RoadVitals

1999 Volvo S80 Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Nov 9, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 199 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Volvo S80 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Nov 9, 2020

THERES A RECENT RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS OF THE 1999 S80 VOLVO THAT WE NEED OUR AIRBAGS REPLACED BECAUSE ITS A HAZARD THAT CAN LEAD UP TO DEATH. ALSO THE ELECTRICITY KEEPS ZAPPING DOWN FROM THE CAR CREATING NO STARTS OR VERY POOR DRIVING, I ALMOST WAS STRANDED BECAUSE THE CAR SEEMS LIKE IT WANTED TO SHUT DOWN ONE NIGHT I WAS GETTING OFF WORK, I HIT FULL GAS AND IT ONLY GAVE ME 3 MPH AND ALSO WHEN I MADE A RIGHT TURN ONE NIGHT FROM WORK I FEEL THE WHEEL FEEL LIKE ITS COMING APART FROM THE INSIDE OR LOOSENING I DONT KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT IT FEELS AND SOUNDS ROUGH

NHTSA ID
11373728
Incident
Oct 2, 2020
Mileage
128,855 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 15, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

NHTSA ID
10610714
Incident
Jul 8, 2014
Mileage
153,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 2, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING, SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR AN UNKNOWN RECALL THAT WAS MENTIONED ON TELEVISION. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ID
10416712
Incident
Feb 14, 2004
Mileage
107,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+3 more
Filed Dec 11, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND THE ABS AND ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TROLLIS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY STATED THAT THE CENTRAL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 1/8/09 *CN THE BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE HEATING SYSTEM, THROTTLE SYSTEMS, ENGINE COOLING FAN AND THE MASTER CYLINDER ALL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE STEERING MADE A NOISE WHEN IT WAS TURNED. THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE STEERING. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN O2 SENSOR. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE INNER TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. 01/14/09. *JB

NHTSA ID
10251514
Incident
Dec 4, 2004
Mileage
60,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 16, 2008

VARIABLE SPEED POWER STEERING. NO POWER STEERING AT -0- MILES PER HOUR. NEEDED NEW STEERING PUMP AT 70,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10231141
Incident
Dec 10, 2006
Mileage
70,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering+2 more
Filed May 22, 2006

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAUSING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN GOING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD. ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE GOING TO 700 RPMS WHEN GOING 65 MPH. THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY PROBLEMS. THE SOLENOID WENT OUT IN THE TRANSMISSION ABOUT 13000 MILES AGO. CURRENTLY I HAVE THREE DIFFERENT ERROR CODES "TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT", LOW OIL PRESSURE STOP ENGINE ASAP", AND "EMISSION SERVICE REQUIRED". I HAVE READ MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD. NM

NHTSA ID
10158043
Incident
Jan 10, 2006
Mileage
75,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 19, 2004

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 ID
10101403
Incident
Nov 19, 2004
Driver assistanceExterior lightingSteering+1 more
Filed Feb 28, 2004

VEHICLE MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYES: ABS SYSTEM FAILURE/SERVICING TRANSMISSION SYSTEM SERVICE POWER STEERING SERVICE EMISSIONS CONTROL SERVICE ALSO, THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AND A TIE ROD REPLACEMENT/FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS REQUIRED CRUISE CONTROL IS INTERMITTENT DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL INOP HEADLIGHTS COME ON WHEN NOT COMMANDED ETC. INCIDENT DATE--THROUGHOUT OWNERSHIP . *AK

NHTSA ID
10059976
Incident
Apr 1, 1999
Mileage
4,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 19, 2004

DEALERSHIP PERFORMED INSPECTION ON VEHICLE AND A NUMBER OF DEFECTS WAS SEEN. ONE PARTICULAR DEFECT WAS THE STEERING BOX. CONSUMER HAVE BEEN FROM ONE DEALER TO ANOTHER BUT NO REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN MADE. *LA THE CONSUMER WAS WAITING FOR THE STEERING RACK TO BE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE.*JB

NHTSA ID
10059473
Steering
Filed Jan 15, 2004

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND UNLOCKED THE STEERING. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR THREE MONTHS. THE MECHANIC IS WAITING FOR A STEERING ROD. . NETMET VOLVO 153-20 HILLSIDE AVE. JAMAICA NEW YORK 11432 ***************718 523 5858 TONY JOHNSON(SERVICE MANAGER). *NM

NHTSA ID
10054194
Incident
Jan 15, 2004
Steering
Filed Nov 5, 2003

RACK AND PINION WENT OUT ON VEHICLE--VOLVO SAYS PART IS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR VEHICLE, PART IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. NO ONE AT VOLVO WILL GIVE ME REASONABLE RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. TOTALLY UNCOOPERATIVE.

