Hello everyone. In today's paper, business section, I read about a new recall with "about 360,000 cars because of a problem with vehicle speed controls that can cause engines to lose power without warning, Volvo said on Friday."

"Volvo said a defect in the electronic throttle module in cars built between 1999 and 2002 could cause the vehicle to shift into a "limp home" mode in which the maximum speed is about 15 miles per hour.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ordered the Volvo recall.

The recall applies to Volvo C70 and V70 models built between 1999 and 2002, S60 models built between 2001 and 2002, and S70 and V70X models built between 1999 and 2000."

Unfortunately I could not find more info about the recall, or if our 2000 V70XC is affected. I checked Volvo's recall website without luck.

Does anyone know the proper procedure for finding out more? Should I simply call our local dealer?

Thanks in advance,

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Tony

1958 P444 (44408), ID 187797 : See site for info

2000 V70XC AWD/SE

Visit Scarola's PV Register

All,

On my wife's Volvo ('00 C70) we had the ETM replaced about a year ago by Volvo at a tune of $1200. A few months later I received a notice from the same dealer that they were processing the reimbursement for us and to stop by to sign the paperwork... The ETM is now extended to 200K miles and or ten years...

Symptons of our failure was the light flashed on and off on seperate occasions with no abnormal engine response... On perhaps the third or fourth time after my wife stopped for gas...it finally went...according to her...sputtering to the side of the road...where it finally stopped...

Returned for the software update and it feels much more responsive then previously...meaning the RPM's wind up...and quick like...

Frank

Don't know if you have received your letter yet, but if you didn't give your local Volvo dealer a call. Let them know that you are calling regarding the ETM recall.

I believe the reason why I received the letter is that I contacted the dealer a few weeks ago and scheduled to have a new key made. Once I was in their database, they automatically sent me the letter 2 weeks ago.

Since then I had the work done, took a few hours. The car (1999 XC70) now has more power and smoother acceleration.

Having reviewed a few MM, Bosch, and WG designed ETMs, I am almost certain the recall will involve the installation of a new unit, not just a re-flash. The issue appears to be with the drive motor electronics, when they fail, 10% throttle is about all you can hope for... no software upgrade will fix it.

Don't hold your breath, but I am pretty certain I'm right on this one (based on five year old info).

jorrell
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92 245 245K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently in pieces

OK. I went straight to the source, the NHTSA site, and found the following two documents pertaining to the recent recall:

* Recall Acknowledgement

* Defect and Noncompliance Notice (Part 573)

I will be contacting our local Volvo dealer on Monday to find out if we qualify.

Thanks,


--
Tony

1958 P444 (44408), ID 187797 : See site for info

2000 V70XC AWD/SE

Visit Scarola's PV Register

This is a very new story. I did a search and found a Reuters article that was only 22 hours old.

The V70X is a misprint; I'm sure it will be the XC70. All of these engines used the same Magneti Marelli (part of the Fiat group) electronic throttle modules. Volvo voluntarily extended the warranty on these ETMs a year ago (to 10 years/200,000 miles) and provided free software re-programming for all affected cars, mainly to satisfy the California Air Resources Board. However, NHTSA continued to investigate allegations that the failures had caused accidents due to sudden power loss.

It appears that NHTSA has now brought the hammer down. I'm not sure what it means, though. Just a recall to ensure that the software upgrades are done? Or is NHTSA forcing installation of a re-designed ETM?

Do a search for VEXED Volvo/Don Willson for more information about the ETM issues. I'm sure Don will have an update on this recall soon.

From reading the notice it looks like the recall only involves putting the software patch onto the car. Big whooop!

I have been actually experiencing this loss of power which fortunately has been occuring when I am starting from a stop. It certainly makes me think twice about pulling out in front of traffic. I have also been experiencing what I think may coincide with this issue that being the repeated flashing of the winter mode arrow. The car feels like it has switched into that lethargic winter mode but worse. Perhaps I have a few different issues. I just got the car 3k miles ago and I honestly have had almost every dash light come on in that time. Fortunately, I am no stranger to Volvo quirks, otherwise I would have pulled all my hair out by now. I was going to make a seperate post about the flashing arrow. I can't yet bring myself to my volvo mechanic to do yet another diagnositic. Also, I have a 99' XC that has not had either of the ETC recalls performed yet.