Volvo Extends Warranty After 7NEWS Investigates Safety Issue

In an unprecedented move, Volvo of North America has announced it will extend the warranty on more than 330,000 cars nationwide. The action follows a 7NEWS investigation and hundreds of consumer complaints raising safety questions about 1999-2001 Volvos.

7NEWS Investigator Tony Kovaleski continues his investigation, which first aired in September. He said while this latest action makes it clear there is a problem, 7NEWS' hidden cameras show some of the frustration Volvo owners were dealing with before the announcement.

Rhea McCoy is a Volvo owner but has lost confidence in her car.

"I was going about 45 and the engine just stopped, just quit," said McCoy. "I was frantic, just absolutely berzerko!"

And she's not alone.

"I was in the middle of traffic and all of a sudden this thing just dies," said Volvo owner Michael Schaffer.

"I couldn't believe that this has been happening to so many different people," said Volvo owner Shavonne Cordova. "I would be driving down the freeway and I would just have power surges like I was smashing the gas pedal down to the floor," said Volvo owner Don Beck.

In recent weeks dozens of Volvo owners from around the world have contacted the 7NEWS Investigators.

They all drive 1999 to 2001 model year Volvos. Their stories are consistent. All say they are losing confidence in a car and a car maker that's built its reputation on safety.

"It's inevitable that somebody is going to be seriously hurt," said Volvo owner and retired mechanical engineer Don Willson.

After months of research, Willson believes he knows what's causing the breakdowns.

"The problem is in these throttle position sensors," said Willson.

In September, a 7NEWS investigation uncovered a document, showing that Volvo knew about problems with the electronic throttle as far back as 1998 before the cars ever hit the showroom.

Volvo tested the parts and determined a 94 percent failure rate before 100,000 miles.

"They've known about the problem for five years," said Willson.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA has begun its own investigation into 1999 to 2001 model year Volvos. To date, more than 500 Volvo owners nationwide have complained to the federal agency.

"I am just an accident waiting to happen and I don't like that. It's real scary to me," said Volvo owner June Zapor.

Zapor said her 2001 Volvo accelerates unexpectedly. She said she reported it three times to McDonald Volvo in Littleton but the dealership could not locate or fix the problem.

7NEWS sent Zapor into McDonald Volvo with our hidden cameras to see if this service department would tell her about the ongoing federal investigation into her car.

7NEWS wondered if this dealership would inform her one of the growing list of Volvo owners with similar complaints.

"I am real concerned about this," Zapor says on the hidden camera.

The Volvo service representative said, "I know you are."

"Nobody else has reported the problem but me?" she asks.

The Volvo service representative shakes his head no.

"I am the only one?" she asks.

The Volvo service representative nods his head yes.

"The car can't accelerate by itself," said the Volvo service representative.

"Don't tell me that. Tell my car that. Tell my car that. It is doing that. It's done it four times," Zapor said.

Several times during the 10-minute conversation, the service representative told Zapor and 7NEWS' hidden cameras that it's never happened and that it can't happen. He never once informed her of the ongoing federal investigation.

"So what you're saying isn't true. It can't happen," said the service representative.

"I am not a liar," Zapor tells him.

"You may have that sensation but what you are saying cannot physically happen," said the service representative.

According to Zapor, it was the fourth time this dealership allowed her and her Volvo to drive out without finding the problem.

"I think something should have been done when I took the car in and they didn't do it, and I am very disappointed in them," said Zapor.

McDonald Volvo declined 7NEWS' request for an on-camera interview.

In a written statement, the dealership said it properly handled its evaluation of Zapor's car based on all the information it had received from Volvo.

Tuesday's announcement from Volvo means Zapor may receive a new throttle system at no cost. It also means the hundreds of Colorado residents who have already paid for new throttle systems are now eligible for a complete refund from Volvo.

If you have questions, Volvo has asked you to contact their customer hot line at (800) 458-1552. The Volvo Customer Care line is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern standard time.

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