Volvo XC90 T6 Transmission

900 messages,  Last post on Feb 24, 2013 at 8:01 AM

You are in the Volvo XC90 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volvo XC90, Suspension, Transmission, SUV

#323 of 900 Re: 2005 XC90 T6 Transmission [kboy41] by kschnitz

Jul 29, 2009 (1:58 pm)

Replying to: kboy41 (Jul 24, 2009 7:12 pm)
Im in NC too and also have a 2005 T6 with failing transmission. My Volvo has 71,000 miles and I have never had any problems with this car. I love my car and am so disheartened by this problem. I submitted complaints to the NTSC, NC State Attorney General, State Consumer Protection and also to Volvo Consumer Affairs. I have maintained this vehicle according to the factory specifications at my local Volvo dealership. I was told that the cost of replacement woud be $5300.00. I paid the $100 fee to have the computer diagnostic test done and it didn't show any codes at this time but they did confirm that the transmission is slipping on acceleration and in low gears. A Volvo representative called me and said that until the transmission actually fails they will not do anything. They are using an alternate transmission now for the replacement but it is still a GM transmission and it's on backorder for 1 - 2 months!!! I'm hopeful that Volvo will take responsibility for this....I will keep you informed.

#324 of 900 is this some kind of record? by cjano

Jul 29, 2009 (11:51 pm)

My transmission went out at 88,000 miles on 1/1/09. I had an extended warranty which paid to replace it less the deductible. Today, on the hottest day of the year it went out again, and left me stranded on a switchback road, a very dangerous situation. After sitting for about five minutes with the engine off, I was able to turn it back on and drive the car home (probably 1,000 yards of less). My mileage is 95,000. I cannot believe that I had my new(new?) transmission for under six months, or 7,000 miles. My dilema is this: I believe it will be covered again, but am so sick of this and everything else that has gone wrong over the years, that I would love to get rid of the car. However, I can't afford a new car, nor would I want to see someone stuck with this one. Does anyone know if I could get another extended warranty? And, should I just go ahead and send letters to the four entities that have been referred to in earlier chats?

#325 of 900 A FEW COMMENTS & A REQUEST FOR ADVICE by yurko

Aug 01, 2009 (10:29 am)

Greetings, one and all. I accidentally stumbled upon this Volvo XC90 T6 forum while trying to get feedback on the just-released 3.2L version of the new 2010 Volvo XC60. I've read every message in this forum and re-read some of them. Being a car buff who diligently reads numerous car magazines, I must admit that this was the first I had heard of the Volvo XC90 T6 transmission problem.
 
I am the original owner of a 2003 Volvo XC90 T6. It has low mileage for its age (56,500) and has been serviced exclusively at Volvo dealers. I used to live in rural Wisconsin -- 100 miles away from the Volvo dealer in Madison, who did not have evening or Saturday service hours, so service was a pain. I now live in South Florida within 35 miles of 2 Volvo dealers.
 
Thus far (knock on wood), my 2003 Volvo XC90 T6's transmission seems fine.
 
COMMENTS:
 
(1.) It would appear that the GM transmission in T6 Volvo XC90's is prone to premature failure. Unfortunately, we don't know how prevalent the problem is. Lexus, Infiniti, Jaguar, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Honda, Toyota -- you name it -- have their share of "lemon"-related problems and also often drag their feet.
 
(2.) I strongly agree with host STEVE (message #79) that, "Class action suits aren't so appealing if the lawyers make millions and the consumers get a $500 coupon off a new Volvo."
 
Remember what happened when CBS-TV's "60 MINUTES" fabricated the Audi "unintended acceleration" problem? Audi values nose-dived. Lawyers made millions, but Audi owners got nothing more than vouchers.
 
From personal experience, as a former stockholder, I was involved in a couple of "class action" lawsuits -- one for General Public Utilities (of Three Mile Island fame), the other for TYCO International (of Dennis Kozlowski fame). In the case of General Public Utilities, I lost about $3,000. Know what I got from the "class action" lawsuit? $2.31! In the more recent case of TYCO International, I lost a lot more money. When I got the "class action" lawsuit packet, I spent hours going through it to make sure it was even worth participating. Based upon the info provided by the lawyers, I calculated that I should get back about $2,000 or so if I partcipated. Perhaps more, perhaps less. So I went through the hassle of filling out all the paperwork, providing all the necessary documentation, sending a change of address letter when I moved, etc. Just a few months ago, I received a "settlement" letter. Guess what it said? There would be no checks issued for less than $10 and, since my settlement amount (which was never specified) was less than $10, I was getting nothing. Zilch!
 
"Class action" lawsuits sound nice ... sound tough. "We're not gonna take it any more", etc. But CAVEAT EMPTOR.
 
Personally, what I think we need to do is not enrich some lawyer(s) through a "class action" lawsuit, but get Volvo to:
(a.) Recall all their XC90 T6's;
(b.) Replace all XC90 T6 transmissions and radiators, etc. free of charge;
(c.) Provide for free loaners while the work is being done; and
(d.) Reimburse XC90 T6 owners who have already paid for such work (and related expenses) out of their own pockets.
 
