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Volvo S80Model year report

2005 Volvo S80 Problems

Complaints
15filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
102,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 2.5L 5-cyl FWD · 18 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Volvo S80 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2005 Volvo S80. The part named most often is fuel system, with 5 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and suspension (3). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 18% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 102,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 190 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the fuel pump and 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the navigational system(global positioning system) and 65 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “Fuel leak at top of pump under recall, inspection and repair at no cost refused by Volvo. My Volvo S80, 2005 was purchased as a used vehicle in san diego ca from the Volvo dealer about 2 years ago. The fuel leak location was diagnosed by independent shop and they confirmed the pump was under recall. The independent shop recommend taking the car to the local dealer for replacement at no charge under the NHTSA recall notice. When the car was taken to the local dealer no inspection was performed and I was told the recall notice did not apply to my VIN. …”

NHTSA complaint #10501036, filed 2013-03, 102,000 miles

Electrical system: “On 07/21/07 I purchased a 2005 Volvo S80 t6 from momentum Volvo in houston, tx. It was delivered on 08/02/2005 brand new with 7 miles on it. The following are an account of the issues and safety hazards this car has had within the last 18 months and 24,000 miles. The first issue was damage from transit - front and rear bumper had to be repaired and painted. The second issue - check engine light came on 01/14/06. It was an exhaust leak. I also complained of no am reception (fixed) . The third issue - check engine light came on again on 01/30/06. …”

NHTSA complaint #10187290, filed 2007-04, 25 miles

Suspension: “We own a beautiful 2005 Volvo S80 t6 top of the line (fully loaded, twin turbos,18 rims, metallic green paint & parking sensors) only 80,300 miles. It's a $46,000 car unfortunately it is not safe for the road and is a hazard to all. It cannot go over speed bumps without shaking everyone inside violently. When driving the car the transmission will slip and stutter at low speeds meaning we cannot merge into traffic! …”

NHTSA complaint #10510471, filed 2013-05, 80,435 miles

Brakes: “The contact owns a 2005 Volvo S80. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started to rattle and smoke was emitting from the front of the vehicle without warning. The contact tried to merge over to the slower lane and discovered that the brake pedal had become inoperable. The vehicle coasted to a stop and shortly after the vehicle exploded. A police report was filed but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10670225, filed 2015-01, 118,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

18% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 65,000 and 118,000 miles.

18%0–100%10–250%25–509%50–7518%75–10055%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 102,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2005201120143201620192022
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Volvo S80. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
S80 · sedan not rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2005 Volvo S80 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
S80 AWD2.5L 5-cyl5-speed automatic172420$4,100
S80 FWD2.5L 5-cyl5-speed automatic182722$3,750
S80 FWD2.9L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162419$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2005 Volvo S80 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 190 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 190 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volvo S80

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2016659,8002—29—Not enough data
2015736,0002—29—Not enough data
2013851,0003—22—Not enough data
2012851,2823—23—Not enough data
2011525,0004—22—Not enough data
20102747,9005—21Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
20091670,0005—20—Falling
20082667,2507—19Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20072490,0005—19—Falling
20061260,5003—22—Not enough data
200515102,0005—22—Falling
20045099,0004—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20032650,7535—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200242104,4454—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200116463,2947—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200031878,0004—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199919981,6564—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Volvo S80 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Volvo S80 have?

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2005 Volvo S80 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Volvo S80 is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 5 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.

Has the 2005 Volvo S80 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Volvo S80 get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Volvo S80 (S80 FWD, 2.5L 5-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 18 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Volvo S80 reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 102,000 miles and the middle half falls between 65,000 and 118,000 miles; 18% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.