NHTSA ID
10045519
Incident
Oct 22, 2003
Mileage
41,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 29, 2003

1) P/S UNIT FAILED ALLOWING P/S FLUID TO RAPIDLY DRAIN OUT. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10013633
Incident
Mar 10, 2003
Mileage
54,500 mi
Body & structureEnginePowertrain (other)+2 more
Filed Apr 25, 2002

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. FRAME, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE SHAFT, STEERING, AND POWER LOCKS. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE 6 TIMES BEFORE THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN WITH 8 BULB POSITION LIGHT COMPLAINTS, 3 STEERING COMPLAINTS, 4 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON, AND THE MOST RECENT PROBLEM, THE ENGINE JUST QUITS WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THIS CAR FOR OVER 7 WEEKS THIS YEAR ALONE. I AM STUCK BETWEEN THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. VOLVO HAS RESPONDED TO MY COMPLAINT THAT I FILED WITH THE NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD BY SAY, "A VOLVO TECHNICAL SPECIALIST AND LAWRENCE VOLVO'S SERVICE TECH HAVE DRIVEN THE ESTES' 1999 VOLVO S80 IN EXCESS OF 500 MILES AND DETERMINED THAT NO NON-CONFORMITIES EXIST. IN AN EFFORT TO DEMONSTRATE THAT WE VALUE THE ESTES' AS OUR CUSTOMERS, LAWRENCE VOLVO WILL CONTACT THEM TO MAKE A VERY FAIR OFFER TO TRADE THEM INTO A NEW VEHICLE." I DON'T WANT ANOTHER VOLVO. I WANT MINE FIXED OR VOLVO CAN ADJUST THE PURCHASE PRICE OR BUY IT BACK. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CAR AND NOW FEAR EVEN MORE PROBLEMS.*AK

NHTSA ID
761186
Incident
Jan 18, 2002
Fuel systemSteering
Filed Sep 11, 2000
Fire reported

DEALER ADVISED CAR HAD A DEFECTIVE STEERING RACK, WHICH WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH ASSOCIATED "O" RINGS. ELEVEN DAYS AFTER WARRANTY WORK WAS COMPLETED, OWNER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO A "CRIMPED" O-RING. DEALER REPLACED THE O-RING AND HAS BEEN TEST DRIVING VEHICLE SINCE THEN. THE O-RING HAS CRIMPED AGAIN RECREATING THE SAME SCENARIO. OWNER IS NOW IN THE MIDDLE BETWEEN DEALER AND VOLVO POINTING FINGERS AT EACH OTHER.

NHTSA ID
731015
Incident
Aug 11, 2000
Fuel systemSteering
Filed Aug 24, 2000

WHEN VEHICLE TURNS LEFT STEERING WHEEL BINDS UP. STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT ALLOW VEHICLE TO MAKE A FULL LEFT TURN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT, VEHICLE WILL GO HALF WAY, AND CONSUMER IS FORCED TO REVERSE AND MOVE STRAIGHT. DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE PROBLEM, AND ISSUE A REMEDY. ALSO, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO FILL THE GAS TANK W/ FUEL WHEN IT WAS 3/4 OF A WAY EMPTY. GAS NOZZLE WOULD NOT PUMP THE GAS AS IF THE TANK WAS FULL. SO CONSUMER PULLED THE FUEL PUMP OUT, AND FUEL STARTED TO SQUIRT OUT ON CONSUMER, AND A PUDDLE ON THE FLOOR. *AK

NHTSA ID
868636
Incident
Aug 1, 1999
Steering
Filed Jul 11, 2000

CAR DEVELOPED A PRONOUNCED FRONT-END "SHIMMY" NOT UNLIKE WOULD BE FELT WITH AN UNBALANCED WHEEL. DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT THE TIE ROD WAS ABOUT TO FAILED.

NHTSA ID
725262
Incident
Jul 10, 2000

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .