MVS Hall of Shame: Volvo Cars - The Company

Post by **matthew1** » 03 Nov 2008, 11:02

I have to give criticism where it is due. In this case, to Volvo Cars North America.

FIRST
Things like the dangerous ETM issue had to wait while thousands of Volvo owners had to tolerate a car that may die on the roadway. And even now 1999-2001 Volvo car owners must have one of several OBDII codes to get a full fix.

SECOND
Also, GM transmissions in 2003-2005 XC90 T6 models are breaking at around 50k miles, and it's a ~$5,000 repair.

THIRD
I hear about and read about very few happy endings when Volvo owners go beyond the dealer to VCNA. By all means, if you've had a happy ending with VCNA, please add it to this forum. Although my "testing" is entirely non-empirical, I'm certain there are many multiples of unhappy VCNA-contacting owners than happy.

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, you've earned yourself a place in the MVS Hall of Shame. Contact VCNA.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 03 Nov 2008, 18:15

I couldn't agree more.

I'd like to add to that, the A/C Evaporator in ALL of the 850's and most, if not all of the early 70 series going as well- absolutely no responsibility taken by Volvo and a very expensive repair by owners.

One other addition- the inability of the owners of '01 and newer Volvo's to do simple things like replacing a radio or even adding fog lights without having to go to the dealer to have a software download- another way that VCNA and Volvo as a company has us over the barrel.

gigidy5 · Post by **gigidy5** » 14 Nov 2008, 01:02

MadeInJapan wrote: I'd like to add to that, the A/C Evaporator in ALL of the 850's

Are you saying that it is probably my evaporator that has gone wrong in my car?

Oh great, that's going to be fun next summer

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 14 Nov 2008, 17:58

Yep....but it may take a long time to completely "go." I've added cans of gas to mine for 3 years now. I've considered the replacement but if I can do this for $7-10 a can a whack and keep driving and being comfortable, I see no reason to dish out the $1000+ to get this taken care of or to do it myself (a HUGE job).

Post by **billofdurham** » 20 Nov 2008, 12:06

I agree that Volvo as a company gives the owner a raw deal on many things.

However, Volvo Cars of North America are nowhere near as bad as Volvo Cars UK. The ETM problem has never been generally acknowledged over here. Some owners have had partial payment made by Volvo but only after threatening individual legal action.

Mislay your owner's manual in the US, go to the VCNA website and find one on-line instantly along with specs, maintenance sheets VIN identification et al. Do the same in the UK and go to your 'friendly' Volvo dealer, order a new book, pay in advance and you may have it in 6 - 8 weeks, if they remember to phone to say it has arrived. Spec sheets are impossible to find for older cars and on one of my rare visits to the dealer I quoted the VIN and was greeted by a blank stare and was asked, "What is that?"

Some years ago Volvo decided that they wanted one chain of garages to have the Volvo franchise. As a result most of the dealers lost the franchise to a cowboy outfit called Mill Garages. Some of them were lucky as Mill had no premises in their area and they were able to retain their business. Several of the dealers who had lost the franchise banded together to form The Independent Volvo Dealers. They started using non OEM parts because it was cheaper for the customer and, in many cases the parts they used were made by the same suppliers who supply Volvo. Occasionally they had to use OEM parts if there was no after market equivalent. Volvo refused to supply them. This, coupled with the proliferation of Volvo only serviceable computers, forced most of the Independent Dealers to seek other franchises.

I have now decided that when my 850 has to go I won't be buying a Volvo later than 1999 when the major problems started. My really friendly independent, with 22 years Volvo service, would do his best to keep me going on day to day issues but I wouldn't trust the main dealer to replace a fuse.

Bill.

Steven242 · Post by **Steven242** » 31 Jan 2009, 07:23

sounds like all your gripes about volvo are Post Ford Buyout...

Haven't heard of a single Ford Owned Volvo going past the 300k mile mark since ford bought them, hell even 200k is nearly impossible without having to do some serious surgery under the hood.

I've got a genuine swedish built shipped to america, preford volvo 242 made in '78, and the only gripe I have is lack of parts to restore it. Engine is strong, and just needed a new fuel system due to the idiot that let it sit for three years in the hot Florida summers with a half tank of gas in the system.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 31 Jan 2009, 09:35

Actually the A/C issue was way before Ford got involved. Ford bought Volvo in '99 but style, etc. was already set until '01 or so when the design changed- this is where you started seeing the "Ford influence."

Steven242 · Post by **Steven242** » 31 Jan 2009, 10:44

well, you guys are talking bout a swedish car company trying to make a decent AC system for the states... good luck. I'm just saying most of the computer/engine problems are post ford, and AC issues now that you point out what you guys are griping about are pre ford... The heater in these things sure does add to the global warming issues though, don't it? I barely have to move the selector off of the cool setting to be burning up from the heater.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 31 Jan 2009, 12:08

Yeah, I hear you. On my son's 244, any movement of the heater switch towards the warm will cook us out of his car!

lienmarine · Post by **lienmarine** » 24 Apr 2010, 23:53

Not to mention the "flames of hades" seat heaters. They feel great when I'm back home in Fargo in the winter, not so much in San Diego...