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?