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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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Volvo S80 has 127 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
- 127
- 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 127 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.
- 127 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: Aug 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)
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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 127 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
127 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
Car would not crank, got fuel system replaced. Week later after being parked, while driving car cut off on highway. Mechanic has vehicle and has determined the issue is Central Electronic Module. Car is 2010 Volvo S80 with active recall but vin number is not apart of recall while experiencing same problem that almost caused a major accident. Vin [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On [XXX] I was driving from Opelika, AL to Birmingham, AL. About 20 miles from home while driving on [XXX] in the left lane, my car would not accelerate. I pushe9 it down to the floor and there was no gas, so I had to get over to the right lane while rolling to get out of danger of the traffic and large trucks. MY car has been towed three time in about 3 month in 2025. I had it towed from my work parking lot twice because it would not crank. We bought new batteries, changed out the key batteries and this last incident. We had just got the car out of the shop for a fuel pump & fuel pump control module. (see receipt). I learned there was a Safety Recall from the NHTSA. However, when I called only to learn that my car had not been recalled. Therefore, I am quite confused because the safety issue recall no 09V343000 for 2010,S80 appears to be having the same issue. the software within the Central Electronic module (CEM) is not sending the signal to the fuel pump that was just replaced to the electronic module (PEM). The missing signal to the PEM inhibits the start of the fuel pump. This was a very frightening experience having a car stop on the highway while in the fast lane. Now the fear of it happening again is quite frightening, that's why I confused as to the seriousness of this electrical system software issue is not being taken for granted on my vehicle. If it was a problem for some, why would it not be a problem for all. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2010 Volvo S80. The contact stated that there was condensation inside the vehicle. Additionally, the contact's daughter informed the contact that there was mold on the front passenger's side seat belt. The contact stated that there was mold on the lower seal near the front passenger's side door jam. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected. The dealer informed the contact that the upper part of the windshield was detaching on the passenger's and driver's sides. The contact stated that after the dealer removed the carpet on the passenger's side, the contact noticed water inside the vehicle and the wiring was wet. The dealer determined that the windshield needed to be replaced. The dealer advised the contact to file an insurance claim for the windshield replacement and another claim for the water damages. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 89,500.
Driving down [XXX] headed west to Charlottesville and debris flew off of another truck with a trailer attached . Came off the back of their truck and smashed into the top of my car into my sunroof glass. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The air bag warning randomly popped up on my screen. They will not deploy if I get into a wreck. Non working air bag. I also have issues that come and go with the electrical component. Sometimes my door won't open, sometimes my seats won't move, and my license plate light is out due to something electrical. My gas tank spits gas back at me and makes weird noises sometimes.
Read 14 more owner reports
I was driving down the road at 60mph, and my car started to wobble a little bit. I pulled over to see if something was obviously wrong and I didn't notice anything. At this point I thought that maybe I needed a new rear shock, but when I got back on the road, the wobble was so bad that I couldn't drive 25mph. I drove about 20mph until I could get to a safe place to pull over which was only about a mile. I took the wheel off and this was the moment that I noticed the tire had swelled up to the point that it wouldn't stand upright. It just fell over. I bought the tire (Riken Raptor) brand new 11 months ago. There is still a lot of tread on the tire. I had the presence of mind to pull over as soon as I noticed something wasn't right. I fear that if I had been on an interstate highway going 70mph, then something really bad may have happened.
Leaking windshield. Notice Glass loose from top of windshield.Water leaking down into car on passenger and driver side. Floors soak and wet. Unable to drive in rain car smells due to wet floors. This windshield never was changed, it is the original. This is a Safety issue. This should be a recall. Made an appointment with Volvo dealership on 5/22/2023, they confirmed the windshield leak, water coming in from the top of the windshield. Advise to reseal or replace was told glass will continue to come loose if not taken care of. The windshield can cause an injury or accident if it comes a part while I'm driving. Many volvo's owners have this defective windshield. The leak is due to poor sealing during manufacturing of the vehicle's. This issue should be on the recall list and repairs done for free. All owners who had to pay for this repair should be reimbursed.The floor rugs should also be included in the recall, because it can cause health issue like mold, which is unhealthy. Safety for your customers should always come first.
