NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
16 reportsClear category filter128,855 miles · Nov 9, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering
THERES A RECENT RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS OF THE 1999 S80 VOLVO THAT WE NEED OUR AIRBAGS REPLACED BECAUSE ITS A HAZARD THAT CAN LEAD UP TO DEATH. ALSO THE ELECTRICITY KEEPS ZAPPING DOWN FROM THE CAR CREATING NO STARTS OR VERY POOR DRIVING, I ALMOST WAS STRANDED BECAUSE THE CAR SEEMS LIKE IT WANTED TO SHUT DOWN ONE NIGHT I WAS GETTIN…
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THERES A RECENT RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS OF THE 1999 S80 VOLVO THAT WE NEED OUR AIRBAGS REPLACED BECAUSE ITS A HAZARD THAT CAN LEAD UP TO DEATH. ALSO THE ELECTRICITY KEEPS ZAPPING DOWN FROM THE CAR CREATING NO STARTS OR VERY POOR DRIVING, I ALMOST WAS STRANDED BECAUSE THE CAR SEEMS LIKE IT WANTED TO SHUT DOWN ONE NIGHT I WAS GETTING OFF WORK, I HIT FULL GAS AND IT ONLY GAVE ME 3 MPH AND ALSO WHEN I MADE A RIGHT TURN ONE NIGHT FROM WORK I FEEL THE WHEEL FEEL LIKE ITS COMING APART FROM THE INSIDE OR LOOSENING I DONT KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT IT FEELS AND SOUNDS ROUGH
NHTSA ODI #11373728
153,000 miles · Jul 15, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
NHTSA ODI #10610714
107,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING, SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR AN UNKNOWN RECAL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING, SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR AN UNKNOWN RECALL THAT WAS MENTIONED ON TELEVISION. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
NHTSA ODI #10416712
60,000 miles · Dec 11, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND THE ABS AND ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TROLLIS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS LATER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND THE ABS AND ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TROLLIS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY STATED THAT THE CENTRAL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 1/8/09 *CN THE BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE HEATING SYSTEM, THROTTLE SYSTEMS, ENGINE COOLING FAN AND THE MASTER CYLINDER ALL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE STEERING MADE A NOISE WHEN IT WAS TURNED. THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE STEERING. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN O2 SENSOR. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE INNER TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. 01/14/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10251514
70,000 miles · Jun 16, 2008
Steering
VARIABLE SPEED POWER STEERING. NO POWER STEERING AT -0- MILES PER HOUR. NEEDED NEW STEERING PUMP AT 70,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231141
75,000 miles · May 22, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAUSING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN GOING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD. ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE GOING TO 700 RPMS WHEN GOING 65 MPH. THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY PROBLEMS. THE SOLENOID WENT OUT IN THE TRANSMISSION ABOUT 13000 MILES AGO. CURRENTLY I HAVE THREE DIFFERENT ERROR COD…
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TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAUSING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN GOING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD. ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE GOING TO 700 RPMS WHEN GOING 65 MPH. THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY PROBLEMS. THE SOLENOID WENT OUT IN THE TRANSMISSION ABOUT 13000 MILES AGO. CURRENTLY I HAVE THREE DIFFERENT ERROR CODES "TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT", LOW OIL PRESSURE STOP ENGINE ASAP", AND "EMISSION SERVICE REQUIRED". I HAVE READ MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD. NM
NHTSA ODI #10158043
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2004
Steering
WHILE DRIVING A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER NOTICED A LIQUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10101403
4,000 miles · Feb 28, 2004
Exterior LightingPower TrainSteering
VEHICLE MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYES: ABS SYSTEM FAILURE/SERVICING TRANSMISSION SYSTEM SERVICE POWER STEERING SERVICE EMISSIONS CONTROL SERVICE ALSO, THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AND A TIE ROD REPLACEMENT/FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS REQUIRED CRUISE CONTROL IS INTERMITTENT DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL INOP HEADLIGHTS COME ON WHEN NOT COM…
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VEHICLE MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYES: ABS SYSTEM FAILURE/SERVICING TRANSMISSION SYSTEM SERVICE POWER STEERING SERVICE EMISSIONS CONTROL SERVICE ALSO, THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AND A TIE ROD REPLACEMENT/FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS REQUIRED CRUISE CONTROL IS INTERMITTENT DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL INOP HEADLIGHTS COME ON WHEN NOT COMMANDED ETC. INCIDENT DATE--THROUGHOUT OWNERSHIP . *AK
NHTSA ODI #10059976
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2004
Steering
DEALERSHIP PERFORMED INSPECTION ON VEHICLE AND A NUMBER OF DEFECTS WAS SEEN. ONE PARTICULAR DEFECT WAS THE STEERING BOX. CONSUMER HAVE BEEN FROM ONE DEALER TO ANOTHER BUT NO REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN MADE. *LA THE CONSUMER WAS WAITING FOR THE STEERING RACK TO BE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10059473
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Steering
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND UNLOCKED THE STEERING. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR THREE MONTH…
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WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND UNLOCKED THE STEERING. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR THREE MONTHS. THE MECHANIC IS WAITING FOR A STEERING ROD. . NETMET VOLVO 153-20 HILLSIDE AVE. JAMAICA NEW YORK 11432 ***************718 523 5858 TONY JOHNSON(SERVICE MANAGER). *NM
NHTSA ODI #10054194
Official recalls
4Nov 15, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Sep 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SOME ELECTRIC COOLING FANS MAY OVERHEAT POTENTIALLY CAUSING HEAT DAMAGE AND, IN RARE INSTANCES, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
Apr 7, 2002
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN ELECTRIC COOLING FANS COULD BE INADEQUATE IN A HOT CLIMATE. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN COMPONENTS COULD OVERHEAT AND CAUSE THE MELTING OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND ADJACENT COMPONENTS, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Aug 24, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OVER TIME, THE BALL JOINT BETWEEN THE FRONT WHEEL KING PIN AND THE SUSPENSION LINK ARM, CAN EXPERIENCE INCREASED LOOSENESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT THE BALL JOINT'S DURABILITY AND PERFORMANCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA05021 · Throttle Control Malfunction
Opened Dec 6, 2005 · Closed Dec 12, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
ON NOVEMBER 14, 2006 VOLVO SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING ETM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2001 VOLVO MODELS (NOT INCLUDING THE S40 AND V40), MY 2002 S60 AND V70 WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINES AND MY 2002 V70S.ACCORDING TO VOLVO, ?A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.VOLVO FURTHER STATED THAT,THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES GOING INTO LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.?VOLVO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE MOST SEVERE CONSEQUENCE OF AN ETM FAULT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE RECALL REMEDY IS A SOFTWARE UPGRADE INTRODUCED BY VOLVO ON MARCH 16, 2006 IN A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM.AT THE TIME OF THE NOTIFICATION 161,202 VEHICLES OF THE POPULATION OF 331,301 HAD ALREADY HAD THE SOFTWARE UPLOADED AND WERE THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED IN THE POPULATION COUNT OF THE RECALL. ODI?S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND VOLVO, VOLVO FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY DATA FOUND THAT ETM FAILURE COULD RESULT IN (1) ENGINE STALL; (2) MECHANICAL LIMP MODE; (3) LUNGING FORWARD DURING LOW-SPEED DRIVING MANEUVERS; AND (4) FALTERING DURING HIGH SPEED MERGES OR WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC.ODI IDENTIFIED 12 CRASHES RELATED TO ETM FAILURE, WITH 6 CAUSED BY LUNGING INCIDENTS, 3 CAUSED BY STALLING INCIDENTS, 2 CAUSED BY MECHANICAL LIMP MODE AND 1 FROM THE FALTERING CONDITION.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA AND INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM CONSUMER INTERVIEWS IDENTIFIED 1,289 INCIDENTS WITH SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES (389.1 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), INCLUDING 479 INVOLVING ENGINE STALL (144.6 PER 100,000 VEHICLES) AND 729 INVOLVING MECHANICAL LIMP MODE (220.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES).ODI'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY CLAIM NARRATIVE TEXT SHOWS AT LEAST 14,965 WARRANTY CLAIMS WITH CODES INDICATING AN ETM FAULT RESULTING IN VEHICLE OPERATION IN MECHANICAL LIMP MODE (4.5% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES). VOLVO?S RECALL ADDRESSES ODI?S SAFETY CONCERNS WITH ETM FAILURES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF ADDITIONAL ACTION IS REQUIRED.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.
PE05041 · Throttle Control Malfunction
Opened Jul 26, 2005 · Closed Dec 7, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
PE05-041 WAS OPENED ON JULY, 26, 2005, BASED ON 136 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGING THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI HAS NOW RECEIVED 591 COMPLAINTS OF ETM FAILURES WHICH ALLEGE SYMPTOMS WITH POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES.THESE INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE STALL, VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD WITHOUT ACCELERATOR INPUT, VEHICLE HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED TRANSITION INTO REDUCED PERFORMANCE OPERATION (LIMP MODE).VOLVO SUBMITTED OVER 2,900 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE ETM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING PE05-041.ODI'S PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 55 PERCENT WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ABOVE.ODI IS CONTINUING ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS. IN NOVEMBER 2005, TO RESOLVE AN INVESTIGATION BY THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD, VOLVO ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 10 YEARS / 200,000 MILES FOR THE ETM IN APPROXIMATELY 356,000 MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 PASSENGER CARS SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.UNDER VOLVO'S POLICY, VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCE ETM FAILURES WILL RECEIVE A VARIETY OF REPAIRS INCLUDING ETM CLEANING, REPROGRAMMING THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND/OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ETM. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-021) TO CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF ETM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
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