I have several issues with my 2001 S60 2.4T. Some are minor annoyances to which I have learned to adapt my driving; others are to be expected, although perhaps not in the ways manifested; and a couple issues have surfaced recently that have me concerned. I would appreciate comments or suggestions related to any or all of these issues: 1. Front tires rub the wheel wells near maximum turning radius. I bought the 17" wheel package that included wider tires, so I suspect that the car isn't quite engineered for this option or that wide of a tire -- or is this an issue with all of the tire options? I've adapted by anticipating a wider turning radius as I maneuver the vehicle to avoid rubbing. 2. Car "slams" into gear if accelerating too soon coming out of a turn. It doesn't happen every time, but I think I've identified several factors, including temperature, duration of braking prior to the turn, and speed. The symptom is that if I brake before a turn, ease up on the brake entering the turn, then jump immediately to the accelerator, the car will sometimes thud and shudder as it engages the appropriate gear. My understanding from the manual is that to prolong clutch life, the car is taken out of gear when braking (not sure what parameters are around this), so I have imagined that too rapid of a transition from brake to accelerator under certain circumstances is what is causing the car to slam into gear. I have found that if I essentially roll through the turn, giving the car a second or two between brake and accelerator, I do not encounter this issue. This has also occurred several times when in creeping traffic, where I might be using variable pressure on the brake pedal as I inch forward slowly. Does this make sense, or have I created an elaborate fiction to explain away a defect? 3. Intermittent position light failure. This vehicle seems to be especially hard on its bulbs. I imagined the intermittent nature of this problem was due to a broken filament that managed to somehow reconnect, perhaps through vibration, and becoming temporarily fused to complete the circuit. I had one bulb that routinely would fail and heal itself, until it finally did expire. The dealer replaced all of the bulbs. Perhaps two or three months later, I had another couple failure/self-healing cycles -- and haven't had a problem since! 4. Door locks do not always engage. This has been an intermittent problem with only the rear passenger side door. I first believed that maybe the electronic motor failed, but after manually lifting and depressing the lock plunger, it began again to respond to the key fob and cabin button. It has stopped working on several other occasions, but manipulating the plunger a few times will resume operation. I imagined it might be a lubrication issue, but the plunger seems to move freely without binding. 5. Cruise Control intermittently disengages when set. I have become quite adept at turning on the cruise control and setting the speed in one fluid motion. One day, I set the cruise and the car began to slow down. I looked and saw that the cruise control was not on. Furthermore, it could not be turned on -- it was completely non-responsive. My first assumption was that the cruise control assembly on the steering wheel had simply failed. However, after turning the car off and restarting it, the cruise control was active again. Since then, this failure occurs about 20 - 30% of the time, but I have not been able to notice any patterns. It does, however, seem to happen with less frequency if I wait 3-4 second after turning the cruise control before setting it. What happens is that the cruise control indicator will illuminate when cruise control is turned on; however, as soon as I set the cruise speed, the indicator goes off and this sub-system is dead, until resetting by turning the car off. I had it in to the dealer for this problem, and they indicated that the computer did not log any events when this happens. 6. Engine System Service Required indicator; rough idle; stall on restart. As described here, this problem appears to be directly related to the cruise control issue noted above, as the timing was spot on with attempting to set the cruise control. The situation occurred today and began as noted above: I turned on the cruise and set it. However, for the first time, just as the cruise control disengaged and failed, I immediately got the message Engine System Service Required. I was on the interstate at the time, and noted no problems with the performance of the vehicle. Engine temperature was nominal and no other indicators suggested problems involving oil pressure, voltage, etc. No problems were detected until I left the interstate and came to about my 4th stop on secondary roads. At that point, the engine started to idle very roughly and I feared it would stall. Disengaging the A/C allowed the idle to stabilize and I continued on to my final destination. When I arrived and turned off the car, I full well expected the problem to disappear as readily as the cruise control issue has after being reset. However, it did not. The car starts with the Engine System Service Required, it idles rough, and even with the A/C disengaged, the engine stalls at idle.
