Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
70–25K
925–50K
3350–75K
2775–100K
36100–150K
8150K+
120 reports with mileage · 79 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports6 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
199 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT: CONSUMER STATED HE IS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HAS TWO SEPARATE VEHICLES THAT ARE THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE COMBINATION UNIT OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY HAS A MASSIVE LEAK. THERE IS A CRACK IN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY THAT IS CAUSED BY STRESS FROM THE FUEL LINE. WITH ENOUGH PRESSURE OVER TIME IT WI…
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DT: CONSUMER STATED HE IS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HAS TWO SEPARATE VEHICLES THAT ARE THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE COMBINATION UNIT OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY HAS A MASSIVE LEAK. THERE IS A CRACK IN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY THAT IS CAUSED BY STRESS FROM THE FUEL LINE. WITH ENOUGH PRESSURE OVER TIME IT WILL CAUSE THIS CRACK. THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10128613
50,000 miles · May 24, 2005
Electrical System
ETM PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED BY DEALER AFTER SURGING ENGINE AT IDLE AND THEN ENGINE FAILURE. WE PAID $850 TO REPLACE THIS AND NOW 13 MONTHS AND 13000 MILES LATER THE NEW PART HAS ALSO FAILED. THEY WILL NOT COVER THE PART BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN OVER 12 MONTHS SINCE REPAIR. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN SPENDING ANOTHER (NOW $950) FOR ANOT…
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ETM PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED BY DEALER AFTER SURGING ENGINE AT IDLE AND THEN ENGINE FAILURE. WE PAID $850 TO REPLACE THIS AND NOW 13 MONTHS AND 13000 MILES LATER THE NEW PART HAS ALSO FAILED. THEY WILL NOT COVER THE PART BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN OVER 12 MONTHS SINCE REPAIR. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN SPENDING ANOTHER (NOW $950) FOR ANOTHER ETM THAT IS DESTINED TO FAIL AGAIN RISKING ACCIDENT/DEATH FOR MY FAMILY DEPENDING ON WHEN "IT DECIDES" TO FAIL.
NHTSA ODI #10122028
86,000 miles · May 16, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE OWNS A 1999 VOLVO S80. SHE SAYS THAT SHE HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HER VOLVO MANUFACTURER. VOLVO SAID THAT BECAUSE SHE BOUGHT IT USED FROM A INDEPENDENT DEALER AND OUT OF WARRANTY THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE. SHE SAYS THAT HER ABS BRAKE…
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DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE OWNS A 1999 VOLVO S80. SHE SAYS THAT SHE HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HER VOLVO MANUFACTURER. VOLVO SAID THAT BECAUSE SHE BOUGHT IT USED FROM A INDEPENDENT DEALER AND OUT OF WARRANTY THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE. SHE SAYS THAT HER ABS BRAKES KEEP FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES WORK AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT. SHE ALSO SAID THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING HOSE BECAUSE THE STEERING WOULD LOCK UP. THE PRIOR OWNER OF THE VEHICLE HAD TOLD THE INDEPENDENT DEALER THAT HE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE WHILE HE OWNED IT. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10121070
90,000 miles · May 3, 2005
Air BagsCrash
AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT TWO WEEK PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT, NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AND NO MAJOR DAMAGE OCCURRED. THE FRONT AND DASH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON 4/29/05. NO IMPACT AT TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AS DRIVER WAS READING MESSAGE, AN…
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AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT TWO WEEK PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT, NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AND NO MAJOR DAMAGE OCCURRED. THE FRONT AND DASH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON 4/29/05. NO IMPACT AT TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AS DRIVER WAS READING MESSAGE, AND AIR BAG DEPLOYED. SPEED WAS 20 MPH. THERE WILL BE INVOICES, POLICE REPORT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10119530
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2005
Wheels
VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN IN A PARKING LOT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CONSUMER FELT LIKE SHE HIT A POT HOLE. CONSUMER THEN GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BECAME DETACHED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP FOR REPAIR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10117781
64,832 miles · Mar 24, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
VOLVO S80 T6 1999. DEFECTIVE ETM (THROTTLE MODULE OR THROTTLE UNIT). THIS MODULE FAILED AT ONLY 64,000 MILES AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER VOLVO WARRANTY. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALMOSY EVERY OWNER OF THIS MODEL YEAR. I'M ASKING FOR VOLVO TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT COST (PARTS AND LABOR). THE FAILURE OF THIS UNIT COULD CAUSE …
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VOLVO S80 T6 1999. DEFECTIVE ETM (THROTTLE MODULE OR THROTTLE UNIT). THIS MODULE FAILED AT ONLY 64,000 MILES AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER VOLVO WARRANTY. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALMOSY EVERY OWNER OF THIS MODEL YEAR. I'M ASKING FOR VOLVO TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT COST (PARTS AND LABOR). THE FAILURE OF THIS UNIT COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY AND/OR DEATH AS THE VEHICLE ENGINE WILL DIE AT ANY SPEED AND ANYWHERE WITHOUT NOTICE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACEMENT COST IS OVER $1000.
NHTSA ODI #10114624
62,000 miles · Jan 24, 2005
Suspension
WHILE TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION THE FRONT TIRES RUBBED THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE . THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA ODI #10108722
76,000 miles · Jan 21, 2005
Air BagsInjury
CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY RUNNING, I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, MY HUSBAND GOT OUT TO RETRIEVE AN ITEM IN THE HOUSE & SHUT THE DOOR, ALL DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE FUMES/SMOKE FROM THE AIRBAGS BURNED MY THROAT, I HAVE HAD THROAT DISCOMFORT FOR 5 DAYS. THE COST TO PUT THE CAR BACK TOGETHER IN WORKING ORDER IS $3000. ON…
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CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY RUNNING, I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, MY HUSBAND GOT OUT TO RETRIEVE AN ITEM IN THE HOUSE & SHUT THE DOOR, ALL DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE FUMES/SMOKE FROM THE AIRBAGS BURNED MY THROAT, I HAVE HAD THROAT DISCOMFORT FOR 5 DAYS. THE COST TO PUT THE CAR BACK TOGETHER IN WORKING ORDER IS $3000. ONE PERSON AT VOLVO SERVICE IN THOUSAND OAKS, CA. SAID THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED BUT OUT OF WARRANTY SO I HAVE TO PAY THE $3000 IF I WANT IT REPAIRED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10107661
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
63,000 miles · Nov 17, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
LID TO GAS TANK FELL OFF. SINCE THIS HAPPENED TO MINE I HAVE SEEN 4 OTHER S80 VOLVOS MISSING THE LIT TO THE GAS TANK.*AK
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.
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.
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.
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
2
EA05021 · 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.
1999 Volvo S80 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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