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Electrical systemPart report

2002 Volvo S80 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
10%of 42 total for the year
Median mileage
125,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Volvo S80, 10% of the 42 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 125,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The cars automatic transmission will shift to the reverse position without giving any warning under the normal driving condition in its drive position. When it shifts to reverse by itself on the freeway I notice the nose of the car will drop lower and if my foot press on the gas paddle the car will act as braking and engine is making noise. I notice on the dashboard and shifter the gear sign indication is toggle in between 'd' and 'r', when I press on the gas paddle the sign will change to 'r' and as I release my foot off the gas paddle the sign will change back to 'd'. …”

NHTSA complaint #10282345, filed 2009-08, 150,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the odometer would go black. The contact stated that the electrical system of the vehicle would fail causing all of the functions to start flashing, the brakes to stutter, and the transmission to fail. The contact stated no warning lights would be illuminated as the control panel would go black. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to have it diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11425499, filed 2021-07, 22,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the instrument panel malfunctioned and failed to illuminate while driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of an electrical failure that affected the brakes and the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. …”

NHTSA complaint #11422659, filed 2021-06, 100,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and failed to start when the key was turned in the ignition. The contact also stated the vehicle hesitated to start even with a full tank of fuel. The contact noticed a fuel leak and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 09v483000 (fuel system, gasoline), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 248,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10980093, filed 2017-04, 248,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2016117%
2011240%
2010311%
2009213%
2008519%
2007417%
2006325%
2005427%
2004510%
2003415%
2002410%
20013924%
20005417%
19993518%

Other parts of the 2002 Volvo S80

Fuel system
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Volvo S80

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology