Volvo S80 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 953 consumer complaints across the 17 model years of the Volvo S80 (1999–2016) that have at least 5 complaints. 2000 has the most, with 318. Across all years, the part named most often is vehicle speed control (227 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All S80 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 6 | 59,800 | 2 | 320 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 7 | 36,000 | 2 | 325 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 8 | 51,000 | 3 | 264 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 8 | 51,282 | 3 | 259 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 5 | 25,000 | 4 | 261 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 27 | 47,900 | 5 | 249 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2009 | 16 | 70,000 | 5 | 239 | — | Falling |
| 2008 | 26 | 67,250 | 7 | 242 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2007 | 24 | 90,000 | 5 | 245 | — | Falling |
| 2006 | 12 | 60,500 | 3 | 187 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 15 | 102,000 | 5 | 190 | — | Falling |
| 2004 | 50 | 99,000 | 4 | 185 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 26 | 50,753 | 5 | 174 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 42 | 104,445 | 4 | 167 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 164 | 63,294 | 7 | 174 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 318 | 78,000 | 4 | 168 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 199 | 81,656 | 4 | 163 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Vehicle speed control227 24%
- Electrical system165 17%
- Engine cooling143 15%
- Fuel system140 15%
- Transmission and drivetrain82 8.6%
- Suspension80 8.4%
- Brakes67 7.0%
- Steering53 5.5%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2002: “When the vehicle warms up from start it will not move forward or reverse it started at like 30 miles and I parked the car till I could get it fixed now when the car just warms up (not gets hot) it will not engage trans I have on more senser to check but the car will move when you first start it both forward and back but when it warms up it stops”
NHTSA complaint #11145069, filed 2018-11, 180,000 miles2012: “The passenger door continues to open at highway speeds. I have the option for doors to lock when car begins to move. The lock remains locked however door opens with interior lights and dashboard warning. I have contacted Volvo to no end... I see a multitude of door opening issues on Volvo forum sites, and mechanic states common problem with Volvo.”
NHTSA complaint #11057458, filed 2017-12, 65,000 miles2011: “Driver seat belts has faulty hooks. Seat belt popped open while driving and coming to quick brake to avoid being hit by another car. The sudden stop caused my seat to shift position. I tried to move seat back into position it did move. The seat was permanently locked in the position which rendered me knees cramped on steering wheel. I buckled my seat belt back and slipped out again. The drivers seat & seat belt still malfunctioning.”
NHTSA complaint #11395544, filed 2021-02, 15 milesOther Volvo models
1,531 complaintsVolvo S60
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922 complaintsVolvo XC60
654 complaintsVolvo S70
584 complaintsVolvo 850
566 complaintsVolvo S40
491 complaintsVolvo XC70
415 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology