NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
42 reports112,000 miles · Feb 17, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL SMELL IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEHIND THE REAR SEATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL COULD BE HEARD SPLASHING AROUND IN THE TANK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL SMELL IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEHIND THE REAR SEATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL COULD BE HEARD SPLASHING AROUND IN THE TANK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLANGE WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
NHTSA ODI #10836642
170,000 miles · Oct 26, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.
NHTSA ODI #10786103
120,000 miles · May 11, 2015
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAK…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 7/1/15*CN
NHTSA ODI #10715651
147,000 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Engine
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINES RPMS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT POWERED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINES RPMS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT POWERED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
NHTSA ODI #10682207
223,000 miles · Jul 19, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED TACHOMETER DROPPED TO 900 RPM FROM ABOUT 3500 WITH AN 18 WHEELER NOT MORE THAN 6 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND ME, NEEDLESS TO SAY IF IT WEREN'T FOR DIVING ONTO THE SHOULDER AS IS DECELERATED RAPIDLY TO 20 MPH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS I WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. VOLV…
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WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED TACHOMETER DROPPED TO 900 RPM FROM ABOUT 3500 WITH AN 18 WHEELER NOT MORE THAN 6 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND ME, NEEDLESS TO SAY IF IT WEREN'T FOR DIVING ONTO THE SHOULDER AS IS DECELERATED RAPIDLY TO 20 MPH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS I WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. VOLVO HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON SOME OF THE ETMS TO 10 YEARS/200,000 MILES. WHEN I CALLED VOLVO TO ASK IF THIS MODEL WAS PART OF THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY TOLD ME THAT IT ONLY COVERED '99-01' AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT AS " THINGS BREAK WHEN THEY GET OLD", AND THAT I SHOULD DRIVE IT TO THE SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS, AT MY OWN PERIL. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME IT WOULD TAKE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT TO CHANGE THIS. WHY SHOULD IT TAKE A LAWSUIT OR DEATH OF A WHOLE CAR FULL OF PEOPLE TO GET SOMEONE TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR USE OF SUBSTANDARD PARTS? I DROVE THE CAR HOME IN "LIMP MODE " AND PARKED IT. TODAY I WENT OUT TO SEE IF IT WOULD RUN AND DRIVE, TO MY AMAZEMENT IT DID, SO I TOOK IT FOR A LITTLE TEST <5 MILES, AND IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN, THIS TIME I WAS PREPARED. I CHECKED THE CODES AND IT HAD NONE IN THE SYSTEM. CALL ME FOR A FIRST HAND ACCOUNT. [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10614705
130,000 miles · May 4, 2012
Seats
THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS ADJUSTING ITSELF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. HOWEVER, THE CONTROLS WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RE-ADJUST THE SEAT. SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING, THE BACKREST OF THE SEAT WOULD MOVE INTO A COMPLETELY HORIZONTAL POSITION. OTHER TIMES, THE ENTIRE SEAT (INCLUDING THE BACKREST) WOULD MOVE AS FAR FORWARD…
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THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS ADJUSTING ITSELF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. HOWEVER, THE CONTROLS WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RE-ADJUST THE SEAT. SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING, THE BACKREST OF THE SEAT WOULD MOVE INTO A COMPLETELY HORIZONTAL POSITION. OTHER TIMES, THE ENTIRE SEAT (INCLUDING THE BACKREST) WOULD MOVE AS FAR FORWARD AS POSSIBLE, CREATING A MAJOR DRIVING HAZARD. I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT, REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTING TO RE-ADJUST THE SEAT UNTIL IT RANDOMLY STARTED TO RESPOND. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO A VOLVO DEALERSHIP, THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE ANY REASON OR CAUSE FOR THE PROBLEM. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE POWER SEAT MODULE AT A COST OF $850 (PARTS & LABOR). THE DEALERSHIP UNPLUGGED THE MODULE AFTER ADJUSTING THE SEAT TO FIT ME, BUT THAT IS NOT A PROPER SOLUTION. A CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING A VEHICLE PART DUE TO FAULTY WIRING, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT CREATES A DRIVING HAZARD ON THE ROAD! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457499
