Mass airflow sensor failed.
Upper engine mount bushing failed.
Headlight bulbs replaced twice, both left and right.
Front turn signal lights failed twice.
Passenger door makes a loud cracking sound when opened fully - dealer adjusted twice.
Knocking noise coming from the front wheels - dealer flushed the transmission fluid - did not fix.
Check engine light came on numerous times.
The XC has a very comfortable interior, great useable space and AWD works great in the snow.
Overall I find this car to be a nice car to have when everything is working in good order.
Compared to my 850 GLT, my 850 is less troublesome. If it were not for the little things that I have to deal with in this car I would give it a high recommendation, but as you can see, for a car at this price level I have had too many problems that wasted my time at the dealership for repairs. This car is only 20k miles old..!! I would hate to see this car and its problems after the warranty runs out.
In San Francisco, the dealership does not provide loaner cars when your car is being serviced, I really never thought that this would be a factor, but if I need to bring the car in 3-4 times a year, I would expect a loaner for my inconvience.
I think you might have gotten a bad car, because I have a Volvo 98 V70 XC and have never had the problems you have had. I'm sorry for your unfortunate problems, but this is a great car!
I have the same problems with a 1998 Cross Country XC. I am spending $1500.00 today on the ABS and emissions.
Hank Sibley
hsibleyiii@msn.com.
Great Post!
As I was reading the originating post, I thought I had written it. I also have a 1999 V70 XC, and have had all of the problems listed above, minus the popping passenger door.. I woulsd like to add a coup (le of more items though.
1. rear passenger window switch has gone bad - Warranty replacement.
2. Along with several check engine lights coming on, I also experienced a loss of power while driving. - dealer upgrade the ecu software.
3. recently, car has trouble starting after one hour of normal driving. Occured three times since last week.
4. Upper engine mount rubber bushing failed (2nd time) 1st time failed at 22k miles.
Regarding the last two problems, I have a 45,000 mile service appointment this Wednesday, so hopefully the dealer will fix it. My lease is ending soon, and I did have a crazy thought of keeping this car because of the useablilty and comfort of the car while it is running clean. THis last problem, starting problem, has reminded me that this car will have many more problems as the car gets older. I have concluded that I will not purchase this car at end of lease. Great car if its not a bad on out of stock...
I wish I had read this before I bought my 2000 XC. I have had similar problems and then some.
For those with upper engine mount problem..
Do yourself a favor and order from www.ipdusa.com a polyurethane upper mount bushings. Forget the warranty replacement with another bad rubber; go with above product and never worry about it again.
I have no interest in ipd's well-being..eventhough I like what they sell.
I love my 99 XC, when it runs. It has been in the shop six times in two years for the check engine light. The problem is generally oxygen sensors. It will be going in to the dealer again this week.
I have a 1998 V70XC. A total piece of junk. I have had 4 air pumps, 2 ABS modules, 2 engine mounts, 2 tie rod ends on each side replaced. All of this in just over 100,000 miles. The transmission jumps if you don't flush every 20,000 miles, there have been electrical, switch and lamp problems too numerous to mention and the car plows through tires like they are made of marshmallow. In 100,000 miles I have invested almost $9000.00 in un-scheduled maintenance, and many thousands more in scheduled maintenance and wear items that wear too quickly (brakes). You buy into the scheduled maint. so no real problem there, but these other costs and trips to the dealer are out of control.
At first I thought "I" had a lemon, however, based on these posts I now realize All V70 owners have a Lemon, they just may not know it yet. On the positive side... This is absolutely the most comfortable best performing car I have ever been in. The seats are perfect for long or short trips alike. In fact they are even comfortable on the most frequent trip of all... to the dealer for service!
I tend to agree with all the above. 2001 V70. Nice car to drive, but some issues such as replacement of upper engine mount brackets and ABS modules @ 46000Km is totally un- acceptable. Truly sad and disapointing for a long term Volvo customer like myself.
