Volvo of Tacoma at Fife

We were in a severe accident in 2012 and while I was in the hospital my husband needed a car to immediately replace my demolished Volkswagen that I happily purchased from Volkswagen Auburn :) (That Volks saved my life.) He picked Volvo because it was closer than Auburn and because of the safety ratings, but it was the ease of transaction that left us so very thankful and happy with his purchase. It was a devastating time and this Volvo dealership really stepped up to help us out for our extraordinary circumstance. To add, every time I went in for service the team was fast and courteous. Highly recommend.

The best experience with cars that I’ve ever had. My salesperson, Bill Allen, took the time to know me and because of his attention to detail I found the perfect vehicle. Not only that but he walked me through the purchasing process, making sure I got the best possible attention. I had to return for installation of the mud flaps, window tinting and antichip film. The service department had a loaner vehicle and paperwork ready for me to sign. I was in and out in 5 minutes! The pick up was just as expeditious. Sometimes people says it’s the small things that count and I couldn’t agree more. Someone in the service department seat belted my baby’s favorite stuffed bear next to his car seat! That really made me smile. All in all an extremely positive experience from the sale to the service. I may change vehicles but I’ll never leave this dealership!

This review is for the service department. The quality of the service department has declining but my recent experience was pretty bad in many ways.

Our service writer, John, was awesome. Very funny and personable while being professional. Even though they didn’t have a loaner to lend, I still want to commend John and recognize this as a good experience

Volvo of Tacoma is one of the best service places I have ever been! I have had multiple experiences taking in my XC60 for regular services, as well as to address issues. The first time, Bob and the service staff went out of their way to see if Volvo would cover my defective windshield that was leaking. My warranty had expired and there was no reason for them to even try. Still, they called Volvo and got them to cover the repair which would have totaled almost 1,000. I was so grateful.
Just recently, my car’s power completely went out and even after it came back on there were electrical issues. Volvo got me in quickly and had a rental car ready to go. Turns out, the power cord to my battery had come loose. There was no repair needed. They easily could have made up an issue and I easily could have been a victim of paying for unnecessary repairs (which so many people fear).
This service center has shown me multiple times that they are not only incredibly helpful and courtesy, but that they truly look out for their customers. I trust them completely! Bob is great, and I wouldn’t take my Volvo elsewhere.

First time visit for service for my 2009 Volvo XC90 for 82,500 miles. Treated me with respect and courtesy. They were very professional and offered good advice. Service completed on time and included free car wash. Answered all questions that I had. I will take my car back to them again.

Beware of the Service Department at Volvo of Tacoma in Fife.
September 29, 2014 — A couple of lights had burned out on the climate control cluster on my 2001 V70XC. In order to remove the climate control cluster, I had to turn the ignition to the «on» position, so I could move the gear shifter away from the climate control cluster. I then found out that doing this would cause a SRS Airbag alert message. I then went to a few online forums and found this is typical message because a number of systems are routed through the climate control wire harness. The forums said that it’s no big deal and that I could bring it to any dealership and they would clear the message and most dealerships don’t even charge for it. A couple days later I called the dealership and bounced around the phone system for a bit just like another Unilocaler! In the end, I spoke with service and they said bring the car by and they could fix it in about .5 hours and wouldn’t charge me for it.
October 3, 2014 — I brought my v70XC to Volvo of Tacoma in Fife. After about an hour, they came back and said that I need a new DIM/​Instrument Cluster w/​Reload. The cost for this would be $ 1,953.31 plus tax. I explained to the service person that the message just needed to be cleared and everything would be okay. He said that the DIM/​Instrument Cluster had to be replaced because it wasn’t giving any specific errors except two messages that said the mirror motors were not working properly. He also gave me a list of eight other non-​related items that needed to be fixed. These additional items cost an additional $ 734.25 in parts and $ 1,287.00 for labor ($ 110.00 per hour). — I did request a quote for one of the items, which costs $ 19.65 in parts and $ 33.00 for labor. If I was to fix everything on the list, this visit would have cost me over $ 4,000.00.
After the initial shock, I graciously declined to have anything done and brought my car to an independent garage. The independent garage hooked up a device to car and cleared the SRS Airbag alert message. In the end the independent garage charged me around $ 48.00 including tax to fix what Volvo of Tacoma in Fife would fix for a bit over $ 2,000.00 including tax.
My experience makes me wonder if the service technicians did not have the proper technical skills to properly diagnose/​fix this problem, or if they were intentionally inflating the cost to fix a simple problem. Based on the list of recommended repairs, I think they were looking to make a lot of money.
Once again, Beware of the Service Department at Volvo of Tacoma in Fife.
Update as of October 10, 2014
On October 7, 2014 someone by the Unilocal name of Joe Corrado posted the following reply to my Unilocal post”
— — –Beginning of Quote — — — —
Comment from Joe C. of Volvo of Tacoma
Business Manager
10÷7÷2014 Brian–
I am disappointed to have read your review of your recent experience with our service department here at Volvo of Tacoma. When you have the time, I would like to speak with you personally about your visit here. Is there a number you can be reached at? Or please feel free to contact me at (253) 896‑4200. Thank You in advance.
Joe Corrado | General Manager
— — –End of Quote — — — -
Joe Corrado’s Unilocal reply gave me the distinct impression that the general manager of Volvo of Tacoma actually cared about my Unilocal post.
After reading the reply, I called Joe Corrado and left a message for him to call me. He then returned my call and left a message for me. I finally got in touch with Joe on Friday, October 10, 2014, right around noon. When I spoke with Joe, he had no idea who I was or what I was calling about. Furthermore, he had no clue about his or my postings on Unilocal.I then said, «That sounds about right for Volvo of Tacoma. Have a nice day.» and hung up the phone.
Not sure what to think of the service department or management at this point.

