I do a lot of driving and my '98 V70 had it's evaporator replaced at 101,000 miles. (So they may be "improved" but still not "immortal"! Supposedly mine was one of the very first '98 evaporators to fail!) Since I had been complaining for about a year, it was replaced under warranty. The R134 molecule is smaller (that's the basic eco-idea behind the R134!) so it's likely to escape through small holes. Many seem to be able to get away with adding more R134 annually, in fact the evaporator replacement procedure is so laborous that I'd have to need new R134 pretty often before tackling it again.

BTW, I can go to Kino's website, click on his survey and 90% of the problems I've had are listed in his survey. Some things are now breaking for the SECOND or THIRD time! The ones I don't expect to experience are because I don't have the component in my car, like an automatic transmission. Kino's Website If you haven't had problems, I'd suggest that you just keep driving your car.

Since 100k I've had the evaporator, the thermostat and the heater core replaced. I'll add that I find the car comfortable, responsive, safe and fun to drive. It's also still cheaper to keep repairing it than it is to replace it. I WANT to like the car! Sadly, after about a quarter century of driving Eurocars and observing my wife having NO problems at all except for a couple of burnt out lightbulbs with her Honda Odyssey, I'm unwilling to repeat the Volvo experience next time!

-Punxsutawney Phil