Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is investigating whether Volvo Penta improperly restricts owners and independent marine mechanics from diagnosing, repairing, programming, or commissioning Volvo Penta marine engines and propulsion systems by limiting access to proprietary electronic service tools.
What Consumers Report
Consumers and marine repair professionals report:
- Needing proprietary software to diagnose engine and propulsion-system faults.
- Being unable to complete control-module programming or configuration independently.
- Requiring authorized service for throttle, steering, drive, or engine calibration.
- Being unable to activate replacement electronic components without dealer access.
- Paying significant dealer diagnostic and programming charges.
- Transporting vessels or waiting for mobile authorized technicians.
- Experiencing lengthy downtime because qualified independent mechanics lacked full access.
- Receiving limited disclosure about repair dependence before purchase.
Why Consumers Should Be Concerned
Volvo Penta systems often integrate engines, sterndrives, electronic throttles, steering, displays, and control modules. A failure in one component may disable the broader propulsion system even when the physical part can be replaced.
If only an authorized dealer can configure or commission the replacement component, owners may be locked into a captive repair network. This can be particularly costly for larger boats that are difficult or expensive to transport and may accumulate marina or storage charges while awaiting service.
Potential Claims May Include
- Unfair and deceptive trade practices
- Consumer protection violations
- Failure to disclose repair and commissioning restrictions
- Breach of express warranty
- Breach of implied warranty
- Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act violations
- Unlawful repair-service tying
- Unjust enrichment
Signs You May Be Affected
You may be affected if:
- You own a vessel equipped with a Volvo Penta engine or propulsion system.
- A qualified independent mechanic could not complete the repair.
- A replacement module or component required authorized programming or commissioning.
- You paid substantial dealer charges for calibration, pairing, or software access.
- Your boat remained unusable while waiting for authorized service.
- You incurred marina, storage, transport, or towing expenses.
- You were told that independent repairs could affect warranty coverage.
If you have encountered these issues, we would like to hear from you. Please complete the contact form on this page, send us an email at [email protected], or give us a call at (202) 470-3520.