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
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Volvo V70. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the throttle body modulator failed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure continued to occur. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel sensor gauge failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.
Since mid July, 05 car has had an intermittent stalling problem. When you stop, after the car is at operating temp. It will seek idle, run up to about 1,000 RPM & either drop to below 500 RPM or stall out. It does this on several makes of premium gas, mobil, shell, texico/amaco, and or marathon. It will restart easily and then does not lose idle again for some time. I had it checked by dealership, and they find the mass air sensor and throttle module are bad. Cost to cure is $1,500. I do not think a car with 64K miles should need this type of expense. I think a car that stalls in traffic without any warning is a hazard. I have contacted Volvo, and they are sorry but can do nothing about it at this time. They are replacing or making adjustment to cost in sweden at this time per "brickboard" the Volvo web site on throttle modules. I have asked for original parts, and will save them.
Volvo V70 2004 wagon - driving on city streets. Car stalled 3x and lost steering control 2 x. Had it towed to dealer (power Volvo, torrance ca) but they could not duplicate problems (all 3 incidents happened within 10 mins of each other when I was driving). Told me the next day the throttle was "sticking" and they would "clean" it. This makes me nervous due to the past throttle problems with volvos, and also because I have a 4 year old child, and am 9 mo. Pregnant. Thought you guys should know!
2000 v70xcaw cross country wagon etm system failed. The ac hose compressor condenser was replaced. The vehicle was leaking gas and the o-ring seal on the pump sender was replaced. The front passenger window was inoperable when trying to use the master controls. The dealer replaced the module switch. The engine would whine at highway speeds while accelerating. The battery, oil pan, upper torque mount, angle gear, rotors, fuel pump, fuel tank, fuel seal and struts were all replaced. The cv boot was leaking. The turbo charger was replaced because of an oil leak.
In April 2021 I drove my newly acquired Volvo V70 wagon from Mississippi to my home in RI. Once I reached in and around NYC, the car began to surge forward as I applied the brakes at stop lights/signs. This became most pronounced at the GW Bridge Toll area, in high slow-moving traffic. Several times the car almost got out of control as the brakes were barely enough to stop the car from ramming into other vehicles. Cars and huge trucks were honking their horns as I broke, swerved, smoke clouds from high idling in neutral, and peeling rubber as I moved forward from standing still. I was trapped as there is no place to pull over to the sides to a breakdown lane. It eventually stopped surging but has threatened to do it in RI. I asked the mechanic about it when I had to get the car inspected. He basically said he would have to see the vehicle when it was happening. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Volvo V70. After starting the vehicle, a loud rumbling noise was heard coming from the engine. In addition, the vehicle accelerated independently and stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact stated that the instrument panel was dark and not functioning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle control and driver information module needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 06V441000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
I have Volvo V70 t5 wagon with reduced performance and unexpected acceleration and reduction of acceleration. The vehicle stopped on traffic and I was almost rear ended. The vehicle accelerated while entering the garage and causing damage to the body of the vehicle. Additionally, the climate control in the car stopped working. My dealer ed schmidt Volvo in perrysburg,ohio now saids that I need to replace my throottle module ($1300) and the processor for the climate control ($1400). The vehicle is only three thousand miles beyond warranty. I have a dangerous lemon in my hands and there is nothing I can do. I thank god that my young children where not near the garage when the car accelearted out of control. Please feel free to contact me. This car should not be on the road in its present condition.
Dt: the contact stated vehicle surged forward after placing it into gear. She tried to stop the vehicle by applying the brakes, but they would not work. She lost control of the vehicle and struck a pole. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the problem. Updated 11/29/2005 - the few weeks prior to this accident the vehicle had a computer problem and the passenger door, window and turn signal were inoperative. These problems were fixed by the dealer.
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
FUEL LEAKAGE
There is no summary currently available
Exhaust pipe burns
Odi opened this investigation based on two reports of children receiving burns on their leg from the hot exhaust pipe while exiting 1998 model year v70 wagons via the rear liftgate.these vehicles were equipped with a dealer installed rear facing children's auxiliary seat (auxiliary seat).entry to andexit from the auxiliary seat is only available through the rear liftgate.the end of the exhaust pipe, or exhaust pipe…
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 V70 years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (61), 1999 (53), 2000 (23) and 2002 (12) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 28% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Volvo V70 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 V70 acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles; 17% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cruise control (2 mentions), followed by the accelerator pedal (2).
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.