Possible problem with Volvo?

[stevehayes01]

A Denver television station (KMGH)has been investigating accusations that Volvo has covered up safety problem. The station has obtained documents that raise questions about safety and could result in recall of thousands of vehicles.



The Problem

Certain vehicles seem to stall without warning while others accelerate unexpectedly.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received more than 130 complaints about these issues.

If there is a recall, experts estimate that 300,000 to 400,000 vehicles could be affected.

The Real Issue

The Denver station claims that Volvo knew about this problem and did nothing about it. In fact, an internal Volvo document reveals that Volvo's own research projected a failure rate of 94 percent is some models at or before 100,000 miles (there should be concern with 1 percent failure). Though Volvo claims to be cooperating with the federal investigation, they refused to speak to the television station about the problem.



Source--- http://autoadvice.about.com/od/volvo/qt/ProblemVolvo.htm (http://autoadvice.about.com/od/volvo/qt/ProblemVolvo.htm)

[stevehayes01]

This is a little more on the issue.........


Feds Look at Volvo Safety Issues
The Daily Auto Insider
Tuesday, August 2, 2005


August 2005


The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it is investigating several models of Volvo sedans and station wagons because of complaints that the vehicles can lose speed or the engine can stall without warning.

NHTSA said it had received 136 complaints over concerns about a sudden loss of speed and power steering while driving in highway traffic and the stalling of the engine without warning.

NHTSA said an estimated 266,000 Volvos from the 1999 through 2001 model years are covered in the probe. It includes the C70 and C70 convertible, the S60 sports sedan, the S80 luxury sedan, the V70 station wagon and the V70XC crossover vehicle.

The inquiry, which is in its early stage, also involves the S70 sedan from the 1999-2000 model years. There have been two injuries connected to the alleged defect, NHTSA said.

NHTSA investigations sometimes lead to vehicle recalls.

[Doug242ti]

Yep its a pretty common known problem. The ETB is A bosch unit, so other makes are probably fairly failure prone.

[PWRPUFF]

What? A company under Ford Motor Company management covering up safety issues? How absurd! :rolleyes:

-- Kane

[Doug242ti]

What? A company under Ford Motor Company management covering up safety issues? How absurd! :rolleyes:

-- Kane

True but they've been rocking hte ETM since 99. Like I said, its a bosch part.

Its stupid at that... god curses the people who think replacing a 6" cable with a bunch of sensors, wires and computers is a good idea.

[PWRPUFF]

Its stupid at that... god curses the people who think replacing a 6" cable with a bunch of sensors, wires and computers is a good idea.
Word.

Yeah, cables can break too, but the odds much much less, and when it does, one can get away with rigging a coathanger or something.

Of course the movement from mechanical to electronic always creates some mysteries ... and new headaches for the one diagnosing it.

-- Kane ... currently dealing with a stupid 4L60E on the daily driver. New speed sensor, wiring is fine, computer is fine, no errors, but still confused as to what gear I should be in. :confused: :mad: I'd look into a T56 if I could figure out how to get a 6-speed on the tree working.

[Doug242ti]

True but if a cable breaks atleast the car is still idling. You still have PS and Pbrakes ;)

[stevehayes01]

True but they've been rocking hte ETM since 99. Like I said, its a bosch part.

Its stupid at that... god curses the people who think replacing a 6" cable with a bunch of sensors, wires and computers is a good idea.

Well then it looks like the Swede's in general are going to be cursed!

[Doug242ti]

Well then it looks like the Swede's in general are going to be cursed!

I agree.

[PWRPUFF]

I agree.
Beyond Swedish cars, many others automakers have gone to the "throttle by wire" deal too.

Adding onto my last post, it's sorta like going from carburetors to electronic FI. Bad at first, but over time, evolution brings out a system that's actually reliable.

I'm still not so confident about electro-hyydraulic brake systems (brake by wire), however. It's bad enough that today's folks are too much of a wuss to really know how to step on the brakes should the power cut out and they need to stop. Now they wouldn't even have much of a chance!

-- Kane ... who's '64 P220 has no power windows, locks, steering, brakes, and with that B18, not much power, period! :D