Volvo S80 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Volvo S80 options? We analyzed 10 model years (2007–2016) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Volvo S80 has 128 owner complaints and 37 safety recalls across model years 2007–2016. The most reported issue area is STRUCTURE. 2010 drew the most complaints; 2011 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Volvo
- Model
- S80
- Model years analyzed
- 2007–2016 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 128
- Safety recall campaigns
- 37
- Crash-related complaints
- 8
- Fire-related complaints
- 1
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2010 (27 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2011 (5 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- STRUCTURE
- Reliability signal
- Below Average
By model year
Volvo S80: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
Below AverageThe VOLVO S80 has 128 NHTSA complaints and 37 recalls on record. 8 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 128 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 37 federal recall campaigns
- 8 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
37 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2007–2016. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 128 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
128 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
I ORDERED MY S80 FROM AUTONATION VOLVO IRVINE APRIL 23, 2013. IT WAS MANUFACTURED ON JULY 4, 2013 AND I ACCEPTED DELIVERY AT THE VOLVO FACILITY IN GOTHENBURG. I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED THE AUTO TO VOLVO FOR SHIPMENT TO THE US. I RECEIVED THE CAR ON OCT 11. I TOOK THE CAR TO AUTONATION FOR SERVICE ON OCT 9, 2013, FEB 11, 2014, JULY 18, 2014, AUG 31, 2015, JUNE 9 AND JUNE JUNE 15, 2016. EACH TIME I TOLD THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE CAR HAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM OF THE TRANSMISSION SURGING WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS WHEN STOPPING FOR A TRAFFIC SIGNAL.. ON JUNE 9 AND 15, 2016, I INFORMED THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V317200 DATED JULY 06, 2012 FOR MODELS MANUFACTURED IN 2011. I WAS ALWAYS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY 2014 AND THAT THEY FOUND NO INDICATION OF THE PROBLEM. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I have a 2016Volvo S80. this is my 7th Volvo I have owned. 4 Months ago my car stalled in the middle of ther road. I had no power with the gas petal. Truck behind me trird not to hit me and our sides touched scapping my car and passenger mirrow. The police offier did not charge either of us. I thought I had bad gas?? Took into my mechanic who only works on volvos he di 75,000 service work and changed the oil. I told him about what happened. Two weeks ago My car light came on no oil pressure stop immediately again was like several months ago i had no power with gas petal. I pulled over light went off. My mechanic was closed at that time so I went to Advance Auto. I have no measure stick for oil you have to go through the car system to check oil level. It stated not low however we put in a quart of Synethic oil and I dropped it off at my mechant. He called me the next day. He stated their was no oil in my car at all and their was no leak. Changed oil new filter another $150.00. He did some research on my car. My car is a year included in a class action lawsuit for faulty engine pistons problem. This lawsuit was settled out of court so no one knows for how much. So I am risking my life with a car that will require a new engine appox $8000.00. Volvo has never recalled these cars. I am afraid to drive it now!!!! A 7 time Volvo owner. You see all kinds of stupid recalls but when your engine stops in the middle of the road this is very dangerous. My mechanic states I need to take to a dealership for this problem. Called Volvo Midlothian VA they can not even look at my car till September. I Have called the other dealership in Richmond VA and they are doing some research and get back to me. If you google this their are 100,s of owners having the same problems that my car has and not one recall.
The contact called on behalf of his wife who owns a 2016 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the engine auto Start/Stop function was not operating as needed and the vehicle had a delay to start automatically upon releasing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown repair was completed; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds and driving over a pothole, the check engine warning light would illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the ignition coil of cylinder #1 had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
A warning light came on stating that the oil pressure was low and that the car needed to immediately be stopped. No previous warning lights have ever come on in this vehicle. It was towed to Kenny Jones auto and they stated that there was half a quart of oil in the engine. *This car has an electronic oil gauge (no manual "dip stick") which had failed. It indicated there was an appropriate amount of oil in the engine when there was almost nothing. This could have resulted in engine failure or a fire. According to the auto shop, this is common. It cost $600 to fix.
