RoadVitals

2000 Volvo C70 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Jun 27, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
42%
of 26 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Volvo C70 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Jun 27, 2014

THE CAR LOSES POWER, SHUTS OFF, AND/OR WON'T ACCELERATE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS WITHOUT WARNING. VOLVO HAS DETERMINED THE ETM'S IN THESE MODELS TO BE DEFECTIVE BUT CONTINUE TO BE ALLOWED TO NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR WORKMANSHIP. THEY HAVE NOT HAD TO TAKE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACCIDENTS, INCIDENTS CAUSED BY THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE CONSUMER WHO HAS BOUGHT THE CARS, TRUSTING THE VOLVO NAMES IS BEING MADE TO PAY FOR TRUSTING THEM. THE PUT ALL OF THESE RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE TO KEEP FROM FIXING WHAT THEY. MESSED UP INITIALLY. THEY JUST WANT TO REPLACE SOFTWARE, IF YOUR CAR BREAKS IN TIME AND YOU KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL. WE, THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE FORCED TO TAKE MONETARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PARTS, WORK, OR THE INCONVENIENCE TO FIX THIS ISSUE. WE LIKE OUR CARS AND THAT SHOULD NOT BE USED AGAINST US. WE HAVEN'T EVEN ADDRESSED THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEATHS AND ACCIDENTS CONNECTED WITH THIS DEFECT, LIKE CHEVROLET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10606602
Incident
Jun 13, 2011
Mileage
95,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Aug 25, 2010

IRREGULAR ENGINE RPMS AT IDLE; CAR BEGINS TO STALL BEFORE ACCELERATION, AND CAR FAILS TO HOLD SPEED. HAD CAR TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, ONLY TO HAVE THE "155" SOFTWARE UPDATE PERFORMED BUT NO ETM REPLACEMENT. NOW THAT MAGICALLY THE 10 YEAR PERIOD HAS JUST EXPIRED, THE DEALER NOW CLAIMS A NEW ETM IS NEEDED AT MY EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10351773
Incident
Jan 4, 2010
Mileage
109,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 30, 2009

I OWN A 2000 VOLVO C70. THE CAR WAS OPERATING NORMALLY DRIVING 65 MPH AND WHILE DRIVING WENT INTO WHAT IS CALLED 'LIMP MODE' CAUSING A NEAR CRASH. THIS HAPPENED A 2ND TIME LATER THAT DAY. THE CAR NOW SURGES AT VARIOUS SPEED AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CAR IS AT A VOLVO DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS SAFTEY ISSUE (ETM FAILURE WIDESPREAD IN THESE CARS) BUT VOLVO IS BEING DIFFICULT IN AUTHORIZING REPLACEMENT OF THESE ETM UNITS DESPITE A 10/YEAR 200,000 EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10285765
Incident
Sep 28, 2009
Mileage
138,400 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 28, 2005

FAILURE OF ENGINE THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE (ETM) IN MY 2000 VOLVO C70 COUPE. FAILURE RESULTED IN SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED AND STEERING ASSIST WHEN DRIVING, AS WELL AS, SUDDEN AND COMPLETE STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENED TWICE, 10/20/05 (ETS LIGHT DID NOT REMAIN ON AFTER SWITCHING THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN--SEE COMMENT BELOW) AND 10/22/05. CAR WAS TAKEN INTO VOLVO SPECIALIST REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIR (REPAIR COST IS APPROXIMATELY $1000). REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1999 AND 2000 VOLVOS AS THIS WAS THE FIRST 2 YEARS THAT VOLVO HAD GONE TO AN ETM, AND IT "JUST WASN'T RIGHT". I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ETM, WHEN A CABLE WAS USED FROM THE GAS PEDAL TO THE THROTTLE, THE VOLVO SERVICE MANUAL ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE SHOULD BE CLEANED AS PART OF REGULAR SERVICING OF A VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE VOLVO SERVICE MANUAL DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THE ETM BE CLEANED AS PART OF SERVICING. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS FOLLOWING CLOSELY WHEN I HAD THE ETM FAILURES; OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY DISCONCERTING ON THE SECOND FAILURE AS MY 15-YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VOLVO OWNER'S MANUAL ADVISES THAT IF THE ETS LIGHT COMES ON, "...THERE IS A FAULT IN THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM AND DRIVEABILITY WILL BE AFFECTED. SWITCH THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. IF THE LIGHT REMAINS ON, THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED VOLVO RETAILER." WHAT THEY DON'T TELL YOU IS THAT IT SHOULD BE TAKEN IN REGARDLESS (I.E., WHETHER OR NOT THE LIGHT REMAINS ON), AS IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IF A FAULT HAS OCCURRED IN THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE ETM ARE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPENED, AND THE NHTSA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL OF THIS PART ON ALL 1999 AND 2000 VOLVOS. ANY RELUCTANCE OF VOLVO TO AGREE TO THIS POST HASTE WOULD BE POOR CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP ON BEHALF OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY, THE OWNER OF VOLVO CARS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10141131
Incident
Oct 20, 2005
Mileage
78,900 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 2, 2005

ETS FAILURE

NHTSA ID
10135203
Incident
Jul 24, 2005
Mileage
71,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 4, 2005

(1) ENGINE DEGRADED PERFORMANCE...FELT LIKE ENGINE WAS 'MISSING' AND RPM'S SURGED. (2) ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED IN HEAVY MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. (3) ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED BY STILLMAN VOLVO. OLD PART UNAVAILABLE BY US. PERHAPS VOLVO MAY HAVE IT. INCIDENT DATE IS A ROUGH ESTIMATE AS I DO NOT HAVE THE RECEIPT HERE AT WORK. *JB

NHTSA ID
10131599
Incident
Jun 1, 2005
Mileage
64,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 2, 2005

ELECTRONIC THROTTLE PROBLEMS - ETS LIGHT IS CURRENTLY ON, AND HAS BEEN ON IN THE PAST.*JB

NHTSA ID
10131193
Incident
Jul 1, 2005
Mileage
52,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 2, 2005

2000 VOLVO C70 LP COUPE. ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE FAILURE. AT APPROXIMATELY 54.000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, CAR STARTED STUTTERING AND BOGGING INTERMITTENTLY. AT 56,000 MILES, CAR WOULD ACTUALLY DIE AND REFUSE TO START. AFTER SHUTTING CAR DOWN, THE CAR COMPUTER WOULD EVENTUALLY RESET AND ALLOW THE ENGINE TO OPERATE NORMALLY. NOW, EVERY OTHER DAY, THE CAR'S ETS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL GO ON AND THE CAR WILL STALL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10131164
Incident
Aug 1, 2005
Mileage
54,000 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 2, 2005

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS I COULD NOT ACCELERATE, AND HAD TO PROCEED TO THE SHOULDER. I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING VISUALLY WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND IT STARTED BACK UP AND WENT ON MY WAY. THIS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES UNTIL I REACHED MY DESTINATION. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SHOP THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SENSOR. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER STOPPING AT A CONVENIENT STORE, I GOT A JUMP START. ALSO THE TRUNK LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON, AND MY CAR ALARM HAS BEEN GOING OFF RANDOMLY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10131151
Incident
May 27, 2005
Mileage
64,134 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 1, 2005

THE CAR STALLS WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. STALLING OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10130874
Incident
Jul 31, 2005
Mileage
33,988 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 16, 2003

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES' COMPONENTS , WHICH IS OPERATED BY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. PH

NHTSA ID
10004047
Incident
Jul 15, 2001
Mileage
15,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .