I figured it was about time to start this thread.

I bought a used 2015 S60 last year @ 32000miles from a non-volvo dealer.

I had the vehicle services and an oil change done after I got it home at about 33000 miles.

I changed the oil and filter every 5000 miles (Mobile 1 5w30 and a Mahle filter).

The car has run perfectly until mid march when the Covid19 quarantines began, where the car was only driven once a week.

In early April, I was driving home when the engine shut off. I was able to coast it to a safe pull off spot, but unable to restart it.

I had it towed home, and thinking the battery was dead (sitting at 8 volts after trying to restart it), I hooked it up to a battery tender.

It still refused to start, but it sounded and smelled like the starter was struggling.

One new starter and battery later, and it started, but had an awful rod-knock. The car currently sits at 46200 miles, with the last oil service done at 45000 miles.

Its been towed to the dealer, where I've been informed it needs a new engine. They claimed it was "low on oil" and had to put 2 quarts in to get it to the middle of the dipstick range. Seems like burning through 2 quarts in 1200 miles is a bit of an issue all its own.

At NO point did the oil pressure light come on in the entire time I've owned the vehicle.

The dealer wants 12K for a used engine, and honestly, that's 80% of what I paid for the car.

Does anyone have any contacts at Volvo I can reach out to? The dealer says they've contacted corporate and they're unwilling to play ball.

You'll need to contact Volvo Customer Care 1-(800)-550-5658
Many times the customer can be more successful at relaying a problem to corporate for goodwill.
Have every receipt for service. Just so you know, there are many types of Mobil 1 oil and some do not meet the specs for Volvo oil ACEA A5/B5 so be sure you used that type of oil.

 

I figured it was about time to start this thread.

I bought a used 2015 S60 last year @ 32000miles from a non-volvo dealer.

I had the vehicle services and an oil change done after I got it home at about 33000 miles.

I changed the oil and filter every 5000 miles (Mobile 1 5w30 and a Mahle filter).

The car has run perfectly until mid march when the Covid19 quarantines began, where the car was only driven once a week.

In early April, I was driving home when the engine shut off. I was able to coast it to a safe pull off spot, but unable to restart it.

I had it towed home, and thinking the battery was dead (sitting at 8 volts after trying to restart it), I hooked it up to a battery tender.

It still refused to start, but it sounded and smelled like the starter was struggling.

One new starter and battery later, and it started, but had an awful rod-knock. The car currently sits at 46200 miles, with the last oil service done at 45000 miles.

Its been towed to the dealer, where I've been informed it needs a new engine. They claimed it was "low on oil" and had to put 2 quarts in to get it to the middle of the dipstick range. Seems like burning through 2 quarts in 1200 miles is a bit of an issue all its own.

At NO point did the oil pressure light come on in the entire time I've owned the vehicle.

The dealer wants 12K for a used engine, and honestly, that's 80% of what I paid for the car.

Does anyone have any contacts at Volvo I can reach out to? The dealer says they've contacted corporate and they're unwilling to play ball.

This is a fairly common issue with the 4 cylinder engines. There was a bad batch of engines with ring issues. There are a few threads on this and the process people had to go through in order to get assistance with VCOA. Two thoughts to consider if you get nowhere with VCOA. 1.) Insurance claim, which will probably total he car. 2.) Used engine from copart or ebay. Definitely cheaper as long as you avoid the dealer. Good luck.

 

This being a 2015 is probably the 5-cylinder engine.
Also, while the Mobil-1 oil used may not be the one Volvo recommends, it should not kill the engine. That would be a total garbage engine if it's that sensitive to the oil.

OP should definitely call Volvo and present his case.

 

Regarding the oil I used to use mobil 1 in my old S70 but for the drive e engine the mobil 1 5w-30 doesnt have the european specs that are required for warranty. I now use the Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w-30. But I doubt the oil would cause all those problems. From what I read the early engines had a ring problem which was fixed later on.

 

Update:

Called customer care and opened a case.

Its the 5 cylinder 2.5L

The mobile 1 I use has ACEA A5/B5 on the back of the bottle, so it should be golden. Its the full synthetic stuff you get at Costco.

The car has had no necessary service other than tires, the starter, the battery, and regular oil changes.

Option 1 is if I've exhausted all other options. I wonder what they would give me for the car, and if its more economical than the repair. I've got a mechanic that says he can do a used one for between 3-6K

 

Update:

Called customer care and opened a case.