In February 2014, I purchased my 2014 Volvo XC 90 from Volvo of Tacoma-​Fife, Washington. Not knowing there had been a class-​action law suit filed against Volvo Car Corporation in 2011, I felt that I was making the right choice based on Volvo’s long standing history as being a safe and sound vehicle. In June 2014, I took my vehicle into the dealership for its first oil change. I also requested the vehicle be fully detailed. Since June, there have been ongoing problems including a slow leak in the ceiling liner. The day that I picked up my vehicle (after hours on June 21, 2014), paying over $ 200.00 for the detail, we noticed grease stains on the driver’s sun visor shortly after leaving the dealership. The following day I called the dealership and explained that the detailing had not been successful. I sent the service consultant a personal email with an attached picture of the stain on the driver-​side visor. I asked that this situation be rectified. He called me back, apologized for what the technician had done, and assured me this would be corrected. I took my vehicle back to the dealership, and they attempted to clean the stain; however, the stain was never fully removed from the visor. The dealership apologized, did the cleaning, but never offered any other opportunity to make my vehicle whole again. The stain is still slightly noticeable. A week and half later (3^rd week of June), I had to return back to the dealership because there was a rubber piece (pen holder) between the automatic gear shift and the center console had come loose. Again, I met with the same service consultant and he corrected the problem. In July 2014, I noticed that a small water stain was developing behind the sunroof. I called the dealership once again and explained that I needed to schedule time for the ceiling liner to be assessed for a potential water leak. I arrived to the dealership on the last weekend in July and I met with the service consultant who confirmed his belief there was a stain caused by water from the sunroof. He stated that the stain in the ceiling liner was a possible water leak coming from the drip tubes located in the pillars coming from the sunroof. Whatever was causing the problem, the leak would be resolved. My vehicle was kept for five days and their contracted technician could never find the cause of the leak. They only cleaned the ceiling liner instead of replacing the damaged product. During this time, I decided to research online other potential like problems with Volvos. That was when I discovered the law suit again Volvo of North America. Apparently the suit was launched by a group of consumers who accused Volvo of knowingly selling vehicles with defective sunroof drains (design flaw). Even with the purchase of my 2014 XC 90, the sales person nor the management ever disclose there was a potential design flaw in the sunroof. According to the plaintiffs, represented by Chimicles and Tikellis LLP and Mazie Slater Katz and Freement LLC, this case now involves hundreds of thousands of cars going back to 2000. The case I found was related to Joanne Neale et al. v. Volvo Cars of North America LLC et al., case number 2:10-cv-4 407, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. If anyone reads on the case, there are multiple claims throughout the United States. When I picked up my vehicle on August 5, 2014, I explained to the service consultant that I was aware of the law suit but I was more concern about how his General Manager or Service Manager were going to resolved this situation. I requested that someone needed to communicate this to his management, and that I was very unhappy with how this SUV had planned out over the past six months. With less than 15K miles, there were too many problems happening and there should be no more incidents related to the leaking of the roof. I requested again that his General Manager or Service Manager contact me to discuss my concerns, and before the COB. At the end of the day no response from Volvo of Tacoma-​Fife, Washington was ever received.
More information on this issue related to the water leak can be found online at
.
All I can say is BEWARE!!!

This review is for the service department. I’ve used them for just about all minor and major scheduled services.
I have been using them for my 2004 XC70 since my return from Virginia to the Tacoma area that year. Had a break when I was posted to Hawaii from 2006 – 2008. Of the three dealership service departments I’ve used, this is in the middle. Not bad but not great. Seems hit or miss with trending ups and downs depending on personnel changes. Not the quickest or the most efficient in managing their service appointments. The pricing for work done is fair and quality of work seems more than acceptable. It is now almost 100k and no major part failures. I can pay a bit less elsewhere for services, but will not always be assured to have Volvo unique parts available at those other service venues.
I’ve learned not to attempt appointments. You will get frustrated trying to call in or get a speedy call back. Just show up and put your car in que for the needed work. Ask for a shuttle ride if it takes longer than you can wait.
So Volvo of Tacoma will remain my dealer service venue of choice for my XC70

