NHTSA Complaint #10311511 — 2004 VOLVO XC90

FAILURE OF THE VOLVO-MODIFIED GM 4T65EV/GT TRANSMISSION IN 2003-2005 VOLVO XC90 T6 SUV. KNOWN TO VOLVO WORLDWIDE (AND WELL DOCUMENTED IN MANY INTERNET CHAT FORUMS) IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE VOLVO MODIFICATION OF THE VALVE BODY IN THE GM 4T65EV/GT TRANSMISSION CAUSING SUDDEN AND OFTEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION MAY GO INTO "LIMP HOME" MODE LEAVING ONLY 3RD GEAR AVAILABLE, OR MAY SEIZE COMPLETELY. MANY OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SUDDEN INABILITY TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP CREATING TRAFFIC COLLISION HAZARD. MANY OWNERS REPORT PRESSING ACCELERATOR WITH NO FORWARD MOTION, ONLY INCREASING ENGINE RPM, THEN SUDDEN ENGAGEMENT OF TRANSMISSION CAUSING LURCHING AND POTENTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL. I PERSONALLY OWN A 2004 VOLVO XC90 T6 SUV WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS OVER 122,500 MILES. IT HAD ITS FIRST TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT 72K MILES AT A COST OF OVER $4700 USD TO ME. NOW, 50K LATER AT 122K, THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AGAIN. VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA HAS DENIED REQUESTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MY INITIAL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. THEY OFFERED 50% ON PARTS AND LABOR "WHEN THE NEXT TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED". THIS OCCURRED LAST WEEK; MY DEALERSHIP ASKED VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA TO RECONSIDER PAYING THE FULL AMOUNT AND THEY DID. I WANT THE FIRST REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION COST REIMBURSED TO ME AND EVERY OTHER OWNER THAT HAS HAD TO PAY FOR AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM THAT VOLVO HAS ADMITTED TO. I ALSO SEEK A DEFINITIVE REPAIR SO I MAY UTILIZE THIS VEHICLE FOR WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED FOR; TOWING, LIGHT OFF-ROADING, CARRYING MY 6 DAUGHTERS AND WIFE SAFELY. *TR