← New search

2005 Volvo S80

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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

Limited mileage data: 11 of 15 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 3 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

15 reports
102,000 miles · Mar 2, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL LEAK AT TOP OF PUMP UNDER RECALL, INSPECTION AND REPAIR AT NO COST REFUSED BY VOLVO. MY VOLVO S80, 2005 WAS PURCHASED AS A USED VEHICLE IN SAN DIEGO CA FROM THE VOLVO DEALER ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. THE FUEL LEAK LOCATION WAS DIAGNOSED BY INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THEY CONFIRMED THE PUMP WAS UNDER RECALL. THE INDEPENDENT SHOP RE…

Read full complaint

FUEL LEAK AT TOP OF PUMP UNDER RECALL, INSPECTION AND REPAIR AT NO COST REFUSED BY VOLVO. MY VOLVO S80, 2005 WAS PURCHASED AS A USED VEHICLE IN SAN DIEGO CA FROM THE VOLVO DEALER ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. THE FUEL LEAK LOCATION WAS DIAGNOSED BY INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THEY CONFIRMED THE PUMP WAS UNDER RECALL. THE INDEPENDENT SHOP RECOMMEND TAKING THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT AT NO CHARGE UNDER THE NHTSA RECALL NOTICE. WHEN THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER NO INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED AND I WAS TOLD THE RECALL NOTICE DID NOT APPLY TO MY VIN. I REQUESTED THE DEFECTIVE PART RETURNED TO ME AND ONLY THEN VOLVO DISTRICT SAID THEY WOULD PROVIDE THE PART (APPROX $500) BUT WANTED ME TO PAY FOR LABOR (APPROX $250). THEY ALSO WANTED THE DEFECTIVE PUMP RETURNED TO THEM. I REFUSED VOLVO'S OFFER, TOOK PICTURES OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMP AND CONFIRMED IT MATCHED DESCRIPTION IN THE NHTSA RECALL NOTICE AND THE INDEPENDENT SHOP DIAGNOSES. THE PUMP FUEL LEAK IS UNDER THE REAR SEAT WHERE CHILDREN IN SAFETY SEATS ARE EXPOSED TO INTENSE FUMES. EVERYBODY IN THE CABIN IS EXPOSED TO HIGH LEVELS OF FUMES FROM RESIDUE FUEL AT ALL TIMES FROM WHEN THE ENGINE WAS LAST OPERATED. THE DEALER FAILED TO FOLLOW THE RECALL NOTICE PROCEDURE FOR INSPECTION. THE NOTICE DOES NOT LIST A VIN RANGE. IF MY VIN AND/OR PUMP MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL IT SHOULD BE! IT APPEARS VOLVO IS LIMITING THE RECALL SCOPE OR DENYING LEGITIMATE CLAIMS FOR A SERIOUS SAFETY RECALLED ITEM. I HAVE REQUESTED THE DEALER RETAIN ALL PARTS, RECORDS AND DOCUMENT THE ISSUE OF THE FUEL LEAK ON MY VEHICLE. I PLAN ON PICKING UP THE CAR NO LATER THAN MARCH 6 2013 REPAIRED BY VOLVO AT NO COST OR NOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501036

104,200 miles · Jul 27, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire

B+ BATTERY CABLE AT STARTER SOLENOID SHORTED TO STARTER CASE AND GROUNDED. CAUSING A FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAR SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. ENGINE WENT OFF, LIGHTS WENT OUT ALL IN AN INSTANT. EMERGENCY FLASHERS WERE INOPERATIVE. PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. SMOKE WAS COMING …

Read full complaint

B+ BATTERY CABLE AT STARTER SOLENOID SHORTED TO STARTER CASE AND GROUNDED. CAUSING A FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAR SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. ENGINE WENT OFF, LIGHTS WENT OUT ALL IN AN INSTANT. EMERGENCY FLASHERS WERE INOPERATIVE. PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE ON FIRE. EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. DISCONNECTED THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL ON THE BATTERY LOCATED IN THE TRUNK, CAR TOWED TO DEALER, IN PROCESS OF REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10415427

