I'm a long time lurker and I've seen a lot of info on the 2001 transmissions- (all bad). I currently have a '98 V70 with about 150k on it and I'm interested in a newer car. I got some frank advice from a local dealer, I've seen a lot of you guy's posts, I've spoken with a tranny repair guy and all signs say to stay away from the 2001 and some '02 ford/automatics. I see that when they fail it is catastrophic. So I’ve been looking for an '03.

However...

I'm curious if many trannys don't fail. If it made it to 100k without any symptoms might it last?

I see a 2001 T5 locally that I want to consider (it's the right color, the right options, the right wheels and the right price).

I appreciate any insight that you might have to offer.

 

A lot of it depends on how it was maintained and driven. Look for something with a strong service history, and that things were done at reasonable intervals. Little things like the timing belt service mean a lot. Tranny flushes around 70k would be nice to see as well. I had the "B4 servo cover" issue with my 2001, and it was $18 and 20 minutes to fix. I did a flush at the same time, and I've had no issues coming up on 95k miles.

It is true however, that a lot of transmission failures are catastrophic. Isn't that true with about any vehicle?

 

Slim. But it's not the transmission to blame all the time. Usually I have heard the valve body inside the transmission causes issues. And it's not only Volvo because this tranny is used in Saab and other European cars as well.

1) Knock knock
2) Who's there?
1) European
2) European who?
1) European on my Volvo's tranny!

But besides that issue, the car is great. Very nice, very solid, and most importantly very safe.

 

I agree with JTapper. A lot of factors he mentions. I have a 2001 with 105K miles and she shifts just as good as new. Did a change at 70 and 100K, and I drive her pretty easy since I bought it new. For me time and miles will tell. I guess if you know the history and perhaps the driver, an 01 might be okay, or if you can afford the extra money go 03 or newer.

 

Huge +1 to jtapper. Service history is the very best shot you have. Any of them might crap out the day after you buy it, but history narrows your chances.
I had a 02 V70 with 95,000 when I got rid of it. No problems at all but followed service recommendations.

 

And FWIW, I beat the **** out of my V70.

Not that it's a good thing...

 

Yup... I'll look at 03's and maybe 02's.

Thanks

 

Inspector Callahan once suggested this: "You've got to ask yourself a question. 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do you, punk?" There's wisdom in that suggestion for self-examination.

If you do, go ahead. If not, you're going to be paying multi-thousands for a rebuilt replacement transmission which will substantially increase the cost of the car without adding one cent to its value on the open market as that car will be 10 years old soon. Maybe the other repairs will suffice, but there is no shortage of posted information here about 01 transmission failures that cost thousands to remedy.

Check the other postings. Was the stop/neutral "fix" done? When? Has the fluid been changed? When? Has the transmission needed repairs before? Why? If the answer is "I dunno", then I'd stay away. The extra cost of an 03 would be a wise investment under those circumstances.

 

Hello, I joined Truedelta[dot]com. It's free, I heard about it over on Matthew's, I, and others, think the guy is honest. He,Mike, had a poll about Volvo transmissions. While the scientific method might not be air tight, I think about 60% of folks in your shoes had no problems with their trannys. Norrsten, you're in the shoe store. Kira

 

Kira, Please tell more if there is a means to search the truedelta data base. I too am a member and I submit reguarly. I've only ever looked at the over all reliability data.

Jerry

 

Hello, I'm not sure how to get into the TrueDelta data-base myself. What Mike did was to ask people to join up over on Matthew'svolvosite. He got a fast response. He posted and revised a "Top 10 List" of problems with the V70. He did this recently therefore the thread is near the top of the pile. I'm relatively new to MVS and I can't remember/don't know if there is a search function. Also if you log on to TrueDelta you can ask Mike through the contact tab. I have the P or N to D double bump and I intend to keep engaging my transmission gently for a long time. How in hell can a transmission be installed in 6 or 7 vehicles and have it exhibit problems with only one manufacturer? Stinking, filthly Ford. Kira

 

I believe the transmission issues are more a result of the software. Especially the stop neutral feature. My dealer removed this the 1st time they did service without me asking. Apparently they were aware of the problem already.

Thanks for the clarification on TrueDelta, I'll check it out!

Jerry

 

'Bringing an old post back from the dead... I still lurk regularly but I don't sign in often so I wanted to thank you guys (& Gals?) for the help. When I first started this thread I had been looking for a stick shift v70 for about 8 months and I had no luck, so I was about to give up & get an automatic. However June of 2010 I found my '01 5 speed manual V70 & bought it. I did a few mods and put about 18k miles on it since.

The update is it's been great & I'm having a blast with it.

Thanks again you are a great group of people.

 

I sold my '01 V70 with Geartronic at 112k but never had a minutes trouble out of it.....with absolutely no maintenance on the tranny.

 

As a licensed dealer selling mostly Volvo, I can tell you that all of the AW 55-50's will develop a shifting problem in time. The 2001 is getting a bad rap because of its age. The 2002, 2003 and 2004 are right behind it.

I have been doing trans fluid changes using the Mobile 3309 fluid, and then installing Rostra shift solenoids. Changing the solenoids does the trick along with fresh fluid.

The problem appears to be junk that stays inside the solenoids and makes them stick when warm.

Now, if the trans fluid was changed every 30k miles or so it probably wouldn't show up until 200k miles, but the cost of fluid changes has to be benchmarked against the cost of the solenoids at 100k or so.

Probably less expensive to replace the solenoids.