Its the 5 cylinder 2.5L

The mobile 1 I use has ACEA A5/B5 on the back of the bottle, so it should be golden. Its the full synthetic stuff you get at Costco.

The car has had no necessary service other than tires, the starter, the battery, and regular oil changes.

Option 1 is if I've exhausted all other options. I wonder what they would give me for the car, and if its more economical than the repair. I've got a mechanic that says he can do a used one for between 3-6K

There is a TJ (technical journal) in place for this motor if you want to take a look over at volvotechinfo.com. Hopefully you can get some goodwill assistance from Volvo just given the low miles and the TJ. If that doesn't work then I'd go with your other option above.

 

Please keep us updated as this progresses. I am very curious how Corporate Volvo treats you considering you bought the car used from a non Volvo dealer.
Hopefully they will stand behind their product, especially with such low mileage.

 

Alright, I've actually just heard back.

"We would first like to thank you for your patience while your case was opened. We have finished reviewing your case and as much as we truly desire to resolve all of our customer’s requests to their satisfaction, it is not possible to meet every expectation. We regret that in this instance, Volvo Car USA cannot accommodate your request for assistance with this repair. We apologize for any inconvenience in this matter. "

That's extremely frustrating.

 

Alright, I've actually just heard back.

"We would first like to thank you for your patience while your case was opened. We have finished reviewing your case and as much as we truly desire to resolve all of our customer's requests to their satisfaction, it is not possible to meet every expectation. We regret that in this instance, Volvo Car USA cannot accommodate your request for assistance with this repair. We apologize for any inconvenience in this matter. "

That's extremely frustrating.

That's terrible. I guess I'd explore the used motor route.

 

Well, from the dealer it's going to be at least 30-45% more as far as labor. A used engine should be significantly cheaper, about 50-70% cheaper than retail. You NEED to find a reputable independent Volvo specialist. I would recommend posting on the forums in both the regional sections and under the P3 and P2 platform sections as well.

 

@TheDriver

I've found a competent independent (did work on our wagon when we first got it and lived in the city). He says 3k for an engine, 6k for the high performance (???) variant. As long as all the other parts are there.

I'm absolutely livid. I've babied this car.

 

You shouldn't be livid. You have several factors going against you. It's a 5 year old car. You aren't the first owner. Who knows what that first owner did as far as maintenance. And 46,000+ miles. Also bought from a non Volvo dealer. And you did your own maintenance. So your Volvo dealer can't go to bat for you. Sounds like the dealer is really sticking it to you money wise. At least Volvo looked into it. Maybe if you can get ALL the maintenance records from the previous owner. Also check with your insurance co.. They may help out. Anything at all would help.

 

Edited for me not reading the entire thread lol. You are getting shafted big time. If you have all the records the dealer should be going to bat for you.

 

@zombielinux This absolutely sucks and is such a disappointment. You are stuck and can only try to get the car back running for the least amount of money.
You may be able to find a motor on your own for less than 3K (perhaps?) but it's not worth it. Let your indie mechanic source and install the motor. This way of something doesn't work it's his responsibility.

 

@Tango. The previous owner was the original leasee of the vehicle, the car was serviced by volvo entirely until its warranty expired last july.

When I change the oil, I write my initials, the date, and the mileage of the vehicle on the lid of the oil filter box, and put them in the glovebox. They're all there.

Dealer definitely is sticking it to me money wise.

I might call up the insurance company, but I worry that it'll be like opening pandoras box. Can't un-call the insurance company.

@Almaz, I was definitely gonna let the indie find the parts and put it all together.

 

I might call up the insurance company, but I worry that it'll be like opening pandoras box. Can't un-call the insurance company.

This maybe your best bet, just had a similar situation with our low mileage sub 30k 2012 C300 where the roof leaked, shorted out a ton of electronics totalling over 5k in damage. Put it through ins with a decent deductible but well worth the claim. Ask your indy if he's familiar with the process.

 

Just for everyone's viewing.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10161744-9999.pdf

This seems to indicate anything with a B5254T12 engine has the potential for high oil consumption.

