Front Suspension problems of the 2000 Volvo S80

In early Jul 05, I experienced electronic throttle system (ets) problems with my 2000 Volvo S80. Particularly concerning to me from a safety standpoint was that several times, including when I was in highway driving situations, the car on its own suddenly accelerated and decelerated, hesitated on acceleration or would not accelerate, and displayed engine stall symptoms. The computer indicated degraded engine performance (limp mode). I lined up a service appointment with lovering Volvo of meredith. After lovering's first attempt at repairs, the car was still not operating normally and I took it back to the dealer a second time. I paid a total of $2,074. 42 for repairs, $1,741. 44 the first time and $332. 98 during the second visit. In accordance with a June 2006 Volvo letter, I took my S80 back to lovering for inspection and ets software upgrade. I submitted to Volvo a claim for reimbursement for ets repairs. The advertising checking bureau (acb), which administers the ets warranty rebate program on behalf of Volvo, sent me a check for $747. 93 for the ets repairs. Acb said it was authorized to reimburse me only the $587. 93 cost of electronic throttle body, electronic throttle module reload, and gasket, and associated $160. 00 labor cost. Acb advised me to contact the Volvo customer care center. A Volvo customer care representative confirmed that acb had done as instructed and suggested that I take up the matter of the remaining repair costs with lovering. The lovering invoices, dated July 26, 2005 and August 8, 2005, indicate that a $295. 65 portion of the initial $1,741. 44 repair bill had to do with totally unrelated steering/suspension and engine mount repairs. Still questionable in my mind are the oxygen sensor repairs which added up to $897. 86 and the subsequent mass air flow sensor repairs which came to $332. 98. I suspect the problems are all ets-related and I am currently pursuing the matter with the dealership.

Car has has many returns to dealer in first 20,000 miles for mechanical problems. No safety defect listed.

The car was not alinged and I wore my tires. I had to pay 1000. 00 for a new set. The car stereo has been replaced three times, cd wont eject, poor audio quality, lots of crackling. I still get lots of clunking from the front end. This car is not worth what I payed.

See odi number 726533 for previous report. Intermittent problem, now 4 occurrences: thrumming sound that gets louder and transitions into significant rapid vibration of entire car. Conditions at latest occurrence: dry pavement, air conditioner on, dash thermometer reading 82f, steady 67mph, two people in car. Additional data: put transmission in neutral no change; varied rpm (still in neutral) no change; turned off engine no change. Restarted engine no change; then stopped. Vibration disappeared as speed dropped (believe about low 20s or teens). Ran hands over wheels and tires: appeared normal with no bumps or excessive heat. Problem did not reoccur when I resumed driving. Comments: Ive had an ongoing complaint since I bought the car about a vibration in the range 60 to 75mph. The vibration feels like a wheel balance problem despite several attempts at re-balancing. The appearance of the thrumming sound and associated severe vibration resembles a reinforcing resonance developing from the basic vibration.

Intermittent problem, 2 occurrences. Conditions at latest occurrence: dry pavement, air conditioner on, steady 65mph, two people in car. Symptoms: noticed humming sound that got louder and transitioned into significant rapid vibration of entire car. Steering wheel vibrated (not oscillated) 1/32 to 1/16 inch. Tried accelerating, very sluggish response and when car downshifted vibration did not change. Applied brakes and experienced significantly increased vibration especially in front end and pedal. Vibration was not pulsating like antilock brakes but rather like wheels oscillating. Stopped and inspected wheels and tires-appeared normal. Problem did not reoccur when I resumed driving. Dealer checked car and did not find anything wrong.