I've experienced the door panel delamination problem on my '99 V70 and I'd really like to replace the affected panels. I've tried repairing them myself and had only temporary success. The upholstery shops near me are unwilling or unable to make repairs and I have not been able to find any reasonably priced replacements. If anyone is parting out (or knows of someone who is) a '99 V70 with a charcoal interior, I would be very interested in buying the right front and left rear door panels. Thanks!

I wrote to Sweden and they kindly arranged for my dealer to replace the panel free of charge. My only cost was going to be labour, which my dealer waived. Magic Service from Volvo!

To whom did you write? Are you in the USA? This is very interesting and may be useful to the rest of us who have not gotten satisfaction on this issue.

I am from Cape Town, South Africa. Cape Town is the most beautiful city in the world! I've written to : ccareza@volvocars.com

The panels delaminated on our 98 V70 when it was just shy of the end of its warranty period, and Volvo replaced them for free. I think the issue was largely up to the dealership, some better than others. I also think they were pretty embarassed about the large folder of problems we had with our V70 - all very real. The dealership is great, located in Winston, NC, but the numerous initial issues with the car really sucked. We purchased the car from a dealer in Greensboro, NC. Unfortunately, their service group was very incompetent. We were very fortunate to have an alternate dealer so close. I truly hated not being able to bring myself to buy another Volvo.

I still have the V70 and intend to drive it till the wheels fall of, but it is now an occassional commuter car, replaced by a much more reliable Honda Ody. In all honesty, my '97 Dodge has been far more reliable than the Volvo :<(

Good luck

I think you don't have much choice but to order them from a dealer. I just ordered the two rear door panels for $360. The parts manager said he had not encountered any other customers here who wanted new panels (odd), but when he called Volvo NA, the person on the line said the panels had been a problem and they would have to send a "kit".

I tried to get Volvo to take responsibility and pay part of the cost, but no luck. I wrote Volvo NA twice and even wrote the president of Volvo at her California office. All I got was corporate policy-speak about how the panels were wear-and-tear items and the warranty had expired, etc. My lawyer said forget it; he could easily consume far more money than the cost of the panels.

I wonder how long Volvo can keep denying responsibility for their blunders? NHTSA has opened an investigation into the failing Electronic Throttle Control Modules. Don't big companies know that good customer relations is the way to prosper and grow? This is marketing 101 stuff.

True, I agee with you about Volvo taking responsibility, but the ETM is now considered a "safety" issue, where the panels are not.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

I replaced mine myself. I got the panels from sweedish Engineering. The only bad part about the do-it-yourself job is that you have to cut out the hols for the power window switch yourself. It was cheap and easy tho. You send your old panels back for re-conditioning, so there's a core charge thats refunded.

It's mot just you, every door was glued with environmentally safe glue. Unfortunately, every door is now becoming unglued. The only "fix" is to order new door panels from the dealer. Call yours to get a price. Should be around $200 each.

Klaus
V70 R models didn't have this problem.
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(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

This has just started on my 2000 S70. I actually think in the same place (drivers side armrest - towards rear), it seems like it even appeared overnight one day. I agree that buying them used is a "chance" due to the way they are manufactured.....BUT even if we shell out $200 for each side, isn't going to happen again?? I do not know about you, but I really do not want to spend over $400, just to have it happen again in a few years. It seems that this is happening to a lot of our cars & I think Volvo should do something, but I have never looked into it as mine just started about a week ago.

The new panels from Volvo are supposed to be made with environmentally bad glue and not supposed to come apart again. The dealer price is pretty close to cost. Ask for a 10 year guarentee :)

Klaus
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(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

See this thread for lengthy discussion (if you haven't already):

http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/volvo-972845.html

Buying them from a parts-car is likely to result in the problem recurring. I thought I was lucky to not have this issue with my 1998 V70, but late this summer I noticed the delamination beginning at the rear end of the armrest on my drivers door. I guess it's inevitable...