automatic gearbox problems
 

I have a 2001 S80 2.4 5 speed auto dione all of 52,000 miles.
The change up or down from 2 to 3 or 3 to 2 is quite bumpy and my local dealer says that this is a new gearbox.

I have had Volvos since 1978 all automatics and several have gone over the 200,000 miles all with no gearbox problems.

Surely, this cannot be the end of this box at this low mileage? If so then I have finished with Volvos for good.

Has anyone else suffered a similar problem?

JM Britstone

I have a 2001 C70 with Asin warner 5 Speed and mine failed at 55000 miles. I've just replaced it (Not an easy job) But talking to a gearbox specialist Volvo 5 speed gearbox's are normaly bullet prove and we are just unlucky to have problems.

I have a S80 (Feb 2003)diesel with autobox and car has covered 88,000 miles (with ful main dealer history) and yesterday Lookers of Chelmsford confirmed the auto transmission is finished. In mid January 2007 when I put the car into them when I was having the fuel injectors replaced(!!) and told them about the gearbox problem - came back saying that nothing showed up on the computer- now looking at the invoice and report it stated if problem persists do a road test!! How else would you establish my complaint of the car shuddering in reverse gear without taking it for a drive- unbelievable but true.Hence me putting the car into the garge again for them to find the problem. Volvo were contacted by the dealer to see if they would assist with the cost and they said "no". I've been trying to get thru to customer relations department but the queue seems never to get shorter!
I've spoken with 3 gearbox specialists and they confirm the gearboxes are troublesome and have loads of them coming in at around the 90,000 mile mark. One tof the guys said given thta it is a heavy front wheel drive car there is a lot going on at the front end and that's why the boxes cause problems. If this is what a prestige marque like Volvo is producing definitely not buying another and back to the trusted German marques I've previously had. Volvo Customer care or lack of it is appalling - I asked for an email address for customer relations department and was told they didn't have one!!

My 2004 S80(2.0 Auto)(58K miles) gearbox has gone pop - just about driveable and I have an extended warranty so that will be interesting to see what happens.

Did you try change b4 servo cover ,this is common fault volvo from 2001 year.Check the color of oil,maybe need replace if its brown.Regards

JM,

Steady on there fella - before you start chucking teddies out the pram - do some homework - there is a massive amount of knowledge and advice to be found on this forum.

Try changing the fluid, it may not fix the fault but it might buy you some time.
Don't take one garage's word for it consult a reputable auto box specialist.
If the box is dead - can it be economically repaired?
If not - can a replacement box be obtained from a breakers yard and fitted economically?

At 52000 miles this car is only just run in and has thousands of miles of luxury travel left in it, ask yourself the question - what other car could I buy to replace this car for the price of the gearbox repair/replacement mixed with the scrap value? - not a busting lot!

For every faulty auto box you'll find on this forum there will be thousands that give no trouble at all - after all nobody posts a topic that says 'My autobox is bl**dy marvelous' do they?

Cheers,
Pip

Mine is

meh, i've got a 2.4 bifuel and to be honest, the autobox in the volvo is the worst i have driven.

i'm hoping to prolong the life in mine by doing fluid swaps every 12 months or so, but considering the autobox in my parents S70 2.5t died after 60,000 miles i'd say the boxes have a general fault

You want to look on the Mercedes owners forums, full of gearbox problems, even the new shape C class's are popping torque converters, seems a common fault too. Thats apart from the rust probs they had between 97-06.

Have a look on one of the american BMW forums as well , there was one thread I got about halfway through with a total of 545 posts about duff autoboxes , I was hoping to get pearls of wisdom relating to the AW55-50SN which are fitted to the Volvo but not one of the posts on this BMW thread mentioned which gearbox they were talking about although I am told it is the same gearbox ? Looks like Mercs / BMWs / Vauxhalls all suffer the same problems with autoboxes . Even on some of the older Mercs you cant check the ATF as they have some kind of seal fitted , at least with Volvos up to 2004 you have an ATF dipstick . I am convinced that Volvo see the lifespan of an autobox as 100k miles , of course there are loads that go on for longer but only 25% make it past 175k miles without repairs