The Lemon Index
201120132nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 3,276 in the U.S. in 2012 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 1 complaint in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
1 owner complaint, first 3 years 21–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Lincoln MKS2012 Volvo S60 852012 Infiniti M35
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V378000 (seat belts), 12V317000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 12V075000 (electrical) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Volvo sent dealers 259 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “When using low octane in vehicle, it hesitates upon accelerating and high altitude or hot ambient”?
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 1 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 →
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 8.5M views · 2007–2016 Volvo S80
Most-watched topics
- Oil changes & service337K views
How to fix *ENGINE SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED* on your Volvo!! Code 097! - 2009 Volvo S80 D5DriveLife · 227K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical133K views
How to remove 2008 Volvo S80 DIC a/c radio displayCielus Robotics · 66K views · 5 videos - Timing chain & engine116K views
Volvo S60 Suspension Diagnostic & Maintenance Guide (2007-2018 Volvo P3 S80, P3 S60, P3 V60 & More)FCP Euro · 116K views - Gauges, lights & wiring114K views
How to replace xenon light bulb in Volvo 2007-2015 S80 XC70 XC90 V70Million Mile Car · 114K views
Show 4 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door83K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2007 Volvo S80 | AQ1176CFilterheads · 36K views · 4 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors16K views
Volvo V70 XC70 S80 Electrical issues / Door locks / Power loss 2007-2016 P3 platformPeppermint · 16K views - Transmission & shifter10K views
HOW TO DO VOLVO S80 2010 FULL TRANSMISSION SERVICE, PAN REMOVAL AND GASKET REPLACEMENT #gasketAll About Cars - Basics · 6K views · 2 videos - Cooling system6K views
2010 Volvo S80 overheating problem and solution. No leaks. 3.2L inline 6. XC60DE Euroworks · 6K views
Before you buy, watch
Volvo P3 Buyer's Guide - 2008-2018 (S60, V60, XC60, S80, V70, XC70) - Models, Engines, & OptionsFCP Euro · 261K views
Volvo S80 buyers guide (2007-2016) Avoid buying a broken Volvo (S80 Gen 2)The Miles Driven · 51K views
Volvo S80 MK2 2006-2015 | should you buy one?? | full REVIEW...Car and Driving - Car Reviews · 49K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2012 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 259 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- When using low octane in vehicle, it hesitates upon accelerating and high altitude or hot ambient
- Hesitation upon acceleration
- Volvo has identified the noise reduction casing on the electric hydraulic power assisted steering
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Seat belts · recall issued 2020
The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2012
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2013 S80 VEHICLES.
- Electrical · recall issued 2012
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011.
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
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo S80 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Volvo S80 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$2,850 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl.
Every Volvo S80 year. 2012 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-s80/?y=2012" 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-s80/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Volvo S80 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Volvo S80 reliable?
We can't score it: only 3,276 were sold in the U.S. in 2012 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2012 Volvo S80 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (100%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Volvo S80 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Volvo S80 get?
21 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2012 Volvo S80 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Volvo S80 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $2,850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Volvo S80 have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl.
What Volvo S80 year is better than the 2012?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2001 drew the fewest (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