Amazing! I cannot express enough thanks to Volvo of tacoma @fife. Since I was 16 I’ve driven a Volvo, my dad bought it from their dealership and passed it down to me when he was ready for an upgrade and was then passed down to my little brother when I was ready for an upgrade. I have never received better customer care than here. I’ve moved up and down the west coast having to take my car to a number of Volvo dealerships but have never received the same quality of service. I know I can always trust them to give me an honest answer about what really needs to be fixed on my car. I have never felt like they were trying to take advantage of me being a woman and possibly naïve about car mechanics. They’ve have always gone above and beyond. One time I brought my car in because the check engine light and air bag sensor was on, My car was unsafe to drive at this point and I had a very important interview the next day. Instead of having me leave in my unsafe car they put me in a loaner till they could get mine fixed. I’m now living in Portland and have tried several Volvo dealerships there but have decided that making the drive up to tacoma is worth the extra time. Volvo of Tacoma service department has made me a customer for life. Thank you Bob & Ira for the amazing customer care.

Volvo of Tacoma went above and beyond. The staff here is amazing. I have always been turned off by taking my car to the dealer for mechanical work, since we have a great mechanic that we trust. But this job beyond their scope and needed a Volvo specialist. Our xc90 was well taken care. All the little things were added on in addition to the problem, like resetting the window that had a default, changed out the floor mats, replaced windshield wiper, they even washed and vacumed the car before I picked it up. On top of the great service, I got to drive a brand new loaner volvo. Mandy and Ira in the service department will definitely take good care of you.

I was incredibly disappointed with my experience and total lack of customer service at Volvo of Tacoma. I had a simple service light come on with my 2001 volvo with not even 100k in mileage so I took it in to get diagnosed. Huge Mistake.
After waiting for over 3 hours, the service person came in and said they had no idea what the problem was but «maybe» the transmission. They said their recommendation was to have new transmission installed ($ 6k)! What? Do people fall for this stuff? A new transmission! I said absolutely not and I’d like a clearer answer, but they said that the 2 hours already of «checking» was going to cost $ 286 and that their only next step would be to replace the transmission. I had to spend $ 286 for Volvo of Tacoma to do absolutely nothing and give me no information whatsoever!
I drove directly down to the local mechanic down the street and they diagnosed the problem for FREE! Then recommended exactly the parts needing replacement, talked me through exactly what the issue was, so I got it in right away and problem solved!
Read the other reviews too and do not go to this place for service!
I have driven Volvo’s my entire life and so has all my extended family/​friends. I will make sure none of them take their cars here.

I went to Volvo of Tacoma after seeing a very intriguing ad on TV about the new S60 lease offer. I had never driven the S60, nor had I seen the new model in person. I wanted to get information about the car, drive one, and find out about the lease offer. The salesperson I found did not know anything about the S60. He also didn’t know what S60s he had on the lot to show me. He led me around the whole lot looking for one that was the model advertised on TV. When we couldn’t find one, he partnered with another salesperson who told me that they would not have any of that model (the T5) in stock for at least a month. Even so, I was told, the lease offer expired at the end of February, so even if I wanted to wait a month for the car to come in, I wouldn’t get the lease offer. Also, I was told that the lease offer really wasn’t as good as I thought, and I should expect to pay way more for my S60. The kicker: The original salesperson took my name and number, saying he’d get back to me with more information the next day when his sales manager was in. He never called.
I cannot even begin to describe how totally ridiculous this entire scenario was to me! I used to sell cars for a living. When I did, I prayed for the times when a real live customer showed up interested in buying a car! So there I was, a qualified buyer wanting to look at a car, and they basically talked me OUT of buying one!
I left the dealership, called Barrier Volvo of Bellevue, and made an appointment to go see the S60 there. At Barrier I had a wonderful experience, and guess what? I bought the car! They too did not have an S60 equipped the way I wanted one, so they were happy to get one for me. It is a beautiful blue one with all the options I wanted, and I will be picking it up this week. My first stop? I plan to go straight to Volvo of Tacoma to show them what they could have sold me if they had only been willing to show me the car!

After they screwed things up last year, they made things right and I gave them credit. Now, they’ve screwed things up again. My XC90 is having electrical issues. I called on Monday at 9am and was put through to service. After over a minute of just ringing, I hung up and called back. The receptionist took my # and said they’d call me «right back.» At 2pm, after no return call, I called back. Same thing… ringing non-​stop. So I called a 4^th time. The lady again took my #, said they were a man short, and promised a call before the end of the work day.
The following day at 10am I called again because I still hadn’t received a call. Same deal… ring ring ring. I hung up and called back a 6^th time in 2 days. This time she said she had my name and number and would «personally assure» that they’d call back.
It’s been a week. Still no return call.
Absolutely the worst service department of any industry I’ve ever encountered.