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 · Jan 3, 2002
WheelsCrash
FRONT RIGHT WHEEL COLLAPSED AND FOLDED UNDER CAR RESTING ON THE OUTSIDE RIM. POLICE WERE SUMMONED BUT MADE NO REPORT BECAUSE NO OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF NEGLIGENCE. I DEMANDED THAT FARMERS INSURANCE HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED BY THEIR ENGINEERING FIRM. THE ENGINEER SAID DAMAGE WAS CONSISTENT WITH H…
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FRONT RIGHT WHEEL COLLAPSED AND FOLDED UNDER CAR RESTING ON THE OUTSIDE RIM. POLICE WERE SUMMONED BUT MADE NO REPORT BECAUSE NO OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF NEGLIGENCE. I DEMANDED THAT FARMERS INSURANCE HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED BY THEIR ENGINEERING FIRM. THE ENGINEER SAID DAMAGE WAS CONSISTENT WITH HITTING A POTHOLE AT 30-40 MPH AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF EXISTING METAL FATIGUE. THERE WAS NO POTHOLE AND SPEED WAS 12 MPH (WHILE SLOWING ON A STEEP DOWNHILL FOR A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT). THERE WAS NO "IMPACT DAMAGE" TO ALUMINUM TIRE RIM (AS YOU WOULD EXPECT IF YOU HIT AN OBJECT HARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE WHEEL TO FOLD). ENGINEER WAS "UNABLE TO EXPLAIN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE." I CONTINUE TO PURSUE WITH FARMERS INSURANCE BECAUSE I BELIEVE A BALL-JOINT FAILURE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT BALL JOINTS ON NHTSA'S SITE AND I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN SEP 2000 FOR BALL JOINT REPLACEMENTS. I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER ABOUT THE RECALL. EITHER MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED OR VOLVO FAILED TO DELIVER THE LETTER TO ME. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE THAT WOULD HELP TO CLARIFY THE CAUSE OF THE RIGHT-WHEEL FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #756356
Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2001
Exterior LightingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, BRAKES WERE PULSATING, AFTER APPLYING BRAKES AGAIN NOTICED BRAKES WERE FADING. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED ROTORS WERE RED HOT. DEALER REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AND PADS.*AK THE GAS TANK HAD A DEFECT THAT WOULD CAUSE A VACUUM LEAK. THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAKES A CRACKING NOISE WHEN TURNING DUE TO BALL J…
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WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, BRAKES WERE PULSATING, AFTER APPLYING BRAKES AGAIN NOTICED BRAKES WERE FADING. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED ROTORS WERE RED HOT. DEALER REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AND PADS.*AK THE GAS TANK HAD A DEFECT THAT WOULD CAUSE A VACUUM LEAK. THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAKES A CRACKING NOISE WHEN TURNING DUE TO BALL JOINT FAILURE. THE GEAR SHIFTER SWITCH MAKES LOUD CLICKING NOISE. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD SLIPPAGE AND SHUDDER WHILE UP SHIFTING, CREATING A VEHICLE LOSS OF CONTROL. PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT BACKREST CUSHION MAKES NOISE DUE TO LOOSE CLIPS. THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW DEVELOPED A WIND NOISE DUE TO DEFECTIVE WINDOW SEALS. DUE TO DESIGN FAULT, THE UPPER TORQUE MOUNT BUSHING CRACKED. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT HEADLIGHT LENS BROKE. THE CONSUMER IS ASKING FOR A FULL REFUND OF THE ACTUAL PRICE PAID FOR THE VEHICLE OR FOR IT TO BE REPLACED WITH A NEW EQUALLY EQUIPPED VEHICLE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #8000744
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #753380
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2001
Power TrainSuspensionCrash
AT 30 MPH, HIT POTHOLE AND FRONT AXLE BROKE, BALL JOINT WERE OUT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #880812
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2001
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING LIGHTING ON DASH/ WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND POWER WINDOWS TO BE INOPERABLE.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD BENT BRAKE CALIPERS FAILURE, HEAD LIGHT FAILURE, BROKEN MIRROR SWITCH. THE DOOR REMOTE FAILED. THE CONSUMER WANTS THE DEALER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK AT NO COST. *YH
NHTSA ODI #878186
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2001
Suspension
WHILE TURNING CORNER IN PARKING LOT HEARD A NOISE LIKE VEHICLE WAS BELLYING. VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT BALL JOINTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE AND NEEDED REPLACING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #877354
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2000
Electrical System
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS CRACKING AND FALLING APART, LEAVING WIRES UNPROTECTED AGAINST ENGINE AND RADITOR. DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL OF THE PLASTIC WIRING HARNESS PARTS. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #875509
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2000
Suspension
NHTSA RECALL 00V238000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00 BALL JOINT, PARTS NOT AVAILABLE , NO DATE GIVEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #874761
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS EXPERIENCING CONTINUED FADING WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, DEALERSHIP STATES THAT IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #556544
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2000
Suspension
THE TIRES WERE BADLY WORN AS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY BALL JOINTS WHICH WERE RECALLED AND REPAIRED (00V-238), CONSUMER PURCHASED NEW TIRES AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
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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