Here is my tale of transmission woe.

My 2001 V70 T5 is at the dealer right now getting a new transmission. Only 45K on the odometer. BTW--It is the 5 speed transmission with the "slapstick" manual option. Also has "W"inter option and STC.

Problem presented as an occasional slippage or delay in shifting primarily between 2nd and 3rd gear. Progressed to include shift "flare" when downshifting and turning -or- "flare" during upshifting when vehicle making a turn. Also included a hard thumping into gear when starting from a full stop (removing foot from brake, but before applying gas) or when coming to a full stop (foot on brake pedal, car thumped or klunked as it left drive and went to neutral). Got worse as the weeks and months went by. Eventually found general harsh shifting all of the time. Lower MPG than normal. Sluggish performance. And pronounced rocking of car when moving shifter from park to drive and back again--almost a lurching feeling. Wouldn't get the "flare" if I shifted manually, of course, but would still get the thumping/klunking in/out of first gear from a stop.

Dealer has done:
1. Software upgrades.
2. Some sort of "adhesive fix" to the stub shafts? (they won't tell me)
3. Replaced the neutral control / valve manifold assembly (Not engine valves, but transmission valves. They explained it as a row of solenoids really).
4. They are replacing the transmission now.

After they did the "adhesive" fix (Squirted some metal glue where the stub shafts meet a spline assembly?) I actually got more noises and noticed clicking, clanking, and grinding noises when backing the car out of a parking space and pulling away. The klunking in/out of 1st gear was lessoned, but still remained.

Now I am faced with only 5K left on my original warranty and will have a brand new transmission. Who knows if Volvo fixed the problems with the new transmission. Who knows if they are giving me new or a rebuilt? Can I trust them? Am I getting a re-design or a retro-fit? Will it fail in another 45K?

My confidence in the car is shattered. I was hoping this would be a 20+ year/500K car for me. Now I am not so sure. (BTW--I still own my previous vehicle, a Honda Accord that is 12yrs old w/ 165K on it. And my car before that was a Ford Fiesta that I sold at 165K. The Honda runs like a top and so did the Ford when I sold it. Neither required a new tranny!!!)

A search on the NTHSA web site finds a lot of Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) related to the transmission/drive train and I am wondering what is going on. I asked the dealer and they are very "cagey"--will not reveal the exact details of repairs / fixes to my car. Hey, its _my_ car--Am I not entitled to know exactly what is broken and what is being fixed? One service writer said he could not tell me what the "adhesive" fix entailed as it was proprietary to Volvo!!!

And to make matters worse--This V70 T5 was bought to replace a 2000 V70 that gave me terrible problems.

My first Volvo experience has been a real loser so far. Right now I am not a big fan of the product, the company, or the dealer.

Any advice out there? Can I negotiate a better warranty on the replacement transmission? Should I buy a VIP policy for protection? Can I even buy a VIP policy on the car at 45K? Should I take my lumps and sell the car and go buy something reliable like a Honda? How can I get the dealer/Volvo to tell me what is really going on and what they really know about the car? Should I get a lawyer? Should I file a complaint at NHTSA?

UPDATE

"New" Transmission was installed. They test drove the car for a day and then gave it back to me. Used car over the weekend. Highway and city driving. Was OK.

Yesterday noticed a "sound". Waiting to make a left turn, accelerate the car and turn, enter side road, make quick right hand turn into driveway. stop. Back up to turn around. Get a "klunk" or "clank" when car is traveling in reverse w/o foot on accelerator. hmmm? Can replicate this again and again by acclerating forward from stop. Braking to stop. Accelerating in reverse, taking foot from accelerator. Car remains in backward motion--a second later, "clunk". What is that?

Today traveling country roads to work. Accelerate to 35-40 mph. Come upon school zone. Brake quickly to 15mph. Remove foot from accelerator to "glide". Car "bucks" violently twice in a row. What the ...? Able to successfully replicate one time. Try two more times and cannot.

Haven't called the dealer yet. Waiting to drive the car some more and figure out what is going on.