 

I'd call the dealer that did the work for the original owner, they can email you copies, I'd then photograph the oil filter boxes you have with the mileage etc. and send it with a copy of that PDF to Volvo customer care. Calmly explain that it was serviced at a Volvo dealer for the first 33k miles (send them those maintenance copies from the original owner), that you have changed the oil on time with the recommended oil specifications (send those pictures) and that the symptoms you experienced match those explained in the service bulletin and see if that will persuade them to do anything for you. Might also be worth canvassing owners who had the same problem to check their symptoms and eventual outcome.

Sadly, I still think they will do nothing for you. But, at least worth a shot if it was serviced at a dealer for so far 66% of it's life and for the other 34% serviced on time with correct parts.

 

What's odd in this case is that you never got the low oil pressure light. Had you caught it in time you may have been able to get away with just having the rings replaced and not a new motor.

You of course have every right to be angry. Engines should not be grenading in 5 year old cars with 46k miles on the clock that have been maintained.

 

You got absolutely shafted by Volvo on this. I wonder if everything going on has anything to do with how generous they're being?

I bought a used 2015.5 V60 with 87k, brought it to the dealer. It was my third Volvo, and all the years I owned them I had only ever gone there for a recall on my 2002 S80. The dealer called on my behalf and I had my engine replaced for the cost of labor (~$2200).

Volvo did you dirty for having been such a loyal customer.

 

You got absolutely shafted by Volvo on this. I wonder if everything going on has anything to do with how generous they're being?

One can only assume that the current economic climate has something to do with it. New car sales have tanked around the world so companies are trying to reign in expenses wherever they can and warranty repair costs would be an obvious candidate. Too bad this didn't happen to OP's car six months ago.

 

I've called the dealer again today (to get the engine number off the back of the engine).

I mentioned the TSB and they didn't think it applied since it wasn't a recall.

I need to go over their head somehow, but not really sure who I need to call and yell at. I'm getting blocked at Level 1.

 

I've called the dealer again today (to get the engine number off the back of the engine).

I mentioned the TSB and they didn't think it applied since it wasn't a recall.

I need to go over their head somehow, but not really sure who I need to call and yell at. I'm getting blocked at Level 1.

TSB's are Not Recalls. They are memos of issues that have been seen in the field and provides information about possible causes and repairs. It's information only.
If Volvo won't help, best advise is to take the vehicle to an independent and have it assessed. I know they can do MUCH better price wise on a Used Engine install. Only issue might be the Used engine you would be putting in would have the same oil consumption issue as your current one.

 

Maybe the dealer that did the maintenance can help. Try another route? Ask for a 50/50 split of the bill. As a Volvo leased vehicle there has to be something of a help.

 

@Tango I didn't lease it, but the dealer that did the lease maintenance was like WTF, raise unholy hell. He can't legally give me the records, but read out the dates and mileages of them all.

 

He can't legally give me the records, but read out the dates and mileages of them all.

Strange, I called the dealer where the V60 I bought in January was originally serviced, told them I understand they cannot give me any details of the previous owner, but can they send me the maintenance history. About an hour later I got an email with a read out of everything done on the car at that dealership. Weird that they won't give you the information, maybe they thought you wanted the details of the PO.

Are there any other dealers close enough that you could try another? I realize you may have to get the car towed though, so that might rule it out.

 

Maybe all their chickens are coming home to roost. I hope its not a class action, because I'll still be out the money.

I know they change the OCI from 7500 to 10k for mine, but I kept it at 5k (what the '07 takes it at and its easier to change em at the same time).

 

I've also seen much less Goodwill lately. So I'm not surprised that this one got denied. Car was bought elsewhere and serviced elsewhere.

I'm curious what actually happened. I've seen cars low on oil before without rod knock.

 

Well Volvo is definitely hurting financially, as are airlines, and most other industries. Sweden is still 100% open for business though, unlike everywhere else.

 

Here's what I have online now.

I'm debating tweeting/redditing/facebooking volvo directly about this, since their customer care rep never got back to me.

 

I've stayed out of this thread but I guess I'll chime in... Insert every 4 letter word + anti Volvo slogan about NOW.......(and any other time I offer help)....Below are the two top executive emails.

Scott Doering sdoering@volvoforlife.com as well as Bill Casey wcasey@volvoforlife.com and also william.casey@volvocars.com

Use both emails for Mr. Casey.

