Faults:

ETS light kept coming on.

Failed brake sensor.

Rear lift gate malfunctions.

Cruise control failure related to check engine light.

General Comments:

Unlike many others who have reviewed this vehicle, I actually LIKE mine... and I'm not a soccer mom either.

Because my family road-trips a lot (back and forth to DC from the Deep South, we need something large, safe, and reliable. Our V70XC was just the ticket. Bought used this spring, we traded in a Toyota Highlander 2001 for the 99 V70XC... and even with the few problems we've had, it's still hands down the better vehicle for us.

Now, it is true that Volvo's are expensive to maintain... but so are Saturns, and those don't have nearly the safety rating or the comfort rating of this model Volvo. Maintaining a used Volvo is like maintaining a new car that has no warranty... it's just the costs of owning a luxury car, and that's what Volvos are: luxuriously SAFE!

We've used the extended warranty option on this car and our dealership was great about getting us a loaner for longer term repairs. The liftgate problem we are having currently we will have to go to a different dealer for, but I expect that we will still be happy with the result.

End judgement, if one comes available, GRAB it.

Faults:

ETS light on pretty much since we purchased it.

Throttle module replaced.

Throttle module cleaned 2 times.

Motor mounts replaced twice on drivers side under warranty.

Tie rod ends replaced under warranty.

Driver seat rails replaced under warrany.

Etc, etc, etc.

General Comments:

Not worth the money spent. The most disappointing things on the car have been the throttle module and related issues, and the rear suspension problems.

There has been enough written about the Morelli throttle module to know that it is a piece of junk. This has given me more than enough grey hairs in my head with the time and money spent getting the repairs done. Right now, it is in need of a second replacement.

The other problems stem around the rear suspension. The car goes down the road crooked, always has. It has been aligned 3 different times, twice by the dealer, and it never got rid of the dog-walking. Two street tires and two snows each year because of the misalignment/crappy build quality. Now it needs new Nivomat self leveling shocks, new lower suspension arms bushings etc. in the rear. I spoke with a volvo dealer from texas while shopping for shocks and he said at the time (98,000 miles) that the Nivomats should be fine. Altogether, parts should run close to $1200 plus labor. I have spent close to $1200 yearly on repairs and tires. I have no choice, but to begrudgingly run it untill it falls apart. I am tired of this car soaking my bank account.

This car will run forever if you have a big bank account and don't mind continually taking it to the repair shop. Never again.