1999 Volvo C70 Convertible
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Volvo › C70 Convertible › 1999
These records cover every 1999 Volvo C70 Convertible. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1999 Volvo C70 Convertible. Newest first.
On certain passenger vehicles, a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing, and/or inefficient software calibration may cause a warning lamp to light and the subsequent onset of limp home modes.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This resulted in a high number of vehicles going into the limp home mode without need.
Remedy
Dealers will install the current software upgrade onto the involved vehicles. the recall began on december 29, 2006. owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Owner complaints
8 complaints1 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Equipment · Structure › Frame and members
Convertible top back bar structure cracked in half and top will not operate(close or open) now. While the top broke, as I was opening it, it also fell on the sensor for the lock and broke that also. the car IS in the shop again for this problem, the only fix IS ordering a new bar at the cost of $1500, which I don't have. now I have a car that I cant drive or repair. *Tr
- Electrical system · Service brakes, electric
My brakes were making a weird squeaking noise in front. I took to orange county volvo dealer twice, both times was told nothing was wrong. two weeks later, I experienced complete brake failure,without warning and the only way to stop was to hit the car in front of me. no warning lights…
My brakes were making a weird squeaking noise in front. I took to orange county volvo dealer twice, both times was told nothing was wrong. two weeks later, I experienced complete brake failure,without warning and the only way to stop was to hit the car in front of me. no warning lights illuminated, there were no other warnings prior to complete brake failure. I called my dealer who denied any problems. I had it towed to another dealer (power volvo)who identified the problem as a complete brake booster failure. my dealer said there was no way the noise I previously complained about (weird squeak)could have been due to a brake booster problem(he said booster failure makes a hissing sound). Volvo of north america (vona) "inspected" the vehicle and stated that the problem IS "intermittent" and that when they drove it, they could not find a problem, but that due to the fact that power volvo experienced a problem with the booster, it should be replaced for safety reasons. in a voice message to me, vona stated that the problem was a "safety hazard" but since my car was "so far out of warranty," vona would not pay for the cost of the booster replacement (nearly $3,000). they denied that it was their responsibility to fix the damage to my car, and denied that the dealer improperly diagnosed problem. prior to inspection, vona said they would pay for the fix if the booster "failed to perform as designed." now they say that the booster was not designed to provide any indication that it was going to fail prior to causing a complete brake failure. so, basically, vona says it IS proper for these boosters to fail, and it IS proper for them to fail suddenly, without warning, causing a complete loss of brakes. and that this IS normal. later versions of volvos have brake failure lights. my make and model does not. I could have died and/or killed someone, and volvo does not care. luckily I was traveling slowly coasting toward a stop sign when this happened. *Tr
- Vehicle speed control
Volvo C70 presented a problem with the engine revving and down by itself, and mostly noticeable while standing still at idle. I took the car to the dealer, and they informed me that they had to replace the electronic throttle module (etm and throttle) body along with some other parts. I paid…
Volvo C70 presented a problem with the engine revving and down by itself, and mostly noticeable while standing still at idle. I took the car to the dealer, and they informed me that they had to replace the electronic throttle module (etm and throttle) body along with some other parts. I paid and had the repairs completed. the dealer informed me that they put a new etm in, but that the etm light indicator on the dashboard came on, which was not the case when I brought the car in. they put a second one in and the light came off. I took possession of the car and drove to work. after work I drove home, and the etm light came on again. I thought the light was not a problem since I was told so by the dealer.*ak a few months later while navigating the web I found a forum mentioning that volvo has a problem with the etms. several sites claim volvo IS trying to hide the problem and not taking sufficient actions to inform customers. since light IS still on now, I will take my car back to the dealer and fight with them, but wanted to inform nhtsa of my experience so far.*ak
- Vehicle speed control
Engine rolling w/varying rpm. ets warning light came on, continues to do so intermittently. dealer (tasca volvo, seekonk, ma) stated on 01-09-06 that, based on orders from volvo na,vehicle needed a "system upgrade" and other repairs & diagnostics before part replacement could be performed.…
Engine rolling w/varying rpm. ets warning light came on, continues to do so intermittently. dealer (tasca volvo, seekonk, ma) stated on 01-09-06 that, based on orders from volvo na,vehicle needed a "system upgrade" and other repairs & diagnostics before part replacement could be performed. said upgrade done & paid for. After 6 miles of driving, ets light on again. car surges, accelerates for no reason and at other times has no pep. vehicle returned to dealer. I am waiting for results. *nm
- Electrical system
1999 volvo C70 with 52,000 miles. Car started running staggered at about 48,000 miles. Check engine and ets lights sometimes come on. Took it in for computer diagnosis and mechanic's test drive. Problem IS faulty electronic throttle module. Needs replacement at cost of $900.00.*jb
- Vehicle speed control
