Got a lemon 2007 XC90 from a shady dealer - fault in transmission

dfk · Post by **dfk** » 26 Feb 2016, 14:50

I'll spare the details, but I bought the car (76,000 miles) from a local 'reputable' dealer (Subaru Santa Monica, you have been warned). Their 'safety inspection' miraculously came up with no problems, so I bought the car. A week later, took it to my mechanic, who found a laundry list of undisclosed problems, including a leaking brake vacuum pump and a fault code for the transmission. P089600, long shift between 2 and 3.

Took it to Volvo dealer (Santa Monica), they say it needs a new transmission. An $8,000 job. And if it's contaminated with coolant, then a new radiator, too. I have an extended warranty through Fidelity, who will not replace trans if it's contaminated. :O

I am upside down $10,000 in the loan, already put $3,000 down. If I had to pay for the repair this car is suddenly a $20,000 car. Oh, and I don't have 8-10k to fix it anyway.

Any advice on what alternatives I have, besides contacting a lawyer (which I have)? Can the trans be rebuilt, repaired, replaced with a used trans from ebay... what kind of costs am I looking at? Anyone else had this experience? I feel very screwed.

Thanks

stinger04038 · Post by **stinger04038** » 26 Feb 2016, 16:09

Call a local TV with a consumer advocate. You can't find a good used transmission because they are known junk. They are actually junk right from the factory, and Volvo knows it. Maybe if the dealer knows they are going to see their face(s) on television they might take the car back to avoid the bad publicity. Google the transmission and read about the many known troubles with the junk made in China. I found out the hard way, had I done my research first I never would have purchased the car. I'm sure lots of people are going to post "oh mine is fine" but they are all time bombs.

Post by **precopster** » 26 Feb 2016, 16:25

Which engine is this? Is it a 3.2L six or the 4.4L V8? They will both have the 6 speed TF80SC which wasn't an awful transmission. It is quite viable to use a used low mileage example from a reputable seller such as Erie Volvo.

There are no Chinese made parts in these vehicles. China has an assembly plant with tooling sent from Torslanda Sweden however Chinese assembled XC90s are only produced for the local (Chinese) market. The transmissions are made in Japan by Aisin.

Post by **oragex** » 26 Feb 2016, 16:52

If the dealer who sold the vehicle 1 week ago, acknowledges it needs a new transmission I would return the vehicle.

I believe the TF80SC transmission that you have, had serious issues discussed across the web; google "TF80SC issues"

dfk · Post by **dfk** » 26 Feb 2016, 20:07

Thanks for the replies. It is the 3.2 six. Yeah, I understand it's Japanese-made.

I think the idea of contacting a consumer rights advocate is great. I already have, and I'm contacting a few others. And waiting to hear back from a lemon-law lawyer to see if I have a case.

But if I get screwed, what about non-dealer repair replacement? Any guesstimate ballparks on what that could run? Dealer says $8000 :O

They are not acknowledging that it needs a new transmission, actually. They took it to Volvo themselves to get it checked out, and they refuse to give me a copy of Volvo recommendation. But I went to Volvo and they showed me what it says: "internal mechanical failure in transmission. Trans fluid dark. Needs new transmission and TCM upgrade". Every time I call and ask for a copy of the Volvo invoice they say they can't find it. These guys are real scum.

Post by **oragex** » 26 Feb 2016, 21:47

A new transmission installed is close to the dealer's quote. A refurbished transmission will be half that but there are quite a few people who went this way and had issues soon after. A second hand transmission will be guess around $2000 installed but it's a gambling no matter the warranties.

It's not impossible that a fluid change (only to be done at a Volvo specialist) and a software update to help somehow. It is the least expensive try. A Volvo dealer might or might not be honest. They usually don't spend time replacing the fluid or some internal component, they offer only complete new or refurbished transmission replacement.

On the other side, I have yet to read about this model to have transmission fluid contamination with coolant. Might happen, but I'd double check as some garages might be a little too enthusiastic about replacing parts.

dfk · Post by **dfk** » 27 Feb 2016, 20:33

Thanks for the information.

I am going to have a glycol test done next week. It would great if it is NOT contaminated, if I have to go down the warranty route.

I hope I have a legal case, at the very least for leverage to get them to do the right thing.