Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Volvo S70 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Unexplained, involuntary acceleration from low speed. 2000 Volvo model S70 passenger car, AWD. During a slow-speed turn the vehicle accelerated at full throttle. Impact with residential structure severed a wheel and bent the front frame 90 degrees. What happened: during a slow turn into a neighbors driveway, speed about 5 MPH, turning right, touching the accelerator, the car engine accelerated at full speed. Despite foot fully into the brake the car continued to accelerate 40-50 feet until impacting the foundation of the house. Speed a time of impact 40+ MPH. Tried to turn off ignition but hit house first. Considerable damage to house and car, which was totaled by the insurance company. Reported throttle acceleration problem to Volvo in new jersey, they stated no such previous complaints about unexplained acceleration. …
Tl*- the contact stated that while driving the 2000 Volvo S70 at approximately 15 MPH the vehicle surged forward without warning, causing the contact's vehicle to crash into the back of an SUV. The front bumper of the contacts vehicle was underneath bumper of the SUV. The manufacturer sent a technician to inspect the throttle control module. The technician was unable to complete inspection due to vehicle not being able to start. The dealership inspected the vehicle before the crash. However, they were unable to duplicate the surge. The contact stated that he received a recall notice on December 22, 2006 for the throttle control module. The crash occurred on December 14 2006. The recall notice stated that the throttle control module would cause the vehicle to surge forward. The vehicle had 154000 miles at the time of the crash. There were two injuries. Updated 04/05/07.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Volvo S70. The contact stated when braking and then attempting to accelerate, the vehicle would sporadically lunge forward or there would be limited acceleration power. The etf throttle warning light would illuminate when the failure occurred. The dealer advised that they were unable to assist the contact due to the age of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 93,000.
Ignition coil is misfiring, and park neutral position switch also known as the transmission position switch or neutral safety switch is having issues. When its idling its really rough while driving the car jolts an hiccups. Doesn't know what gear it's going into
At approx. 80K miles, my 2000 Volvo S70 computer system began returning a check engine light along with a ets light on several incidents. When those warning lights were on, the engine would not hold a steady curb idle. Rpms wavered from 500 to 1500 and caused a dangerous surging at stop signs and stop lights. Checking the owners manual on the ets light, it said to turn the engine off then back on, if the light went out-fine. If not, go to the dealer. The incidence this happening got more and more frequest until finally the ets light would not go out and the car could not be safely driven. Researching on the internet, I found that it was a common problem with the etm or electronic throttle module, on this make and model year and that the only the dealer could replace it. So, I went to the dealer and had them replace the etm on aug 19, 2005 at the excessive cost of $917.91. …
Vehicle surging forward without accelerator input roads wet, but not frozen (luckily). On making turn in residential neighborhood, Volvo S70 surged without accelerator input requiring driver to take corrective action and brake hard. In 2005, this vehicle experienced engine stall, vehicle hesitation upon acceleration. Vehicle hesitation was consistent at approximately 2100 RPM at freeway speeds. On taking it to the dealer they reprogrammed the etm. After this repair, within days, the veehicle experienced and sudden and unexpected transition into reduced performance operation (limp mode) while driving on the pa turnpike. Dealer instructed us to bring car in where they installed a new etm and reprogrammed it with the new software upgrade. …
My car was jerking and stalling without any notice. My wife use to tell me all the time that it was doing that. This went on for a few months or maybe even longer. I decided to drive the car and it never happened with me until I was driving on vacation to n.c. And it just cut off while I was with my family. I had to push the car of the road. I continued to attempt to restart the vehicle. It restarted, and I went to the nearest Volvo dealer and had to have the electronic throttle module (etm) replaced. $1014 worth of repairs, from one of the best cars known for safety and reliability in the world and I felt helpless. I know that this is a defect and recall issue and would like to be reimbursed or given credit at a Volvo dealership to make up for my loss and just make this matter right. I still have the invoice service receipt with all the information on it. …
The electronic throttle module on my 2000 Volvo S70 malfunctioned causing inability to accelerate. Mileage = 61,694. The ets light came on the day prior to the incident. Etm was replaced. After the etm module was replaced, the electronic windows would not function. I was informed by the Volvo technician that this was a coincidence and not related to the etm replacement. Prior to etm replacement, I had no problems with the electronic windows. Last week while I was driving alone in my 2000 S70 Volvo, the passenger seat fully reclined on its own. This incident reminded me of a similar scenario one week after purchasing the vehicle. The driver's seat fully reclined without anyone touching the electronic seat control. In December 2000, the turn signals and hazard lights switch was found to be faulty and was replaced under the warranty. …
Theelectronic throttle system (ets) light has been on dashboard intermittently since a 50,000 miles. The car currently has nearly 95,000 miles. On numerous occasions the tachometer reached into the red line when cranked without any use of the accelerator. In traffic, when beginning to coast at cruising speeds, the car will surge slightly without the help of the accelerator. The ets light will appear and then the problem will cease. Took the vehicle to don beyer Volvo-dulles on January 18, 2005, and after being told the warranty on the throttle module was extended, the dealer refused to fix the problem stating the appropriate codes were not evident. However, the service representative said the throttle body needed to be cleaned, and that the unit would eventually fail. …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Volvo S70. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 15 MPH (at the lowest). The contact frequently noticed the failure and also observed that the tachometer would fluctuate up and down. She took the vehicle to a mechanic, who retrieved an error code and referred her to the dealer. The dealer retrieved the failure code for the throttle positioning sensor. The contact was informed of NHTSA campaign id number 06V441000 (vehicle speed control). She consulted six different dealers and they all stated that the parts needed for the repair were on backorder for approximately six weeks. The closest dealer informed her that they have yet to receive parts, even after the six week deadline. The manufacturer could not provide any additional information. The current mileage was approximately 90,000 and failure mileage was approximately 40,000. …
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
On certain passenger vehicles, a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing, and/or inefficient software calibration May cause a warning lamp to light and the subsequent onset of limp home modes.
Remedy: Dealers will install the current software upgrade onto the involved vehicles. The recall began on December 29, 2006. Owners May contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control malfunction
Pe05-041 was opened on July, 26, 2005, based on 136 consumer complaints to odi alleging throttle control malfunctions in the subject vehicles.odi has now received 591 complaints of etm failures which allege symptoms with potential safety related consequences.these include allegations of engine stall, vehicle surging forward without accelerator input, vehicle hesitation upon acceleration and sudden and unexpected…
Throttle control malfunction
On November 14, 2006 Volvo submitted a defect information report to NHTSA concerning etm failures in model year (my) 1999 through 2001 Volvo models (not including the s40 and v40), my 2002 s60 and v70 with naturally aspirated engines and my 2002 v70s.according to Volvo, ?a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing and/or inefficient software calibration May cause a warning…
Acceleration complaints in other S70 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2000 Volvo S70?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2000 Volvo S70, 43% of the model year's 164 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2000 Volvo S70 acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-441 (vehicle speed control, Nov 15, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Volvo S70 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.