Car Accelerates On Its Own problems of the 2000 Volvo S40

My 2000 Volvo S40 had another unintended acceleration episode on April 12, 2010 (I filed a previous complaint #10288666 in oct 2009). On the highway it would go 60 mph without depressing the gas pedal (and no it was not stuck and there was no floor mat in the way). The last time this occurred was six or seven months earlier. The ect sensor was replaced at that time. This last time the Volvo memphis dealership replaced the ect sensor and it has not occurred again. . . . . Yet. This was the third ect sensor replaced in about a year's time. I asked that Volvo corporate be involved to check out why this was happening. They had a field technician ride in the car with me and check it out. Basically they shared no reason for the recurrent replacement of the ect sensor and even though I continued to try to get an answer (and reimbursement for the repeat repairs). This is one of the emails I received from the Volvo investigator after their inspection and my continued dissatisfaction with not identifying a root cause ---- "[xxx] , I can certainly understand your disappointment in having to replace the same part three times. As stated, if the symptoms reoccur, please either contact me directly, or contact the service manager at Volvo of memphis, randy pearson, so that we may get been involved once again to review your concerns regarding your vehicle. To date, your vehicle is performing as designed. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to inspect your vehicle. Erica kirsch product investigation coordinator Volvo cars or north America" I am not interested in continuing to pursue this just because of repair costs I feel should be covered by Volvo. The symptoms I have repeatedly experienced are scary and a huge safety issue. I also saw an on complaint #10288666 filed on Feb 18 2010 that sounds like the same issue as mine. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Unintended acceleration occurred with car in drive. Car began to accelerate slowly increasing speed with foot off accelerator. Pulled up on accelerator with no results. Put car into neutral and rpm increased to 6000 rpm then back to 750 idle speed. Back into drive and engine accelerated again. Engine shut off via key then it wouldn't start again. Cranked but would not turn over. Dealer replaced ect because of failure of part.

Unintended acceleration on my 2000 Volvo S40. Accelerating in traffic without pressing pedal. Must press brake hard to stop. Continues to rev high. This has happened twice in the last month. After the first time, my service shop replaced the idle air control valve but it occurred again about a week and a half after that. Service technician has indicated he cannot potentially diagnose unless it is occurring when he can drive and look at it. It is a serious risk for crash or injury.

The contact owns a 2000 Volvo S40. The contact stated that the vehicle would sporadically accelerate independently. The contact stated that the throttle was replaced in 2008 and the failure did not recur until 2010. Most recently, the contact was entering a parking lot when the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by shifting into park. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was informed that her model was not involved in any recalls therefore any repairs would be at her expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000 and the current mileage was approximately 98,000.

Three times my daughter's 2000 Volvo S40 accelerated unexpectedly. Twice (on the same night) it almost pulled her into a busy intersection. The third time it happened to the service manger (jeff) at a local Volvo dealership. After two visits from a technician from Volvo it was determined that a temperature sensor had failed. This failure led to excess air being fed to the engine which in turn led to excess fuel being fed to the engine, which in turn accelerated the engine. Volvo replaced a temperature control sensor that operates the air slide in the engine on 12/7/05.

While slowing to a stop in a parking place (1-2mph), the vehicle suddenly accelerated. Within 2 seconds, the vehicle jumped the curb, spinning the front wheels fast enough to dig 2 deep troughs in the gravel, and crashed into a brick wall 10 feet beyond the original parking space. The passenger airbag deployed shattering the windshield. The driver suffers only minor soreness thanks to the short distance between the parking space and the wall. This is certainly a defect in the S40. Two other customer reports exist concerning a runaway throttle on the Volvo S40: 879358 & 878201.

Vehicle will suddenly accelerate, and while trying to brake vehicle still accelerates.