Ball Joint Problems of Volvo S80

During normal driving conditions at night, the low beam (dipped beam) headlights failed while out of town with my wife and two daughters. I was able to drive to a safe location using the high beams. A check of headlamp bulbs and fuses showed that everything was in good working order and I was left scratching my head. The headlights are still not working three weeks later, and I finally know why. Volvo owners exchange information on various websites and on more than one I found people suggesting that the cem (main computer) used "shunts" for various components on the vehicle and they were proned to shorting out due to random overheating issues. I checked the area under the driver's side dash and sure enough, there is a shunt inserted into the cem with heavy charring around the terminals. The 1999 Volvo S80 was the first year of my particular model, and the first year this type of wiring architecture was used on their vehicles. The shorting of a crucial circuit such as headlamps not only poses a grave danger when driving the vehicle at night, but could also cause a fire. I feel the failure in the design of the cem and the vehicles wiring architecture could also be responsible for the random electrical problems occurring with the S80 as well. There are several websites that mention the constant "check engine" light that comes on and dealers are claiming they repair the problem after each visit, which usually end up costing over $1,000. 00. There's also several examples of customers , including myself, who lose the a/c compressor randomly, and the alternator indicating that it isn't charging correctly. Finally, there is also something inherently wrong with the design of the front suspension of the S80. I've paid for struts and ball joint repairs and have had them repaired through a manufacturer recall. Again, the dealer claims to have repaired the problem after each visit, yet the problem has recently come up again in my vehicle. Please contact me anytime.

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This car has several recurring problems that I have never seen on any car before. 1) electronic throttle has been replaced 2 times as well as oxygen sensors. 2) suspension parts replaced 3 times, ball joints, struts, strut mounts, frame bushings. The car still squeaks.

The contact owns a 1999 Volvo S80. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle began to slow down and the abs and engine indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the trollis system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred two weeks later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again and they stated that the central module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle needed to be taken back to the dealer for further inspection. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 97,000. Updated 1/8/09 the ball joint needed to be replaced, the heating system, throttle systems, engine cooling fan and the master cylinder all failed. The vehicle would accelerated on its own. The vehicle stalled on several occasions. The steering made a noise when it was turned. The dealer lubricated the steering. The dealer stated the vehicle needed an O2 sensor. The ignition switch was replaced. The inner tie rods were replaced. 01/14/09.

I want to add my documentation about the failure of the throttle module and subsequent lack of appropriate action. The unit in the 2000 Volvo S80 failed to bring the car to a complete halt in traffic in December 2004. Subsequent repairs to solve the problem were $845. If Volvo sent out a notice for etm repair refunds last winter, I did not receive it despite living at the same address as when I purchased the vehicle in Dec 1999. I also want to call your attention to the increasing problem with the dstc system as evidence by activity in the chat rooms. Our vehicle shows a persistent dstc service message that the dealer claims can not be adequately diagnosed without first replacing the yaw sensor for $668. Others with this problem have turned to buying and self installing rebuilt abs units which the NHTSA should be proactively seeking to understand. The cause of the abs unit failure? some claim it is the vibration and pounding from the entirely inadequate front end suspension and wheel system causing the electronic parts to fail. I can attest to the suspension problem having spent $1790 yesterday to replace front bushings, stabilizer links, struts and spring seats on a car with 64k miles. The front struts previously were replace in Jan '04 at a cost of $726 when mileage was 40k. I've also had to replace the ball joints several times already.

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