NHTSA Complaint #748113 — 2001 VOLVO S40

THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT IT IS A TRANSAXLE PROBLEM, AND THEY "HAVE NO IDEA WHY IT IS HAPPENING" (SIC) . THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN A LOUD SCREECHING BEGAN, AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER, SUPPLYING POWER OFF AND ON TO ONLY ONE WHEEL, JERKING THE CAR AROUND THE ROAD WITH MINIMAL CONTROL, ALMOST CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE HAPPENED AT 40 MILES PER HOUR, THE SAME LOUD SCREECH, FOLLOWED BY AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER, FORCING US TO COAST ACROSS 4 LANES OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE CURB. THIS PROBLEM HAS NO WARNING AND POSES A SERIOUS THREAT TO OUR SAFETY WHENEVER WE DRIVE THIS CAR.*AK