I am simply amazed that every single time I log onto to any Volvo board I see another owner that has been forced to join the club that NO ONE wants to be a part of. The worst part is that the initiation fee ranges from $900 to $1100!!

I urge everyone who has had this failure, whether covered under warranty or not, to call Volvo at 800-458-1552 and log a complaint. I am convinced that they KNOW this is a defective product that can have dangerous consequences. Now they need Volvo owners to tell them that it is UNACCEPTABLE to ignore a defect that effects drivability, reliability and safety. PASS THIS NUMBER ON!!!

Also, if a recall is issued or a class action suit is filed this increases the chance that you will be notified.

I have owned several Volvos over the years and to be frank I am disgusted that they would turn a blind eye to this and let the consumers bear the cost.

-Dave
00 V70XC (not showing me any love)
94 850 (deceased)
88 745t (solid as a rock)
85 240 DL (still kickin' somewhere)

For which vehicle in particular?

"For which vehicle in particular?"

It'd be ALL '99-'01 Volvos excluding S/V40s.

You'll just be one of many and Volvo will ignore you just as they always have with all older cars. Volvos solution to old car problems (like all other car companies too btw) is to just have you "trade up" for a newer car, never fix their older car problems. They never do that or they'd go broke.

Volvo knew of the problem many years ago and they re-designed that part completely for all '02 on up models.

Personally, I don't consider a '99-'01 vintage car (especially a Volvo) an 'older' car.

Secondly, doing nothing guarantees that you will get nothing. I don't endorse the 'why bother', 'save your breath' attitude. My feeling is 'why not', it's a toll-free call, takes 5 minutes and you can feel good that you at least bitched to the right people and let them know how you felt. To me, at a minimum there is some intrinsic value to that. Did I really expect them to say "You're right, give me your address so we can send the check." Of course not, but if everyone just sat back and said, 'you can't fight the big corporations, they'll never change' then every car would still be designed like a Pinto.

BTW - Didn't Volvo just recall some 105,000 cars worldwide? Make the call!

-Dave

Was just my experienced opinion so do whatever makes you happy. I'm sure that volvos customer care # gets hundreds and angry customers calling everyday and has for many years now.
Recalls are all federally mandated and safety related. Volvo and others all have recalls and campaigns on many of their cars, always have and always will.

So, are the new parts dependable? Do these new parts go onto the older cars? I have had Volvo's since'67 and they do correct their mistakes, but it would be nice to know it is corrected before taking the dive into a new unit.

dick

The new style ETM has been much better so far. I've not seen or heard of any problems with them but unfortunately for those with older pre-'02 cars, the new type ETMs will not retro onto the older cars as their are too many differences, mainly electronics that simply make that swap impossible.

As for Volvo correcting their mistakes, ONLY in production as time goes on. They usually don't ever go back and make better parts for their older cars UNLESS it becomes a campaign or recall item.

Every car, Volvo or otherwise has its known problems which are often realized soon after the car is sold. When under warranty, the parts and labor are covered but after that the owners are SOL.