The Lemon Index
20152nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 646 in the U.S. in 2016 (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 29 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
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) and 15V555000 (electrical) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Volvo sent dealers 320 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Drive-E: Low oil level message in Driver Information Module (DIM) Lubrication and oil…”?
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.
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 2016 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 320 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Drive-E: Low oil level message in Driver Information Module (DIM) Lubrication and oil…
- This is a technical journal : when performing the connection of the volvo on call mobile app…
- This is a technical journal : if a customer should complain of a volvo on call service…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- 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.
- Electrical · recall issued 2015
In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting when necessary.
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 FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,050 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Volvo S80 year. 2016 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 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-s80/?y=2016" 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-s80/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Volvo S80 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Volvo S80 reliable?
We can't score it: only 646 were sold in the U.S. in 2016 (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.
How many recalls does the 2016 Volvo S80 have?
2 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 2016 Volvo S80 get?
29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
How much does the 2016 Volvo S80 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Volvo S80 have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Volvo S80 year is better than the 2016?
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