The contact owns a 2016 Volvo S80. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over safely to the side of the roadway and restarted the vehicle. The contact also stated whenever the fuel tank was below half tank, the vehicle would stall inadvertently. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed to drive the vehicle until the failure recurred and take the vehicle back to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the fuel sensor was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
I have now had to replace 4 cracked rims on my S80. (First 1/9/1991, Second 2/18/21, Third 4/28/21 and Fourth 8/19/21). Prat number 30758060-5 Aluminium Rim S 71. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? As the air leak out of the tire the car became unsafe to drive. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes Volvo Mitchell Auto Group. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes Volvo Mitchell Auto Group. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problemprior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes the tire light come on. This is the fourth Volvo I have owned and I have never cracked rim on them or any other car I have owned
Read 14 more owner reports
WHILE DRIVING ALONE IN THE RAIN FROM SPOTSYLVANIA, VA TO CLEMSON, SC TO ATTEND MY DAUGHTER'S NURSING WHITE COAT CEREMONY, OUR 2016 S80 SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED ON I-85 SOUTH NEAR KANNAPOLIS, NC FOR NO REASON. THE TIME OF INCIDENT WAS AROUND 11:15AM. IT HAD BEEN RAINING AND TRAFFIC WAS STOP AND GO ON I-85 WITH SPEEDS ABOUT 30-35MPH WHEN THE SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED, SENDING PIECES OF THE SHATTERED GLASS FLYING OFF BEHIND MY CAR WITH SMALLER SHARDS OF GLASS COMING DOWN THROUGH THE INSIDE SUNROOF RETRACTABLE VENT WITH DROPS OF RAIN. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO THE FAR RIGHT LANE TO GET OFF HWY TO ACCESS THE DAMAGE AND FIND SOME COVER AS IT WAS RAINING AND COMING INSIDE SUNROOF. I HAD NO IDEA WHERE I WAS OR WHAT STATE I WAS IN UNTIL I PULLED OFF THE EXIT AND IMMEDIATELY FOUND A SHELL GAS STATION WHICH ALSO HAD AMPLE ROOF COVER. I GOT OUT AND SAW THAT MORE THAN HALF OF OUR SUNROOF WAS MISSING AND THERE WERE TINY PIECES OF GLASS LAYING ON TOP OF THE INSIDE PART OF SUNROOF AND ALONG THE BACK PART OF THE ROOF AND TRUNK. I CALLED OUR AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY, USAA, AND THEY TOOK CAR OF THE REST.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STABILIZATION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STARTED FLASHING. THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE AND VEHICLE LOSS POWER. THE CHARGING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED PEDERSEN VOLVO CARS (4455 S MASON ST, FORT COLLINS, CO 80525, (970)223-8500) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE CONSUMER STATED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE "CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE" WARNING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAD AN INCIDENT IN WHICH IT WOULD NOT POWER ON. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE CHARGING FAILURE LIGHT CONTINUED FLASH. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONSUMER THEN EXPERIENCED A TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE WILE DRIVING. IT WAS DETERMINED THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE WARNING LIGHTS RETURNED. IT WAS DETERMINE VIA SERVICE BULLETIN FROM 2015 THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR LOST COMMUNICATION. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ANTI TAMPER UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. HOWEVER, THE DEALER OFFERED A 15% DISCOUNT.
DRIVER SEAT BELTS HAS FAULTY HOOKS. SEAT BELT POPPED OPEN WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO QUICK BRAKE TO AVOID BEING HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. THE SUDDEN STOP CAUSED MY SEAT TO SHIFT POSITION. I TRIED TO MOVE SEAT BACK INTO POSITION IT DID MOVE. THE SEAT WAS PERMANENTLY LOCKED IN THE POSITION WHICH RENDERED ME KNEES CRAMPED ON STEERING WHEEL. I BUCKLED MY SEAT BELT BACK AND SLIPPED OUT AGAIN. THE DRIVERS SEAT & SEAT BELT STILL MALFUNCTIONING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY CABLE WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35 TO 40 MILES PER HOUR FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. THERE WAS NO ENGINE NOR TEMPERATURE INDICATOR LIT UP ON THE DASH. ASSUMING IT WAS FROM A PASSING VEHICLE, I CONTINUED TO DRIVE FOR 1 TO 2 MINUTES. THEN LOOKING IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, I COULD SEE BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE TRUNK. UPON OPENING THE TRUNK, THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE SEEMS TO HAVE STARTED IN WIRING LOCATED IN THE TRUNK THEN PROCEEDED THROUGH TO THE SPEAKER IN THE BACK SEAT. EVEN AFTER TURNING OFF ENGINE, THE FIREMAN ON THE SCENE NOTICED THAT THE RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONING WERE STILL RUNNING. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED TO SHUT ELECTRICAL ITEMS OFF. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN A PRECEDING VEHICLE REVERSED AND ABRUPTLY CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE RIGHT ARM, SHOULDER AND NECK. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE SCENE OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION CENTER AND REPAIRED FOR THE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN 2011, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V489000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIR BAG AT THAT TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. ..UPDATED 11/14/12 *BF UPDATED 11/14/12
See attached document for complaint.
