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Volvo

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Volvo • Flaming Volvos • Fuel leak recall • Other complaints

Michael of Denville, NJ November 18, 2009

I have a 2005 Volvo S60R AWD Vehicle which is a great car. My complaint is about fairness in dealership service practices. Recently I have discovered a problem with my car heating system. The Driver's side temperature control seems to be functioning normally. However, there is a problem with the driver's side. When the temperature on the driver's side is set to maximum heat, it throws out heat initially and then cycles back to cold air and continues to be cold regardless of where the temperature guage is set.

My car is of course out of warranty, however, I went on the Internet and was able to get a copy of a technical service bulletin # 87-54 dated on November 30th, 2005 which describes the exact problem I was having with the heating system. The recommended correction was recalibration of the climate control module which is strictly a software fix. I purchased my vehicle in February of 2005. So this problem existed during my warranty period and should have been fixed during one of the regular maintenance services on the vehicle.

I called two different dealers. The first dealer I called was Prestige Volvo in East Hanover New Jersey and was told without knowing what the problem was that there would be a 125 charge just to have them look at the vehicle. I tried a second dealer, Volvo of Englewood, who did not tell me about the 125 charge until I actually brought in the vehicle. I did not tell them about the sevice bulletin that I had in my possession and waited for them to tell me what the problem was.

As I guessed, the problem was indeed the recalibration of the temperature control module software and they still wanted 125 up front after I informed them of the technical service bulletin that indicated the problem existed during my warrany period. I complained to the service Manager, Jim, and got nowhere. I also discussed the issue with Volvo's Consumer department in Rockleigh, NJ, with similar results.

I was told by a friend who works in the business to insist on speaking to the Volvo Factory representative who might be more receptive in knowing about unfair dealer practices, however, no one would surrender the contact phone number. 125.00 charge to an out of warranty vehicle for a software only fix that they knew about (see service bulletin #87-54 dated November 30, 2005) while by car was still under warranty.

Kevin of Olathe, KS November 14, 2009

WOW did I make a mistake or what???? I am a Realtor, and was tired of driving an SUV. I considered the Passat wagon and the XC70 Volvo. Just got it Monday-drove it back from Houston. 1000 miles in....it needs a tranny. Should have bought a Acura.

Younes of Tourcoing, France October 30, 2009

I bought a used Volvo s80 2004 model seven months ago (April 2009). Just a few days after I bought the car, I could hear a bad noise coming from the front left side of the car which made me worry enough to go and have it checked at a Volvo workshop. That noise happened to be the suspension wishbone (triangle) taht had suffered after only 95,000 miles. In early September, a relay fuse let me down and that was another bill for the recovery to get me and the car back home.

And just a week ago, I go to work as usual, park the car and get to my work place. When I'd finished work, happy to get home and enjoy my first term holiday break, guess what ? The car wouldn't start. It took me three long hours to get home whereas it normaly takes me just 5 little minutes as I work in the same town as I live in. I and the recovery man first thought it was the starter motor, a matter of 400 or so. No, it was more serious than what I thought. It was the flying wheel that was completely broken inside. Unbeleivable! Volvo cars are supposed to last not break inside parts after 5 years! By the way, for those who do not know about where the flying wheel is (just like me before this!) it's a heavy metal disc located between the gearbox and the engine block. The starter motor ignition makes it turn and launch the engine for it to start.

Ariel of Santa Paula, CA October 27, 2009

I bought my car used, a VOLVO S80 '99. I've had it for about 2 years now. Never encountering extreme life-threatening problems, or defects. Though I have experienced problems with the breaks and transmittion, and I've had a few electrical problems, and countless problems with the battery. And there's a record that shows the previous owners paid hundreds of dollars getting the 100,000 mi check up on the car, signifying there should have been very few issues for me to worry about.

But just recently, yesterday actually (Oct 26, 09 at 9:30 PM) I was simply driving on HWY 33 North (a very, very busy HWY) when my airbags spontaneously activated. The noise and the impact of the airbags was severe, causing blackening of my vision, and damage to my hearing, my ears are still hypersensitive, and ringing. after recovering my vision after seconds, I still could not see past the airbags. Its miraculous I didn't crash. I have minor whiplash and pain in my neck and upper back along with welts from my wrist to my elbow. This was a very lifethreatening defect to have occured that night, and I am truly lucky to be alive. It is a miracle in itself that I made it to the side of the road safely enough to call AAA.

HWY 33 is a smooth, yet windy and very dangerous road, there are a lot of cliffs when you get to the Ojai/Santa Paula area and I can just imagine the fatality that could have occured if the airbags would have activated at the wrong place. I could have found myself at the bottom of a cliff taking my last breaths or needing admittence to intensive care. There are minor physical damages to my vehicle, though my hearing is still impared, and I'm experiencing pain in my upper back and neck area, minor whiplash, and a severe welt on my left arm from my wrist to my elbow.

juan of rustenburg, South Africa October 27, 2009

We have a fleet of volvo trucks. So far you service has been dissapointing. We send the truck for service where they FORGOT TO PUT OIL IN THE GEARBOX, they refused to put in a new one after it ceased. then they towed in the truck, broke of the scoop of the truck plus the lights were broken,the logo of the truck is missing, how that happened no one knows.

