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 1999 Volvo V70 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Car surges randomly at lower speeds. Car also loses power on freeway and acceleration fluctuates uncontrollably at times. All symptoms happening while car is in motion, mostly at speeds over 50mph. I brought the car to my local dealership where there were open recalls on the model I own. After recall was performed, the symptoms have increased and worsened. Dealership is refusing to take any responsibility.
I was driving my 1999 Volvo V70 on the highway, and it constantly accelerates and decelerates on its own with no action done by me. In one case it accelerated to the point in which I lost control and caused an accident. Vehicle is in the process of having the etm replaced at the dealership at a cost of 1000.00 to me because it is outside of warranty coverage.
I've had numerous electronic problems with my Volvo V70 since I bought it in 1998. The vehicle has been brought back to the Volvo repair dealer for many repairs (I have organized documents of all the repair orders) clearly identified as "lost of power" while driving. Mostly on small roads and only once on an interstate. Originally started under warranty, I was told that the same problem was not covered outside of warranty when I spoke with the president of Volvo north America's secretary. I have had many parts replaced trying to correct the situation including two electronic throttle control units (totaling three if you include the one that came with the car). "loss of power", "stalling at traffic lights", "hesitation when pressing on accelerator", an other comments are all documented in the Volvo repair shop repair orders. …
The throttle on our 1999 Volvo V70 has failed. The problem was noticed by unusual throttle behavior on the freeway at 60 - 70 miles per hour. After this behavior had occurred several times over a period of months, the ets light came on indicating a throttle problem. The problem caused an unusual feeling to driving the car as if there were some resistance or impediment to the engine running properly. The ets warning light came on the date below listed as "incident date," but the problem was occurring over a few month period before that date. The ets light did not stay on, but there is clearly a problem with the throttle. I took the car to the dealer, lee Volvo in wellesley, ma and was told the throttle needed to be replaced. …
Back in June of 2008 - on start up my 99 Volvo V70 - would rough idle, rev to 4000 and would not exceed 20 MPH. The idle sounded like sneakers in a dryer. I took the car to my garage and was quoted $2000.00 to replace the etm - I was told by my garage that the etm May still be under warranty. After speaking with Volvo USA - I was advised that this part was under warranty and I should bring to the nearest Volvo dealership. I did. Boston Volvo village - did a software update and after that reported no issues with the etm - they claimed cracked vacuum hoses were the problems. They replaced the hoses and return the car. The car broke down a day later - rev to 4000, rough idle, won't go over 20 MPH - sneakers in washing machine sound. I brought the car back to boston Volvo village - this time they told me that I had an bad accelerator pedal - which was replace cost was $225.00. …
1999 Volvo v70r AWD, 56958 miles 1. No noticeable events leading up to near crash except for when using cruise control vehicle had a tendency to not hold steady speed. It seemed to want to hunt above and below set speed in order to maintain set speed. 2. Stopped at a stop sign waiting to cross a busy highway, started to proceed when clear and vehicle hesitated for 2 or 4 seconds and then regained normal acceleration. Nearly hit broadside because of hesitation of engine. Within 20 miles etm light went on and car went into limp-in mode. Vehicle required several minutes to accelerate to 30 MPH and would not exceed that speed. I was 130 miles from home and was required to haul it back on a flat bed because it is an AWD. 3. Replaced throttle body #8644347, software #9438298-3 2518 and gasket #8636753 to correct problem. Cost was approximately $1200 not including towing. …
While operating the subject vehicle, a Volvo 1999 model v70r AWD, and attempting a left hand turn through traffic under a green light, the throttle control system failed. As the oncoming traffic cleared sufficiently for a safe left hand turn, the accelerator pedal was depressed to execute the left turn but the engine and vehicle did not respond. The vehicle only idled forward into approaching traffic. The vehicle had to be turned off and restarted in order to get the throttle to respond. In my opinion, this failure is equivalent to the throttle cable snapping on a four year old vehicle with only 60,000 miles. If the rate of incidence of occurrence is somehow represented by the number of complaints evident on the world wide web, then this is a common occurrence. It is likely that property and people have been hurt by this throttle failure and this problem should be corrected by a recall.
11/12/04 mass air flow sensor replaced 12/16/04 map sensor & shut off valve replaced 3/15/05 shut off valve replaced again! 1/18 05 master window switch pack replaced - 5/31/05 master window switch pack replaced again!! 3/17/05 electronic throttle control module replaced!!! 5/9/05 oxygen sensor and ABS control unit replaced. When the throttle control module failed in March 2005, my 1999 Volvo V70 had only 55,000 miles on it! I was on the expressway when my car lost power and had no way to get back onto the road safely.....I have spent over $4000 in the past year replacing electrical control units in order to make this car safe. The check engine light came multiple times over the past year. I am afraid to drive this car for fear of something else going wrong with the electrical system. I have four small grandchildren who are with me at least three days a week.
Dt: 1999 Volvo V70 station wagon glt. The vehicle suddenly lost power and speed. Consumer was just driving and it started losing power. When putting pressure on the gas pedal it started bucking. When consumer first contacted the dealer he told him that if consumer left vehicle sitting for a while it would start back. Dealership claimed it was the electronic throttle control module. This part was replaced on 4-1-05, and later failed on 7-29-05. The dealership replaced it again at no charge. There have been some other electrical problems. Consumer had not picked up the vehicle from the dealership as of yet. Before these incidents occurred the cruise control quit working, the electronic throttle system light and engine warning light came on.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled under normal driving conditions. The vehicle would surge prior to stalling. The surge was controllable during braking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who changed the software of the electronic throttle module, but the problems persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who cleaned the throttle module. The problem reoccurred constantly. The dealer could not provide a determination for the cause of the problem on both occasions. The contact also received a letter from the manufacturer concerning an extension on the warranty on parts that included the electronic throttle system. The dealer did not honor the letter.
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 V70 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1999 Volvo V70?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1999 Volvo V70, 31% of the model year's 169 complaints. The component named most often is cables (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Volvo V70 acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-441 (vehicle speed control, Nov 15, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Volvo V70 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 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.