1. This is fairly normal on a lot of cars as car makers try to jam the biggest tires (for style) into the smallest wheel wells (for interior room). Even my 98s with only 205/55R16s have this problem. The rubbing is minor, so I don't worry about it. 2. There is probably a software download for this problem. 3. Volvos are notorious for this problems. The bulb failure relays have shunts that the computer uses to measure current into the bulbs. These can cause problems in addition to the bulbs. 4. The P2 platform Volvos (S80, new style V70, S60) very commonly have this problem. Replacing the offending door lock is the cure. 5&6. Symptoms of a failing electronic throttle module. When the computer detects a problem with the throttle module, then the cruise is disabled (since it uses the throttle module). This is very common on all 1999-2001 Volvos. http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/050801/volvo_investigation.html?.v=2 -- Mike F. Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont. Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly. (But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)
First of all, may I say that you are definitely NOT alone. We have had very similar and painful experiences with our 2001 V70 2,4T. Most of the issues have been sorted, and may I add with a great deal of negotiating with several instances in Volvo organisation. Some of the issues are still being disputed and I will not go into the details at this point, since I'm expecting still some compensation... No idea. Again, this one didn't concern us. Had to replace a few, but we wouldn't call this a problem. Not yet Like I have written here earlier, we had a software bug, which caused all kinds of malfunctions at the rear end of the car. Doors being a real pain in the ass. Ever since the software update, everything has been 100% ok. Had this one VERY recently. Cruise control disengages, because it is programmed to do so, when there is another severe problem in your car. It's a safety measure. In our car, we had to replace (sorry, but English is not my mother tongue and thus I'm not 100% sure of all the technical vocabulary) "what used to be a carburretor". I guess it translates something like a "valvebox" or something like that. Cost around 660 euros in Finland. FURTHERMORE, we had to replave an airmass detector (350 euros), since it was giving weird feedback to the computer, thus engine running was far from being optimal. We calculated that the car had consumed well over 1000 liters more fuel during its 4 years or only 45000 kms. Think about that. After replacing both of these components, the consumption went down almost 2 liters per 100 kms. If you use gallons, miles etc. please calculate these by yourself. Goes without saying that this was very expensive service we had about two weeks ago. The process is still up in the air and we are still waiting for compensation from Volvo, since these kinds of components should last longer. At least that's our view. We had similar experiences while doing "the Ultimate Midsummer Tour in Southern Germany" this summer. All I can say now, is that this had to do with faulty airmass detector or "valvebox". On top of everything else, we also experinced a broken gearbox!!!! Believe it or not, but it had to be replaced just after mentioned 45000 kms. First the oil inside the box burned completely, but the pro staff in Volvo Finland was able to give some first aid by washing it by oil. It's bloody expensive and after 12 liters the bill was over 240 euros only for the oil! 700 kms later the whole box just let go, and it obviously had to be replaced. Here's the good part: Volvo paid the box (3400 euros) and we paid the labour and enother set of oil - 598 euros. If it wasn't a known problem, I would very much doubt that they would have compensated it fully. I also do not believe in shouting and pointing firngers, but a constructive negotiation, so I guess my tactics worked here As you can see, there were all kinds of problems. Three major ones at the same time, and luckily they are all sorted out now. Thanks for the super nice and great staff at Volvo Finland, who worked overtime to fix our car. By the way, according to them, our car was "in extremely bad condition" when it arrived at their garage first time. That's pretty honest and I do appreciate their comments. All in all, I would advice you to take your car into an authorized Volvo dealer and tell them to get to the bottom of your problems. I bet 100 bucks that you have two similar components replaced in your car. First they may say that there's nothing wrong. Happened to us, too, since the garage's computer didn't indicate ANY FAULTS what so ever, when connected. Luckily there was this head of all gurus, who knew how to use brains and he found all the faults. Good luck and please give us posted, what happened to you. I'm dying to learn more about these V70s/S60s etc. and ESPECIALLY yearmodels 2001!!
1 There is a limiter kit that can be installed to correct the rubbing 2 Software upgrades for the ECM & TCM 3 Normal bulbs going out 4 The door lock is @ fault & need to be replaced 5 most likely due to your next complaint the pedal position sensor is @ fault codes ECM 9400 & BCM 0103 6 There are codes stored in many of your cars control units that will determine the exact cause of your complaint 7 If your car is still under warranty return to your local Volvo dealer & have them find out what is going on -- "*-344-*Never Forgotten" Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001. The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long as I live, nor should any American.