We are thinking of taking legal action since our trucks are in peak condition. This is not the first time Volvo did us in, but it surely will be the last. We will rather invest is Mercedes benz since their service has always been up to standard. We are going to sue Volvo for the amount lost while truck is indisposed, and we are losing money because of it. Extreme amount of money lost, as well as trust in Volvo's abbility to keep the customer happy.

Cheryl of Cape Town, South Africa October 16, 2009

I purchased a new Volvo XC 90 in October 2006. To date, this vehicle has been returned to the dealer in excess of 15 times with various complaints, amongst others, heavy fuel consumption; park assist sensors working intermittendly; bad window noise; rattling; speed cruise picking up to 25km when going downhill; excessive tyre wear. Some of the issues have yet to be fixed. The latest being the tyre wear. The vehicle only has 55 000km, but the front tyres have been replaced twice. That's 3 sets of tyres at 55 000km

Tina of Scranton, PA October 5, 2009

Bought 2002 volvo xc70 awd in 2006 with warranty 2yr/24000 mi. while under warranty had many problems-all were covered except we reported that trans was "bucking"when put in gear. Dealer checked it out. Said it was "normal" after warranty expired trans started "slipping' and "bucking worse" Volvo said it needed recond trans from factory -1yr. warranty.

We called several trans shops,who all said they could fix it for less. When we told the shops to check out the parts they all said they wouldn"t touch the car "it has a history of problems that haven't been fixed" I wrote volvo inc. in NJ. They said "it' not a Safety issue" so no help from them. I took car into dealer on 9/28 -dealer said it would take 2 days car not ready yet 10/5?

My greatest worry is that when/if car is fixed with 1 yr guarantee and its history I may need to have it fixed each year at 4000/yr. I think volvo should take responsibility for its design flaws and at least warranty the trans for a resonable amount of time. I obviously cant sell the car when people see history of xc70 trans trouble theyll offer 1000-also I paid 18,900 (52000 mi) when I bought it and I financed most of it. Damage is 4000 for a trans with known flaws plus with 1 yr warranty I may have to pay 8-12000 dollars for trans work before its paid off.

Ross of midddleboro, MA October 4, 2009

my volvo 03 xc90 t6 has many problems, every time it rains water leaks thru diffrent areas so bad that it somtimes looks like i left the window open, lights in my dashboard die out and i cant fix it, fog lights dont work even with new bulbs and fuse,constant recalls,during winter when enough snow or cold enough everything underneath my suv freezes up makes it difficult to drive so i have to constantly chip away ice( sooo stupid) and everything wears out qickly and my extra cover for catylac converter rotted off .... i hate volvo

harry of wildwood, NJ September 30, 2009

on friday 18sept at 1045 am i went out to run an errand,and found my car insides completely burned out . the car was totaled by the insurance hartford auto insurance and is in the process of of action by the insurer.the compensation is about 5000 dolars less than i paid for same in july of 08. my wife and i are in our mid seventies and the stress was something we did not need. front seats ,ceiling ,and safty bags burned out , totaled by insurance co. i will probably lose 3000 dollars even with thw insurance who offered21927 and i paind july 08 26752

naundi of stoneville, NC September 27, 2009

I drive a 1999 volvo S80 with about 203,000 miles. my mother has had problems with this car from day one. the cloth was coming off the ceiling and from around the wind shield. the abs and check engine light is always on. the sun-roof fell apart while driving. not to mention how the left headlight just fell out and was flying in the wind while i was driving too. all of a sudden the car gets stuck in park on hills and any type of inclines. you have to get out and rock the car very hard for it to come out of gear. im a college student and my campus is nothing but hills and i get stuck all the time. the AC also goes out, it will work for maybe 20mins on low then will go out and you have to wait another 20-30mins before it will work again.

i took it to get checked out and the mechanic said i need a new compressor and it would be about 750! my defrost also doesnt work, it gets so bad i sometimes have to pull over, im terrified as the winter months are approaching.the lighter in the middle console is somehow pushed into the console and there is no getting that out. the rear passenger door also will not open from the outside. you can open it from the inside but not the outside...what kind of mess is that? like everyone else, i also have to frequently get the breaks checked and tires replaced.

i am a young college student and cant afford to pay for all of these things to get fixed...i thought my mom just didnt take care of her car or it was a used piece of crap, but after reading all of these complaints ive realized everybody has the same problems with every model volvo...doesnt that tell you something. recall? improvements in parts? helping people pay for parts or something. i can def agree with everyone else, it is indeed time for a class action suit against volvo. why arent dealers taking care of their consumers? its already hard enoung to find a job, much less keep one if you cant get to work because your always having car problems with your "nice volvo". what happend to lasting forever? i thought this car would atleast get me through my four years of college,lol what a joke, i'll be lucky if it lasts me till the end of the year. i will never buy a volvo and if i see people even looking into one i will tell them to run away fast! my next car will most def be a honda or toyota!

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