1998 Volvo S70 T5-vehicle intermittently, without prior indication will cease to operate while traveling. Engine light will come on and engine will hesitate and then shut down. Occurs generally 2 or 3 times in a day or two and then maybe not again for a month or so. Three different Volvo repair shops have been ineffective in diagnosing...failure has occurred on high speed arterial roads as well as while idling/ stopped.

- Laurel, MD, USA

My wife's car ('98 S70 T5) stop last week. I took it to the dealer and they said that the tensioner seized up. This caused major damage to the engine about $3500 worth. I got the timing belt changed at 71,000 on the recommendation of the dealership so this type of problem would not happen, but it did anyway. The car now has 108,000 miles. Volvo's corporate customer service called me today and said the they are not responsible due to the mileage of the car and it is far out of warranty. I am awaiting a response from the dealership. Searching the web I have found numerous postings of similar compliants with the tensioner. Something must be done to correct this problem.

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

Prior to the 30K mile tune-up the consumer complained to the dealer and the vehicle driving hard, shifting hard, the tachometer reading higher and the smell of burning oil, the dealer check the vehicle and found nothing wrong, while driving with 36K miles on the vehicle it began to smoke under the hood and caught fire, the manufacturer is denying any responsibility. Nlm

- Middletown, CT, USA

Electrical problems since shortly after purchase of vehicle, to dealer 25 times. Dashboard light would come on, indicating that headlights were not working when in fact they were. Dealer stated vehicle had a bulb and socket problem, taillight bulb failed, signal lights flash very fast, side signals sockets and bulbs shorted, 4 running light contacts melted, front headlight shorted, left front headlight inoperable, and bulb indicator illuminated. Door locks inoperable, windows would not go up, master window control switch faulty, and speakers distorted. Seat belt plastic part cracked. Transmission sticks on lowe gear, happened twice. Gas light comes on even when tank is full. Washer fluid inidcator illuminated, washer jets inoperable, wiper blads replaced, right side mirror did not adjust all the way out. Front and rear brake pads worn, rotors replaced, brakes cause screeching noises. Engine light illuminated, cable under engine loose. Humming noise while driving, dealer replaced right front hub, left and right front stabilizer links. Mudflaps loose. Evap valve replaced.

- Manalapan, NJ, USA

Engine failed.

- Lawton, OK, USA