2002 Volvo S80 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 26%of 42 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Volvo S80, 26% of the 42 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,500 miles.
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.
“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 miles“Car surges and hesitates when changing gears, it slows down and accelerates randomly when I push down on the gas. It sticks and won't let me change gears in manual mode and it struggles to change gears in automatic mode. This problem is dangerous, it will decelerate randomly when driving on the highway both with the cruise on and off.”
NHTSA complaint #10424583, filed 2011-09, 79,000 miles“In the past month when I drive there is surging and hesitation. When I stop then accelerate there is no power, symptoms occurring more frequently and daily. I took it to dealer where I purchased the vehicle thinking it was a recall for the ems. Dealer says no codes came up it was ems problem that I need a new transmission. Metal in trans. Fluid. I purchased in oct. 2008 with 30 day warranty and it only has 79,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10312839, filed 2010-02, 79,000 miles“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“Pulling into traffic car was hesitating, starting and stopping uncontrollably. Slippage in the transmission from first gear to second, hard to get up to speed. Have almost been in serious accidents because of the hesitations. No indicator warning lights at the beginning of transmission issues, dangerous. Now transmission light is on, vehicle only has 104k miles. Going in to have the transmission rebuilt.”
NHTSA complaint #10345577, filed 2010-07, 104,445 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10037893May 25, 2012Volvo: there is a software update. *rm updated 4/11/2012. *kb updated 4/13/12. *pe updated 5/15/12. *pe updated 6/4/12.
- 10016434Jul 7, 2006Transmission control module (tcm) upgrades available to correct complaints/symptoms.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 | 29% |
| 2012 | 1 | 13% |
| 2011 | 2 | 40% |
| 2010 | 2 | 7% |
| 2006 | 1 | 8% |
| 2005 | 2 | 13% |
| 2004 | 4 | 8% |
| 2003 | 2 | 8% |
| 2002 | 11 | 26% |
| 2001 | 17 | 10% |
| 2000 | 23 | 7% |
| 1999 | 15 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2002 Volvo S80
12 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectrical system
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 30, 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