: "...(sorry, but English is not my mother tongue and thus I'm not 100% sure of all the technical vocabulary)..." I would never have guessed that you weren't a native English speaker. Most people in the US can't write that well. I think the term you were trying to recall is "throttle body." Or maybe "throttle control module." We've had problems with our '01 S60 2.4T, most of which were dealt with under warranty. I have to admit the list in this thread seems somewhat worse than ours. The continuing question: Why should owners of a car as expensive as the S60/V70 have so many problems that buyers of much less expensive (but nearly as complex) Hondas and Toyotas do not experience? Why can't Volvo "get their act together"? Let's hope all the fixes we've had to pay for so far have taken care of the major problems and we have many trouble-free miles ahead!
Believe it or not, but there were absolutely no codes stored in our car, when the computer clearly indicated "transmission, service immediately". Luckily this guru of gurus used his head and found what was wrong. A man should not always trust simply on computers... ) And if not, good luck. Apparently there are quite a few teething problems in 2001 V70s, but it's a completely different ball game to have Volvo confess them. Of course, if there are too many complaints, they will do a recall on certain components, as they did with the engine fan. Which by the way failed us, as well!
Thanks for your kinds words ) After re-checking the invoice, the component I so desperately tried to translate is in deed ETM, Electronic Throttle Module. That really is an important question, and we have been using this sentence in our negotiations with Volvo. I would understand all the failures and malfunctions if we bought a Lada or some other piece of s**t, but not when we invest 50000 euros in a brand new V70 2,4T. And then comes the new improved version or the next generation of cars with their own set of problems. And we end-users are once again the ones, who have to find all these teething problems in a hard way. Unfortunately this seems to be the trend of modern era, but let's keep in mind, that all brands have their own similar hiccups. Opel comes first in my mind with their camshaft belt replacement every 30,000 kms. Initially it was supposed to last 60,000 kms (which is not much, when you compare the competitors) and then after they started to break in masses, the recommendation was to change it every 30,000 km. Guess if customers got pissed off and Opel lost the court case. At least this happened in Finland. Don't know if people in other countries pushed the dealer this far...
Since there is currently an investigation by the NHTSA into volvo's problems with the electronic throttle module (which coiuld potentially result in a recall), everybody with these problems should make sure to report them to the NHTSA, either by using the form at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/, or by calling 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236). Good luck, Wes
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I just emailed a long and detailed reclamation report to my dealer and after reading your post, I added that info as well. Let's see what the ourcome will be. Cheers mate!
Respectfully, I have to disagree. In my personal experience, taking into account the last eight (8) cars I've had, the Japanese brands are much more reliable. While not perfect, Japanese brands generally do NOT "have their own similar hiccups." I believe consumer data (e.g., Consumer Reports magazine here, as well as the J. D. Powers Initial Quality Survey, and others) will confirm this. We have never had such a troublesome car as this S60. Now, yes, I know the complaint that Japanesse cars have no "soul" (whatever that really means). While it's no Porsche or Jaguar, my current enthusiasm (I rarely drive the Volvo, my wife's car) is my '04 Subaru Forester 2.5XT. Almost 30,000 absolutely trouble-free miles, over nearly two years. And with 210 HP (word on the street is that it's more like 230 on a dyno), it really goes, handles very well for a small SUV, rides decently, and has "5 stars" for both front and side impacts. Why can't I buy a Volvo like that?! True, the V50 is very close in mechanical specs. Now, if they just solve the reliability issues... HW
I like Volvos and my wife won't buy any other vehicle PS She was secretly pleased when somebody ran a red light and totalled my Durango last year - although it got tipped on its side none one in the vehicle got even a twinge - the power of seatbelts. Anyway back to the point I must agree with previous comments that for the price paid Volvo needs to improve its act. We have had 3 Volvos all bought NEW (1998 960, 2001 S60 and 2004 S80). I found all 3 have been unusually excessive with bulb failures,and in the case of the 960 a hopelessly inadequate A/C system and relay problems. For reference over 40 years I have owned numerous makes of cars including MB 300CE and 560S, BMW 318 and 535, Jaguar XJ6, Jeep Cherokee, Mazda RX7RSL, Ford E350 14Pax Vans, Durango, Accord, Chevy Camaro and Monte Carlo, Simcas, Fiats and 4 Litre R VDPlas. Plus I worked on many different cars helping my Dad in his car service business back in England (mainly Simcas, Fiats and Jaguars). None of these cars had the bulb failure problem, even the LUCAS equipped Jag !! Good luck to those of you trying to deal with Volvo's holier than thou attitude about their vehicle reliability.
Good luck... my girlfriend (who has the volvo with problematic ETS) is working on a website regarding this problem. Hopefully it will be up soon. There's also a mailing list: "Volvo VEXED" dedicated to just this problem (VEXED=Volvo Enthusiasts eXposing Egregius Design). Good luck again, Wes
Wes... Is her name Marina??... ---------snip--------------------------- Subject: VEXED August 12 Update Good morning VEXED Group, Welcome to the dozen or so new members. I'll try to bring you up to date. First, because of the August 1 release to the Associated Press, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been inundated with complaints. When I first contacted them I found about 100 complaints. Many were listed a cruise control, electrical failure or other, but reading the description of the failure you could see that it was the ETM. Complaint count is now past 300 and NHTSA is calling back within a day or so. One call back was to a dealer, who reported that his conversation opened some eyes. It was interesting of all the people that saw the AP release and where: USA Today, Detroit Free Press, Denver Post, CBS television and others. NHTSA was already aware of the problem after my Congresswoman's office sent them a package of my reports, copies of selected forum posts and a cover letter telling them to look into this failure. About two weeks later NHTSA called me. Later they asked for an ETM from me and one from another VEXED member. I also found that 'NHTSA Man' had been monitoring the VolvoXC forum. They have asked VOLVO for internal documents that concern the number of failures, when VOLVO knew of the problem and similar embarrassing questions. VOLVO is required to furnish this information to them. NHTSA is now considering stalling and reduced power (limp-home) a real safety problem. A decision should be forthcoming in about 5-7 weeks. I had wanted a web page but, though I had done a couple, I did not think I was up to this task. Maria, of Princeton, offered to do the work if I/we would forward text to her. I sent her 12 reports and pages last Saturday (August 4) and she is getting them up where we can check them. I have selected a few to help until we get it proofed and off of her personal web space. I also registered a domain name that I will release in a few days. For the new members I have asked for financial help of $10 per VEXED member. This is to let me buy a new ETM, part number 8644347. This is the unit that is now being installed. Since they have not begun to fail we do not have a 'body' to autopsy. One of the group has offered to get it for me for $400.00. Any remaining balance will be used to recoup my mileage to Denver, postage, printing and other trivial expenses. So far I have received just over $100. I am pretty much at a standstill until the $$ start rolling in. I am getting 1-2 e-mails a day of persons wanting to be put on the mailing list. I talked to Tony Kovaleski, at The DenverChannel, Tuesday (August 9) he said the segment should run in 10 days. It will say, "See more on "http://TheDenverChannel.com" which may include the FAQs and will link to the VEXED web site. Don Willson 950 Southridge Greens Unit 21 Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
Updated Status in re: Items 5 & 6 I made an appointment with my Volvo dealer, although I had serious doubts whether the car was capable of being driven that distance without requiring a tow. I had tried to restart the car a couple times and the rough idle and service message persisted. However, the morning of my trek to the dealership, the car started without any noticable problem, except for some hesitation the first few uses of the accelerator. I made it to the dealership without further incident or service warnings. From the historical codes, an ETM problem was confirmed: ECM 130A and ECM 91CF for intake leak and throttle unit failure (per invoice). If not for the 5 year / 75K mile extended warranty I had purchased from Toyota (it was less expensive and provided more coverage that Volvo's extended warranty program), the total repair costs would have been close to $1200 USD, which included a mass air flow sensor, throttle body, ETM reload, gasket, and 1 day's car rental. With the extended warranty, my out of pocket expenses was about $20 in gasoline, and about 8 hours of my time. Needless to say, the car is running beautifully since this service was performed.... I appreciate the feedback and the insight gained from it, and will continue to monitor this ETM issue with great interest.
Did I tell you, or did I tell you Wise man you are. I bet you gave yourself a BIG slap on the back. Definitely sounds like the procedure we had to go through this summer, since we had to change that mass air flow sensor as well with the ETM. Luckily you didn't have to install a new gerbox. Although, we can now relax with the issue, since this new gearbox should be the updated, highly improved version... Did you notice any positive change regarding the gas mileage? We had a significant improvement with ours - around 2 liters less per 100 kms. Same here ) Have a fantastic week!
