Volvo customer relations and my faulty fuel rail sensor.

[V70R]

Any advice which other members have had either dealing with Volvo Customer services or fuel rail sensors on P2 cars would be gratefully accepted.

It all started in early December (are you sitting comfortably) when my V70R developed a misfire at around 3000 rpm, I called my local dealer and asked them what the matter could be. I was told that unless the engine management light was on, they would be unable to carry out a diagnostic (which I now know is incorrect) anyhow I was told to keep driving the vehicle until the light came on or the car failed !!

About two days later coming home from a shift, I committed myself to an overtake on a B road when the car stuttered and stalled, leaving me with no power steering limited braking and being left on the wrong side of the road. I managed to steering the car back onto the correct side of the road and restart it without causing an accident. Understandably I was extremely ****** off with the dealer I originally spoke to and found a new dealership, who booked me in immediately and were absolute stars. The MAF was swapped out and was counted out, then I found an article about failing fuel rail sensors in the States and a recall R181 that had been issued against S60 and V70 made during 2003 and 2004.

I called the dealer who had come to the same conclusion and also stated that an advisory note had been issued suggesting the relocation of the PEM module to rectify fuel delivery issues.

It was booked back in, new fuel rail fitted and PEM module cleaned and the problem disappeared :o) but I was landed with a massive bill. The dealer suggested I contacted Volvo to help out (if I knew I was going to be stuck with the bill I would have purchase parts via Rufe).

Anyhow to cut a long story short, Volvo customer relations have stated that the R's in the US have a different variant of engines (although my engine numbers matches the recall exactly) and that advisor notes are improvement suggestions only.

Can anyone out there confirm if the US spec R is any different to our UK versions or what come back I have against Volvo as this is clearly a well documented problem.

Help ............

Thank you

[JUDGENINJA]

Recalls in different countries don't always stand in the UK. I know that in the US recalls are a lot more common due to the legal policies (and the sueing culture) set out for the manufacturers.

If memory serves major recalls are only linked to anything that effects safety, e.g. brakes, seatbelts, suspension, airbags and other such items. It is sometime suggested that they design in a failure into vehicle design so that they are able to extract customer data that they can then use for marketing in the future from the DVLA.....(not that any manufacturer would ever do dodgy things to sell cars)

Service advisory notes that are carried out when a vehicle is serviced are things that have failed previously on other vehicles or have been redesigned following some QC issues.

If you can plead you case (rather that demanding it) with a bit of leverage with some of the evidence you can collect over the internet you may manage to get Volvo to re-emburse you some of the charges. Ford used to have a nominal charge re-embursement of up to 50% for loyal or critical customers.

Do you know the part number of the items that failed? and if it definately is the item that has failed?

[V70R]

Thank you, yes I have the part numbers, I have been very polite in my correspondance with Volvo and in my eyes very understanding. I cant explain how close things were when the car stalled, as Volvo pride themselves on saftey, I was shocked to find this was a known issue.

I was looking for acknowledgement of the issue at least. My dealer was aware of it after looking back through their tech notes. I'm just a little miffed that US customers get this done for free and UK clients pick up the full bill. I pride myself that car is maintain to the hightest standards and would at least have been made aware of possible safety concerns.

Rant off

[PAVLIE]

i had the same issue with mine last year and it was a major(45,000) recall in USA under safety grounds, and my enigne was within the recall numbers, even though this was the case and i argued like hell with Volvo uk and VOSA, i only got it paid for by volvo uk due to the way i was tret by customer services

you have been Pm'd

[Al115]

Sounds very similar to the whole ETM fiasco with Phase 1 cars to me! Good luck 'n' all.

[beppie boy]

im looking into a new V70R in late feb or march time if money is looking good but may i ask, what numbers do i need to look out for so i can take it straight to the dealer to see if it is a recall and under warranty.

and rufe if your looking or listening i'll be asking for the help and advise from you and geff:lol::littleang

martyn

[V70R]

Martyn, In the US (I think I'm correct) all S60R and V70R in the 2003 and 2004 bracket, with Engine numbers :

• 2003 and 2004 Volvo S60 and V70 vehicles with the following engines (codes):
o B5244S (61), B5244S6 (64), B5254T4 (52) B5254T2 (59)

Your dealer will not see this as a recall because it was in the US only. Not sure if PAVLIE will agree, but if your new purchase developes a stutter at either 2000 or 3000 rpm, get the Sensor swapped before it cuts out on you.

On the positive side, she's fixed and better that ever (feels like it pulls harder)

[wegal]

If your car has a full volvo service history then you have grounds to jump up and down, if not then your a bit stuffed to be honest. If it has full VSH the just tell them that you will be using indys in future, they dont like to lose loyal customers.

[wegal]

Also dont write to them, ring them up.

[V70R]

All correspondance has been in writing, so I'll wait for a reply to my last mail and then call. The prevoius owner used a Volvo Specialist for two of services, but they used geniue parts and the Volvo service sheet. The service history on this car is unreal. I have all bills and invoices since day one and it really has been maintained regardless of cost. I've been really loyal to Volvo over the years and I feel its not being returned.
Thanks for your thoughts, I'll give it a go

[PAVLIE]

Also dont write to them, ring them up.

Go in The Showroom and create!!!!!! and dont let them take you into a quiet corner neither

V70R i will send you the info i have but it might not be while thursday or friday

[RaVolvoR]

You may find that UK product liability laws actually preclude "transport" whereas of course the US isn't quite so blinkered. Also US cars are different between states (Califonria v rest of them!) let alone UK to USA.. so its not just engine number. Even so its dissapointing the traditional Volvo reputation is hurt by the blinkered approach of advisory v compulsory. Volvo dealers are few and far between, given my limited experiences I'm not surprised. Looking back I'd say my 940SeTurbo was a better car in quality than my 850 and they were both a whole lot better than my '03 V70. A sign of the times newer doesn't always mean better!

[V70R]

Hi guys,

The story is now updated. I can confirm that my engine and running gear is exactly the same a US vehicle with the exception of some software mods. Any how please see below Volvo's last word.

I write with reference to our previous correspondence. Thank you for your patience whilst I investigated this case.

Contrary to the information I provided previously, your engine is the same code as the engines mentioned in the US recall notice. I must clarify that although your car shares a similar specification engine, this recall is not applicable in this country.

The recall was launched in the US due to a high replacement rate of the fuel pressure sensor and in order to comply with the emission requirements of the local authorities, which are not applicable in the UK. In Europe, we have not seen a high replacement rate.

I realise that this can be confusing. From your point of view, the engine, part number and symptoms correspond with the US recall and therefore you believe that this action should be applied to your vehicle. I do understand your position but the high replacement rate in the US is not reflected in Europe. Therefore the reason for launching the recall in the US does not apply here and this could be due to a number of varying factors such as the fuel used in the US.

We have fully investigated your concerns and I can confirm that we will not be contributing towards this repair.