Vehicle exhibits "hesitation and stuttering" during both acceleration and maintaining steady speed. Ets warning light has appeared and then reset twice. Tune-up and fuel changes were tested with no change in issue. Ets warning light and on-board diagnostics indicated electronic throttle module failure and required replacement. I have the old part and the diagnostic printouts. After researching this issue, it appears that this is a common and premature failure item on Volvo cars from 1999 thru 2001 model years. Since this is a critical sfaety component that can fail without notice (at the worst possible time), it should be as reliable as other critical componeents such as the ABS or SRS/airbag systems. This does not appear to be the case.

- Lakewood, CO, USA

Electronic throttle system in my 2000, Volvo S70 went out, and the car surged and limped home. No adverse consequences occurred this time, but the potential for disaster by being stranded on a busy highway or electronic throttle system malfunctioning as you pull out into traffic raised many safety concerns. This seemed from my research to be a common problem, and the only option was to carry a cell phone and make sure your insurance covered towing. To make things worse the repairs cost nearly $1000, and could happen again due to the same faulty part being installed a second time. Volvo should own up to this and recall all the vehicles with this faulty part.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

While driving 40 mph the ets (electronic throttle system) light illuminated on the consumer's 2000 Volvo V70xc. The vehicle started losing power then came to a stop. The manufacturer was contacted but didn't seem to be concerned and refused to cover the cost to repair the vehicle.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

Throttle body was defective. Vehicle will not accelerate. Dealer stated throttle needed to be cleaned. The faulty throttle module caused the vehicle to stall and sometimes made it impossible to maintain a constant speed.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

I have a 200 Volvo S70. A couple of days ago, my son was driving it and, suddenly, the ets indicatorlight came on, the car started shaking, and lost power (my son said it couldn't go faster than about 10 mph). My owner's manual informs me that this light indicates a fault in the etc (electronic throttle control system). In researching this problem, I have discovered that it is fairly widespread. This is potentially very dangerous. In fact, one person gave a harrowing account (on the internet) of almost being hit by oncoming traffic while making a left turn because this problem caused his car's speed to diminish to a crawl even as he floored the accelerator in a situation where other drivers rightly expected him to be moving much more quickly. Apparently, the usual repair for this problem is replacement of the ECM(electronic control module), a job which costs about a thousand dollars. Considering the significant expense of this job, many Volvo drivers might be understandably reluctant to part with that much money; that could be dangerous. I have spoken to several people at Volvo dealerships and will speak to someone in the service department of my local Volvo dealer tomorrow. I should add that, after letting the car sit with the ignition off for about a half hour, it started right up and has been performing absolutely normally so far. Some say the problem will probably happen again, and one Volvo technician said that maybe it was just a "hiccup" that won't ever return. I don't want to spend a thousand dollars if the latter possibility is correct; on the other hand, I don't feel secure about taking my daily commute over a high-traffic bridge or contemplating a long vacation trip in this car. I bought a Volvo because of its reputation for safety. Ironically, now I feel anything but safe.

- Orinda, CA, USA

Ets light came on and car throttle system was affected. Car lost power twice on the highway when travelling at approx 60 mph. Had to pull over to avoid potential accident. Repeatedly experienced problems when idling at traffic light. Throttle body was replaced at dealer for over $900 and vehicle was 7,000 miles out of warranty. Complained to Volvo customer service. No help was given. Losing a customer!!!

- Gainesville, FL, USA

Speed control. Have had a variety of speed/engine control problems. Engine would die. Engine would cause "bucking". engine would not accelerate. Throttle body and air mass meter replaced. Throttle body covered by warranty but I had to pay for air mass meter replacement. Current problem traveling @ 55 to 60 mph press on accelerator and car will not accelerate but will slow down with rpms hesitating at 5000 and 4500 without accelerating. Car slows down, loses power. This occurs usually under a hill climbing situation but has occurred on flat terrain. In hill climbing once more gradual slope reached, car accelerates. Updated 01/03/06.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

Consumer was traveling 60mph in a 65mph zone. Passing another vehicle going 60mph he floored throttle and ets light came up on dashboard. Vehicle went down to 2,000 RPM's. consumer pulled over, and read manual, starting vehicle back up and it happened again. Dealer didn't know what to do. They had to inspect it for problem. The tube going from behind the grill to the air cleaner inlet was collapsing causing lack of air flow to the engine. The tube was removed and the problem was solved.

- Alamosa, CO, USA

As happened in July and reported, ets light came on and engine speed throttled and sputtered. Per manual instructions turned car on and off. On 3rd attempt, ets light went off after starting. Proceeded to drive one mile without incident. As slowed for light, ets came on again and engine cut back. Repeated procedure 4 times and rough started each time. Then check engine light came on and car died. Tried starting again and no ignition. Waited 5 minutes and started again. Engine kicked in, no ets on, but check engine light came on and stayed on. Car driveable, no acceleration problems. Made U-turn and returned home. Turned vechicle off and on again 3 times. Check engine light stayed on. Waited seven hours before trying again. On first attempt, car started properly and no dash lights came on. Contacted mcdonald Volvo (closet to home). Told okay to drive. Don't believe it. Will take in to dealer on Monday, 8/7 and leave for repair.

- Lakewood, CO, USA

Electronic throttle system (ets) dash light illuminated. Engine speed electronically automatically cut back from 30 mph and held to approx 10 mph. I could not accerlate. Acceleration restrained like there was a governor on the engine. Followed owners manual instruction. 4 times car turned off and on and light stayed on. Let car sit one hour. Throttle system returned to normal after waiting one hour before restarting. Problem not reoccurred for 2 days now. Contacted dealer--no clue as too problem. Related to current tsb regarding throttle system.

- Lakewood, CO, USA