I am wondering if I am alone in the difficulties I am having w/ my 2006 S40. I bougt the car new from my local Volvo dealer in July 2006. In September the "passenger airbag off" light began to come on and stay on while driving w/the seat occupied by an adult 175 lb passenger. I took the car in for service, and the issue could not be duplicated at that time (since it was an intermittent occurance). They did perform a software upgrade, hoping that the problem would be solved. Well, it is back once again. I discusses the problem w/ the saleperson who sold me the car, who in turn tried to sell me a 2007 as a replacement (which would naturally involve me taking a 7000 loss on my near new 06' ). Although the airbag issue is only one of many problems I have had with this car (driver's side puddle light replaced under warranty, A/C servo motor getting stuck, outside temperature gauge reading -40 on a 70 degree day), The airbag issue is the most pressing and the one I can't seem to get fixed. The car is scheduled to go in to attempt to repair this problem again on Monday. I am so dissapointed. I traded a car I loved (a 1997 Mercedes-Benz E320) in hope of having a new, trouble-free, reliable european sports sedan. Instead I have one big headache, and a car that could easily be endangering the lives of any passenger I carry. Is there someplace I can find the phone number fo rthe regional factory service represenative?
Any help or comments well appreciated
Spence

 

Greetings.

Try this↓

Volvo Cars of North America
Corporate Office:
Customer Service
Volvo Cars of North America
P.O. Box 914
Rockleigh, NJ 07647-0914
(201) 767-4737
1 (800) 458-1552 (toll free)

Taken from:
http://www.misterfixit.com/auto800.htm

It may be the software problem, but if your car is still under warranty, the dealer should do everything to make you happy. If they don't, tell them that you are not happy at all and consider getting a new car elsewhere.

If you want a trouble-free vehicle & satisfactory customer service, try Lexus next time(they keep winning JD Power & Assoc.'s awards for the last several years).

I hope this is of some use.


JPN

 

Hey there!
Thank you for the post. After approaching my sales person about my dissatisfaction, and a botched attemp on her part to sell me a new 2007 to end the problems I was having (not to mention the statement from her that neither Volvo nor the dealer could do anything to help me) I decided to put it back in the service department for another go. This time they took apart the passengers seat and found the spring in the passenger seat weight sensor to be defective, along w/ the passenger side seat belt tensioner. Both replaced cheerfully under warranty. I can understand that, with an intermittent problem, they did not want to invest the time or money to look into it. However, with such a serious safety issue I think they should have. Very dissaponting. All seems fine now regarding the airbag issue. The car now has developed a cracking sound in the frame of the drivers seat, most noteably after turning a corner. At 6' 210, I'm no twig, but not a giant either. Yet one more little annoyance I am having w/ an 8 month old car. If the airbag issue crops up again, I will not keep the car. You are correct in noting the great reputation Lexus has. My car came in at 29K price wise. I could have easily bought a near-new pre-owned Lexus. Who knows, I may still do that. Thanks for the help
Spence

 

Glad the dealer addressed the SRS issue more seriously this time, which they should have done in the first place. At 29k, it is entry-level luxury car range, so you deserve a lot more respect than you've been having with the silly dealer.

Many European cars seem to have fragile electrical/electronic systems, and they still don't seem to have found a cure. I partially blame this kind of problem for globalisation, especially moving manufacturing facilities to overseas where labour is cheap. You get what you pay for, and if I had to pay 29k, I would want it to be very reliable. BTW, as for the seat, visually inspect to see if you can find loose bolts/nuts or something obvious at the bottom of the seat/seat rail, and grab the seat & try to rock it sideways to see if you can reproduce the noise.

As far as my observation goes, Volvos seem to have chronic problems with electronic engine control, electronic transmission control, ABS, electronic climate control and yes, the SRS. They also seem to have problem with interior noise coming from nowhere, and the trim pieces are very fragile (may be designed that way on purpose; in case of an accident you want them to break away than hurt passengers).

Volvos are noted for their safety in case of collision, attractive exterior styling, handling and acceleration but if I were to spend 29k, I probably would go for entry-level or pre-owned Lexus or Acura.

I'll leave you with a reference for your future use:

Charles Barker Lexus Virginia Beach
3909 Virginia Beach Boulevard
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Phone: (757) 486-3500

Mon-Fri 9am - 8pm
Sat 9am - 6pm
Sun Closed

Or you can go to lexus.com and do a further search.

Good luck to you,


JPN

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It should be under the warranty
why not try another dealer after another?