← New search

2002 Volvo S80

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Volvo S80 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 20.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all S80 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

33 reports with mileage · 9 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

42 reports
85,000 miles · Jun 15, 2010
Parking Brake

VOLVO S80 2002 -PA .WHILE REVERSING REAR WHEEL LOCKED AND CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN.PARKING BRAKE NOT ENGAGED. CAR TOWED TO VOLVO DEALER. ON ASSESSMENT DEALER INDICATED THAT PARKING SHOES FROZE UP AND DELAMINATED CAUSING COLLATERAL DAMAGE. ANOTHER POSSIBILITY WAS THAT PARKING CABLE FROZE UP AND PARKING SHOES DELAMINATED. CAR HAD A…

Read full complaint

VOLVO S80 2002 -PA .WHILE REVERSING REAR WHEEL LOCKED AND CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN.PARKING BRAKE NOT ENGAGED. CAR TOWED TO VOLVO DEALER. ON ASSESSMENT DEALER INDICATED THAT PARKING SHOES FROZE UP AND DELAMINATED CAUSING COLLATERAL DAMAGE. ANOTHER POSSIBILITY WAS THAT PARKING CABLE FROZE UP AND PARKING SHOES DELAMINATED. CAR HAD APPROX 85000 MILES. EITHER WAY THIS IS A DEFECT IF OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY WOULD HAVE HAD DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCE. IRRESPECTIVE OF AGE OF CAR CABLE CANNOT FREEZE. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED BY DEALER. ALL MAINTENANCE DONE BY DEALER AS RECOMMENDED BY MANUFACTURER. CAR UNDERWENT SPRING INSPECTION AROUND MONTH AGO. SO QUALITY OF PARKING SHOES NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED OR PARKING BRAKE CABLE INSPECTION SHOULD BE ADDED. AGREED WITH DEALER TO REPLACE AND REPAIR DEFECT AS I NEED THE CAR. REQUESTED THEM TO KEEP THE PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY NHTSA IF NECESSARY. COST APPROX $2000.00 WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT. SAFETY ISSUE IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY LEADING TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336366

150,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A RATTLING SOUND IN THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A RATTLING SOUND IN THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10314378

79,000 miles · Feb 22, 2010
Power Train

IN THE PAST MONTH WHEN I DRIVE THERE IS SURGING AND HESITATION. WHEN I STOP THEN ACCELERATE THERE IS NO POWER, SYMPTOMS OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY AND DAILY. I TOOK IT TO DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THINKING IT WAS A RECALL FOR THE EMS. DEALER SAYS NO CODES CAME UP IT WAS EMS PROBLEM THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. …

Read full complaint

IN THE PAST MONTH WHEN I DRIVE THERE IS SURGING AND HESITATION. WHEN I STOP THEN ACCELERATE THERE IS NO POWER, SYMPTOMS OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY AND DAILY. I TOOK IT TO DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THINKING IT WAS A RECALL FOR THE EMS. DEALER SAYS NO CODES CAME UP IT WAS EMS PROBLEM THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. METAL IN TRANS. FLUID. I PURCHASED IN OCT. 2008 WITH 30 DAY WARRANTY AND IT ONLY HAS 79,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312839

