NHTSA Complaint #10322380 — 2000 VOLVO S80

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP, THE RPMS FLUCTUATED UP AND DOWN. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN HE DID NOT HAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD. HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE WITH WHAT HE ASSUMED TO BE THE TRANSMISSION FOR A YEAR BEFORE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP . THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE BUT THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR COSTS WOULD BE AT HIS EXPENSE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY. THE CONTACT NOTICED NO PROBLEMS UNTIL RECENTLY. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BEGAN EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY THAT MAKES THE VEHICLE HAVE AN ERRATIC IDLE WHEN STOPPED OR GOING VERY SLOW. AS A RESULT, IT WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. UPDATED 05/12/10.*JB