2nd Sep 2009, 12:01
I've been hit hard by the T6 XC90 "Urgent transmission Service". Mine is a 53 reg with 65K - all regular services maintained. Last service was done 1 month ago, and the next day a warning came up on dash - took it back to the dealer and they said it can be fixed with a computer update, and as we were going on holiday the next day, it would be fine to drive 200 miles round trip to the airport. Now took it back, and they are telling me it now needs a new gearbox, £4300, and that the fault is now permanent and 3rd gear is missing up and down. Don't have this kind of money to pay for repairs, we have 4 children and survive on one wage. Bought the XC90 for the space and thought it would have reliability - now very angry as this is obviously a manufacturer fault and Volvo should be taking care of it and their customers - certainly won't buy another Volvo!!!
p.s. dealer tired to contact Volvo for goodwill gesture and it has come back as ZERO. I am now contacting them myself and will keep on trying to rightfully get them to fund this - after all it is their fault!!! Please email me at kate.c@virgin.net if you have any information which can help?? Or a lawsuit I can join.
6th Sep 2009, 14:13
I am in the process of changing the tranny, but not with Volvo.
Volvo told me that I needed to replace the axle because fluid leaked into the transmission. How is that possible? I spoke to a friend of a friend who happens to work at Volvo. He told me that the axle is hollow and there is a seal in the hollow part the broke and axle fluid contaminated the transmission fluid. Another words... AN EXTREMELY poor design. I asked if the seal can be replaces... he said no, the whole axle assembly has to be replaced. Can someone confirm this? I think Volvo just want to rape us some more.
Thanks.
Dante1.
dvdmtl@yahoo.com
10th Sep 2009, 13:14
I to am a victim of the Volvo transmission problem. I purchased my 03 XC90 with 57K miles 6 months ago thinking 10 years of safety and enjoyable driving. Last week I heard a loud clunk and felt slipping in first gear. A Volvo dealership quoted $6,400 for a new transmission and it would not be covered under warranty. I took it to a local mechanic and got a quote of $3,700 with a 2 yr / 24k mile warranty. If there is any local/national campaign to protest, please let me know. Thank you!
Frustrated in Delaware!
12th Sep 2009, 17:56
Make sure your local mechanic does the software upgrade and the tranny upgrade.
18th Sep 2009, 23:33
I too have been bitten by Volvo and the dealer. The "Check Engine" light has been on for a year and the dealer can't figure it out. I've been told the computer has to reset itself so many times. The last time it came on two minutes after leaving the dealer.
I replaced both turbos with only 57,000 miles last June at a price of over $6,000.00 for parts and labor (not counting the month it was at the dealer). The transmission started slipping last month and kept getting stuck in 3rd gear. Dealer said that the tranny was faulty and they could replace it for $5,000.00.
The car started blowing smoke again last week. Guess what? It needs two new turbos again! I cannot and will not spend $11,000.00 to repair a car that is only worth $14,000.00 (to me the car is WORTHLESS)!
I was offered by Volvo Customer Care a coupon for 30% off on parts (good for up to $250.00. HA! HA!)
I would like to know if anyone is starting a lawsuit of Volvo Cars North America, I would definitely join in. In reading the comments of all you guys, it seems that we all have had the same problems.
This is a tremendous burden on my family.
28th Sep 2009, 06:50
Here is another one. We live in Australia, bought our Volvo XC90 2004 T6 just 11 months ago 78K kms. This weekend the dreaded Service Transmission Urgent message came on. We rang the dealer who suggested we have the car towed to them.. Now we have been informed the transmission needs to be replaced at a cost of Aus$8K.
After reading all these comments, we shall be having words with both Volvo and the dealer. We did take out extended warranty, but that will only cover $3K. It seems some of you have been successful in getting Volvo to pay for parts. This surely sets a precedent. We love the car and are very disappointed.
We would be interested in joining a class action too.
23rd Aug 2009, 16:44
Hello from Canada.
I also am the unfortunate owner of an XC90 T6 AWD, 2004 (94000kms). Purchased it at a Toronto Auto Wholesaler for under $20k and thought I was doing well. A very "rocky road" since. Now at 126,000kms and since approx. 110,000kms many electrical/electronic issues:
* Ongoing intermittent battery drain.
* Numerous roadside tows to mechanic.
* Manual attempts to unlock vehicle when the battery low resulted in several alarm system triggers (couldn't use the auto keypad as the battery was too low to respond).
* One tow resulted in need for replacing tie rods, because when the battery became very low, attempts to manually unlock were perceived by the alarm system as a break-in, so car goes into "frozen mode" where wheels actually lock-up. Towing then becomes difficult and results in damage to tie rods.
* Key ignition cartridge "froze up", ie., became so stiff to turn and sometimes refused to turn on at all, leaving me stranded several times in parking lots and at friends' places unable to move for 10-30 minutes. A great concern to me when my daughter or wife were using the car!!
* Recent slippage of transmission between 3rd and 4th gears.
* Recent accelerator delays from a stopped position after depressing pedal. It would lurch into 1st after a split second delay.
* Hoped it would just require an electronic update, but worst case scenario just happened a week ago: daughter informs me from Caledon East (1hr away from my home location) that the Urgent transmission service required message has just come on!!! The car's at 126,000kms.
* Another lengthy tow to Volvo since there isn't one up in the Collingwood, Ontario area.
* Volvo informs me that I need to replace the transmission for an estimated cost of: $7950.00!!! Yikes Bikes!! What's next?!
Am presently waiting on Volvo Canada to respond to my long litany of complaints. Will keep you posted.
Oh how I wish I'd just repaired my foolproof 1993 Camry LE, which finally was laid to rest after 16 years of faithful service with 400,000kms and no history of any significant problems.
Wildwood
CDA.