I just found some interesting updates on www.gp.se. I have tried to make a correct translation but there may be errors or misunderstandings...
Rgds Erik


Göteborgs-posten 2005-05-04
Volvo admits that the problem is well known

Volvo admits that the problem with the electronic throttle has been well known in Sweden.
- We have repaired thousands of cars in Sweden, Bo Larsen Volvo PV Sverige, says

In the wednesday newspaper, GP revealed that Volvo risks a billion since U.S. authorities require the company to replace an electronically controlled throttle.
The reason that the U.S. authorities require the replacement is that the faulty throttles will cause excessive exhaust emissions.
When GP started to ask questions about the faulty throttle, the Volvo press spokesman did not know anything about the proportions in Sweden.
But after the article, more fact have been revealed
- We can just regret, says Bo Larsen, press spokesman for Volvo Personvagnar Sverige. It was late in the evening and difficult to find the right people. But now we know that the problem exist also in Sweden.
During these years, approx 120 000 cars of the particular models have been sold. The problem affect all five or six cylinder engines of the model year 1999-2001, but it is worth noticing that the throttle in question was mounted starting week 20 1998 and well into 2002
Bo Larsen says that the car owners who have had problems had their cars repaired under warranty that covers five years or 80 000km.
After that, there is a machine insurance that had gone into effect.

But it is clear from the email-flow to GP after the article that all are not included by these warranties. One reader writes:
"Do you get pissed or? Got a V70 2,4T -00 that I had to replace the throttle on last year. Of course I did ask if there was a warranty covering the fault but No, no. You just have to pay and look happy.
Pär Manfredsson in Ljusdal writes:
"I can tell that my V70 AWD -00 recently got its verdict that the throttle housing is broken and that Volvo want me to pay 7000 crowns for the replacement
My car has been running roughly for 10 months, but I have not considered it as a major problem until now when the dashboard flashed like a christmas tree
Christer Gustafsson, press spokesman Volvo PV says:
- Those who has been affected by problems which they belive have something to do with it shall talk to their retailer.
In the U.S. Volvo may have to replace all faulty units, which is a cost exceeding a billion.
Furthermore, a law office has gathered Volvo-owners to a law suit in California. The reason is that they consider Volvo to have cheated customers by applying "secret warranty". Volvo has repared for those who have complained loudly but not generally solved the problem for free, the laywer speaking for the group says.
Crister Gustafsson point out that this is an on-going process.
- We are following it to see how it turns out