I have a 2000 V70 and I have recently experienced a problem with the gear shift selector knob. When the gear shift is placed in park, the knob does not completely release making it difficult to remove the ignition key. Is this a common problem and/or an involved repair? I greatly appreciate any help.

Had a similar problem with my wife's 1998 V70, in addition it would not move out of park frequently unless you pushed in the shiftlock override button. This was caused by a malfunctioning micro-switch hidden under the gear shift, which my local Volvo expert replaced - he did say it was extremely well hidden!!

Well, all it took to resolve my problem was a shot of WD40 between the gearshift release knob and the shift handle...freed it up nicely and it's as good as new. Thanks to Bill for his help.

Not a problem. Sometimes it pays to try the simple stuff first!

Have fun,

If it doing what my '98 V70 was doing just this week, its the release button sticking. You can push the button out to where it belongs by just pushing it with two fingers on either side of the button. I hope to have fixed it a bit more permanently by cleaning it well and then using a bit of Armorall on it. Now what kind of crud caused it to happen in the first place is beyond me. First auto trans car I've ever had this kind of problem with. A combination of too tight a tolerance between the button and knob and high interior heat perhaps?

Thanks Bill, I will certainly try cleaning it with, what I don't know, but it's worth a try...As you said, I can't imagine what kind of dirt/crud could of caused it since the car is usually very clean... Thanks, J Hagen