Volvo Cars of North America I bought a volvo xc90 in 3/11. carfax said transmission was replaced 5/09. transmission went out yesterday, called them to replace it and they said they could not because warranty is out. Volvo kno Rockleigh, New Jersey

The failure with your transmission is the result of another problem. The problem is that the transmission cooler is located in the radiator and the cooler fails in a way that allows coolant to enter the transmission cooling part of the radiator. The coolant or ethylene glycol even a trace amount will contaminate the transmission fluid causing transmission failure. In order to fix the problem you need to not only replace the transmission but also the radiator,cooling lines, cooler if it is external and of course the fluid. Volvo knows what the cause is and whoever replaced the transmission the first time did not replace these other parts (most likely). The etylene glycol attacks the clutch material and destroys it. So here's the deal the problem is a quality issue they all did it and so I ask you this; why should a consumer have to foot the bill for lack of quality control? You should read an article from the wall street journal I think it was written in October. Google wall street journal why Volvo should call it give up I believe that will get you to it. Volvo has been giving consumers the shaft for years and now their niche market is gone. The fact is that in terms of safety Volvo is no better than just about any other vehicle sold today as they are all using the same technology and in most cases the same actual parts, it would do you good to learn what the real facts are, its all "perceived value" with Volvo not actual value.

I wish you the best of luck.

I agree with the complainant in this issue.  1st and foremost the auto maker "Especially Volvo" should be concerned with SAFETY! There have been several incidents stating how the xc90's have just died in the street and that is a major safety issue...  Volvo has known for years that the transmission was manufactured with substandard material and the compartment allowed for the tranny did not allow for a tranny that was big enough to handle the weight of the vehicle!  2 major issues!  It was up to Volvo to design a new transmission to fix this problem for not only their long term consumer but the newbies that could have been turned into long term consumers if Volvo would have stepped up to the plate and addressed the issue.  I bought a used xc90 t6 and I am not very impressed with the company at all..   My thought process was I would buy this car and drive it for a year and then trade it in for a new Volvo (Safety and environmental standards) but now I know that I will never be able to sell or trade this vehicle as I could not with a good conscience unload this lemon onto someone else.  There needs to be a permanent fix for the chronic transmission issue!  Restore your good name and FIX the problem with your current consumers.   New and Resale consumers of the 2003-2005 XC90 T6 should be able to count on Volvo to do what is right and HONORABLE...  I wish I had this information before I purchased my XC 90 because I would have never done it.  As of now I will be the biggest voice against Volvo to who ever will listen, lets see if decreased sales will motivate this auto maker into action or if they will only respond to the class action suit...  hmmm should be enlightening....

" after researching on the internet I found out that what happen to me was not unusual, that many many people have been complaining about the same thing.  Volvo xc90s from 2003-2005 have a increase incident of transmission failures.  "

   If that's the case, it probably would have been a good idea to do the research BEFORE you bought the car.   When you buy a used car that is past its warranty, you get to pay to fix things that break.   The whole concept of a warranty is that the manufacturer is only responsible for defects for a certain period of time / miles.    That's it.

   If you're wondering why Ken saw this on the day you posted, it's because all posts show up in chronological order when you click the "latest posts" tab.    You just make yourself look foolish when you conjur up conspiracy theories based on ignorance.

   Speaking of Ken, I also thought it was a valid question as to why a transmission failure would cause a car to weave?   Do you know what a transmission does?

   Good luck with your campaign.   The Internet is full of people whining because they do not get their way.   There's plenty of room for one more.

Did a qualified mechanic evaluate the transmission or are you assuming it requires replacement based on your Google search results? It is possible the transmission can be repaired. I have to reiterate Ken's question as to how the transmission affected the steering.

Your report has several flaws, but let me just focus on one.

Your claim is that this transmission of 2003-2005 Volvos were known to have transmission issues and in your opinion they should have been recalled and replaced.  The flaw in your complaint, the transmission in your car was ALREADY replaced in 2009.

So watch out for my youtube video that me and my grandchildren are going to sing about Volvo and their DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION (we usually just sing in church). 
- Don't forget to add the verse where they already replaced the transmission in 2009.

I guarantee you I will stay on this.  
If I had a dollar for every time someone says this..well I wouldn't have to work anymore.

By the way Ken welcome to Volvo...we are glad to have you :-)

DirecTV, several utilities, and quite a few others.
"I don't expect you to understand because I am sure they paid you well for your timely-on the same day comments....Tell Volvo"
If, as you call be a serial blogger, you'd know I'm retired and never worked for any of them.

"*Volvo should of issued a recall years ago so that customers like me don't have too CLEAN UP THEIR MESS!!!"
Perhaps that's where the replacement in your XC90 came from.

