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Oil Consumption Extended Warranty Letter From Volvo

84K views 271 replies 73 participants last post by  Wayne T5  
#1 · (Edited)
Not sure if anyone else has gotten this, looks like a new thing. Volvo is extending warranty to 8 years or 100,000 miles if you fail the Engine Oil Consumption Test. The test is FREE. Parts and labor associated with the extended warranty regarding the oil consumption are FREE.

People that had the test performed and engine work done prior to this letter can seek reimbursement!

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#2 ·
Attaching pictures from my phone app seems to be having problems?

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#30 ·
Yes, ironically our letter arrived this past Monday, just a week after we've started Volvo's "Oil Consumption Test" program. Leading up to the actual test, things weren't very clear as to how Volvo was going to handle this oil issue so this letter is of considerable relief in that we're not just being subjected to an exercise. Ours is a 2015.5 S60 T5 AWD Platinum w/ 75k on the odo and it looks as new, inside and out... the service writer was very impressed. It's a 1,200km test and they weigh the oil going in and going out... that's correct, they don't use the dipstick, they weigh the oil, something my fellow gearhead buddies and I have never heard of. It's a commuter car so our consumption test will take a few weeks... stay tuned.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for sharing this.

It's the right thing to do, and UGH, our S80 is just over 8 years. It has only 62K on it and started burning oil in the same range as most, I first noticed it at 57K while it was still under 8 years old. As with others, always Volvo maintained. The car is still pristine in every way so this oil burning, and potentially scoring the cylinder walls, is haunting me. I feel a great deal of peace having my teenagers driving this legendary solid Volvo model as new drivers so I'm trying to figure out how to deal with this.

I contacted Volvo, and since it's over 8 years I'll have to pay for an oil consumption test, but they said they'd consider the outcome because of the low mileage and that we're a brand-loyal and multi-Volvo household.

Does anyone know a range of what it could cost to have the redesigned pistons/rings installed at a dealer, or in an independent repair shop?
 
#108 ·
Thanks for sharing this.

It's the right thing to do, and UGH, our S80 is just over 8 years. It has only 62K on it and started burning oil in the same range as most, I first noticed it at 57K while it was still under 8 years old. As with others, always Volvo maintained. The car is still pristine in every way so this oil burning, and potentially scoring the cylinder walls, is haunting me. I feel a great deal of peace having my teenagers driving this legendary solid Volvo model as new drivers so I'm trying to figure out how to deal with this.

I contacted Volvo, and since it's over 8 years I'll have to pay for an oil consumption test, but they said they'd consider the outcome because of the low mileage and that we're a brand-loyal and multi-Volvo household.

Does anyone know a range of what it could cost to have the redesigned pistons/rings installed at a dealer, or in an independent repair shop?
Note that there is a class action suit being brought against Volvo on this matter. Not sure of the status. BTW I would demand that you be covered under the extended warranty. Just because you didn't get in on time doesn't change the fact that you have very low mileage and this problem is the result of a manufacturer defect. Also, check on exact date when the car was sold and when you first noticed the issue.
 
#4 ·
I believe it's in the $5000 range for the piston & ring service.

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owns 2018 Volvo V60 Polestar
#5 ·
What's confusing is the letter states model years 2013-2016. I own a 2015.5 and the date of the letter is February 3, 2023 which is barely under the 8 year mark, I received the letter in the mail today February 11, 2023 and that is now over 8 years. I did book an appointment with Volvo but unsure how they will handle this situation. Any thoughts? So odd that 2013 is listed as a covered model since how can that be within 8 years?!
 
#9 ·
I got this letter today as well and called Volvo because they didn't specify how the repairs would be reimbursed but they spoke to me and said the repairs will only be reimbursed if it was done under an authorized Volvo retailer or a Volvo dealership in other words. Bummed cause I had my piston rings replaced at an independent mechanic shop last year relating to excessive oil consumption instead because of the costs so if I knew Volvo would comp me for the repairs I would've gone the other route:(
 
#13 ·
My 2015.5 V60 failed its oil consumption test in November 2021, and its engine was rebuilt shortly thereafter at about 89,000 miles. Got my letter yesterday, and have just assembled my info packet to drop in the mail tomorrow. Hoping to get $2,331.49 back (they gave me goodwill, so that constitutes half of the labor that I paid for, along with the oil consumption test, which I think is also eligible for compensation).

Hope they come through for me!
 
#14 · (Edited)
I have my 2015.5 V60 start the test at 107k miles.
I still am going to fill out the form for the 3 oil consumption test, box replacement, and the rebuild. I spent over $3000 (I believe) with good will.

I did sign up for the potential class action and one of the paralegals from the suit contacted me.
They liked that I had all the receipts for the issue.