Email #1 - Dear Mr. Casey,

Email #2 - Dear Mr. Doering

Dear Mr Casey (Mr. Doering), Send two emails, with all the same content, merely changing the salutation and using both emails for Mr. Casey

In X date of last year, I purchased a 2015 (15.5?) Volvo S60 with 32,000 miles. The car was still under warranty at the time of purchase(include if true?) and I have all the service records (Include if True?). See attached. Upon getting home, I had vehicle serviced and oil changed at 33K (If at a Volvo Dealer Mention Name). I changed the oil and filter every 5000 miles (Mobile 1 5w30 and a Mahle filter) and the car has run perfectly until mid march when the Covid19 quarantines began. And then the the car was only driven once a week. In early April, I was driving home when the engine shut off. I was able to coast it to a safe pull off spot, but unable to restart it.

I had it towed home, and thinking the battery was dead (sitting at 8 volts after trying to restart it), I hooked it up to a battery tender. It still refused to start, but it sounded and smelled like the starter was struggling. One new starter and battery later, and it started, but had an awful rod-knock. The car currently sits at 46200 miles, with the last oil service done at 45000 miles. The vehicle has now been towed to the dealer, where I've been informed it needs a new engine. I was informed the vehicle was "low on oil" and now seems to be burning through 2 quarts in 1200 miles. A bit of an issue all its own, especially since no light was triggered for "Low Oil". I am truly saddened that a vehicle with only 46,000 miles on the odometer has already failed. And Being that this is a known problem, with a technical journal existing for bad piston rings, I am now reaching out to Volvo in hopes of some good will.

Regards,

Your Name
Phone Number

 

The reluctance to goodwill things started before the pandemic.

 

Volvo lays off 20,000 Swedish workers https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/volvo-lays-20000-swedish-workers-200320120938217.html isn't a good sign either for financial health. Of course, hopefully these are all temporary furloughs until the pandemic ends and economy recovers. Either way, I told OP to email execs and that's all he can do at this point.

None the less, it's disconcerting the car failed at 46,000 miles, but depending on if the vehicle is a 2015 or 2015.5, it could have been manufactured anywhere from 2013-2015. So even though the piston ring issue is well known, Volvo might start digging in their heals over the "age factor". With fewer and fewer cars in the affected range still under CPO.

 

I'm not looking to pour salt in your wound; a five year old maintained engine shouldn't fail. On the other hand, I do not see, beyond "it shouldn't happen," why Volvo should offer goodwill in this case. You didn't buy the car from them, nor did you have it serviced by a dealer. When you replaced the starter and battery, did a dealer perform the work? Did you purchase a Volvo brand battery?

You are suffering a major financial hit, and in your shoes I'd be seriously upset myself, but maybe it'll help the anger and frustration to understand why maybe you don't have a great case for Volvo to intercede.

 

I'm pretty sure that's exactly why no assistance was offered. I have seen plenty of long time customers (and by this, I mean dealer bought and serviced) get goodwill help, even lately. I think their logic is "This customer has spent a lot of money with us, if we help them, they will likely continue spending money with us".

Someone who bought the car elsewhere and services it elsewhere will likely not spend any money with Volvo regardless of whether or not goodwill is offered.

I don't think their thinking has anything to do with whether or not a failure should or shouldn't happen at a certain age.

 

Well, I can think of one new car brand that OP will never shop, ever, so all of those potential future sales are lost, but that's Volvo's calculus, their products are good enough to somebody else will buy them. Volvo owners are a loyal bunch, start off as used car owners and often graduate to getting new ones for years and years.

To not offer at least some amount of token assistance for a known problem on a low mile car is pretty short sighted IMO.

 

Well, I can think of one new car brand that OP will never shop, ever, so all of those potential future sales are lost, but that's Volvo's calculus, their products are good enough to somebody else will buy them. Volvo owners are a loyal bunch, start off as used car owners and often graduate to getting new ones for years and years.

To not offer at least some amount of token assistance for a known problem on a low mile car is pretty short sighted IMO.

^This.

To me, whether he's spent a ton of money at the dealer or not, there are still future purchases to think about. Not only that, one customer who is treated poorly has a tendency to dissuade his family and/or friends from buying that brand again also, so there's that ripple effect (however small). I get the point of service history, but let's not pretend that's the only thing that makes money for them.

I'm in a similar battle with Volvo at the moment, only my car *is* still covered by CPO. Had an exec a few weeks ago feed me the "Well, you're the third owner, and it's used" spiel. Doesn't matter jack, warranty is warranty. Hate that they have that outlook. I may be the third owner, but it's my 8th (and possibly last) Volvo...

Joe