The Lemon Index2000 Volvo S80. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 51,200 and 70,000 miles. Median 59,800, from 8 complaints with a mileage.
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 25% |
| Suspension | 21% |
| Airbags | 10% |
| Electrical | 10% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 8% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 5
10V566000 Nov 2010 Equipment / Electrical / Navigational System(Global Positioning System)
Defect. VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Risk. AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy. VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMI
07E023000 Mar 2007 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Master Cylinder
Defect. CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Risk. LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
06V441000 Nov 2006 Vehicle Speed Control
Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.
Risk. THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
04V451000 Sep 2004 Engine And Engine Cooling / Cooling System / Fan
Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SOME ELECTRIC COOLING FANS MAY OVERHEAT POTENTIALLY CAUSING HEAT DAMAGE AND, IN RARE INSTANCES, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Risk. A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD OCCUR.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
00V238000 Aug 2000 Suspension / Front / Control Arm / Upper Ball Joint
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OVER TIME, THE BALL JOINT BETWEEN THE FRONT WHEEL KING PIN AND THE SUSPENSION LINK ARM, CAN EXPERIENCE INCREASED LOOSENESS.
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT THE BALL JOINT'S DURABILITY AND PERFORMANCE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Throttle control malfunction | 2005 | 2006 |
| Closed | Throttle control malfunction | 2005 | 2005 |
Manufacturer communications 225
Volvo filed 225 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- Condition where the check engine and electronic throttle system lights on the dash
- Information on oil leakage from flywheel / flexplate, rear crankshaft
- Resonance sound (340 hz) can occur from the wheel which is transmitted via the spring strut
Engines and drivetrains 2
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 6-cyl turbo | Auto 4-spd | FWD | 16 / 23 / 18 | Premium | $4,300 |
| 2.9L 6-cyl | Auto 4-spd | FWD | 16 / 24 / 19 | Premium | $4,050 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
YouTube repair topics
200 videos about the 1999–2006 Volvo S80, 4.5M views.
| Topic | Videos | Views |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission & shifter | 3 | 193K |
| Brakes & ABS | 1 | 150K |
| Death wobble & steering | 2 | 119K |
| Gauges, lights & wiring | 2 | 67K |
| Windows, doors & mirrors | 1 | 49K |
| Oil changes & service | 2 | 49K |
| Infotainment, battery & electrical | 1 | 38K |
| Heat, A/C & blend door | 1 | 13K |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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