Update:
I pulled all my paperwork and will mail it out tomorrow.
With the 2 oil consumption tests, PCV Box replacement, and repair....I spent about $3000 with about $1300 in Volvo goodwill.
Was a 3rd oil consumption test, but the dealer forgot to weigh the oil so I had to free redo on a test.
 
#109 ·
Hello, I am in a very similar situation. I have a 2016 V60 with 107K miles. My car currently is not drivable due to the oil consumption issue that now requires replaced valves and a new engine. VOLVO US wants me to pay $11K stating because I have 107 Miles even though I have proof that my car was burning oil at the 92K miles point.
 
#16 ·
Got letter. Have a 2016 XC70 T5. Our 9th Volvo. We normally hand our Volvos down to our daughters, so concerned. Does anyone know if this is a matter of defective parts that will either fail or not, or is this is a design issue where we can count on the engine needing a rebuild at some point?

A couple of years ago, we heard a squeaking sound that sounded like a slipping fan belt. The dealer knew the problem immediately. PCV / breather box issue. Replaced. Could this be related to oil problem?
 
#29 · (Edited)
Can someone explain this to me, because apparently I'm stupid? I did get the letter, but I have an early 2015 Xc60 that's at the like 89k mark, and am currently dealing with oil issues. Was gathering the funds for an Oil trap replacement this last weekend. But since its the summer release I'm past the 8 year mark, and I've done any work myself since getting the car roughly 14 months ago. Can I get the test, get work done, and send them an invoice or was this letter just to mock me?
 
#31 ·
I had 54K on my 2016 S60 in 2020 when it started losing oil. Local dealer said I had to pay for the oil consumption test, but indicated that if it showed bad rings/seals, volvo might cover the repair/replacement. Was a gamble, but I was losing >quart a week. When the test was done, Volvo completely replaced the engine at no charge. Worth asking your dealer whether this is still an option. Good luck
 
#32 ·
For those considering piston and ring replacement at your own expense, beware. It didn't fix ours and they ended up putting in a new engine. We were lucky ours started having consumption issues at 35k miles, so all addressed under warranty.

I feel like they know the root cause by now, but the real fix would cost too much. They are really risking their reputation on this one. I am in the minority, but loved knowing I could go a quarter million miles on a Volvo engine without worrying.
 
#33 ·
Hoping for the best... 2015.5 XC60 T5 and was having oil issues since about 75K miles or so. I had the work done at the local dealer assuming I would get nothing but Volvo chipped in 25%. It still cost me $5k out of pocket. When I had the work done in November 2022 I had 97k+ miles on it and the car was 7 years 11 months and 14 days from date of delivery. Can't get much closer than that. I'm still only "hopeful" because I had previously change the oil trap myself (which did nothing) and I never had nor was asked to do an oil consumption test. I have kept records of the oil level (using a scan tool, there's no dipstick), oil temperature, and mileage which showed I was using about 1 qt every 1000 miles. Dealer noted that on my work order. My paperwork has already been mailed. I'll check my status in a week or so.
 
#34 · (Edited)
My girlfriend and I have owned 7 Volvos between us. She bought a 2012 CPO in 2015, while under the CPO warranty, she came over and said the oil light was on. I put 5qts of oil in it that day, I told her to take it back to Smythe Volvo (SummitNJ). They told her it's fine don't bring it back till the oil light comes back on. Down 1 qt over the next 1000 miles. I said bring it back to Smythe. That happened every 1000 miles for the next few months. They said it was normal, I had the same 5 cylinder motor in all the cars and none burned oil. They capitulated after the sixth time of bringing it back and scheduled the rings to be replaced I told them they had to do something before the CPO warranty runs out. We were on vacation and they called to say they wanted 500 bucks to swap out a sensor and upgrade the ECU (computer), I told them NOT A DIME until were satisfied that they fixed the oil issue. Got the car back kept getting battery low even after swapping out the battery with a new one, and it was still using oil, not as bad as it was, but still. I have a 2006 S60 with 150K I drive it back and forth to Florida and it runs like an Imperial Star Cruiser, Not One Issue. We traded the 2012 back in and got a 2016 S60 and it seems to be fine, I have been checking the oil and it seems to be Great! I think they had bad rings from 2012-2015 and Volvo knew it, there was a mention of a class action suit, Not sure if this was a thing, I am hoping the 2016 doesn't start burning oil since it has less than 50K on it now..

Good Luck to everyone in this position, Let me know if I can help.
 