117,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Suspension

I PURCHASED A 2002 VOLVO S80 IN MARCH OF 2009 AND STATED HEARING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR & WHEN I WENT & GOT IT CHECKED THE MECHANIC SAID THAT I NEEDED NEW STRUTS SO I GOT THE STRUTS FIXED FOR A WARPING $600 BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED 3 TIMES SINCE THE REPAIR,I HAVE HAD IT REPAIR 2 TIMES BY THE S…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED A 2002 VOLVO S80 IN MARCH OF 2009 AND STATED HEARING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR & WHEN I WENT & GOT IT CHECKED THE MECHANIC SAID THAT I NEEDED NEW STRUTS SO I GOT THE STRUTS FIXED FOR A WARPING $600 BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED 3 TIMES SINCE THE REPAIR,I HAVE HAD IT REPAIR 2 TIMES BY THE SAME SHOP BUT SINCE THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME LABOR ON THE LAST VISIT I'M DONE,THE MECHANIC ALSO SAID THAT I NEEDED FRONT CONTROL ARMS WHICH ARE ALSO EXPENSIVE.I CHECKED ONLINE TO SEE IF MAYBE VOLVO HAD ANY RECALLS ON THIS MATTER & THEY DID ON 1999,2000,2001 VOLVO S80 BUT NOT 2002 WHICH IS MY VEHICLE. THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTED AS A SAFETY ISSUE IN VOLVO S80 99-2001 SO IM JUST WONDERING WHY HAVEN'T IT REACHED THE 2002 BECAUSE I WENT TO THE COMPLAINTS ONLINE & MORE PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING THAN MYSELF. MY STEERING WHEEL IS OFF CENTERED,MY CAR SHIFTS WHEN I HIT BUMPS IN THE ROAD & MY TRACTION IS NOT AS GOOD AS IT WAS WHEN I 1ST BOUGHT IT. ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS MY FRONT END IS REALLY SCREWED UP & IT'S NOT MY FAULT SO CAN ANYONE DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME OUT. THANKS A MILLION!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308146

105,000 miles · Jan 26, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80 T6. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOWER SPEEDS TO INCLUDE APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS HESITATION AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS DID NOT LIST ANY FAILURE CODES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80 T6. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOWER SPEEDS TO INCLUDE APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS HESITATION AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS DID NOT LIST ANY FAILURE CODES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106000.

NHTSA ODI #10302384

47,357 miles · Oct 16, 2009
Suspension

I OWN A 2002 VOLVO AND HAVE HAD CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END. I DEALER WORKED ON THE FRONT END WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I JUST SPENT OVER $900 TO REPLACE INNER TIER ROD ENDS AND CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND THIS CAR HAS 47,000 MILES? THE TIE RODS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE AND MY W…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 2002 VOLVO AND HAVE HAD CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END. I DEALER WORKED ON THE FRONT END WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I JUST SPENT OVER $900 TO REPLACE INNER TIER ROD ENDS AND CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND THIS CAR HAS 47,000 MILES? THE TIE RODS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE AND MY WIFE USES THIS CAR LOCALLY. I HAVE OWNED MANY VOLVOS AND HAVE NEVER HAD FRONT END PROBLEMS WITH ANY CAR I HAVE OWNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10288622

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2009
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE FAILURE IN 2002 S80. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285860

150,000 miles · Aug 30, 2009
Electrical SystemPower Train

THE CARS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT TO THE REVERSE POSITION WITHOUT GIVING ANY WARNING UNDER THE NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION IN ITS DRIVE POSITION. WHEN IT SHIFTS TO REVERSE BY ITSELF ON THE FREEWAY I NOTICE THE NOSE OF THE CAR WILL DROP LOWER AND IF MY FOOT PRESS ON THE GAS PADDLE THE CAR WILL ACT AS BRAKING AND ENGINE IS …