"..google (Volvo xc90 Transmission problems) you will find edmonds - lemonlawclaims - and a lawfirm that is starting a class action suit and many many more."
I would respectfully encourage you to join this class action.  

"Ken I find it interesting that you responded to my complaint on the same day it was listed. I ask you how much did Volvo of North America pay you to defend this DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. "
I truly hope this all works out for you, but I've got to check the mail and see if Volvo sent my "shill" check.

P.S. I drive a Chrysler mini-van with 56K miles on it, it's a '96 that proved over time to have transmission problems after about 60K miles.  If and when it fails, I'll see about a used tranny or just consign it to the junkyard.

#2 Update By Author
WHY? Ken--Greeley (Professional Blogger)
AUTHOR: grand mother - kansas city (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, October 15, 2011POSTED: Saturday, October 15, 2011
Volvo of North America thank you for sending Ken to clean up your mess. Ken I find it interesting that you responded to my complaint on the same day it was listed. I ask you how much did Volvo of North America pay you to defend this DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION.

You asked why did the car weave, "Ken Are you saying that when a transmission is going out while you are driving that the car will not weave" I really don't know Ken maybe it was a bump in the road or a leaf falling off a tree. Why would you ask a question like that if you are trying to be helpful. Okay Ken, I get it you are trying to punch holes in my original report. Well Ken you can punch holes until you end up with Swiss Cheese dear.
And Ken I agree with you Volvo should not increase their warranty, and they would not have to if they had addressed the problem of the defective transmission.

My point to this complaint is that *Volvo should of issued a recall years ago so that customers like me don't have too CLEAN UP THEIR MESS!!! All I want is for Volvo of North America to replace my transmission so that I can safely transport me and my grandchildren. Ken I know you hang out on the internet I will give you some websites of people complaining about this same issue for over 6 years. Or better yet google (Volvo xc90 Transmission problems) you will find edmonds - lemonlawclaims - and a lawfirm that is starting a class action suit and many many more. I did not invent this wheel that is turning against Volvo of North America, and if you did your research you would know that THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE have been complaining about this same issue. So watch out for my youtube video that me and my grandchildren are going to sing about Volvo and their DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION (we usually just sing in church). I guarantee you I will stay on this. I don't expect you to understand because I am sure they paid you well for your timely-on the same day comments....Tell Volvo

Volvo of North America thank you for sending Ken to clean up your mess.  Ken I find it interesting that you responded to my complaint on the same day it was listed.  I ask you how much did Volvo of North America pay you to defend this DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. 

You asked why did the car weave, "Ken Are you saying that when a transmission is going out while you are driving that the car will not weave" I really don't know Ken maybe it was a bump in the road or a leaf falling off a tree.  Why would you ask a question like that if you are trying to be helpful.  Okay Ken, I get it you are trying to punch holes in my original report.  Well Ken you can punch holes until you end up with Swiss Cheese dear.
And Ken I agree with you Volvo should not increase their warranty, and they would not have to if they had addressed the problem of the defective transmission.

My point to this complaint is that *Volvo should of issued a recall years ago so that customers like me don't have too CLEAN UP THEIR MESS!!! All I want is for Volvo of North America to replace my transmission so that I can safely transport me and my grandchildren. Ken I know you hang out on the internet  I will give you some websites of people complaining about this same issue for over 6 years.  Or better yet google (Volvo xc90 Transmission problems) you will find edmonds - lemonlawclaims - and a lawfirm that is starting a class action suit and many many more.  I did not invent this wheel that is turning against Volvo of North America, and if you did your research you would know that THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE have been complaining about this same issue.  So watch out for my youtube video that me and my grandchildren are going to sing about Volvo and their DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION (we usually just sing in church).  I guarantee you I will stay on this.   I don't expect you to understand because I am sure they paid you well for your timely-on the same day comments....Tell Volvo of North America..NICE TRY!!!

Usually this type of work is a rebuilt or re-manufactured transmission with a 12 month warranty and usually is issued only to the original purchaser.

Why does Volvo "owe" you a new transmission?

Also, why did the car start "weaving" when the transmission light came on?  Did it somehow affect the steering?

"I have contacted the Federal Trade Commission.. "
I don't think you have a case.
"Volvo xc90s from 2003-2005 have a increase incident of transmission failures"
This tells me your car is 6 to 8 years old.  Should Volvo increase the warranty indefinitely?

So I guess if I replace the transmission I should only expect for the transmission to last for 2 yrs. Why would I replace it if it is only going to last for 2 years or less.
Not sure this is a valid assumption...Usually updates increase reliability.

Sorry you're having trouble, but I don't honestly think you have ANY case against Volvo.