volvo shopping

rogreact · Post by **rogreact** » 08 Aug 2016, 01:08

I have been looking for a newer volvo for some time and I have noticed that there are a lot of Volvos from years 99 thru 04 for sale. Too many compared to other years. Of the ones for sale they either have a transmission problem or some ecm trouble. Not all but some and the prices seem lower.
My question is...Are these cars from 99 to 04 known to have a high failure rate? What years should I skim over?
Thanks for any thoughts on this. If there is a thread I need to read could someone point the way?

Post by **precopster** » 08 Aug 2016, 01:39

99 to 01 on turbos have the higher failure rate throttle system. It extends to 2002 on non turbos.

Early 5 speed valve bodies from 2001 (or 2000 if non turbo) were problematic giving owners multiple headaches

Post by **abscate** » 08 Aug 2016, 03:42

Very few have ECM or ECU trouble, but they can have ETM/ETS trouble.

To clarify the alphabet soup, the computers of these cars is very reliable, the Magnetti-Marelli throttle bodies on the 1999-2002 models dies at about 100,000 miles. It's a $500 fix DIY but many people dump the car at this point.

The ETM has no cap,rotor,spark plug wires, cruise control, idle air control system so you get a lot of maintenance cost savings back.

If your eye falls upon a bargain, you can pick it up.

rogreact · Post by **rogreact** » 08 Aug 2016, 14:00

Aren't there some transmission problems in the 99 thru 04 like hard shifting where the tranny has to be rebulit? I found a 2001 with 100k on the clock but had this solenoid problem in the TCM I think.

Post by **abscate** » 08 Aug 2016, 14:26

You can go to the P2 forum and read the 'sticky thread' on the 2001- 5 speed Automatic transmission issues there

Post by **abscate** » 08 Aug 2016, 14:28

You can go to the P2 forum and read the 'sticky thread' on the 2001- 5 speed Automatic transmission issues there

General consensus is to avoid any 2001 with transmission issues. The failure rate is something like 10%, so if its a nice car running well, and you can have a 2k AT contingency fund in the bank, which you should anyhow, go for it!