Read full complaint

THE CARS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT TO THE REVERSE POSITION WITHOUT GIVING ANY WARNING UNDER THE NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION IN ITS DRIVE POSITION. WHEN IT SHIFTS TO REVERSE BY ITSELF ON THE FREEWAY I NOTICE THE NOSE OF THE CAR WILL DROP LOWER AND IF MY FOOT PRESS ON THE GAS PADDLE THE CAR WILL ACT AS BRAKING AND ENGINE IS MAKING NOISE. I NOTICE ON THE DASHBOARD AND SHIFTER THE GEAR SIGN INDICATION IS TOGGLE IN BETWEEN 'D' AND 'R', WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS PADDLE THE SIGN WILL CHANGE TO 'R' AND AS I RELEASE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PADDLE THE SIGN WILL CHANGE BACK TO 'D'. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL I ALMOST GOT IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT, LUCKILY I WAS TRAINED ON MANUAL TRANSMISSION FOR MY DRIVING LESSON, SO I PUT THE CAR TO 'N' AND SHIFT BACK TO 'D' FOR THE 1ST 3 TIMES I SWITCH BACK TO 'D' THE GEAR INDICATION SIGN IS STILL SHOW 'R' WHEN I PUT TO 'D' ONLY ON THE 4TH TRY ITS RETURN BACK TO NORMAL CONDITION. WHEN ALL THIS HAPPEN I WAS CLAIMING A HILL ON I-580 BEFORE I-680 JUNCTION JUST PASS HAYWARD, CA. TRY TO IMAGING DRIVING AT 65MPH ON A HILL AND TRANSMISSION SWIFT TO REVERSE THE CAR WILL DROP FROM 65MPH TO 10MPH VERY FAST AND THE CARS BEHIND ME ALMOST CRASH INTO ME. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC THE CAR SUPPOSE TO SWITCH TO 'SAFE MODE' AND TRANSMISSION SHOULD STAY IN 3RD GEAR. IT IS STRANGE THE CAR THINK ITS MALFUNCTION IS NORMAL AND DID NOT ENGAGE TO 'SAFE MODE'. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSES THE CAR AND TELLS ME THE PROBLEM TRACE TO A NEUTRAL SWITCH (PNP SWITCH) INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. AND AFTER CONTACT NEAREST DEALER FREMONT MOTOR CARS THE PARTS DEPARTMENT CONFIRM THAT THE PNP SWITCH IS BUILD INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION AND WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE GM-SOURCED 4T65EV/GT TRANSMISSIONS USUALLY SHOW SYMPTOMS OF FAILURE BY SUDDENLY SLIPPING WHILE IN GEAR. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT THE FAULTS ARE WIDELY KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED. THIS CAR IS STILL DRIVABLE IT'S NOT BAD, IF DON'T ACTED UP. IT STILL THINKS IT HAS NO PROBLEM AT ALL WHICH IS VERY DANGERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282345

141,000 miles · Jan 9, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

OVER THE LAST 1.5 ' 2 YEARS THE VEHICLE 2002 VOLVO S80 HAS DISPLAYED A FUEL ODOR IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE EXTERIOR IN THE SUMMER MONTHS. JUNE OF 2008 RECEIVED WARRANTY NOTICE FROM VOLVO THAT THERE HAS BEEN A VOLUNTARILY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THE FUEL PUMP FOR VEHICLES THAT DISPLAYED A FUEL …

Read full complaint

OVER THE LAST 1.5 ' 2 YEARS THE VEHICLE 2002 VOLVO S80 HAS DISPLAYED A FUEL ODOR IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE EXTERIOR IN THE SUMMER MONTHS. JUNE OF 2008 RECEIVED WARRANTY NOTICE FROM VOLVO THAT THERE HAS BEEN A VOLUNTARILY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THE FUEL PUMP FOR VEHICLES THAT DISPLAYED A FUEL ODOR. JANUARY 8, 2009 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL VOLVO DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND DISPLAYED THE LETTER SENT BY VOLVO IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP. THE DEALERSHIP DECLINED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT SMELL FUEL FUMES AT THE TIME OF SERVICE. VOLVO HAS KNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A POTENTIAL ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE AND COULD CREATE A POTENTIAL SAFETY AND PROLONG HEALTH ISSUES FOR THE INDIVIDUALS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE OF THE VEHICLE. I AM REQUESTING THE HELP OF NHTSA TO RESOLVE THE ABOVE ISSUE AND BE ABLE ASSIST OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254386

65,000 miles · Oct 23, 2008
Air Bags

NUMEROUS DEFECTS IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, ONE TIME IT WAS THE BUMPER CONNECTION, ANOTHER TIME THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER, AND THEN THE CONNECTION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, THEN IT GOES OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND I SPEND 800.00 THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND THE DEALER SAYS TOO BAD IT MUST BE SHORTED SOMEWHERE.....JO…

Read full complaint

NUMEROUS DEFECTS IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, ONE TIME IT WAS THE BUMPER CONNECTION, ANOTHER TIME THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER, AND THEN THE CONNECTION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, THEN IT GOES OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND I SPEND 800.00 THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND THE DEALER SAYS TOO BAD IT MUST BE SHORTED SOMEWHERE.....JOKES ON YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246518

Official recalls

4

21V766000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Sep 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.

20V681000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

10V566000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

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.

09V483000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.