65,000 miles · Jan 12, 2011
Tires

WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH A VERY SLIGHT ROAD VIBRATION WAS FELT APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE BEFORE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE COMPLETELY FAILED. THERE WAS A LOUD AUDIBLE THUMP AS THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY JERKED TO THE LEFT. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STOP SAFELY. UPON INSPECTION, B…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH A VERY SLIGHT ROAD VIBRATION WAS FELT APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE BEFORE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE COMPLETELY FAILED. THERE WAS A LOUD AUDIBLE THUMP AS THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY JERKED TO THE LEFT. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STOP SAFELY. UPON INSPECTION, BOTH SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED FROM TOP TREAD SECTION AND THE TIRE WAS IN THREE COMPLETE PIECES. THE WHEEL INCURRED MINOR DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OVERLOADED. THE TIRE WAS BELIEVED TO BE AT THE CORRECT PRESSURE AND SHOWED NO SIGNS OF PUNCTURE OR OBVIOUS CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED AND MOUNTED PROFESSIONALLY 43 DAYS BEFORE THE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10376459

25 miles · Apr 8, 2007
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

ON 07/21/07 I PURCHASED A 2005 VOLVO S80 T6 FROM MOMENTUM VOLVO IN HOUSTON, TX. IT WAS DELIVERED ON 08/02/2005 BRAND NEW WITH 7 MILES ON IT. THE FOLLOWING ARE AN ACCOUNT OF THE ISSUES AND SAFETY HAZARDS THIS CAR HAS HAD WITHIN THE LAST 18 MONTHS AND 24,000 MILES. THE FIRST ISSUE WAS DAMAGE FROM TRANSIT - FRONT AND REAR BUMPE…

Read full complaint

ON 07/21/07 I PURCHASED A 2005 VOLVO S80 T6 FROM MOMENTUM VOLVO IN HOUSTON, TX. IT WAS DELIVERED ON 08/02/2005 BRAND NEW WITH 7 MILES ON IT. THE FOLLOWING ARE AN ACCOUNT OF THE ISSUES AND SAFETY HAZARDS THIS CAR HAS HAD WITHIN THE LAST 18 MONTHS AND 24,000 MILES. THE FIRST ISSUE WAS DAMAGE FROM TRANSIT - FRONT AND REAR BUMPER HAD TO BE REPAIRED AND PAINTED. THE SECOND ISSUE - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 01/14/06. IT WAS AN EXHAUST LEAK. I ALSO COMPLAINED OF NO AM RECEPTION (FIXED) . THE THIRD ISSUE - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ON 01/30/06. THIS TIME IT WAS A FAULTY LEAKAGE DETECTION PUMPED IN THE EXHAUST THAT WAS REPLACED. I COMPLAINED AGAIN OF NO AM RECEPTION. THE FOURTH ISSUE - CAR WAS IN SHOP FOR RECALL WORK FOR AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE STARTER SOLENOID AND THE BATTERY CABLES. I INFORMED THEM THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD AND THAT THERE WAS NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT. MOMENTUM BLAMED IT ON THE TIRES NEEDING REPLACED ON A CAR THAT HAD 14,913 MILES ON IT - NO WORK DONE. COMPLAINED OF NO AM RECEPTION. THE FIFTH ISSUE - CAR WAS AT MOMENTUM FROM 01/30/07 - 02/08/07 BECAUSE POPPING NOISE UNDER HOOD AND CLICKING NOISE CAR MADE WHEN TURNING SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. EXPLANATION - POPPING NOISE WAS BECAUSE STRUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED ORIGINALLY. THE CLICKING NOISE WAS NOT FOUND, BUT THEY DID FIND THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING AND REPLACED THE POWER STEERING AND REPLACED THE STEERING RACK AND STEERING SHAFT. RESOLVED AM ISSUE. THE SIXTH ISSUE - CAR WENT BACK TO SHOP ON 02/09/07 - 02/17/07 BECAUSE OF NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT. EXPLANATION - FRAME NOT BEING TIGHTENED. CORRECTED. THE SEVENTH ISSUE THAT THEY DID NOT FIX THE SIXTH ISSUE. I DROVE RIGHT BACK TO MOMENTUM. EXPLANATION - FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT WHERE TWO WIRES WERE BEING GROUND OUT. *AK THE EIGHTH ISSUE WAS ON APRIL 8, 2007 - AUTOMOBILE HAS POPPING SOUND UNDER HOOD AGAIN THERE IS A METAL GRINDING METAL FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR NEAR BACK WHEEL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10187290