Motor mounts? Suspension? Sway bars? Tranny? Software can't deal with sudden changes in velocity or inertia? Operator driving too aggressively? (I babied it over the weekend and started driving more aggressive as confidence built).

Folks,
Thanks for the quick responses and great info.

News on the warranty. Guess what? The transmission will only be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period. (4 Yr./ 50K.)

If I _purchase_ repair parts/service, then the warranty is 1Yr./12K. But when you receive a repair part(s)/service under original manufacturer's warranty, then it is only covered for the remainder of the original manufacturer's warranty.

For me that will be 2yr or 5K.

Check out these TSBs just on the transmission (on NHTSA web site):

4312; 4321; 4337; 4327, 4324, 4410009, 4320!!!

Why don't you post your question...just highlight and "copy" over at www.swedespeed.com and direct your post to Yannis...he posts a lot, if very helpful and is a Volvo Technician, working at dealer, in I believe, New Jersey. I think he could clue you in on problems like yours he's seen and can give you the low down on all of their procedures and can also tell you if you are being screwed (if this dealer is doing something out of the ordinary) or not. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Personally I'm on my second Volvo and I've never had transmission problems. My first one was a '94 850 Turbo...my current one is a new model V70 Turbo (but not the T-5).

Yannis is a Volvo dealer salesman. He sells new Volvos.

Oops...my bad. Didn't realize that. He is however very knowledgable. Still don't think it would hurt to post over there too. Seems there is a different flavor there than here and much more posts with newer model cars.

The times I visit that site (rarely), I see few real technical Qs ans As but mostly new model Qs like "will the '04 X model have this feature?" etc, etc.

This site seems to have more people here with actual technical experience.

Sorry to hear about your transmission problems.
Volvo warranty on the "new" rebuilt tranny is only 12 mos.
If I was you, I would sell the car after you get it from the dealer in good working condition. At the very least I would buy an exteneded warranty before the manufacturer's warranty expires. It's much cheaper than if you buy it after the warranty expires.
--
'88 240, '92 740, '98 v70 GLT John in Tampa Bay

Ray's correct. The replacement reman. trans will only have a 1 yr, unlimited mile parts warranty.

As for the car lasting 20+ years and/or alot of miles, sorry BUT no newer Volvo is likely to do that anymore. Volvo use to make good durable, long lasting cars but those good ol' days have been gone for years now.
Todays newer Volvos ('99 on up in particular) will be very costly to keep long once the warranty expires.

As for the adhesive fix, that's only done to stop a clicking noise heard when shifting from R to D (and D to R) and the noise can be heard turning too.
The newer type axles move in the splines causing the noise so Volvos cure is to use thread locking adhesive and it works, stops THAT noise. That has nothing to do with trans shifting problems however.

C'mon, i don't subscribe to that belief for a second -- that volvo's reliability won't last 20 years anymore those days long gone kind of thing. Phuleez. I would have no concern about a newer volvo lasting. I have a 2000 x70 w/ awd and, with the exception of an axle noise that was fixed under warranty at 40k, i haven't had a single problem since -- that was 1.5 years ago. I've also owned many "old" rwd volvos with high mileage. They're great and were durable-- good for many years and miles, but not without a cost. Nevertheless, the best way to get your $ out of your car is to drive it for a long long time. I wouldn't worry about the V70. , but check out others' experiences and do what you feel comfortable with.

I too would suggest posting over at swedespeed.com as well for your question. There are many owners of newer cars on that board. Answers between these two boards will hopefully be helpful.

Think what you will BUT being a Volvo dealer master tech who's been working on these cars for about 20 yrs, I see the new cars daily and I have no doubts that todays cars are nearly as good as the older cars were. The problems we see with them daily are rediculious when compared to problems that 200s/700s/900s and even 850s had when they were new. Mechanically, maybe but the electronics and their related bugs (not to mention trips to dealers) will cause most to sell them before they reach high mileage.
Read comsumer reports on S80s and XCs for example.

I would think the new parts wuold have the new part warranty of
12 months/12K miles. You could ask the dealer.