79,000 miles · Sep 10, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
CAR SURGES AND HESITATES WHEN CHANGING GEARS, IT SLOWS DOWN AND ACCELERATES RANDOMLY WHEN I PUSH DOWN ON THE GAS. IT STICKS AND WON'T LET ME CHANGE GEARS IN MANUAL MODE AND IT STRUGGLES TO CHANGE GEARS IN AUTOMATIC MODE. THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS, IT WILL DECELERATE RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BOTH WITH THE CRUISE ON AN…
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CAR SURGES AND HESITATES WHEN CHANGING GEARS, IT SLOWS DOWN AND ACCELERATES RANDOMLY WHEN I PUSH DOWN ON THE GAS. IT STICKS AND WON'T LET ME CHANGE GEARS IN MANUAL MODE AND IT STRUGGLES TO CHANGE GEARS IN AUTOMATIC MODE. THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS, IT WILL DECELERATE RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BOTH WITH THE CRUISE ON AND OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10424583
117,000 miles · Feb 23, 2011
Air BagsCrash
MY SON WAS DRIVING A 2002 VOLVO S80 WITH NO PASSENGERS WHEN HE WAS HIT IN THE LEFT FRONT BY ANOTHER CAR. HE WAS FORCED TO THE RIGHT AND STRUCK A LIGHT POLE AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE LIGHT POLE IMPACT WAS MAYBE 2" RIGHT OF DEAD CENTER. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. ONLY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED FROM THE DASH. NONE OF THE OTHE…
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MY SON WAS DRIVING A 2002 VOLVO S80 WITH NO PASSENGERS WHEN HE WAS HIT IN THE LEFT FRONT BY ANOTHER CAR. HE WAS FORCED TO THE RIGHT AND STRUCK A LIGHT POLE AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE LIGHT POLE IMPACT WAS MAYBE 2" RIGHT OF DEAD CENTER. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. ONLY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED FROM THE DASH. NONE OF THE OTHER SEVEN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE FACT THAT NONE OF THE DRIVERS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED APPEARS TO BE A FAULT. THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO PASSENGER AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DID DEPLOY ALSO APPEARS TO BE A FAULT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10384118
63,000 miles · Jan 2, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
2002 VOLVO S80 TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 63,000 MILES, REPLACED WITH NEW VOLVO TRANSMISSION, LASTED 2 YEARS 1 MONTH, VOLVO STATES 2 YEARS IS THE WARRANTY, SO FAR WE HAVE 8900.00 IN REPAIRS TO THIS CAR IN THE LAST 3 YEARS,THIS CAR IS A REAL LEMON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373785
104,445 miles · Jul 27, 2010
Power Train
PULLING INTO TRAFFIC CAR WAS HESITATING, STARTING AND STOPPING UNCONTROLLABLY. SLIPPAGE IN THE TRANSMISSION FROM FIRST GEAR TO SECOND, HARD TO GET UP TO SPEED. HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE HESITATIONS. NO INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS AT THE BEGINNING OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES, DANGEROUS. NOW TRANSMISSION LIG…
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PULLING INTO TRAFFIC CAR WAS HESITATING, STARTING AND STOPPING UNCONTROLLABLY. SLIPPAGE IN THE TRANSMISSION FROM FIRST GEAR TO SECOND, HARD TO GET UP TO SPEED. HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE HESITATIONS. NO INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS AT THE BEGINNING OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES, DANGEROUS. NOW TRANSMISSION LIGHT IS ON, VEHICLE ONLY HAS 104K MILES. GOING IN TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10345577
Official recalls
4Sep 30, 2021
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2006 S80 and 2001-2009 S60 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10125.
Nov 4, 2020
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2003 S80 and S60 vehicles sold or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The driver side frontal air bag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments into the passage compartment, when the driver side air bag is deployed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10058.
Nov 8, 2010
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Dec 18, 2009
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 S80, MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 V70, S60, XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES SOLD IN OR REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, UTAH, VIRGINIA AND THE U.S. TERRITORIES. WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (HOT CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE CYCLING) OVER TIME AND IN COMBINATION WITH VARYING FUEL QUALITY, THE FUEL PUMP CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE CONDITION OCCURS VEHICLE OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