Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Volvo S80 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Placed my vehicle in reverse to pull back out of my garage & my car accelerated out of control. I was forced into a parking sign that scratched and dented my left rear bumper. In the last 2 1/2 months related problems continue where my car surges & also experiences sudden & unexpected reduced performance. When I accelerate my car feels like it is stuck in gear & won't respond. It is a safety hazard!! Again!!! This duplicates the same electronic throttle module problem I had in August of 2005. After taking my car in 4 times (not knowing what the problem was), it was finally determined it is the etm again. Volvo performed a computerized upgrade on the etm & then it was finally recalled in January of 2006. It is another safety hazard ready to happen. Volvo should have in the beginning & should at this time be made to replace the faulty etm!
Dt*: the contact stated while in reverse the vehicle accelerated suddenly and ran into a cactus. As a result, the vehicle sustained body damage. The dealership inspected the vehicle; however they were unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, which replaced the rear passenger door and panel. The manufacturer was notified; however no additional repairs were made. Updated 5/10/2006 - the dealer replaced the electronic control module.
Takata recall- the vehicle become non responsive when pushing the accelerator, the engine started running rough, the cruise control stopped working, the dstc (dynamic stability traction control) failed and the engine coolant temperature stopped reading. The vehicle started stalling everytime I come to a stop. All this started at the same time while I was driving the vehicle.
While traveling at 25 MPH, I applied brakes to stop about 30-35 feet behind another vehicle, when my vehicle suddenly accelerated (with my foot on the brakes and) and launched forward and struck the vehicle ahead of me, causing injury to the driver and the passenger and resulted in a lawsuit against me. The lawsuit is set for trial on November 30, 2009.
I was on the ramp getting on to the highway, and all of a sudden the car stalled. I could not accelerate, and a semi was going to hit the back of my car because I got out there in front of him and then I can't move. So to avoid the accident, I darted of the highway unto the shoulder with the dismay of the truck driver. The information in the left corner gave "performance reduced". I didn't know what happened. So I had it towed, and without finding anything the first day, they found that it was the electronic throttle module. So I had to pay over $1000 to get this fixed. This was back in March, and now I am having the same problem. I am not going to pay another $1000 for the same thing. I almost got into an accident and I already paid over $1000 to get it fixed, and now I have to come out of pocket again only 4 months later. …
I own a 2001 Volvo S80. I have had trouble with the electronic throttle module not responding to the throttle inputs and surging at idle. It would sometimes kill the car without warning when coming to a stop (losing power-steering while in turns) or make the car lunge forward unexpectedly. The lunging forward has almost caused accidents at intersections. I've been lucky for now, but I will not let my wife drive the car while it is doing this because she May not be able to control the car without power steering and brakes. I took it in for repair and they told me that it was the electronic throttle module, and they need replacing after a while, so I replaced it. 4 months later, I'm experiencing the same idle problems as well as the lunging problems. I am being told that it is the same problem with the throttle module. …
Surging idle speed. Car lurches forward at times when accelerating from a stop. Car almost stalls when idling in bumper to bumper traffic, requiring you to press on the gas to keep it from stalling, but this makes the car lurch forward even more. Several times I have almost hit the car in front of me. This problem is due to a faulty etm (electronic throttle module) that is described in the NHTSA defect investigation shown below. The etm in my car was replaced two years ago at 46K miles but the same symptoms are recurring. NHTSA action number : pe05041 NHTSA recall campaign number : n/a make : Volvo model: S80 manufacturer : Volvo cars of n.a. Llc. …
Etm bad/ electronic throttle module this has been a nightmare and it's not resolved yet! I bought my used Volvo s-80 t6 October 20 th with 76,000 miles. Within the day of ownership the service engine required light came on, and I failed mass inspection. I tried to get my money back, but I bought out of state, and they refuse to return calls. I researched the problem and found it was the etm. On Wednesday nov 10th 2005, I called my local dealer pioneer Volvo in south deerfield mass [phone], and was informed that the etm warranty expired at 70,000 miles, at 76,000 mile, there was no warranty. I asked him about known problems with the etm, and denied that he was aware of any! I asked him for an appointment, explained that he is the closest dealer at 47 minutes away, and that I needed help asap due to failed emissions. …
The contact owns 2000 Volvo S80. Purchased it under an extended warranty certified used car program from clayton Volvo in knoxville tennessee in April 2001. Several months later, while the car was still under warranty, the car died in the middle of an intersection. After towing it to the dealer it was discovered the electronic throttle module wasfilled with carbon. That unit was replaced under warranty. A couple years later, the car again died. This time it happened in a parking lot. Thankfully, in both cases it happened in a safe situation. Again, the etm was determined to be the problem. But, the warranty had expired. The dealer and the manufacturer refused to recognize that the problem was an ongoing issue. This time the contact was forced to pay nearly $1000 for repairs. …
I'm a new owner of a 2001 S80 t6 with 66K miles. Second day of ownership I'm on my way home in the passing lane of a freeway in ma, traffic slows to a stop. As I accelerate the car stalls. I pull to the left of the traveling lane, put the car in park, restart the vehicle. The next day, I pull up to a red light, accelerate and the car stalls. I put it in park, restart the car, and away I go. No messages, no check engine, no codes that I know of. I travel 100 miles a day, and the problem occurs at least every other day. This problem in intermittant and extremely dangerous. The highway I travel on allows travel in breakdown lanes during rush hour. I need to travel in the right travel lane always in the event of another stall. Dealership cleaned the electronic throttle module. Problem continues. Returned to the dealership. They say, "no codes, no new throttle". …
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 S80 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2001 Volvo S80?
NHTSA has 64 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2001 Volvo S80, 39% of the model year's 164 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Volvo S80 acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-441 (vehicle speed control, Nov 15, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Volvo S80 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 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.