S80 Danger
 

We had a real scare with my daughter's 2000 S80 last week. The axle broke! No warning. We do all scheduled maintenance. It has 63,000 miles on it. We bought it used 2 1/2 years ago when it had 48,000 miles. And before buying, we checked CarFax to see if it had ever been in an accident. She was on her way to work--going 40 mph--no one around her, and not yet on the freeway, where she was headed, thank God. And not on her cell phone either. The dealer told us the left ball joint separated and damaged the axle. We buy Volvos (also have an S 60) because they're supposed to be safe and then something like this happens. It sure has lessened our confidence in them. Any comments? Similar experiences?

Sue

RE: S80 Danger
 

Well don't blame it totally on Volvo. Volvo are safe cars. The left ball joint and CV axle wasn't inspected while doing interval services. Not all cars are manufactuered to be 100% from defects. Did you have the vehicle inspected 2.5 yrs old? Carfax is a good source to see if the vehicle has been in any accident or major damage but doesnt record service records. I believe the S80 is not under factory warranty, I recommend you bring it to a good and trusted volvo independent repair shop to have it inspected and replaced the damage part. Sometimes dealerships will cost you a ton to have your car fix. i.e. San Francisco Royal Motors, labor cost $150+ an hour. [:@]

RE: S80 Danger
 

You cannot blame Volvo for that incident. A similar situation happened to my dad while he was driving his Lincoln on the highway. My friend has a Mercedes 300E and a similar situation happened to him. These things just happen. I understand that it is only a natural reaction to blame a car company for that type of incident however I wouldn't blame Volvo for that. It can happen to any car at any time. Volvos are and always will be the worlds safest and highest quality car that you can buy.
On a lighter note I am glad to hear that your daughter is ok.

RE: S80 Danger
 

it's not the volvo. We had a 760li v12 $130,000 bmw blow its motor about a year ago at the dealership I was at. Doesn't make it a bad car company. All mechanical things break down. There is nothing in the world that won't eventually break from use especially things that are mass produced.

RE: S80 Danger
 

really the 760li motor blew? like by motor do u mean the engine or the motor to something else? Did they do the work under warranty?

RE: S80 Danger
 

The same thing just happened to mine, anyone have an idea how much this will cost to fix? Mine broke going around a corner last night and leaked all the transmission fluid out. I had to have the car towed to a shop but I'll prob have to wait till monday to get a quote done. Mine had 66k miles on it when this happened.
[align=left] [/align]

RE: S80 Danger
 

Dear All,

I usually don't go out of the 850 forum or general topics forum, but thought I'd like to comment on the issue.

I agreewith all of you in that the problems like that could happen to any makes, and Volvos are undoubtedly the world's safest cars only next to VIP & military vehicles. However, Volvos, as well as all other cars,are not 100% safe in case of accidents at higher speeds.

Aball joint wouldn't separate without warning/signs of wear. A good technician would have noticed slight play, signs of wear, or inability to align the wheels. And 60,000 miles is too short of an interval for a ball joint to fail, unless the boot was torn and went unnoticed. I would like to know who makes the ball joints as OEM.

Just found a recall on the issue, the dealer should replace the ball joints at no charge to the customers:

http://www.autobuyguide.com/2000/12-...lls/index.html

2000 Volvo S80 Recall ID from NHTSA: 00V238000[/align]

Auto Recall Date: 08/24/2000
Vehicle Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 49488
2000 VOLVO S80 Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OVER TIME, THE BALL JOINT BETWEEN THE FRONT WHEEL KING PIN AND THE SUSPENSION LINK ARM, CAN EXPERIENCE INCREASED LOOSENESS.
Defect Consequence:
THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT THE BALL JOINT'S DURABILITY AND PERFORMANCE.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS.
Notes: VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC., 99


Another source:
http://www.internetautoguide.com/aut...s80/index.html


NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 00V238000 - Hide Details [/align]Recall Data: 08/24/2000
Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
Units Affected: 49488 [/align]
2000 VOLVO S80 SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINTRecall Date: 08/24/2000

Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OVER TIME, THE BALL JOINT BETWEEN THE FRONT WHEEL KING PIN AND THE SUSPENSION LINK ARM, CAN EXPERIENCE INCREASED LOOSENESS.

Consequence:
THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT THE BALL JOINT'S DURABILITY AND PERFORMANCE.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS.

Potential Units Affected: 49488

Notes: VOLVO S80 99 [/align]
Should you wish to do further research:
http://www.google.co.jp/search?hl=ja...l+joint&lr=

The XC90s also seem to have ball joint-related issues.

I hope this helps.


JPN

RE: S80 Danger
 

Ok took it 2 volvo, they said the re call was done in 2000 by a volvo specialist (not dealer) and that since it was done its no longer covered. Is this true? Ive had both Ball joints fail now and im only at 66k miles and the recall was done at 14k miles. Also the upper motor mount has failed 3 times and they said thats not covered either. The ball joint also caused damage to the axle so I need a connector or something which is $470? Anyone know if I could get this covered if I threw a fit at the stealership?
[align=left] [/align]

RE: S80 Danger
 

Hi Werdnash2002,

I'm sorry that the dealer you went to didn't have any respect to the customers.

I would submit a written complaint to the owner of the dealer, and if he/she argues back or ignores your complaint, I would contact Volvo North America, describing the situation in writing.

Manufacturers must take action for all recalls, as the problem was their design fault.

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC
Attn: Volvo Customer Care Center
1 Volvo Drive
Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647

Tel: 1-800-458-1552
Email: customercare@volvocars.com
Hours: 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM EST, M - F

http://www.volvocars.us/footer/contact/customercare.htm
http://www.volvocars.us/footer/contact/

A good manager would appreciate customers' feedback & concerns.


JPN