Surging engine RPM noted on numerous occasions while stopped. Seems to be when using air conditioner our safety concern is the possibility of the engine overpowering the brakes. Dealer says it is the electronic throttle module and noted it is an on-going problem with this model car as well as a safety and reliability concern.

- Woodstock, CT, USA

On three occasions (between Jan. 2005 and Aug. 2005), while driving my 2000 Volvo S80 it has cut off on me. The first time I was pulling into a parking spot at a shopping center. While giving the car gas and pulling into the parking spot the car shut off on me. The second time I had coasted probably 20 feet and was going to pull into a driveway and when I gave the car gas it shut down on me. The third time I was stuck in traffic and I was giving it gas to move up a little and the car cut off. I am reporting this because I saw an article related to these occurrences in the greensboro news & record.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

My 2000 S80 Volvo has a defect with the emission control module it was losing power and idling very bad. Because of this problem the cat converter and O2 sensors also miss functioned which cost over $4000 to repair after I got the car back 2 days later the emission message appeared again and the car is not running well.

- Bridgeport, CT, USA

2000 Volvo S80 T6; five times now the car has lost all power while traveling at speeds between 15 and 25 mph. The last time it happened was when I was turning left and the car lost power half way through the turn.

- Palo Alto, CA, USA

Throttle control car would surge uncontrollably while I was driving on the highway it would sometimes stall the car out and I had to pull over to restart the car I went to the dealer to have them install and new throttle body and electronic throttle module.

- Holland, MI, USA

While traveling at interstate highway speed (65-75 mph), the engine began to surge violently, for no apparent reason. Within seconds, the warning indicator illuminated and the message center displayed, "stop safely and restart engine." After pulling onto the shoulder, the engine RPM fluctuated from 400-1000 RPM quickly. Similar or more severe events occurred three more times that day. Fortunately, no accident occurred as a result of stopping on the shoulder.

- Hixson, TN, USA

2000 S80 Volvo 2.9 is dangerous! suddenly when driving throttle dies, acted like throttle cable broke. Then it came back! then it surged at a red light last week, and I had no foot on the gas! Volvo said ETM(?) needed cleaning / replacing. It was cleaned, still surges, I am afraid it will die on highway while going on an on ramp.

- Cumberland, RI, USA

The contact stated 2000 Volvo model S80 caught on fire on 8-26-05. The fire originated from under the hood. It completely destroyed the engine. He was not having any problems with the car prior to this. He was driving at 25-50 mph when the fire broke out. He saw smoke coming from the hood. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. He was not the original owner he did not know if anything was replaced on the vehicle. The current owner did not report any problems with the car prior to this, such as stallingor surging the fire department and the police police departmentindicated T the fire was an electrical nature, but they were not absolutely sure.

- Wyomissing, PA, USA

Another complaint for the Volvo S80 throttle module causing the car to lose all power on the freeway. I was fortunate that each time this occurred, I was in a position to get off the road safely. The situation could have been disastrous, however. I work in nashville where every route to work is undergoing road construction and does not have a shoulder to pull off on. Had the ETM failed in one of these locations, I would likely have been hit by other autos unable to avoid me. I had the part replaced for about $850 as Volvo claimed that it was not a problem and refused to fix it. In addition to the faulty ETM is the ABS control unit for the airbags and traction control. According to what I've seen on Volvo message boards (volvospy.com, swedespeed.com and brickboard.com), this part also seems to fail as frequently as the ETM. Mine is failing now and needs to be replaced or I can have it fixed at an independent shop - please check the following website for more information on this shop: home.earthlink.net/~vicrocha/ if the ABS control unit fails in an accident, the airbags will not to deploy. If the traction control is not working, the car may not be able to avoid a dangerous situation which could result in an accident as well. The part can be made to be more dependable, according to information from the independent shop listed above. The incident date is not accurate. It occurred over a period of a couple of weeks a little over a year ago. I can check the date of repair to give you a more accurate date if you wish. Thanks!

- Mt. Juliet, TN, USA

2000 Volvo S80 -- defective throttle control module subject of preliminary evaluation PE05041 on April 20, 2005, while driving using cruise control at highway speeds the car would lose and regain power frequently. On April 21, 2005 while driving at approximately 35 miles per hour on a two lane road without a shoulder the car lost significant power and a variety of warning lights came on with instructions to turn off the engine. Was able to restart the car with limited power and took it to the dealer. The problem was diagnosed as a faulty throttle module and replaced at a cost, paid 100% by me, of $919.16. Subsequently, the cruise control occassionaly exhibits the same slight loss and resumption of power. While I was lucky in that I was able to turn into a driveway when nearly all power was lost, had there been traffic on the two lane road I was subject to being rearended. The frequency of this failure, which I understand to be the subject of a class action lawsuit in California contending there is a "hidden warranty" practice being conducted by Volvo which at times pays for the expense and other times not, is worthy of your official evaluation. Thank you.

