Volvo Owners Club Forum - AWD Transmission: - XC90 No AWD Want to report this to BBC Watch Dog

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- - AWD Transmission: XC90 No AWD Want to report this to BBC Watch Dog (https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=66098)

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddie.grice (Post 460532)

Hi Speedbird800 and other 2 wheel drive XC70/90 owners.

My bevel gear or more likely the spline shaft sleeve has failed on my wifes XC90 D5 Auto S. I am at present finding out if Volvo will cover the repair. If they don't I'm up for highlighting this problem anywhere and everywhere.

WHY? This fault is caused by an extremely poorly designed component in the transmission. If it were a safety issue they would have done a full recall and re-designed the box/sleeve gear. This failure could have happened within a day of owning the car. There is NO disernible handling or drive difference unless you are on snow/ice/mud.

I remember an interview with the XC90 designer in the British auto press, who stated that the reason for the ECU not letting full torque to the transmission on pull away (the slow response to pulling away on large throttle openings from traffic lights etc) was a way of saving the transmission. I think his words were, "better the hesitation than a transmission failure" This would imply either the clutch/torque converter and or the the gearbox were not capable of carrying the huge torque from the diesel engine. The ECU effectively tries to protect it by not letting full torque to the transmission until under way.

Volvo have been fully aware of this problem since the early V70R AWD's etc just read the US forums.

Please keep us informed of any news on this item. I'll let everyone know how I get on.

Ed.

Except my early 2003 car dosn't have the hesitation problem and I'm far from being the only one on the forums, so it's not a universal problem, so can't have been designed in as some seem to think.

As you can feel the 4 wheel drive moving from "front" to "equal" to "rear" as you drive round a bend you don't need bad weather to test it. Or just drive over some bluebells or or similar ;-)

Why do you say the component is poorly designed?

To get feedback from XC70 owners you probably need to post on their forum.

Roy

Transmissiom problems

Hi,
Have been reading this thread re XC90 gearbox issues and did a Google search the find this site;

http://www.aboutautomobile.com/Complaint/2004/VOLVO/XC90[/URL]. seems like an awful lot of transmission problems for the model across the pond as well. site also gives recall information. It may help the cause?

Alan

I have a 2003 XC90 D5 that I have had since new and is used for towing. Having been stuck in a field with only front wheel drive previously (2004) and told that everything was now working fine and it seemed that was the case. I was not impressed with being stuck in the snow with no 4 wheel drive again. It will be back to Volvo and no doubt a big bill.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacko954 (Post 460808)

USA T6 models have a GM autobox, known not to be able cope with the engines power output if driven hard.

Roy

I've already reported my findings to Watch Dog.

Lets see if they respond! I reported the issues that I was having with my XC90 on Friday.

I would say if you are having issues as well you should report them to. Whilst the weather is so bad and the snow is still on the Ground in some places this would be the best time for a reporter to pick up our plight! They are always looking to report the same story but from a different angle. I.E 4x4 that can't handle a little bit of snow!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald (Post 460884)

USA T6 models have a GM autobox, known not to be able cope with the engines power output if driven hard.

Roy

Just to add to that. A forum member in the USA said that nearly all the T6's in the US are front wheel drive models, so problems with USA XC90 transmissions aren't going to be relevant to the UK models.

Roy

...but they are keen on their XC70s and just look on the forums how many of them have had issues with the angle gear...

I was thinking of posting a group on Facebook to help bring the attention to more people of the issues that the XC90 has. There are several groups already. However they all state how great the XC90 is.

It wouldn't be so bad if they weren't nice cars. I truly think that you haven't really enjoyed the car fully until you have driven it in a situation where other cars get stuck and yours sales through!

I had my tyres changed yesterday and the 4 wheels lazor aligned! Whilst the wheels were being done, a guy comes into the tyre shop with a Range Rover Sport fully loaded. He started telling mea about how he can push a button and raise the car or lower the car! He told me that he loved it in the snow due to the fact it was just like driving on a normal day but more fun!

I told him that I wished I could experience the same feeling in the XC90!

I chased Volvo today and they told me that they are not aware of an issue due to the fact that no one has reported it!

So I say to all you fellow forum users if you have a problem tell watch dog. If you don't you only have yourself to blame. Volvo will do nothing about this until they are forced to. The only way to do this is through the media!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockhopper (Post 461369)

...but they are keen on their XC70s and just look on the forums how many of them have had issues with the angle gear...

Well I did as you suggested and the posts I read didn't give the impression of a big problem.....to quote.....

Quote:

So, nothing to worry about as it seems to be a very rare problem...

EDIT: This article might be of use .......http://www.v70xc.com/resources/how-t...%20Leakage.pdf

Roy

Volvo certainly know of these failures. The dealer where mine is being fixed has admitted that they get at least 6 in a year with this problem. And that's just the ones where the owner actually notices there's something wrong. I wonder just how many XC90/XC70s are running around with failed units having never been in a situation that needs AWD?

Interesting reading here on the prevalence of stripped sleeves.