NHTSA Complaint #10090937 — 2004 VOLVO XC90

ON AUGUST, 26, 2004 THERE WAS A MAJOR MALFUNCTION IN OUR VOLVO XC90 (2004). WHILE DRIVING WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS AND 2 ADULTS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY; SUDDENDLY, THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION IN THE GAS PEDAL AND THE STEARING WHEEL DID NOT FUNCTION. WE MANAGED TO SLOWLY MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FROM WHAT MOMENTUM WAS LEFT IN THE CAR, AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. WE WERE OBVIOUSLY VERY SHAKEN UP, AND FIND THIS CAR COMPLETELY UNSAFE. IT HAS BEEN 3 WEEKS NOW GETTING THE RUN AROUND WITH THE CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY VOLVO DEALER. THEY SAID "THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR". THE CAR IS UNSAFE FOR OUR FAMILY, AND PRESENTS A DANGER FOR OTHERS ON THE ROAD. WE ARE AFRAID IT WILL STOP DEAD AGAIN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH DEATH OR INJURIES OCCURING TO EITHER OURSELVES OR OTHERS. THE DEALER ASKED US WHAT WE WANTED "WE FINALLY SAID, (AFTER THEY SAID THEY'D GET US A NEW SUV AND DID NOT) THAT WE WANT OUR MONEY BACK ($3,000 DEPOSIT) AND WE DON'T WANT THIS CAR THEY SOLD US. TODAY, THEY MADE US TAKE THIS CAR BACK AND THEY ARE REFUSING OUR REQUEST TO REFUND OUR MONEY. ALSO, THE CAR WAS TOWED ON A FLAT BED TRUCK IN TO THE DEALER ON JULY 13TH, 2004 AS THE CAR DID NOT START.. "RELAYS WERE LOOSE IN THE ICM AND CEM ETC.," [WE HAVE THE SERVICE ORDER] ON THIS DAY, THE MESSAGE ON THE CAR SAID SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT "URGENT MALFUNCTION IN SUV AIR BAGS..." AND WE UNLOADED THE FAMILY AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP. AND THE CAR'S 2 SIDE MIRRORS WORK ONE DAY AND NOT THE NEXT. TOMORROW I TAKE MATTHEW TO HIS FIRST DAY AT PRE-SCHOOL, AND I'M HALF THINKING WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO THE CAR WHEN WE'RE DRIVING. IT'S AMAZING TO ME THAT VOLVO CAN LET ME LEAVE THEIR PARKING LOT WITH THIS CAR THIS EVENING, AND THE AREN'T TAKING SAFETY SERIOUSLY AT ALL. SO, AT 11:00 PM I AM UP LETTING THE NHTSA KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. WE ARE WILLING TO HELP IN ANYWAY WE CAN. SINCERELY, THE LAWRENCE FAMILY.*AK