1,652 miles · Sep 27, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspensionCrash

1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE: PURCHASED NEW VOLVO S80 CAR ON 9/3/2005 WITH 813 MILES, DROVE IT HOME. NO INFORMATION WAS GIVEN ON THE 813 MILES ALREADY ON THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY THERE WERE OIL PUDDLES UNDERNEATH CAR AND OIL WAS ALL OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE TUES 9/6 …

Read full complaint

1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE: PURCHASED NEW VOLVO S80 CAR ON 9/3/2005 WITH 813 MILES, DROVE IT HOME. NO INFORMATION WAS GIVEN ON THE 813 MILES ALREADY ON THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY THERE WERE OIL PUDDLES UNDERNEATH CAR AND OIL WAS ALL OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE TUES 9/6 MORNING FOR OIL LEAKING. THE LEAKING OIL PUMP AND SEALS WERE REPLACED. CAR WAS READY AND PICKED UP ON FRI EVENING 9/9. FROM TALKING WITH THE SERVICE PEOPLE THE OIL PUMP HAD BEEN CRACKED. THEY SAID THE CAR HAD BEEN CLEANED OF THE OIL AND THAT THERE WAS NO MORE OIL LEAKING. ON SAT MORNING 9/10 THERE WAS A NEW OIL PUDDLE AND OIL UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR ON THE FRAME. SERVICE IS CLOSED ON THE WEEKEND. ON MON I WAS NOT ABLE TO CHANGE CARS DUE TO WORK COMMITMENTS AND AFTER DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THERE WAS THE SMELL OF BURNING OIL. THE CAR WAS SERVICED ON TUES 9/13 FOR OIL LEAKING. THE SERVICE PEOPLE REPORTED THAT THERE OIL COLLECTED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR FROM THE FIRST OIL LEAK. THEY REPORTED CLEANING THE CAR AGAIN AND DOING A LOT OF TEST DRIVING TO VERIFY THAT THERE WAS NO MORE OIL LEAKING. I RECEIVED THE CAR BACK TUES AFTERNOON. 2) FAILURE: SAT 9/17/2005, I LEFT HOME WITH 2 CHILDREN IN THE NEW VOLVO S80 CAR TO GO SHOPPING. ONE CHILD WAS IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT AND THE OTHER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE BACK SEAT. AFTER TURNING ON ANOTHER SIDE STREET, THE CAR WENT TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A MAILBOX. THE ARM (CONTROL ARM) ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS SPLIT BROKE OFF. THE CAR HAD DAMAGE FROM THE MAILBOX TO THE HEADLIGHTS, HOOD, AND SIDE PANEL. THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS NO LONGER IN THE CORRECT POSITION BUT PUSHED TOWARD THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND TOWED BY VOLVO SERVICE TO SAM SWOPE AUTO COLLISION CENTER. 3) MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS INSPECTED THE DAMAGE. THE VOLVO FIELD TECH SPECIALIST (FTS) INSPECTED THE CAR ON THURS 9/22. NO INFORMATION HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM VOLVO. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10137856

Official recalls

5

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.

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.

06V375000 · Equipment:other:labels

Oct 3, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE LABEL DENOTING THE TIRE AND LOADING PRESSURE INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A MISPRINTED LABEL WOULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL THE CORRECT LABELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

05V529000 · Electrical System:starter Assembly:solenoid

Nov 17, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE FACTORY ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION, THE B+TERMINAL MAY BE IN CONFLICT WITH THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE B+TERMINAL AND THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID MAY DEVELOP INTO A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE BATTERY CABLE TO GROUND.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SMOKE MAY APPEAR FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND IT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE CAR. IF THE SHORT CIRCUIT HAPPENS DURING DRIVING, ELECTRICAL POWER COULD BE LOST RESULTING IN THE WARNING LAMPS BEING DEACTIVATED. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INCREASE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE B+TERMINAL AND THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID BY ADJUSTING THE TERMINAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2006. 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.