Faults:

In heavy humidity the air conditioning will not cool.

Power window on passenger side failed.

Now at 140000 the transmission must be replaced.

General Comments:

I bought a Volvo XC70 for safety and reliability.

I was walking to my car when I heard people talking about their Volvos, and both said their Volvos had over 300000 miles with little or no care or problems. The same did not happen for me.

This car has been maintained with the best that could be bought or done on my XC70. The car handles very well in snow and ice, and the XC70 I bought has touring seats which make travel great.

The truth about Volvo now is they are Ford. My XC70 has a Ford transmission and I am wondering what else is Ford. Volvo are not Volvos, they are close to being 100% Ford and I will never buy a Volvo.

Faults:

I purchased a used 2001 Volvo XC AWD from the local garage, who purchased it at auction. I took it for a drive and all seemed well. I expected some repairs, but got more than I bargained for.

After two weeks, the transmission exhibited many of the faults the earlier readers mentioned. Clunking into low gear (1 and 2) when slowing down, and long engaging times after the transmission and engine are warm. Surging when shifting, etc. The car seems undependable.

I took it to my local Volvo service garage and to the dealer.

The local guy claims to have changed the fluid. No change in performance.

The dealer said the fluid was dirty, and they wanted to change the fluid and flush the transmission.

Neither set of service people would comment on the viability of the transmission.

After all the comments above, which I noted after I bought the car, I will probably try to sell the car. I paid $6,000, put $1,500 in repairs (includes the infamous $105,000 timing belt change). Now, the dealer cannot tell me what is wrong with the transmission. And the check engine light is on.

After all the comments and complaints above, it is time Volvo stepped up to the plate and informed their dealers to be honest with their customers and tell them why the transmissions are failing.

I also have a 2000 XC, and the transmission is running fine.

General Comments:

The car is comfortable. If the Dealer would tell me what is wrong with the transmission, I would feel more safe keeping the car. As it is, I feel like I am dealing with the airlines. They never tell the truth.

After reading the comments above, I strongly recommend not buying a 2001 Volvo with an automatic.

By the way, we also have a 2001 V70 T5 with a standard transmission, that is running great after $150,000 miles. No major problems, except the timing belt change and an engine mount problem. I think both of these should have been covered by Volvo.

Faults:

I bought the car for a super price of $3,500, after having it looked at by a reliable repairman. The AWD had been disabled and I knew that the front differential needed to be replaced at a cost of $2,000, but even with the added cost, the rest of the car was completely unblemished (well, an issue with the passenger side window - front seat will only roll down for passenger, back seat will not roll up for driver, but this does not bother me) and the safety record really sold me - I have three small children.

BUT - I am also a single mom, and very well below the poverty level. I thought spending this much on a car that I had checked out would give me a good while without trouble, but 2 weeks after buying the car it began jumping down the highway, like the tranny was going. The first mechanic said it was that, but I didn't trust him, so I took it back to the mechanic who initially looked it over. It was a small part in the front differential, but could not be sold separately, so I bought the whole thing new, $2,000.

Two weeks later it busted. Then Volvo informed us that we needed to replace the rear drive shaft or differential or something, so there was another $1,200, but they did replace the front under warranty.

3,000 miles after that costly repair, it breaks down 50 miles from home, the drive shaft fell out, or something. I am waiting to call Volvo myself, my mechanic says they refuse to replace the part again. Folks, three thousand dollars is a whole lot of money to me, and if it weren't for my tax refund right now, I wouldn't have any way to pay for these repairs. And I would think that a $3,000 part would be worth that much, no matter if you make $12,000 a year or $200,000 a year.

I had a Saturn before this, with 217,000 miles and AWESOME gas mileage. Before that, I had a kickass Subaru that died at 307,000 miles, and I sold it for $550...

I like looking like I have money by driving this thing, and I am happy that it's so safe, but I am beginning to think it's so safe because it's always in the shop, which drastically cuts down on the chances of being in an accident.

One commenter had it right - I really really want to like this car, but I don't think I do. But if I sell it, too, I will lose a lot of money. SNAP!

General Comments:

People know you have money, either 'cause you bought it new for an inflated price, or you bought it used and put just as much into repairs as you did the cost.

Looks nice.

Very comfy and safe.

You'll never drive it 'cause repairs take FOREVER and are a CONSTANT.