2003 Volvo S80 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 8%of 26 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 129,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Volvo S80, 8% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 129,000 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.
“2003 Volvo S80 t6 - GM transmission noticed transmission shifting oddly but no codes. Codes came after climbing hill, took to Volvo dealer. Code (DTC) 0053 pressure switch lock up. Volvo says replace transmission. Software upgraded - did not fix. Declined. Transmission shifts oddly, car rev's and won't shift where it needs to causing trouble with acceleration and deceleration. There is a consistent problem with Volvo's early 90's GM transmissions.”
NHTSA complaint #10335976, filed 2010-06, 129,000 miles“The lovely GM transmission suddenly decided to not shift while going uphill. Pushing the accelerator just made the RPMs go up and up while the car did nothing. Then a warning light. Transmission service Then limp mode. And all I could do literally was go 5 mph then. It occurred as I was turning at a light. I did call my local volvo dealer who kind of laughed about the price of a new transmission and told me that was all I could do.”
NHTSA complaint #11486582, filed 2022-09Related 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.
- 10032425Jul 10, 2009Volvo: the 5 speed automatic transmission, aw55-50/51, has a bolt on top that anchors the b4 band, which applies 3rd gear. If that bolt is removed, the band will be disengaged…
- 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 2003 Volvo S80
8 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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