#35 ·
We have a late 2015 V60 & a '16 S60. Both 4 cyl Drive E cars. Son working at the dealer. Said both were AFTER oil burner cars, sb ok, per company & technicians. The V60 has odd occasions when 1-2 qts go missing. Seems to be when driven in steep areas. So maybe another prob. Oil trap new, plugs clean. This car was run in the city, 60k hard miles, 10k oil changed at dlr (too long for this motor & use). Now doing 12k/yr urban driving. Burned a qt in 3500-4500 mi. On trips it might spit out a black cloud once a while on hard acceleration ( clearing carbon?). Went to 10w30 synth & 5-6000 mi changes. Same oil use, seems better with ring treatments. These rings don't take well to hot conditions. Car is fine otherwise. The S60 was off lease buy at 26k. Now at 163000 with little if any oil use, usually at high speed, hot conditions. Might use 1 qt in 4000 mi. 90+ % are highway miles. Reminds me of the 1988 Jag XJ6 I had. Solid as a rock, does what it should, no fuss. So where it lived means a lot. Judging by many posts it seems you should avoid pre 2016s at least. But not all were bad. We change our oil & at 5-6k its still oil. At 10k its not. 1 further note. The electric oil reading is not always correct. Have twice had a reading drop 1-2 qt overnight or in a few miles with no rhythm or reason. Once it went to zero after 300 mile run Freaked us out. Put 3.5 qt in before full. Changed out next day.had 5.5 qts drained. Something odd there.
 
#38 ·
Sflanagan51559: I had no idea there was a class action suite on an Oil consumption issue but if there is you should join it. Also if your blowing out black smoke when your getting on the accelerator I suspect your turbo has oil blowing by it. You really need to watch the turbo replacement video from Elliott Alvis youtube channel below. Also reach out to both Elliott and RobertDIY to look into your issues, these guys have a ton of talent working on Volvo's. I wouldn't buy the 4 cylinder Supercharged/Turbocharged motors until they are proven reliable, which could take a decade or so. I have bought 7 Volvo's between me and my family since 1995 and the five cylinder turbocharged engines seem bulletproof. I use the 10w-30 Synthetic but RobertDIY recommends 10w-40 and I do Oil changes on the 5's 140K, 145K, 150K. It seems to work for me. I don't know what to tell you about the electronic Oil level sensor maybe change the sensor, I don't know why you would replace the dipstick, the simplist and most reliable time tested method of checking the oil level. It's like the engineers go drinking at lunch and after get these ideas on how to improve the engines while they are three sheets to the wind!
https://www.youtube.com/@ElliottAlvis
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Also: https://www.youtube.com/@RobertDIY
 
#36 ·
The class action suit referenced in some letters above has not settled yet. The initial deadline was 2/14/2023 but it was extended to 3/15/2023.
I think Volvo has not been above board with this issue. Waiting to send the warranty extension notice until most vehicles were out of warranty is one example. They were clearly aware of this as they also changed the oil recommendations several years ago because of this issue and didn't bother to alert owners at that time.
 
#37 ·
I bought my 2015.5 S60 edrive used. It's initial title date was 2/3/2015 - exactly 8 years from the 2/3/2023 notice. I had my breather box replaced last month and started an oil consumption test as well. I do note that the warranty covers "excessive oil consumption" and doesn't actually specify the cause. So, I'm wondering if Volvo intends to cover excessive oil consumption due to either cause. I also am curious as to whether there is some interplay between these problems - does excessive oil leaking past the rings also contribute to fouling of the breather box?
 
#40 ·
The date on the letter was 10-days past our 8-year mark. I brought it to the dealer and they said no to the free oil consumption test/repairs. After some negotiating, they called higher up and got it approved. (Probably helps I have under 70k mileage on it). They started the oil consumption test and I'll be bringing it back after 1000 miles for them to weigh the oil and see what's up.
 
#41 ·
Ya know that's the sorta thing a dealer should do automatically. Even if just for the selfish reason of they get paid by Volvo to do the test if Volvo approves it, but they also would build better customer loyalty simply by trying.
 
#42 ·
What level of oil consumption does Volvo and this warranty consider to be "excessive". Are they only likely to consider parts replacement etc if oil consumption is 1 quart per 620 miles as inferred on this warranty notice?
My MY2016 XC90 with 92K miles never needed a top up between services until 9 months ago. Now it's gulping through a quart every 1200 to 1400miles. I've got a feeling that Volvo won't consider that "excessive"... and by the time it does get excessive I'll be out out of this warranty coverage :(
 
#43 ·
Colinu: I got the excessive oil letter today for my girlfriends 2016 S60, it said 1 liter every 620 miles. My girlfriend had a 2012 which was using 1Qt every 1000 miles and I told them, it was excessive when we brought it in. Please read my post about it so I don't have to retype it now. It is under dougjones on the previous page. One quart is .9463 liters so if I am using 1Qt/1Lt every 1000 miles No one in their right mind would say that WASN"T excessive. Smyth Volvo (SummitNJ) replaced the rings on the car while we were away and it still had issues so we traded it for a 2016 which seems to have no issues but only has 42K miles as of right now and it will be 7 years old this year.

Let me know if I can help

Regards, Dougjones