So we just purchased a 98 V70 GLT with 51k miles. Just out of warranty. It would appear that we have the 'dreaded' door panel delamination. To clarify-on all four of our doors in the 'armrest' area where the door handle is the material has pulled away in the rear corners of this area. It seems kind of strange though-looks pulled away but seems too taut to have possibly been attached?! (I can post a link to pictures if this doesn't make sense). Anyway, does this describe the problem others have had? Even though we have no warranty do we have any hope of getting it fixed without it being totally out of pocket? I saw a brief mention of there being a TSB on this issue. Is this true and if so does anyone know what the number is and what the action is?

I did some searching and found a few old threads...does anyone remeber the names/keywords for some other past threads on the subject? Thanks!

Also, does anyone have a good source for reasonably priced new or used parts? The switch for the rear drivers side passenger map/courtesy light is toast and I would like to replace it myself. Also need a plastic speaker cover for the rear drivers side door (the one there is cracked) and a door light (you know-the red one in the door) for the passenger front. All stuff I have no problem doing myself and would like to get a good price/source for parts (I'm in the SF Bay area if it matters).

Thanks!
Andrea

Another $0.02.

IF you can't fix this as a warranty repair, try a vinyl/upholstery repair person. Your local Volvo dealer will know of such a person because both the 850 and SVC70 are notorious for having the seat belts damage the door panels. (It can break the red marker light, too.) The vinyl repair guy I used - and NOT for my Volvo - did a "perfect" color match on two of our cars.

At one point Volvo was rebuilding and exchanging the panels, a pair of the rebuilt panels cost about $200 exchange which isn't too bad considering each panel lists for about $400 new. I don't think that they're doing it anymore, which is too bad because the result is likely to be better. BTW, the speaker grill -at least on my car- is part of the door panel, not a separate part.

I wouldn't expect a Volvo dealer whom you had NOT purchased the car from to "eat" the cost of repairing the panels. But if you DID buy it from a Volvo dealer, you should insist that they repair the panels. This is a very common problem and they should have been aware of it.

-Bill the Cat

If you purchased the car from a Volvo dealer, go back to the used car people and have them fix it. If you didn't purchase it from a Volvo Dealer your chances of getting the them to fix it are slim. Unlike Franks Dealer, we will not cover door panels out of warranty, each kit (covers two doors) is about $250 and labor time would not be what Volvo pays for the job, that would be labor at cost, the only people that get labor or parts at cost is Volvo. Now that I said that, it will all depend on the Dealer you go to.
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Rich K.

Being that it's a well known problem and that you're marginally just out of warranty, there's a chance that your local dealership might be able to get it covered for you. I'd advise discussing it with your service writer or manager first as I know that if it was at our dealership, they'd handle it for you. If they can't warranty it you can also try Volvos customer service #.

Otherwise, I'd have no idea what it's cost you if out of pocket but I'm sure that it wouldn't be cheap. The inner panels (the part now bubbling) themselves are replaced and the warranty flat rate time runs about 4 hours for all 4 doors if need be.

I have the delaminated door trim problem. I went through Volvo Cars North America and they indicated that they are willing to reimburse me for having it fixed here in Russia at a Volvo dealer. It is undoubtedly a production defect and one should emphasize that point in discussions with any dealer. There is a published Volvo procedure on how to repair it. If you subscribe to ALLDATA.com you can see the bulletin. it's well worth it for the other stuff. I am not affiliated with ALLDATA.
Cheers,
TB