The warning, charging failure service urgent is displayed the service engine light comes on. Several mechanics have not be able to repair. The front passenger seat belt is not stable to fasten properly. The TMPS has yet another warning, inoperable
The exhaust for the car is routed within inches of the subframe which does not have a heat shield. The paint has since deteriorated and large rust holes have formed.
The stock oem windshield has come away from the body. This a common on-going issue with p3 volvos. My car leaks water into the cabin. It is dangerous not having a windshield glued down to the body.
There is a leak or gap at the top of the windshield allowing water to get into the car. Most notable when there is a heavy rain and the car sits overnight. Then what happens is that the water that gets in either fills up in the interior dome light areas or splashes out onto the gear shifter creating puddles. This can be distracting while driving as water will splash on one's face from the water that is pooled in the dome light areas. Also there is a fear that this can cause further electrical damage, Some of the lights on the gear shifter are already not working as a result. This moisture has also begun to deteriorate areas of the instrument panel as well.
The sub frame located near the front exhaust has premature rust and corrosion to the point there are holes in the frame.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BONDING DETACHED CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE WINDSHIELDS AND WATER LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
WINSHEILD LEAKS INSIDE WHEN IT RAINS ACROSS PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE
THE CAR WAS JUST PURCHASED AT 127K MILES. THE CARFAX SHOWS 0 ACCIDENTS YET THE BALL BEARINGS IS NOW IN ITS 2ND REPLACEMENT. WHEN I TEST DROVE IT MCGRATH VOLVO STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A SAFETY CHECK, BUT THE NOISE WAS NOTICABLE BUT THE SALESMAN PULLED IT OFF AS WEAR AND TEAR. 2 DAYS INTO OWNERSHIP SUSPENSION, BEARINGS (FRONT) NEED REPLACEMENT FOR SAFETY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLVO S80. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOTICED A FUEL ODOR DUE TO A LEAKING FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FUEL LINES WERE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
TPS TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR COMPLETE FAILURE, TOTAL LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN RIGHT FRONT TIRE. UNIT FELL INTO THE TIRE, NORTHERN STATES SALT CORROSION. CONTINENTAL PART #PA66 GF30 OEM PART FOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TR
MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH ORANGE LOW LEVEL OIL LIGHT COMING ON BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, IN MY 2010 VOLVO S80, FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW. ON OCCASION, THE RED LIGHT HAS APPEARED AS WELL IF I DON'T ADD OIL FOR MY WIFE. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE THAT NEITHER MY DEALER NOR CORPORATE HAVE BEEN HELPFUL WITH RESOLVING. I HAVE HAD THE "OIL CONSUMPTION TEST", BUT FRANKLY I AM TIRED OF THE RUN AROUND BECAUSE I LIVE TOO FAR TO KEEP HAVING TO PROVE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND BEING TOLD BY THE SERVICE PERSON THAT IT IS WITHIN SPEC. THIS IS A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES. THE TIP ON MY EXHAUST CLEARLY GIVES AN INDICATION OF THE BURNING OF OIL. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THEM TO FIX THIS. I HAVE EVEN FOUND A TECHNICAL JOURNAL REF NO. 24643 (OIL CONSUMPTION) THAT SPEAKS ON MY EXACT PROBLEM. *TR
VOLVO BRAKE VACUUM PUMP IS LEAKING OIL ON THE 3.2 LITER MOTORS. VOLVO HAS FINALLY RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE WITH THIS LEAK AND HAS COME UP WITH A VOLVO BRAKE VACUUM PUMP REPAIR KIT (VOLVO 31401556 REPAIR KIT). ALONG WITH THE KNOW EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION OF THE 3.2 LITER MOTOR THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKE POWER. *TR
Showing 20 of 127 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 127 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 127 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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How does the Volvo S80 stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
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.
Research more
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 127 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 (25 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 (16 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.