While driving down the road, my 2004 Volvo S80 2.5T will suddenly lose power, surge forward or enter 'limp mode" with a message of "reduced engine performance" followed by "engine service required." Using an obdii code reader I discovered that these messages and my issue were caused by a problem within the electronic throttle module (ETM). I took it into a local Volvo repair shop and they confirmed that this was a throttle body issue. If this problem occurs while I am driving within the city, it is fairly easy to pull over to safety, but on the freeway, losing power in the middle of traffic can be dangerous, and this has happened to me, causing a near accident. The issue is recurring and while it does seem to "clear itself" it has returned multiple times. There was a defect investigation, opened July 26th 2005 under NHTSA action number PE05041 for the exact same issue, and exact same group of problems. The report found that the issue was limited to S80S manufactured between 1999 and 2001. I would suggest that this issue is not limited to only those model years but has affected other years as well. I base my suggestion on information found by searching various Volvo owner discussion boards and finding others that have in fact been affected. Please take a look into this issue... as it has the potential to cause serious accidents as found in the original investigation.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

The car hesitates when pressure is applied to the gas pedal, and in order to speed up the pedal has to be pushed again. I have complained to the service department several times. The second time I complained the service manager drove the car and said it the way the car was suppose to be, the computer system worked that way. I brought it back in with the same complaint and they said other cars had similar difficulties, and they replaced a computer chip. The pick-up was a little better but still not like other cars. The latest failure occurred as I was taking a left out of a driveway. I put my foot on the gas, nothing happened and I put my foot on the gas again, at which time the car sped across the road and hit a telephone pole.

- Hanover, MA, USA