We picked up this new model station wagon just before the $1000 price increase in late 2000. Wonderful car but a few things have me worried and they are not even engine related (yet):

- Sunroof rattling

- Sticky/grinding noise up front when backing up (suspension?).

- Right rear door hinge/spring very tight

We've had it back to the dealer 4 times and they can't replicate it. One guy said he fixed the seal on the sunroof but it still rattles. Either we're getting the run around or they are not familiar with these problems since it is the new model. The service department is jammed so it takes heaps of time to get it examined. So much for after the sale service.

We are located in California.

Any tips/clues/help/suggestions?

TIA for listening to my rant,

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

I had the sunroof-rattling problem. It started as a mild rattling, but soon evolved to a more serious issue. It turned out that some of the screws in the sunroof rails were loose. They wouldn´t stay fastened so my dealer opted to replace the entire sunroof fixing assy.

To demonstrate the rattling to the service rep, just take him/her for a spin, get the car to 50 to 60 mph and open the 2 rear windows. If the roof is already too loose, the resonanting air entering the cabin will make it rattle like a mad snake.

Be sure to alert the service rep to your intentions and even take care yourself, as the resonnating air will also make your eardrums rattle!

Hope this helps.

Hello, Stuart!

You didn't specify where in California you are... If you are in the east bay, I'd suggest Lawrence Volvo in Walnut Creek. I've had a good maintenance relationship with them on my 98 V70 T5. I've had a number of maintenance issues crop up and they've addressed them well. BD

Minor problems but overall really like the car (2001 T5 V70 w/17" rims and a spoiler) and live one block from my dealer: Rough cold start symptoms that were fixed with the FID 540 software download; broken steering wheel height-adj. lever (keep it greased); tailgate lock hanging up (grease); noisy rear door hinges (grease); unusual suspension noises accelerating into turn from stop (haven't addressed yet--could be the notorious "o-ring fix" for "subframe bushings"). I have read on this board of a sunroof rattle solution that involved sticking a bit of adhesive felt along the track somewhere: try a search. Best wishes.

Look into the suspension noises soon. My 1998 AWD made a similar noise before the viscous coupler on the driveshaft failed. It was fun driving witha fully locked rear as the car sent most poer to the rear wheels. it was most unfun when I found out the driveshaft had to be replaced for $2,200. Plus it was out of warranty by 2k miles.

Next time, ask to go for a test drive with a technician and demonstrate the noises and problems to him so that there's no way anyone can later say "no problem found". That's the best way to handle items like rattles and other noises, etc.

If you're then unable to duplicate the problem to a technician (like if it's intermittant, which I see happen often), then it's not realistic to assume that he'll be able to locate and repair the problem until it's duplicateable as one can't fix what's not broken.

Stuart, As you are new to Volvos, if there was one thing I could tell you to make your whole ownership thing go from a bad time to a good one....it would be to find a dealership who cares about their service dept.

Forget about where you bought the car.....just find a Volvo dealer who will give you the quality service your car needs. I could go into a long post about how to find such a dealer service center, but I think you get the idea.

Its not that these cars have way more problems than other cars(for me they have WAY les)....all new cars have some problems....what makes it all OK again is a service dept. who cares, and is looking for a long term relationship.

If there was one other thing I could tell you that would help......it is to read this forum every day....

You got a fine car....care for it that way!

Oh.....and dont let monkeys work on it!

good luck,

Steve Ferraro

Hoboken, NJ

Steve,

Unfortunately, my dealership is a combo MB/Volvo, and Volvo was apparently an afterthought. As for looking for another dealership, the next closest one is 100 miles distant.

At approximately 6 weeks and 500 miles of driving a new V70 T5, I began experiencing minor problems. Here's the list:

- central locking system didn't work

- all interior lights didn't work

- windows didn't work

- Homelink didn't work

- Fuel door hatch wouldn't unlock and fuel guage registered empty

- air temperature control knob broke

All problems, except for the air temperature control knob, were resolved simply by disconnecting/reconnecting the battery. The door locks occasionally lock and unlock without any prompting from me.

Since these problems all fall under the warranty, I brought it back to the dealership for an inspection, but the Service Department says there's nothing they can do about the first 5 problems (listed above). The Service Department has also said that they haven't seen this problem before. If anyone has experienced this or similar problems, I'd appreciate hearing about them. I've already read a couple of postings that sound familiar. Thanks.

Find a new dealer. The door locks/interior lights may be malfunctioning due to a software problem in the upper electronic module, and tech info is available to the dealer via his VADIS cart to address these issues. The fuel door/gas guage problem can be caused by a software glitch in the rear electronic module, and can be corected by a down load with new software. Windows may be a faulty door module or contact problem. Ask the dealer to review the tech net notes on VADIS and check your car for the proper software for these units, and download any upgrades that may be nesessary.

After 7,000 miles on a 2000 February-manufacture 2001 V70 T5, no matching problems. Had a software download to cure rough cold start. Tail gate latch intermittently hangs up and requires grease. Will be seeking o-ring fix for subframe bushings. Like the car.

I remember seeing a similar post a few months ago -- basically, all kinds of electrical gadgets act wacky, then disconnecting the battery makes it go away, right? In the previous post, the problem turned out to be a *software bug*, corrected by a downloadable update from Volvo. (Although if this was the problem, the service dept should have recognized this, no? buuuut maybe not if it's like my dealer's service dept, which took a gazillion visits to locate and replace a defective oil pump.) No idea why the knob broke, though.

Thanks to you and John O, I now have a couple of possible solutions for my car problems:

- a software bug(s) in need of an update, or

- a problem with fuse #1 on the REM (rear electric module).

All of the electrical problems I listed occurred at the same time, so it's reasonable to assume that they came from the same source. I'll definitely talk to my Service Department about your suggestions when the new knob is installed. Thanks for trying to spare me from a gazillion visits!

Have your dealer call Volvos tech line about that as I recently had a '01 S80 (similar electrical system) with the same electrical problems, temporarily cured by removing/re-installing fuse #1 on the REM (rear electric module).

They had a few REM problems with the early cars and I was told to replace the REM (done the next day).

You might also want to start on a hunt for a non-dealer certified mechanic who specializes in Volvos. I treat my mechanic (sounds snobby, I know) like I treat my lawyer and accountant (better, actually), and have been rewarded with customer service that far exceeds any dealership I've ever bought a car from. If I'm dropping $400 for new brake pads and a bunch of other routine maintenance, he adjusts little things like rattling sunroofs for next to nothing, removing me from the hassle of the dealership. If it's a true warrenty item (cruise control fritzed) he won't hesitate to send me to the dealer to save money. Maybe I'm nuts, but those guys are out there, and well worth the effort.

I agree. I used to take my '88 760 to a local independent for everything, but I've been dealing with the dealership for the T5 because everything has been warranty items.