This is the right thing for Volvo to do -- most important ethically, but also from a long-term business point of view. Personally, I love my XC90 -- its styling (still fresh after 6 years; how often can you say that?); its safety features (current T6 transmission problem notwithstanding); its overall features and solidity; etc. I want a good reason to consider another Volvo in the future, as do (I suspect) several others in this forum.
 
REQUEST FOR ADVICE:
 
As I said, the transmission on my 2003 Volvo XC90 T6 with 56,500 miles seems to be fine. I had the 52,500 miles service done early -- at 50,000 miles (just before I moved from Wisconsin to Florida) -- and had an oil change a couple of days ago -- just before I stumbled upon this forum. Both were done at Volvo dealers.
 
I was planning on going up north (Illinois, Michigan, etc.) for a few weeks later this month. Having read all the posts in this forum, I've gotten a bit paranoid -- i.e. will my transmission suddenly konk out and the dreaded "TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT" message appear on my instrument panel? I could take my other vehicle, a 2004 Honda Pilot, but -- frankly -- the Honda doesn't feel nearly as solid as the Volvo, does not have the side curtain airbags (despite being a year newer model), is not as comfortable, etc.
 
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
Thanks, and my apologies in advance for taking up so much time and space.
 
George

#326 of 900 Concerned about my Volvo Tranny by rginnc

Aug 06, 2009 (8:30 am)

I have an 05' XC90 V8 with 50,200 miles. Took it in 2 months ago with complaint of occasional slip in transmission. I occas hear and feel a "clunk" underneath the car but other than that it does not give me any problems. Nothing was found but they did a software upgrade. It still clunks but it may occur 3x in a day or 3x in 2 weeks. Knowing my warrantee was expiring I took it back in and they could not reproduce the problem so there is nothing they can do. They car is fine but I am worried that this may be the first sign of future problems. They did say that since we took it in while the warrantee was in place and it is a documented complaint - if something happens Volvo should be able to help (whatever that means).
 
Any other comments on the first symptoms others have had or does this sound like a transmission problem?
 
Not sure if it is a T5, T6 (not sure what that is). My car is pretty well loaded with options.
 
Thanks,
RG

#327 of 900 Re: Concerned about my Volvo Tranny [rginnc] by yurko

Aug 06, 2009 (11:31 am)

Replying to: rginnc (Aug 06, 2009 8:30 am)
The V8 on your '05 XC90 is a Yamaha engine. It is not turbocharged. The transmission problems related to in this forum have been primarily with the T6 (turbocharged 6-cylinder) engine.

#328 of 900 Re: Concerned about my Volvo Tranny [yurko] by rginnc

Aug 06, 2009 (5:21 pm)

Replying to: yurko (Aug 06, 2009 11:31 am)
Thanks yurko

#329 of 900 Re: Concerned about my Volvo Tranny [rginnc] by volvomax

Aug 07, 2009 (9:48 am)

Replying to: rginnc (Aug 06, 2009 8:30 am)
A "clunk" is not necessarily a transmission problem, Could be motor mounts, tranny mount, u-joint, etc.

#330 of 900 FYI - Volvo and "Cash for Clunkers" Program by XC90broknheart

Aug 07, 2009 (9:57 am)

I am not sure if anyone would care, but I just found out that the 2003 Volvo XC90 is acceptable for the "Cash for Clunkers" incentive. Please do not take offense to this as I know that there are people that do not agree with this program but for me, it's a way out to dump this crappy car that I so regret purchasing just 8 months ago! I hope to anyway.....
 
E.Martinez

#331 of 900 Re: Class action against Volvo regarding T6 [laws65] by dnap_10583

Aug 09, 2009 (11:48 am)

Replying to: laws65 (May 11, 2009 5:19 pm)
Does anyone want to share how they got there dealer or Volvo to pay for a new tranmission on their 2005 XC 90. I plan on being a squeaky wheel -- but for now, I have no car, waiting to hear from the Volvo Service Dealer and the $$$$ -- so I need help and how to proceed on aleast getting the dealer to split the cost.
 
As all of you, I have had numerous problems with the XC 90, front end clunking and grinding, along with three sets of badly worn tires, other issues too numerous to list. I do not want to put my too small children in this car because I am afraid at any moment the car will die on the highway.
 
Advice?

#332 of 900 Re: Class action against Volvo regarding T6 [dnap_10583] by ehslenox

Aug 09, 2009 (12:46 pm)

Replying to: dnap_10583 (Aug 09, 2009 11:48 am)
It would help to know where you are. My car was serviced at NorthPoint Volvo, Roswell, GA. After my outrage at having to have the transmission replaced at under 60,000 miles (over $5,000), they called Volvo and Volvo picked up 75% of the cost of the new one. One big problem was that it took them nearly a month to get the new one, thus leaving me without a car. Volvo said that they would also pick up 75% of the cost of a rental but I was able to manage without it.
 
The reports on what owners have had to pay out-of-pocket are all over the place, but this was my experience.
 
Sad thing is that my 2004 XC90 has been my all-time favorite car! I've had several Volvo wagons, before, and have been a very loyal Volvo customer. I have loved driving the XC90 - that is, until the "Transmission Service Urgent" light came on. I was even toying with the idea of buying a new 2010 when that happened. And, now.....
 
I'm spending the summer about 1,000 from home and just hope my drive back goes without inccident.
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