The Lemon Index
200220041st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 14,650 in the U.S. in 2003 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 9 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
9 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Volvo S402003 Jaguar X-Type 1472003 Acura TL 271
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 7 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 21V766000 (airbags), 20V681000 (airbags) and 10V566000 (equipment) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Volvo sent dealers 184 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Resonance sound (340 hz) can occur from the wheel which is transmitted via the spring strut”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Volvo's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 9 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 27K miles (5K to 43K km) on the car (7 of all 9 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 4.5M views · 1999–2006 Volvo S80
Most-watched topics
- Gauges, lights & wiring67K views
Gauge Cluster (DIM) Repair 2004 Volvo XC90 S60 S80 XC70 V70Automotive Circuit Solutions · 53K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors49K views
9499432 Interior rear view mirror replacement P2 models - Volvo S60, S80, V70 & XC70 (1999-2009)Nordicar Classic Volvo Parts · 49K views - Infotainment, battery & electrical38K views
Alternator replacement 2000 Volvo S80 2.9L Install Remove ReplaceFixing cars and stuff · 38K views - Heat, A/C & blend door13K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2004 Volvo S80 | AQ1067CFilterheads · 13K views
Before you buy, watch
2002-2006 Volvo S60 S80 V70 XC70 XC90 Dash Cluster DIM ProblemsAutomotive Circuit Solutions · 209K views
Should You Buy a Volvo S80 (2004)? Join Us For a Thrilling Road Test With Stunning Drone Footage!Tariq TV Productions · 19K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2003 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Volvo told dealers about
Volvo sent dealers 184 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Resonance sound (340 hz) can occur from the wheel which is transmitted via the spring strut
- Center console armrest; installing new brackets for the gas struts
- Rear suspension popping/spring noise
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Airbags · recall issued 2020
Metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Show all 6 recalls
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2009
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 S80, MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 V70, S60, XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES SOLD IN OR REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEOR…
- Brakes · recall issued 2007
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 EQUI…
- Equipment · recall issued 2003
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTA…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,750–$3,950 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.9L 6-cyl.
Every Volvo S80 year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (1999–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 11 Volvo S80 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-s80/?y=2003" title="Volvo S80 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/volvo-s80/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Volvo S80 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Volvo S80 reliable?
We can't score it: only 14,650 were sold in the U.S. in 2003 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2003 Volvo S80 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (33%), fuel system, gasoline (22%) and lights (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Volvo S80 have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Volvo S80 get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2003 Volvo S80 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2003 Volvo S80 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,750 to $3,950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Volvo S80 have?
2.9L 6-cyl.
What Volvo S80 year is better than the 2003?
Nearby, the 2001 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit more than the average car's complaints).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works