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 V70XC owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own a 1999 Volvo V70XC. While driving to work on 9/8/05, suddenly the electronic throttle system (ets) light lit up on my driver control panel, and I lost a considerable amount of acceleration as I was driving through an intersection. I quickly pulled over to the side of the road, and checked my owner's manual. As the manual instructed, I contacted my mechanic from the road and he suggested I bring it in right away. After several stops & driving on the shoulder I made it to my mechanic (15 miles) who was actually surprised I had been able to drive it there at all. He told me the ets would probably need to be replaced at approximately $950 to $1150. I was floored by the news, especially since it seemed to be a safety issue. …
The car went into a "limp home mode" as I was pulling into traffic, causing several cars to have to swerve to keep from hitting me. I called Volvo and they said the 99 & 00 ( which I own both ) models had a recall on the part. I carried the car to the Volvo dealership and they said the recall was only to install a software update, not to replace the part itself. Well, they did the software upgrade and about half way home, 5 miles or less, the etc light came on again and the car went into the limp home mode again, barely making it home. I called the dealership and they said that the module itself needed to be replaced and was not covered by the recall ????? They told me it would be between $1200-$1300 to replace. This is extremely wrong and dangerous. …
"service engine soon" (ses) light came on recently purchased this car with 55000 miles on odometer. Call to Volvo indicated that this usually meant that the etm (electronic throttle module) needs cleaning. Call local independant Volvo mechanic. He had me check the color of the label on etm. Said that I had the original etm and that claing does no good, etm needs replaced as he has seen this issue many times. Had independent mechanic replace etm at a cost of ~$800. Further investigation on internet found that this is a very common occurance. Also noted that I had purchased an extended warranty with car and that the warranty explicitly exluded etm....coincidence? I think not.....the etm failure is not only a safetly hazzard (car can not go > 20mph when ses comes on..) but for a car of the alledged quality of a Volvo to have a prt such as a throttle module go bad at 55000 miles is crazy. …
Initially, I noticed the car would surge upon acceleration in 1st gear. Sometimes, maybe 40% of the time, I would start off from a stop, but the car would hesitate before going. Also, the car would idle roughly when first started, and would 'shutter' when turned off. Once, I turned off the car and removed the key, and the car continued to sputter roughly until I restarted it. It was recommended by my mechanic to use a fuel treatment, and use premium gas with detergents. I did this, and nothing changed. Recently, as these symptoms worsened, the "ets" light began to intermittently come on in my car. The light had been on and off for 3 weeks and I called my mechanic. I took the car to my mechanic, who upon checking the computer codes, found that the ets light was due to a failure in the electronic throttle body unit. …
I have had intermittent problems with drivability with my 1999 Volvo v70. Warning lights would come on and off and erratic driving performance were experienced. Then the ets light came on and stayed on. Drivability worsened to the point of fearing getting stranded in the middle of the intersection or highway. Safety seems to be compromised by the unpredictability of the cars performance. In speaking with the dealer it was clear that this was a common problem. It was also extremely expensive and there were no alternatives as this could only be repaired through the dealer. This problem is well documented. This problem is consistent. This problem compromises safety. And with the cost of the repair and lack of alternatives measures, this feels like a manufacturer taking advantage of the customer. Lastly, the dealer will replace this faulty component with another faulty component. …
Dt: the consumer stopped a traffic light, and after the light changed, the consumer stepped on the accelerator and the car moved forward about ten feet , and there was a decrease in power to the point of stalling. The consumer felt as though it coasted through, she immediately pulled to the side of the road. The electronic throttle system ( ets) light illuminated. She referred to owner's manual, which suggested to turn the engine off and try to restart vehicle. Consumer did so, and the vehicle restarted, but the ets as well as the check engine light came on. The consumer called mechanic, who instructed the consumer to turn engine off and restart the vehicle. The consumer did so, and the panel lights came on. About five miles later the problem returned. Took vehicle to independent mechanic who suggested that ets failed and replaced it.
1) ets light and check engine light would illuminate within a few minutes of starting car. Check engine light would occasionally turn off while driving, ets stayed on. Car began to hesitate and surge, particularly noticeable around 35-MPH and 60-MPH. 2) all most complete loss of power while driving on side street, under normal conditions. When pressing the accelerator there was very little response. Parked the car over night on side of road. Next day it was more responsive, though still had the ets and check engine lights on. 3) Volvo dealer replace the electronic throttle body. Total cost $1300. I asked for the old throttle body, but was told it would cost several hundred dollars, as there was a "core charge" from Volvo. Was also told that if there eventually was a recall on this part my receipt would be sufficient for reimbursement.
This complaint is regarding 2 faulty throttle modules (etm) that have been replaced by Volvo dealerships for my 1999 Volvo v70 xc. The first/original etm was replaced under warranty with 58,635 miles on 22 May 03. 14 months and 12,474 miles later, that etm failed and I had to replace it at my cost. Symptoms included irregular and erratic acceleration and deceleration of the car at highway speeds with the acceleration pedal pressed, but steady. It should also be noted that the two etm's that were installed were both model# 8644347. This shows evidence that Volvo is only replacing a failed defective etm with a new defective etm. I urge the NHTSA to look into this matter for the safety of Volvo drivers who might get into a future accident due to this defective part. Thank you.
Last year, I brought my car to the local Volvo dealer (goodwin's in brunswick, me) because the engine was "surging". This means that the engine was revving and slowing independent of the accelerator pedal. They told me that this is a defect in the electronic throttle control, that it was dangerous and needed to be fixed, that lots of Volvo's up to the year 2003 had it, and then Volvo finally managed to engineer a fix. In fact, the service manager said he wouldn't by a Volvo car unless it was 2003 model or newer for this reason. When I asked why it wasn't a recall issue since there are so many problems, they simply replied that it wasn't. I was charged about $1000.00 to have it replaced.
The ABS/trac and brake warning lights are coming on simultaneously and then go off after a few minutes. On other occasions, the speedometer stops working and the orange arrow starts blinking. Sometimes when the orange light is blinking, the car shifts to winter mode and you cannot accelerate as you normally would. The dealer told me that it is the ABS module and cost of repair would be over $1000. I had the electronic throttle replaced last year. It looks like a poor design, as I have been reading a lot about these problems on volvos. I am requesting NHTSA contact Volvo headquarters and demand a recall on this hazardous ABS and acceleration safety problem.
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 V70XC years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1999 Volvo V70XC?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1999 Volvo V70XC, 37% of the model year's 79 complaints. The component named most often is linkages (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Volvo V70XC 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 V70XC acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
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.