Software problems of the 1999 Volvo V70

I own a 1999 Volvo V70 awd wagon with 55,000 miles. We were traveling on the highway at about 70 mph and the car started to surge. The ets light came on. We were able to drive home, but the car was running roughly. I contacted the dealer and made an appointment to bring it in. I was told that the electronic throttle body module needed to be replaced. They also suggested a complete vehicle software upgrade. I have an extended warranty (sold to me by the dealer), but it did not cover this repair.

The electronic throttle system warning light came on. There was intermittent loss of power. The dealer identified the following throttle failure codes, 914f, 91b7, 9150. They replaced the throttle, cleaned pvc system and upgraded the ecm software. Total cost was $1270. 52. At the same time the brake light system failed. There was no warning light. The entire system, all three lights did not illuminate. The dealer replaced the electronic brake light switch. Cost $124. 08.

Mileage approx 115,000 when purchased now 120,000 within 8 months. Hardly hard use. Failure of ecm and O2 sensors, on two occasions the second within 1000 miles and 1 month of first repair. Caused the car to surge, if restarted might stall and generally become dangerous to drive. No warning of failure. Volvo dealerships well aware of problem and offered immediate and correct diagnosis prior to checking the computer codes, without needing much investigation. 2 dealers worked on the car one don bayer in washington and independence Volvo in charlotte. Instructed independence Volvo dealer to make car safe and roadworthy. Uploaded faults and downloaded onto vehicle, new software. Within 1 month new symptoms appear. At various times these lights show and reset abs warning, engine warning, traction control warning, speedo failure, check engine, service warning (even though service is just carried out). Symptoms include lack of throttle response when pulling away, when speedo fails. No warning of change in status means this happens during turning maneuvers with potentially dangerous or lethal consequences. Checking various sources note that abs module failure is common making the car potentially unsafe in emergency, not only for braking but during acceleration as the cars ability to pull at its normal rate is vastly reduced, adding throttle does nothing, but if the system turns back on again no warning, the speedometer just comes back to life ) this can cause unneeded fierce acceleration. I noted one death on the highway of a young woman who appeared to accelerate off the road during a benign maneuver and am concerned that this on/off speedometer/abs transmission problem might have been the cause rather than the ecm currently the focus of the investigation.

Please include my vehicle incident to NHTSA action # pe05041. While driving on the highway the vehicle ets (electronic throttle system) warning light came on. Vehicle was able to drive home. Next day vehicle would not start, however, was able to start by bypassing gear selector into neutral and vehicle started and was taken to Volvo dealer. Volvo replaced the ets unit and reloaded the software under the special CA emissions warranty. Since Volvo replaced the part with an identical unit, I am concerned the unit will fail again out of warranty and I will have to replace at my cost ($1,000. 00). Volvo should redesign and replace ets units to Volvo owners at no cost.

Incidence 6 of 7 similar. As reported on service invoice: "customer states: ets light came on after driving car at highway speeds. When decelerating down to local (town) speed car has a severe sputtering, hesitation as if it was going to stall. Fault traced system with vadis and retrieved codes ecm-532d ecm-9190, ecm-91a7, and ecm-91f0. . . Replaced electronic throttle assembly, and downloaded new software to adapt car. " this incident was the 6th of 7 similar problems occurring later that ultimately lead to having the throttle body cleaned twice & then replaced twice. I will be reporting all these subsequent incidents in sequence of occurrence on this NHTSA complaint site as well. Note that this particular incident seems to be consistent with already-recognized NHTSA action number pe05041 "failure of the electronic throttle control module (etm) in the subject vehicles. " previously reported incidents: 1) odi #10131200 2) odi #10131206 3) odi #10131207 4) odi #10131208 5) odi #1013120.

Incidence 4 of 7 similar. As reported on service invoice: "customer reports: 1) when slowing down to a stop tach drops and then picks back up when car comes to a stop. Clean throttle housing. 2) was getting 20 miles per gallon now about 17 1/2. Perform software upgrade for ecm, tcm and etm. " this incident was the 4th of 7 similar problems occurring later that ultimately lead to having the throttle body cleaned twice & then replaced twice. I will be reporting all these subsequent incidents in sequence of occurrence on this NHTSA complaint site as well. Previously reported incidents: 1) odi #10131200 2) odi #10131206 3) odi #10131207.

Incidence 3 of 7 similar. As reported on service invoice: "[throttle & cruise] customer reports: ets light comes on intermittently - light goes out on restart. Access diagnostic codes: ecm 91a7. Perform software download & reset adaptations. " this incident was the 3rd of 7 similar problems occurring later that ultimately lead to having the throttle body cleaned twice & then replaced twice. I will be reporting all these subsequent incidents in sequence of occurrence on this NHTSA complaint site as well. Previously reported incidents: 1) odi #10131200 2) odi #10131206.