- Kennett Square, PA, USA

Faulty electronic throttle control on 2000 Volvo S80 T6 sedan. Engine died on busy roadway, car towed to repair shop, repaired for $1,300.84. Vehicle is out of warranty, but had only 27,928 miles on it at the time of the failure on 04-15-2005.

- La Quinta, CA, USA

I would just like to add my concern to the list of individuals who experienced stalling condition with the Volvo. We own a 2000 Volvo model S-80 T-6. in April of this year we were experiencing stalling conditions with our car at slow speeds mainly after a few miles of driving after the first start of the day. The car was taken to the local dealership for troubleshooting and possible repair. After a week in the shop the vehicle was returned to us and we were advised that they could not duplicate any stalling. Since then we have experienced a stall condition twice and again it was within the first few miles after the initial start of the day. The car always starts and performs satisfactory afterwards. It was not an everyday occurrence, but does make one uncertain about reliability.

- Glendale , AZ, USA

I should have know that something was wrong with my used 2000 Volvo S80 T6 two weeks after purchased it when the engine cut off on me while I was going through an intersection. I just thought that my car was still warming up and that is why the engine cut off. Then a couple weeks later my automatic door locks would work intermittently so much so that I had to use my remote keyless entry just to unlock my doors while I am sitting inside my car! but this isn't the worst of it. While I am on my way to a hair appt in heavy los angeles traffic, my car starting stalling. I was doing 30 - 50 miles per hour going down the freeway and my car would just cut off. Imagine if my 3 year daughter was in the car at the time. I couldn't believe that I was having engine problems with the highly recommended Volvo. I couldn't believe it. I had to literally drive on the shoulder of the freeway just to keep giving my car power. I had never been so afraid while driving. I was upset and pissed off that my car was still considered safe to drive. All of these models should be taken off the streets. I eventually had the car towed to the Volvo dealer and luckily I still had the extended warranty. The dealership told me that it was a faulty electronic throttle module and they replaced it. My car was working fine until two weeks ago when the same issue has started to occur with the automatic locks. I can't unlock the automatic locks from inside of my car, I have to use the remote keyless entry. I have to the conclusion that the car that I am driving in is a death trap and that I would really like to be reimbursed for all the headaches that this car has given me. Volvo's motto is "for life", I am starting to tell people, if you value your life, then don't purchase a Volvo.

- Covina, CA, USA

Volvo S80 NHTSA action number PE05041 saw that NHTSA recently opened an inquiry into issue of ETM in Volvo and wanted to add my car to list of complaints received. I had many incidents of car suddenly killing in rush hour traffic over the course of four or five months. Fortunately I did not have an accident, but only due to extreme defensive driving: Avoided rush hour, stayed to outside lanes, was able to coast to shoulder, etc. Dealer was aware that ETM was issue, but extended warranty refused to cover because error codes did not stay in car computer. Once ETM was replace earlier this year, car has been working fine.

- Roseville, MN, USA

2000 Volvo S80 stalling while driving several episodes, all at low speed the episode below was the last.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

The vehicle would have small changes in speed over the course of several months the car began to lose power and then stall at speed between 50-75 mph. The car restarted but speed was inconsistent even with cruise control. Dealer was contacted and they advised that is was probably the electronic throttle control module, this was without further inspection of the vehicle. The service work was done and so far the problem has been corrected.

- River Falls, WI, USA

Electronic throttle system the problem is not being handled responsibly and the dealers use intimidation and then bully their clients into paying for other services. They refuse to address this life threatening issue. They are withholding valuable information. I own both Volvo S70 and S80 and they have shut down in highway traffic. *this is a direct quote I received from a master Volvo mechanic when I posted a question concerning electronic throttle system. " your ets light is a little more severe then that this is a very common problem the manufacture knows this and will not stand behind problem. However the problem is the throttle unit, it has a malfunction and needs to be replaced the dealer will probably tell you it needs a download, that is unfortunately only going to fix problem for a short while.".

- Santa Monica, CA, USA

Car has shut off 6-8 times while driving. The majority of times have been on the interstate in rush hour. The first few times this happened the car would "surge" and the lights inside would flicker before the reduced performance light came on and the car completely shut down. Each time it has taken longer to get the car to start back up. The car would turn over and then immediately choke down. The last incident happened without warning while driving 80 on the interstate at 5:30pm on a weekday. Now, the car will turn over, but will not stay cranked. I have made three payments on this car and have not driven it for two months for fear that I will be killed or stranded.

- Williamston, SC, USA

Problems concerning Volvo. Mr the consumers vehicle has a sophisticated computer system in which only a Volvo dealer can fix or in some cases it prevents mechanics from completing the work.

- Fresh Meadows, NY, USA

Vehicle stalled while driving. The consumer was able to restart the vehicle and pulled over to shut down the vehicle. Consumer noticed that the check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. The consumer drove it to the dealer, and the mechanic determined that the computer system, and other parts of engine needed to be replaced.

- Southampton, PA, USA