VOLVO Complaints

VOLVO REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A DESIGN FLAW IN THE A/C EVAPORATOR. THE EVAPORATORS CHRONICALLY FAIL, LEAKING R134A INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I HAVE CONTACTED MANY OWNERS ON THE NET, AS WELL AS DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM WITH MASTER VOLVO MECHANIC. I WAS TOLD IT'S A VERY COMMON FAILURE WITH THIS MODEL. OWNERS ARE FORCED TO PAY HIGH REPLACEMENT COST ($1200), OR ILLEGALLY CHARGE/DISCHARGE HARMFUL R134A TO RECHARGE THE SYSTEM. TYPICAL RECHARGE ONLY LASTS A FEW WEEKS DUE TO LEAKS IN THE EVAPORATOR. R134A CHEMICAL CONTAINS HARMFUL INGREDIENTS, EXPOSING THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE TO THE LEAKING FUMES AND POSSIBLE HEALTH HAZARD.*AK

ANITI-LOCK BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, DO NOT GRAB LIKE THEY SHOULD AND CLICK. CONTACTED DEALER. THIS WAS COMMON PROBLEM.*AK

THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON WITH THIS MODEL DUE TO A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING FULL REIMBURSEMENT. *YH

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 00V238000- BALL JOINTS, VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING AN UNKNOWN RATTLE WITH POSSIBLE BALL JOINT FAILURE. VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE THE RECALL SCOPE THAT WAS ISSUED BY VOLVO.*JB

COMPUTER FAILED EXCESSIVELY RESULTING IN INTERMITTENT WORKING OF SUNROOF/ AIR CONDITIONING, AND POWER WINDOWS. ALSO VEHICLE STALLED FREQUENTLY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.(NO TIRE INFO GIVEN.(OHIO CRASH TRAFFIC REPORT)*JB

ANTI LOCK BRAKES WILL GRAB, NOT STOPPING SMOOTHLY WHEN PEDAL IS DEPLOYED. OCCUPANTS ARE SLUNG FORWARD. THIS IS COMMON FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL, "QUALITATIVE PROBLEM". PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CAR TO RAPIDLY LOSE SPEED. HAD IT HAPPENED DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HIGHER SPEEDS THEN AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THIS FAILURE SEEMS EXTREMELY PREMATURE FOR THIS TYPE OF PART. 80000 MILES TRANSLATES TO ABOUT 2000 HRS OF OPERATION. IF THIS IS A NORMAL REPAIR FOR THIS TYPE OF CAR THEN VOLVO HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF NHTSA HAS ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PART AND ITS FAILURE RATE.*AK

THE OWNER REPORTS POOR MILEAGE AND DURABILITY OF THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH EXCESIVE STEER AXLE WEIGHT, FUEL TANKS AND 5TH WHEEL RAILS MOVE AFT BUT STEER AXLE WEIGHT RUNS ABOUT 13,140 LBS (CUMMINS ENGINE)(REPORTED TO MANUFACTURER). NLM

THIS IS A COMMON, EXPENSIVE, AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS FAILURE ON 1998 VOLVO 70-SERIES.. *AK