I bought my 99XC V70 wagon in 2002. Although it was certified, it needed a tune-up immediately so the massive sluggishness could be 'fixed'. Check engine light on first vacation and that was only the beginning. Lots of lamp replacements, lousy gas mileage in the city and the crowning touch -- the ETS (electronic throttle system) fiasco. It has been replaced twice (once warranty and once on me at $1300!!)This can cause sluggish acceleration, unreliable starting and worst of all, stalling. The best part is the realization that this is a known defect in Volvos from 99-02. There is a class-action lawsuit in CA because there has been a change by Volvo of this part on newer models. I am so sad because I love driving this car, but I can't afford to support it along with my children... I have never had a car with this much time in the shop over a two year period. Simply put, I am test driving other vehicles and really cannot trust Volvo again.
Cannot believe I didn't read this stuff before I bought my 99 V70 XC.
It had just over 100,000 on when I bought it and expected some upgrades and maintenance issues, but I have spent about $500 for each 1000 miles of motoring. current total apart from routine stuff over $3500 dollars
in about 8 months it has been in the shop 5 times for major work and has recently started the ABS/transmission and engine light dance referred to in the various forums.
Throttle bodies, various metering parts, oxygen sensors both front and rear. Highway failure..I can go on... make sure the dealer knows about the wiring harness upgrade for the O2 sensor... or you'll be back in hours not days!
Oh, and I understand that Volvo haven't yet released the software for non franchised specialist workshops, so they have to go to a franchised dealer to get software reset after working on your car, you can't even get a replacement aftermarket chipped key for this model year yet. Japanese manufacturers release theirs much earlier.
All in all I and my wife love the good things about the car.. well noted elsewhere by enthusiasts and I am a long time Volvo owner, but right now I cannot afford the trips to the dealer in cash and time terms. I have a car to use, not let it rule my life so its going to be traded warning lights on or not!
Reliable.. I don't think so.. well built... only in their literature.
Go to the mountains where everyone drives Subaru. when you live somewhere that you absolutely have to have a reliable vehicle those folks know a thing or two.
I'm another 1998 V70 owner. Early problems were: lights, batteries, sensors, door lock solenoid valves. Last 3-4 years the car is eating tires and breaks like if they were going out of style. ABS module started acting up about a year ago, but the brakes are working so I drive it. Will not pay over $1000 CDN to change it. Also vibrations while braking and at freeway speeds, even though the car's been checked and got new brakes a number of times. This is my 3rd and last Volvo, had 240, 850, and now V70. I'm tired of these problems and decided to drive it into the ground without repairs or any maintenance untill it blows up or falls apart whichever comes first, at which time I will tow it into the scrap yard. That's just my simple way of dealing with this JUNK. I won't put into it another penny.
Regarding the above poster: Cars do not "eat up tires." Poor driving, not rotating them, under-inflation, lack of maintenance, low quality tire brands, etc are the usual suspects. The statement that you go through a lot of 'breaks' (brakes...right?) is an indication that your driving habits might be wearing your tires out early. The fact that your ABS light came on and you're not going to fix it because the "brakes are working" is indicative of your treatment of this car. I hope prospective buyers read your review carefully before using it in consideration of their next purchase. It is sad is that you are going to "drive into the ground" a well made car that someone else might appreciate more than yourself.
Regarding the last two post (re: Tire wear) ; isn't it a well known fact that the AWD capability does wear tires quickly? At least this is what I was told by my local Volvo dealer.
I just bought a 99 V70XC and wouldn't you know it... the "Check Engine" light came on during the drive home form the dealer!!!
Any recommendations for not spending the rest of my life in the Volvo shop? Does anyone recommend finding an Import Car Mechanic vs. dealership to save on labor?
Regarding the above poster, all I can suggest is one thing: consider taking it back to the dealer. If there's anyway to undo the sale or get a different vehicle, I recommend that and that alone.
I too bought a 99(xc)70 just before Xmas 2005 and the check engine light came on driving it home.
Window switch problems, leaking heater core, drive train vibration, alarm dysfunction, and today... I can't get my key out of the ignition. The sad part is that it's a really is a nice drive when it works.
01/20/06