[:@]MY 2003 XC90 D5 AWD AUTOWITH 120,000 MILES HAS DIED.(NO WARRANTY)

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE 100K MILES, FIRST GEARBOX APPEARED TO BE SLIPPING/JUMPING WHEN GOING DOWN HILL, THEN THE REVERSE GEAR WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY,TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALER WHO CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SAID IF THAT DID NOTIMPROVE THINGS A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED.

LAST WEEKEND THE "TRANSMISSION SERVICE REQUIRED"MESSAGE CAME ON ANDTHE CAR DIED IT WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 2MPH.

GOT TRANSPORTED HOME BY AA.

THE CAR IS NOW STUCK ON MY DRIVEWAY AND I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO, SHALL I TAKE IT BACK TO MY DEALER, SHALL I TAKE IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, I HAVE HAD A PRICE FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION OR A TRANSMISSION REBUILD OF ABOUT £2000 OR $4000, THEY ALSO RECOMMEND THEY REPALCE THE MASS AIR FLOW METER BECAUSE A FAULT ON THESE IS WHAT CAUES THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

HAS ANYONE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, IS A NEW TRANMISSION REQUIRED ORCOULD IT BE SOMETHING SIMPLE LIKE A SOFTWARE UPGRADE OR NEW MASS AIR FLOW METER.

PLEASE HELP.

 

Can't understand how MAF sensor causes tranny failure...

 

Did you get any help from Volvo? Mine just went too- Single mom here w 2 kids cant afford to pay $4100 at Xmas time

 

The GM-built transmissions have been manufactured extremely poorly, as witnessed by so many XC90 drivers' complaints. The other models that came with different transmissions (Yamaha, Aisin, etc...) do not seem to exhibit the same problem.

Most likely the transmission did die. But before you give up, it may be worth having the transmission fluid completely replaced with the specified type of fluid (transmission fluids are not compatible, and if wrong type of fluid is introduced into the system, that's it), not by the dealer or at any of the franchise shops. Try to find an independent shop that specialises in Swedish/European makes. If the transmission does not come back to life after flushing, then you'll need another unit. See if you can find a rebuilt/used transmission rather than spend $4,000 on a new unit. Or, if Aisin-built transmission could fit, that's what I would get.

I myself am an 850 driver and have not done an extensive research on this trouble, but I'll see if I can find something. But note, that so many XC90 drivers have experienced the same issue with the GM-built tranny, so you may be able to negotiate with the dealer to see if they can give you a considerable discount on a new transmission + labour. You could perhaps print out some of the posts here as well as at other Volvo forums, present them to the service manager at the dealer to see if he/she can give you a secret warranty. If you don't know much about modern cars, bring along your family, relatives, friends or co-workers who do have knowledge to avoid getting taken.


JPN

EDIT: In somecases the transmission seems to come back to life with engine & transmission ECU updates (ECU-Electronic Control Module, also known as ECM-"M" for Module; computers that control engine & transmission in general).

 

I'm in the process of obtaining a product Attorney. Anyone who wants to give me their names and address's it will help my battle. My Transmission went last week in a 2003 XC90 w/ 67K. I had brought it to Volvo 3x they did update my computer and I still felt hesitation. Now its 17K out of Warranty and they want me to pay $5000.00 Trasea123@hotmail.com

 

We have a 2005 XC-90 with 60K miles on it and it is starting to slip every now and then (maybe once or twice a week). My wife took it in just after the warranty expired and the dealer said that they couldn't find anything wrong and if they did we would have to pay out of pocket. That kind of service was a little different than our normal service trips to the dealer. Are there any class action suits, consumer warnings, orsafety recalls for all of the transmission problems?

 

No recalls have been issued on the transmission problems. I personally think that XC90 drivers, especially those who're stuck with the GM-built transmission, submit a letter of complaints/concernsto either Volvo North America or Volvo World Headquarters in Sweden. If they receive hundreds of letters, they may decide to issue a recall. Even if they receive only 100 or less letters, they may grant secret warranty to those who submitted letters. I would send a letter to either the CEO or the customer care manager, as the little people at the bottom would just toss your letter in the trash bin.

It seems that there are too many electronic problems on the XC90s, which I must say was a faulty design/manufacturing problem and in some cases this would be life-threatening.

Steering-related recalls, however, have been issued; check the following link:

http://automallusa.net/2003/volvo/xc90/recalls.html

Scroll down to find the model year of your XC90.

Good luck,


JPN