Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
When driving the transmission shift slams / bucks for 2nd to 3rd gear at the 20 to 30 miles per hour. The transmission revs and then bang?s into the next gear. This also happens when slowing down and coming to a stop, you can feel it bucking / jolt (as if it was slipping) as I apply the brake. I had reported this to the Volvo dealer several times and they said that nothing came up on the codes or diagnostic equipment. I had the transmission overhauled too in April 2013 and it ran good for about 12 months and that back to same symptoms / issues. I also brought it back again around August/September 2014 time frame to have the software updated and explained the transmission shifting problem and again no fault codes. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Volvo S80. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer in binghamton, new york, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that accelerator sensor-digital sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 06V441000 (vehicle speed control) as a possible cause of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
When the vehicle warms up from start it will not move forward or reverse it started at like 30 miles and I parked the car till I could get it fixed now when the car just warms up (not gets hot) it will not engage trans I have on more senser to check but the car will move when you first start it both forward and back but when it warms up it stops
While driving at speed tachometer dropped to 900 RPM from about 3500 with an 18 wheeler not more than 6 car lengths behind me, needless to say if it weren't for diving onto the shoulder as is decelerated rapidly to 20 MPH in a matter of seconds I would have been rear-ended with my family in the car. This is a known issue. Volvo has extended the warranty on some of the etms to 10 years/200,000 miles. When I called Volvo to ask if this model was part of that extended warranty they told me that it only covered '99-01' and that they would not repair it as " things break when they get old", and that I should drive it to the shop for diagnosis, at my own peril. They also informed me it would take a class action lawsuit to change this. Why should it take a lawsuit or death of a whole car full of people to get someone to take accountability for use of substandard parts? …
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.
The contact owns a 2000 Volvo S80. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle intermittently hesitated in responding while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated during the failure. The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V441000 (Vehicle Speed Control) which he linked to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
I own a 2000 Volvo s-80 t6, which I have had nothing but problems with. Before I had it, my son owned it and also had problems with it. One is that the vehicle doesn't start, it stalls, and it surges forward or in reverse. All since 2005. Just last month I ran into my garage door and several times almost was involved in vehicle crashes due to it either surging forward or dying on me. I read how there is a possible recall on 2001 models, so why does it not include 2000 yrs. Does it take an accident with lives lost before anything is done to correct these problems. The vehicle has been taken in to the dealership and I have been told that the problem has been taken care of. So why is it still happening? The last incident happened on January 3rd of 2009, where I ran into my garage, caused from the car surging. The vehicle has been in for the same problem on numerous occasions.
Related recalls (1)
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo S80 years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (93), 2001 (64) and 1999 (53) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 29% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Volvo S80 acceleration problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 06V-441 (vehicle speed control, Nov 15, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volvo S80 acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cruise control (5 mentions), followed by the accelerator pedal (5).
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.