A batch of metal used for the steering wheel trim prematurely wears down at the base of the steering wheel in 2 locations out of sight with normal use and becomes razor sharp. When turning the wheel, the spinning razor edge can cause the driver to lose control due to sudden pain due to slicing into the fingers. The metal slices into the skin drawing blood much like that of a papercut. I have experienced sudden cuts in turning on 2 separate occasions recently having to re-grab the steering wheel due to involuntary pain reflex release to prevent total loss of control and the problem has not been confirmed by the dealer. There is no prior warning when this issue suddenly occurs.
MY WIFE KAREN WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK ON FEBRUARY 24, 2020 WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE-VIEW MIRROR DETACHED, HIT THE PAVEMENT AND SHATTERED. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT ABOUT 7:45 AM. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AT 140 STATESIR PLACE FOR 60 HOURS WITHOUT BEING USED AND THE MIRROR SHOWED NO SIGN OF DAMAGE PRIOR TO BEING DRIVER. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 800 FEET FROM OUR RESIDENCE AS SHE WAS TURNING FROM STATESIR PLACE ONTO PINE STREET NEARER TO THE CORNER .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL STUDS FRACTURED FROM THE TIRE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SLID ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER AND THE FENDER WAS RIPPED OFF. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TAKEN TO DEMONDTROND VOLVO (VOLVO BUILDING, 14101 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77090, (281) 607-0382). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
THE PASSENGER DOOR CONTINUES TO OPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE THE OPTION FOR DOORS TO LOCK WHEN CAR BEGINS TO MOVE. THE LOCK REMAINS "LOCKED" HOWEVER DOOR OPENS WITH INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DASHBOARD WARNING. I HAVE CONTACTED VOLVO TO NO END... I SEE A MULTITUDE OF DOOR OPENING ISSUES ON VOLVO FORUM SITES, AND MECHANIC STATES COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLVO.
DRIVERS SIDE REAR SUSPENSION LINK ARM FAILURE. VEHICLE TRAVELING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON EXPRESSWAY AT POSTED SPEED, 70MPH, ROAD CONDITIONS DRY AND CLEAR. NO IMPACTS OR SUDDEN MANEUVERS PRIOR TO FAILURE, I.E. CHUCK HOLE OR DEBRIS. NO TIRE OR WHEEL DAMAGE SUSTAINED PRIOR TO OR AFTER SUSPENSION FAILURE. NO IMPACT EVIDENCED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING TO A HIGH SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE TACHOMETER FLUCTUATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V317000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,800.
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS 21 JUL 2013 - SUNDAY EVENING THE TIRE LOW PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE. I LOOKED AT ALL FOUR TIRES AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. 22 JUL 2013 - MONDAY AS SAFETY PRECAUTION I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD THE SENSOR CHECKED. THE VOLVO SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED; THEY CHECK THE PRESSURE IN ALL TIRES FOR LEAKS, PROPER INFLATION AND THE LIGHT WENT OUT. 23 JUL 2013 - TUESDAY MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. AGAIN; I LOOKED AT ALL FOUR TIRES AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. *TR
Showing 20 of 128 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Volvo S80
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Volvo S80, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Volvo S80 has 128 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Volvo S80 has 37 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 8 of the Volvo S80's 128 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Below Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Volvo S80 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Volvo S80 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Volvo S80 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Volvo S80 by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Volvo S80.
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Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Volvo S80 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Volvo S80 reliable?
Below Average. The Volvo S80 has 128 NHTSA owner complaints and 37 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is STRUCTURE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Volvo S80 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2010 (27 complaints), 2008 (26 complaints), 2007 (24 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Volvo S80 problems?
Top reported issues: STRUCTURE (20 complaints); ENGINE (19 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (17 complaints).
Does the Volvo S80 have recalls?
Yes — 37 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Volvo S80. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.