NHTSA — Vehicle Speed Control Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
143,328 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Volvo V70 engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Volvo V70 Owner Comments

problem #11

Apr 242021

V70

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In April 2021 I drove my newly acquired Volvo V70 wagon from Mississippi to my home in RI. Once I reached in and around NYC, the car began to surge forward as I applied the brakes at stop lights/signs. This became most pronounced at the GW Bridge Toll area, in high slow-moving traffic. Several times the car almost got out of control as the brakes were barely enough to stop the car from ramming into other vehicles. Cars and huge trucks were honking their horns as I broke, swerved, smoke clouds from high idling in neutral, and peeling rubber as I moved forward from standing still. I was trapped as there is no place to pull over to the sides to a breakdown lane. It eventually stopped surging but has threatened to do it in RI. I asked the mechanic about it when I had to get the car inspected. He basically said he would have to see the vehicle when it was happening. I am just funding out about Recall information and filing a report. I really want to have any necessary repairs made because the car performs well otherwise...AND I am hoping to give the car for my daughter to use as she starts her new job, but want to make sure it is safe first. I feel I would know how to handle it if it surges again (throw it in neutral, brake and pull to safe place, etc), but can't trust that she would be able to handle this emergency situation.

- Rumford, RI, USA

problem #10

Jan 202016

V70

  • 135,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Volvo V70. After starting the vehicle, a loud rumbling noise was heard coming from the engine. In addition, the vehicle accelerated independently and stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact stated that the instrument panel was dark and not functioning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle control and driver information module needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 06V441000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

- Niantic, CT, USA

problem #9

Jul 112014

V70

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Volvo V70. When the contact started the vehicle and the rpms increased to 6,000. Additionally, the vehicle accelerated independently. An independent mechanic stated that the throttle body was defective. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 06V441000 (vehicle speed control) in July of 2007 for the same defect. The vehicle was not repaired again and the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Elgin, OK, USA

problem #8

May 012013

V70 5-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2002 Volvo V70. Consumer writes in regarding the failure of the electronic throttle module and siren control module. The dealer diagnosed the failure on August 3, 2012. However, they refused to correct the problems under the federal recall or under the ten year/20,000 mile warranty, which the vehicle was eligible. Additionally, the owner's manual stated an 80,000 mile guarantee, and the vehicle had 73,238 less than the owner's manual 80,0000. The consumer stated the ETM was upgraded in 2006, but it didn't correct the problem.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #7

Aug 222012

V70 5-cyl

  • 73,280 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Volvo V70. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was advised to the contact that the electronic throttle module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 06V441000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 73,280 and the current mileage was 77,000. Updated 4/29/13

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #6

Oct 192012

V70 5-cyl

  • 730,000 miles
Vehicle lounges, stops, no acceleration. Volvo refuses to replace failed ETM/ECM equipment and software which was installed.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #5

Dec 182011

V70

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Volvo V70. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. Upon restarting, the vehicle shifted into limp mode. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the electronic throttle module needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 06V441000 (vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Desoto, TX, USA

problem #4

Aug 282010

V70

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Volvo V70. While traveling 20 mph the contact noticed that the vehicle would not accelerate over 20 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. There were no prior warnings and the vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were 115000.

- Irmo, SC, USA

problem #3

Feb 272010

V70

  • 108,000 miles
Over the past three years or so, I have had four or five incidences involving sudden acceleration of my 2002 Volvo station wagon V-70. All have occurred in city driving not on the open highway. Once when parking, I almost rammed another parked vehicle because, after applying the brake, my Volvo suddenly lurched ahead. I swerved, pressed harder on the brake and put the car in neutral. I then stopped. On other occasions, mostly when coming to a stop at a traffic light, the car slows down and then surges ahead, after applying the brake. Once again, to stop the car I had to slam down hard on the brake and put the car into neutral. On other occasions, after stopping at a traffic light or stop sign, the engine revs up to the point that I have to put it into neutral to stop the revving. I have brought the car into the martens Volvo dealer and explained the problem each time I brought it in for servicing. They have adjusted the "throttle mechanism" each time but the problem still persists.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

problem #2

Feb 082009

V70

  • 116,331 miles
The first incident occurred when my wife and I were picking up my granddaughter at her home located on a steep hillside with a steep drive probably 8 plus degrees. I put the car in reverse and started to back down the drive. I had to back over the concrete drive edge as I had pulled off into the yard to make room for her parents vehicle. To get over the edge I had to press lightly on the accelerator. I have frequently backed down the drive usually in idle. The moment I pressed the accelerator the car immediately went into full throttle. I jammed the gear shift into park, pulled the emergency and pressed as hard as possible on the brake. Nothing slowed or even seem to effect the backward acceleration. I hit a railroad tie that was one of many that defined the drive. The front tire literally exploded. I was able to steer down the drive onto the road around a greater than 90 degree turn backwards and up hill. The rim dug into the asphalt, the car stopped and engine shut off. We put on the spare and drove home. Two days later, in the same place, I started to back onto the drive as before. I was very much aware of the situation and therefore was very careful to see that there was no overlap of foot on brake and accelerator. I also thought that if that terrible incident were to repeat itself I would turn off the key. When the back tire came in contact with the driveway lip I once again I had to press the accelerator to get on the driveway. Same terrible response. This time in addition to jamming into park, pulling the emergency, jamming on the brake, I also turned off the key. None of that evoked any response. This time I was unable to stay on the drive and went over a steep bank on the right side of the drive. The vehicle went through two trees at least 3" in diameter, a white picket fence and fence posts.. it hit the bank at the side of the street and stopped without the release of airbags. My glasses and keys were found in the back seat.

- Hayesville, NC, USA

problem #1

Feb 172005

V70 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles
In February of this year, after traveling 1000 miles from Connecticut to Florida we stopped. When we started again as soon as we pulled out of the parking lot the engine lost power. We where able to get the car to the next parking lot and call Volvo service. They came and towed the car 80 miles to jacksonville fl. They had to replace the throttle position sensor.

- Hamden, CT, USA

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