We sold this vehicle to a retail customer on august 12, 2005. soon after, customer complained to us that ets light was on and they had experienced loss of power. we reimbursed customer for having "faulty throttle unit" replaced at bill gray volvo. *nm
- Vehicle speed control
Dt: the contact owned a 1999 volvo C70. While attempting to accelerate vehicle stalled/died, and lost power at least 6 times. Contact did not have repairs done since he would have to pay for the repairs and parts. *ak *jb
- Air bags
Air bag problems with the 1999 S70 volvo. *nm
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Throttle control malfunction
On november 14, 2006 volvo submitted a defect information report to nhtsa concerning etm failures in model year (my) 1999 through 2001 volvo models (not including the S40 and V40), my 2002 S60 and V70 with naturally aspirated engines and my 2002 v70s.according to volvo, ?a combination of throttle positioning sensor…
On november 14, 2006 volvo submitted a defect information report to nhtsa concerning etm failures in model year (my) 1999 through 2001 volvo models (not including the S40 and V40), my 2002 S60 and V70 with naturally aspirated engines and my 2002 v70s.according to volvo, ?a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing and/or inefficient software calibration may cause a warning lamp to light and the subsequent onset of limp home modes.volvo further stated that,this resulted in a high number of these vehicles going into limp home mode without need.?volvo indicated that this was the most severe consequence of an etm fault in the subject vehicles.the recall remedy IS a software upgrade introduced by volvo on march 16, 2006 in a customer satisfaction program.at the time of the notification 161,202 vehicles of the population of 331,301 had already had the software uploaded and were therefore not included in the population count of the recall. Odi?s analysis of complaints to odi and volvo, volvo field reports and warranty data found that etm failure could result in (1) engine stall; (2) mechanical limp mode; (3) lunging forward during low-speed driving maneuvers; and (4) faltering during high speed merges or when crossing traffic.odi identified 12 crashes related to etm failure, with 6 caused by lunging incidents, 3 caused by stalling incidents, 2 caused by mechanical limp mode and 1 from the faltering condition.odi's analysis of complaint data and information obtained from consumer interviews identified 1,289 incidents with safety related consequences (389.1 per 100,000 vehicles), including 479 involving engine stall (144.6 per 100,000 vehicles) and 729 involving mechanical limp mode (220.0 per 100,000 vehicles).odi's analysis of warranty claim narrative text shows at least 14,965 warranty claims with codes indicating an etm fault resulting in vehicle operation in mechanical limp mode (4.5% of the subject vehicles). Volvo?s recall addresses odi?s safety concerns with etm failures.odi will continue to monitor the subject vehicles to determine if additional action IS required.this engineering analysis IS closed.
- Throttle control malfunction
Pe05-041 was opened on july, 26, 2005, based on 136 consumer complaints to odi alleging throttle control malfunctions in the subject vehicles.odi has now received 591 complaints of etm failures which allege symptoms with potential safety related consequences.these include allegations of engine stall, vehicle surging…
Pe05-041 was opened on july, 26, 2005, based on 136 consumer complaints to odi alleging throttle control malfunctions in the subject vehicles.odi has now received 591 complaints of etm failures which allege symptoms with potential safety related consequences.these include allegations of engine stall, vehicle surging forward without accelerator input, vehicle hesitation upon acceleration and sudden and unexpected transition into reduced performance operation (limp mode).volvo submitted over 2,900 complaints concerning the etm in the subject vehicles during pe05-041.odi's preliminary analysis of a sample the volvo complaints identified approximately 55 percent with one or more of the symptoms described above.odi IS continuing its assessment of the information contained in the volvo complaints. In november 2005, to resolve an investigation by the california air resources board, volvo announced that it would extend the warranty coverage to 10 years / 200,000 miles for the etm in approximately 356,000 model year 1999 through 2002 passenger cars sold in the united states and canada.under volvo's policy, vehicles that experience etm failures will receive a variety of repairs including etm cleaning, reprogramming the engine control module and/or replacement of the etm. This investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea05-021) to continue to assess the safety consequences of etm failures in the subject vehicles.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10241661Complimentary upgrade c00009 description.
- 10241651Rubber cushion
- 10213885The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to be updated as products and repair methods evolve.
- 10213883ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations
- 10213882Battery Charger/maintainer requirement
- 10212892Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
- 10212891VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App
- 10087107This IS a service product journal : the previously reported issue with vida 2015 and battery testing has been resolved. Vida 2015 battery testing IS the only approved method for producing battery test codes. The use of vida classic or other measuring tools IS not considered acceptable when submitting warranty claims.
- 10037893Volvo: there IS a software update. Updated 4/11/2012. Updated 4/13/12. Updated 5/15/12. Updated 6/4/12.
- 610447Service campaign for certain vehicles exhibiting possible water leaks and wind noise from the convertible top and to ensure trouble-free operation of the power seats.
- 610422Information on repairing a loose lock motor cover.
Every Volvo C70 Convertible model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.