Owners have filed 110 complaints
about the 1999 Volvo 770 with NHTSA between 2001 and 2010.
The largest single group is the suspension.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 56
Against the median year of the Volvo 770. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 23
4.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Universal Joint
517.2%
Interior/Under Dash
517.2%
Manual Transmission
517.2%
AIR Conditioner
413.8%
Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
310.3%
Windshield
310.3%
Antilock
26.9%
U-Bolt, Leaf Spring TO Axle
26.9%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2001peak 55Sep 2010
NHTSA investigations into the 1999 Volvo 770
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA02021Opened 6 Sep 2002Closed 6 Nov 2003SUSPENSION
FRONT SUSPENSION U-BOLTS LOOSEN OR BREAK
ODI'SINVESTIGATION DID NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE THAT LOOSE OR BROKENFRONT SUSPENSION U-BOLTS HAVE CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO ANY CRASHES OR NEAR MISS EVENTS.SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSISREPORT FOR FULL TECHNICAL DETAILS.* 1996/1997 BUILT VEHICLES ARE DESIGNATED BY VOLVO AS 1998 MODEL YEAR.
PE01040Opened 3 Dec 2001Closed 26 Mar 2002ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SLEEPER BERTH FIRES
PE01041Opened 3 Dec 2001Closed 14 Jun 2002STEERING
STEERING GEARBOX OR U-JOINT
PE01042Opened 3 Dec 2001Closed 6 Sep 2002STEERING
STEERING AXLE U-BOLT
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Lakewood Ranch, FLCrash
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
1999 VOLVO 770, ENTERING THE OHIO TURNPIKE, THE RIGHT SIDE STORAGE COMPARTMENT DOOR OPENED AS UNIT 1 WAS MOVING FORWARD AND STRUCK THE TOLL BOOTH CAUSING DAMAGE. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0451-91)
NHTSA complaint #10357554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rolla, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASH, WHICH CAUSED A FIRE, GAUGES WERE ERRATIC AND CAB CONTROLLER ECU FAILED. EXPERIENCED OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY WHICH SEEMS TO BE LASTING 15 MONTHS. THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 7 TIMES. GEARBOX SENSOR FAILED, CONSUMER NOTICED FUSES MISSING AFTER POSSESSION OF THE TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #565357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Romeoville, IL1 injured
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATED THAT ALL U-BOLTS ON FRONT AXLE BROKE, CAUSING A LOSS OF DRIVELINES, CONSUMER INJURED HIS KNEES, VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED AND SIX MONTHS LATER WAS OFF AGAIN, FRONT AXLE IS TOO HEAVY WITH A FUEL TANK AND DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #565239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA1 injured
SUSPENSION
THE SPRING BROKE ON THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE LEFT STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY FELL UNDER THE TRUCK, TOOK OUT THE ENGINE AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO ROLL ON STRAIGHTAWAY, CONSUMER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.
NHTSA complaint #565260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA1 injured
SUSPENSION
THE SPRING BROKE ON THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE LEFT STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY FELL UNDER THE TRUCK, TOOK OUT THE ENGINE AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO ROLL ON STRAIGHTAWAY, CONSUMER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.
NHTSA complaint #565260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Lakewood Ranch, FLCrash
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
1999 VOLVO 770, ENTERING THE OHIO TURNPIKE, THE RIGHT SIDE STORAGE COMPARTMENT DOOR OPENED AS UNIT 1 WAS MOVING FORWARD AND STRUCK THE TOLL BOOTH CAUSING DAMAGE. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0451-91)
NHTSA complaint #10357554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albert, VT
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:U-BOLT, LEAF SPRING TO AXLE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE U BOLT FELLOFF. CONSUMER DID NOT NOTICE THIS UNTIL A WEEK AFTER WHEN HE WAS HAVING OIL CHANGED IN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #8018478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hartman, AR
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER STEERING IS MALFUNCTIONING. CONSUMER WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT, NOW THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, CONSUMER HAS BEEN INFORMED IT IS FAULTY.
NHTSA complaint #565374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hartman, AR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATED THE CRANK CASE CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #565374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hartman, AR
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE FIVE (5) SETS OF STEER TIRES, ALSO THE BOLTS BROKE OFF.
NHTSA complaint #565374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #565374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hartman, AR
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
CONSUMER STATED THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS FAULTY.
NHTSA complaint #565374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hartman, AR
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE'S CLUTCH PLATE FELL OUT WHILE IN MOTION. ALSO CONSUMER REPLACED THE WHOLE DRIVE TRAIN.
NHTSA complaint #565374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rolla, MO
POWER TRAIN
CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS PLAY IN THE DRIVE SHAFT. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THERE WERE AIR LEAKS AT THE GEAR STICK SPLITTER.
NHTSA complaint #565357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rolla, MO
STEERING
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE GEARBOX SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #565357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rolla, MO
SUSPENSION
THE CAB HAS BEEN ALIGNED AT LEAST 4 TIMES. 4 SETS OF NEW STEER TIRES WHICH ONLY LAST ABOUT 60,000 MILES. THE FRONT HUB SEALS HAD TO BE REPLACED FIVE TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #565357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rolla, MO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED TWICE, THE AIR PIPE WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST, CAUSING IT TO BURN OUT, VEHICLE GETS POOR FUEL ECONOMY, 2 TOP TANKS HAVE BEEN REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #565357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Muncie, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING PROBLEMS WITH THE STARTER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TWICE FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #565359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rolla, MO
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAS FAILED MANY TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #565357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rolla, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASH, WHICH CAUSED A FIRE, GAUGES WERE ERRATIC AND CAB CONTROLLER ECU FAILED. EXPERIENCED OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY WHICH SEEMS TO BE LASTING 15 MONTHS. THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 7 TIMES. GEARBOX SENSOR FAILED, CONSUMER NOTICED FUSES MISSING AFTER POSSESSION OF THE TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #565357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rolla, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS, VEHICLE HAS HAD 2 RADIATORS AND 3 INTERCOOLERS REPLACED, THE ENGINE HAS BEEN WORKED ON FIVE TIMES, IT SMOKES HEAVILY AND EXPERIENCES A LOSS OF POWER.
NHTSA complaint #565357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rolla, MO
STRUCTURE
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FIFTH WHEEL CAUSED THE TRAILER TO TIP OVER BREAKING THE SIDE FAIRING.
NHTSA complaint #565357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rolla, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ABS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #565357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING DASH BOARD PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #565657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palestine, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLES DASH HAS BEEN REPLACED A COUPLE OF TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #565660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATES WHEN THE SPRING BROKE, THE TIRE FELL OFF THE TRUCK CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #565652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WA
SUSPENSION
THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END IS OVER WEIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #565657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palestine, TX
SUSPENSION
THE SPRINGS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #565660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, WI
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATES U-BOLTS BROKE ON FRONT AND REAR AXLES, POSSIBLY CAUSING PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #565907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
CONSUMER STATES EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, ALSO WITH THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASH.
NHTSA complaint #565907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.