Hello,


My 1999 V70 XC has now reached 40k-miles. I would like to take the time to explain to you my ownership experience. Listed below are all the issues I have had with this car since I purchased the vehicle in May of 1999 (2 years and 8 months ago). The issues are not in chronological order.


1) Leather Dye came off two different steering wheels. Volvo NA approved the replacement of one leather and one leather/wood steering wheel. Dealer Service Department replaced both steering wheels.

2) Broke two upper engine mounts. The ETS module caused the engine to turn off in a very rough manor hence stressing the upper engine mount. Spoke my concerns about the engine starting and stopping in a rough manor to Dealer Service Department. Dealer Service Department Technician stated this is normal operation for my 1999 V70 XC. (See issue # 15 for more details on this issue).

3) Replace transmission valve body to correct poor shifting (help a little but did not fix the problem). Dealer Service Department technician forgot to install sub frame spacers. Second trip to have sub frame spacers installed (Car would not steer correctly and made creaking noises).

4) Toque converter lockup not working correctly at highway speeds with only 15k-miles on the car. Dealer Service Department flushed transmission fluid. My 1999 V70 XC torque converter lock up worked correctly when I received the car back from Dealer Service Department. However, upon checking the transmission fluid I found the fluid was still a dark brown color and still contained a burnt smell. I therefore took it upon myself to do another flush on my own to achieve the red color that I felt should have been evident after I receive the car back from Dealer Service Department. At 20k-miles, the transmission fluid was again well on the way to being burned yet again. At the time of the first transmission fluid flush I had a conversation with Volvo’s After Market Sales Manager about the transmission fluid burning issues. Volvo’s After Market Sales Manager stated that Volvo had used poor quality transmission fluid when the car was manufactured and that no damaged was done to the transmission as a result of the fluid burning. With the second episode of transmission burning, I decided that Volvo’s After Market Sales Manager explanation was not entirely correct. At this time, I decided on my own to install an after market oil cooler and paper filter along with another complete fluid flush. With 40k-miles on my 1999 V70 XC, this problem seems to be solved. I do not know if this has caused long-term damage to the transmission that can come to haunt me in the future when my 1999 V70 XC reach high mileage.

5) Transmission dashboard light came on at 16Kmiles. Dealer Service Department replaced faulty transmission temperature sensor.

6) To date four window switches have been replace by the Dealer Service Department (driver side was replaced twice).

7) Driver side seat has cracked/ worn out leather on only one panel of the seat. Dealer Service Department has agreed to replace leather panel near the end of my warranty.

8) I was having excessive outer tire edge wear on the front tires since I bought my 1999 V70 XC new. Dealer Service Department did a wheel alignment. The alignment did not correct the outer edge tire wear problem. Went back to Dealer Service Department for a second front-end alignment in hopes that something may have been over looked. Dealer Service Department said there was nothing wrong and blamed me for the way I drove my 1999 V70 XC. I then decided to take my 1999 V70 XC to an Independent Volvo Shop to solve and fix the outer edge tire wear problem. The Independent Shop found that the 4 sub frame bolts were not tighten enough thus causing the sub frame to move, hence throwing tow out. The independent shop correct the sub frame problems by re-mounting the sub frame to the upper body (used all new hardware). The Independent Shop did a complete wheel alignment. This also included setting the camber to 0degrees per Volvo specification. Dealer Service Department would not adjust the camber on my 1999 V70 XC. Dealer Service Department stated that the camber was factory set and was not adjustable. Now I have near perfect tire wear.

9) Dealer Service Department replaced turn signals twice until a recall fixed the bulb/socket problem.

10) Power seat switch worked intermittently on both front seats. Dealer Service Department refused to replace switches. Dealer Service Department Technician stated “Found no Problem” even after I demonstrated the failure to the Service Rep. I replace both switches myself.

11) Transmission shifter detent broke (Gear shifter jammed in drive). I had to do an on the spot repair so I could drive the car. Dealer Service Department stated that there was no problem and did not repair the shifter detent even after I show them the broken part and explain to them where and what had broken. I replace broken shifter detent myself.

12) Ignition key socket would not allow the key to be inserted into the ignition switch. Dealer Service Department replaced the key socket.

13) Check Engine light came on. Dealer Service Department determined the cause was a faulty Mass AirFlow sensor. Dealer Service Department replaced Mass AirFlow sensor. Dealer Service Department technicians did not re-install both the engine and transmission computers correctly (they were jammed into the black box crooked). Second, trip back to Dealer Service Department to correct problem.

14) Rear window trim fell off (lack of glue). Dealer Service Department replaced with new trim.

15) Dealer Service Department replaced ETS (Electronic Throttle System) Module due to dashboard light coming on. Replacing the ETS module solved the problem I was having in issue #2. Dealer Technician left out bolts holding the radiator cowling on to the radiator. Second trip back to Dealer Service Department to have bolts installed. Dealer Service Department Technician did not install the bolts correctly (technician did not catch the adjoining nut). I re-installed the bolts correctly.

16) Volvo recall correcting head light wiper from getting stuck on wiper stop.

17) Volvo recall installed a cable extension to headlights.

18) Alternator bearing went bad. Dealer Service Department replaced with new alternator.

19) Engine wire harness jacket disintegrated in area where there was high engine heat. I decided to replace wire harness jacket with an after market covering. I felt that if I requested Dealer Service Department to repair the jacket they would replace with same poor quality jacket and I would have to replace it myself later on down the road.

20) Leaking anti-freeze. I requested of Dealer Service Department that the source of the leaks be located. Dealer Service Department found no leaks. I then took it upon myself to search for the leaks. I found two faulty hose crimp clamps that were leaking. I replaced faulty hose crimp clamps with screw type clamps.
I also found that the piping attaching the passenger compartment heater core was not correctly installed and was leaking anti-freeze into passenger compartment drive side floor. Reinstalled passenger compartment heater core correctly myself. All leaks fixed.

21) High Temperature hose connecting turbo charger to air duct had burned and is showing signs of cracking. I decided to replace high temperature hose on my own.

In Conclusion:

At the time of my purchase of a 1999 V70 XC Volvo (May 1999) my opinion of Volvo was of an Automobile company that designed and manufactured high quality, long lasting safe cars. However, I am sorry that my experience has proved that my original opinion was not correct. At this time, I find it very hard for me to ever consider buying another Volvo again. I also find it hard for me to ever recommend to anyone the purchase of a Volvo product.


Best Wishes and Good Luck,

Steven---