Software problems of the 2001 Volvo V70

The ignition is shut off momentarily as the transmission attempts to downshift causing it to slip into neutral then engage the lower gear hard as the transmissions computer reestablishes control. This action is recorded on a video car camera operated by the ignitions on and off position. The hard shifting problem thought to be fixed by software update may be addressing the symptom not the cause. Acceleration is also affected at other times where the foot pedal is inoperable, but reestablished when shutting the ignition off and on. The drive train becomes wobbly after a short period of time at highway speeds making travel between cities unsafe. A clunking sound from the rear, as broken spring or loose bowling ball makes, is heard at times of mild acceleration at lower speeds. Perhaps a grounding strap my alleviate static buildup in the ignition system.

Etm/ecm replaced 1/2006. Subsequent software upgrade 05/08/2006, 08/09/2006. Rough cranking idle. Subsequent shifting problem with transmission. Follow up with software upgrade tcm on Aug. 9, 2006. Problem still present. Transmission shifting jerks between 2 and 3rd gear upon acceleration/deceleration. Rough shifting with kick down shifting at speeds +60 mph.

Repeated skipping and hesitation of our V70 t5 sw along with a "reduced performance error" message resulted in our going to the danbury CT dealership, where they told us the throttle and software needed replacement. The cost was $899. 17. We service our car regularly and have the documentation to prove it. We have had no accidents with the car prior to this engine problem. Because of widespread reports of the same problem occurring on other Volvo V70 station wagons, we believe the cause of the engine skipping to be an inherent structural flaw and we request reimbursement of our expenses. The dealer who made the $899. 17 repair was Volvo of danbury, 203-743-4667.

We are having problems with our vehicle as identified in a newspaper article with our Volvo. The dealer we purchased the vehicle from originally refused to correct the problem of the loss of power, stalling and other defects with my vehicle under warranty (they claims to have been advised by Volvo that they could not fix the problem without a "reduced performance" light coming on) until I told them that if I was killed (the last time this happened, I lost power as I was entering I-95 north during rush hour and was nearly broadsided by a construction vehicle merging from the opposite direction) it would cost them a lot more than simply a repair. After threatening a lawsuit, they agreed to download some software to correct the problem. While the issue is not as prevalent as it was, we still have occasions when we get power surges, lose power and the electrical systems do not work properly in the vehicle. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle. The transmission/air flow problem is just one of many issues we have had with this vehicle - many of them safety related. We were told by the dealer that they were aware of the problem through a notice they received from Volvo - a notice was the kind that notified the dealers of the problem were not required to advise customers unless customers complained (this was the same issue with an internal engine fan which apparently can catch fire without warning - the dealers got notice about that, but the customers did not - if we complained about issues with the fan, depending on the kind of fan it was, it would be fixed under warranty - otherwise, we would be responsible for replacing the fan at the cost of over $500 - our fan, after we complained that it came on for no reason while the vehicle was parked, was finally replaced last summer by the dealer but they had to get "special permission" from Volvo to do it. Apparently, these fans can come on and cause the engine to overheat, and there have been fires because of it.

The consumer was having problems with Volvo 2001 v-70 cross country wagon. The vehicle was stalling at random speeds starting in mid-August of 2004. Consumer took the vehicle to a repair shop, and the mechanic suspected the throttle was the issue. The problem was random and it would not do this for several days. The vehicle stalled on the highway while the consumer was merging into traffic. The vehicle would start after consumer let the car sit for a few minutes. Later that day the car stalled again. Consumer had to have the car towed to a dealership for repairs. This time the car did not start. The dealer replaced the throttle module, loaded software; throttle body, cable tie and etm reloaded. The car was running okay at times, but the engine was racing very high for seconds and then returns back to the normal rate. The motorwas revving and the tachometer was registering high for a moment. Consumer considered returning the vehicle because of the problems. The total cost on repairs has been over $800. 00. Nhtsa investigation, pe05041.

While traveling at high speed on an interstate my car lost power completely. I was able to get to the shoulder safely and call Volvo roadside assistance. My car was towed to the nearest dealership where it sat for a month because the problem couldn't be determined. The car was returned to me. About six months later the same experience occurred, once again while traveling at a high speed on an interstate highway. The "problem" was fixed again. My car has been in and out of the dealership for various reasons for years. When I was finally fed up with it and decided to sell it, it needed more electrical work. The service manager at a dealership listened to the problems I had with the car over the years and felt that it warranted a call to the Volvo rep. I gave him all work orders which I have from the purchase date of the car. He was told by the Volvo rep that since all repair work had not been done at a Volvo dealership they couldn't help me. Normal work such as oil changes, etc. Were done by a mechanic who only works on saabs and Volvos. Upon looking for the names of Volvo execs that I could write a letter to I stumbled on a website about Volvo problems and people who were trying to hold the company accountable for mechanical failures of any type. I wrote to the individual who started the website and he suggested that I send my e-mail to stephen mchenry at NHTSA which I did. After trying for many days to do so and failing to connect because of some problem with the message trying to reach mr. Mchenry I just let it go. We need to sell the car because we can't afford to fix all that needs to be repaired. The problem is how do I sell a car that needs over a thousand dollars of work? I am forwarding the e-mail I tried to send to stephen mchenry to your e-mail address. What can I do? am I too late in reporting this? what do you advise me to do? thank you for your consideration. Susan k. Luxem.