2003 Volvo S80 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Volvo S80, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system827.6%
- Electrical413.8%
- Brakes413.8%
- Airbags310.3%
- Exterior lighting310.3%
- Driver assistance26.9%
- Transmission13.4%
- Powertrain (other)13.4%
- Steering13.4%
- Suspension13.4%
- Engine13.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
In Tank Fuel Pump, problem was leaking at top of pump @ the inlet at the outlet & return valve, crack in the plastic mold. Was giving off fumes, totally unhealthy and waitin for someone to light up a cigarette for a total car explosion and death for all occupants. I have replaced the pump myself. Local Dealer wanted 1100 plus to replace out of my budget This in my view it should have been done by recall, local Jim Volvo of Portland, Oregon said no, out of warranty period. I disagree, If unrepaired, I would have been risking me and my family or occupants in the vehicle at the time. There are still many of these cars and other models & years that I found my research on the web that has had this same problem. I have a 1998 Volvo s70 that appears to be developing the same issue. I had come to like my 2003 S80, it will be my last Volvo My cost so far About $150, and 1st pump I installed was defective, had to start over [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Within a week of purchasing the vehicle from a dealer, I discovered that the fuel tank has a leak, so its currently unsafe to drive. I found out about the leak when I brought it to an independent mechanic for service. I see that other vehicles of this model and year had been recalled for fuel leaks, so I wanted to report the issue.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 VOLVO S80. WHILE PARKED, THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.
TAKATA RECALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 2 MONTHS AGO. WITHOUT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS NOT WORKING, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I CAN NOT SEE HOW MANY MPH I AM GOING, AND CAN'T TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. ALSO AT NIGHT, IT IS COMPLETELY BLACK IN THE DASHBOARD AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. THIS HAPPENS DAY AND NIGHT. IT HAPPENED AS SOON AS I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. I CALLED THE DEALER, AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO TAKE CARE OF IT. I PURCHASED THE CAR AT MICHELE MOTORS, LOCATED ON RT.88, BRICK, NJ.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I KEEP GETTING ABS MODULE FAILURE ON VOLVO S80; EVERY TIME WE TAKE OUR CAR TO VOLVO DEALER, THEY COME UP WITH SOME MODULE FAILURE DIAGNOSIS. SEEMS LIKE A VOLVO GENERIC ISSUE WITH ABS MODULE FAILURE MESSAGE. WE HAVE TRIED CONTACTING VOLVO ABOUT THIS AND THEY REALLY DID NOT HELP US. THEY HAVE ASKED ME TO TALK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL VOLVO DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER SERVICE MANAGER HAS TOLD US THAT THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL VOLVO AND ASKED TO GET RID OF OUR CAR. PLEASE HELP. *TR
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEEL. CONSUMER SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE AND THEN REVERSE AND THE LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AGAIN. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
See attached document for complaint
The contact owns a 2003 Volvo S80. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V766000 (Air Bags). The dealer had been notified about the recall and an appointment was made for the recall repair. The contact then received a call that the appointment was cancelled due to parts not yet being available. The manufacturer was also notified of the recall and also stated that parts were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 2 MONTHS AGO. WITHOUT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS NOT WORKING, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I CAN NOT SEE HOW MANY MPH I AM GOING, AND CAN'T TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. ALSO AT NIGHT, IT IS COMPLETELY BLACK IN THE DASHBOARD AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. THIS HAPPENS DAY AND NIGHT. IT HAPPENED AS SOON AS I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. I CALLED THE DEALER, AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO TAKE CARE OF IT. I PURCHASED THE CAR AT MICHELE MOTORS, LOCATED ON RT.88, BRICK, NJ.
I HAVE A 2003 VOLVO AND TWICE I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT LENS ON THE HEAD :LIGHT REPLACED, NOT BECAUSE IT WAS DAMAGED BY AN ACCIDENT BUT BECAUSE WHEN WATER HITS IT THE LENS CRACKS ( IT HAPPENS WHEN THE AUTO HAS BEEN RUNNING OR SITTING OUT OUTSIDE ) I BELIEVE THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THE LENS . THIS IS NOT A CHEAP EXPENSE, I HAVE PAID OVER $500.00 EACH TIME I HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE VOLVO DEALER I GO TO DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE TO INVESTIGATE THIS, BUT I AM GETTING TIRED OF PAYING FOR SOMETHING THAT IS NOT MY FAULT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN REDUCTION IN ACCELERATION. THE ENGINE RPMS RACED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
2000 VOLVO S80--THE AUTOMATICE STABILIZING SYSTEM AND ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. OUR MECHANIC (VOLVO EXPERT, BUT NOT EMPLOYED BY A DEALERSHIP) SAYS THIS IS A COMMON FAULT IN THE S-80S WHEN THEY REACH 50,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP IS CLAIMING IT IS A $1000 REPAIR--BECAUSE THE CAR HAS 60,000 MILES AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SUBSTANTIAL SOFTWARE CONTROL DESIGN PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING AND IS QUITE DANGEROUS UNLESS IT IS REPAIRED PROPERLY.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
2003 VOLVO S80 T6 - GM TRANSMISSION NOTICED TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ODDLY BUT NO CODES. CODES CAME AFTER CLIMBING HILL, TOOK TO VOLVO DEALER. CODE (DTC) 0053 PRESSURE SWITCH LOCK UP. VOLVO SAYS REPLACE TRANSMISSION. SOFTWARE UPGRADED - DID NOT FIX. DECLINED. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ODDLY, CAR REV'S AND WON'T SHIFT WHERE IT NEEDS TO CAUSING TROUBLE WITH ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. THERE IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH VOLVO'S EARLY 90'S GM TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The lovely GM transmission suddenly decided to not shift while going uphill. Pushing the accelerator just made the RPMs go up and up while the car did nothing. Then a warning light. Transmission service Then limp mode. And all I could do literally was go 5 mph then. It occurred as I was turning at a light. I did call my local volvo dealer who kind of laughed about the price of a new transmission and told me that was all I could do.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING LEFT, THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE LIKE METAL RUBBING TOGETHER COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BELTS, HOSES AND A TUBE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
AN S80, 2003 NEW, LOST THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WHEN THE BALL JOINT FAILED AT 27,000 MILES. VOVLVO REPLACED THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT BALL JOINTS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAID THIS HAPPENS SOMETIMES. HAD WE NOT BEEN ON A LOCAL ROAD TRAVELLING 20 MPH THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS INJURY. THE STEERING PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE 3/05. THE VOVLO DEALERSHIP SAID, IN MARCH OF 2005 THE STEERING PROBLEM WAS DO TO A LOOSE HOSE CONNECTION WHICH THEY CORRECTED. THE CAR CONTINUED TO STEER, FROM TIME TO TIME, LIKE IT WAS PLANING. CROWN VOLVO OF CHAPEL HILL NC IS THE DEALER. THEY HAVE OFFERED TO TAKE OVER THE LAST TWO LEASE PAYMENTS IF I BUY A NEW VOLVO. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEEL. CONSUMER SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE AND THEN REVERSE AND THE LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AGAIN. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .