT AND IT GETS THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE MAINTENANCE EVERY 7,500 MILES. THERE WAS NEVER ANY OCCASION WHERE AN OIL LEAK WAS NOTICED SO I AM ASSUMING THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I WONDER HOW MANY VOLVO CARS OF THIS MODEL HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THE POWER TRAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211524

Official recalls

04V451000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

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.

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

EA05021 · 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.