2006 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 2006 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
- Electrical313.6%
- Engine313.6%
- Driver assistance313.6%
- Brakes29.1%
- Suspension29.1%
- Seat belts29.1%
- Airbags29.1%
- Visibility14.5%
- Body & structure14.5%
- Fuel system14.5%
- Exterior lighting14.5%
- Powertrain (other)14.5%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WITHOUT PRECEDING EVENT, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS MONITORING THE CAR-CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, GAS GAUGE, VEHICLE RANGE, TIRE PRESSURE ETC HAVE CEASED TO FUNCTION. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED.
FIRST THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS COULD NOT BE DIMMED AND CONSTANTLY REMAINED ON CREATING PROBLEMS FOR ONCOMING DRIVERS. NEXT THE HIGH BEAMS COULD NOT BE TURNED ON CREATING VISIBILITY ISSUES WHEN DRIVING THE CAR. THE COMPONENT THAT FAILED IS THE CENTRAL ELECTRONIC MODULE ( CEM ) . WHEN THE CEM FAILED IT ALSO BURNED OUT THE TURN SIGNAL BOARD. BOTH THE CEM AND THE TURN SIGNAL BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH NEW UNITS. *TR
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
2006 VOLVO S80 . CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY VEHICLE REPAIRS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE FRONT BRAKES, PADS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAD AIR BAG PROBLEMS AND IT OVER HEATED.
2006 VOLVO S80. CONSUMER STATES DRIVER SEAT SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD STICK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE IMMEDIATELY. *TGW ALSO, THE RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT DUE TO A LEAK. *JB
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 2006 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO EXCEED 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER IN BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ACCELERATOR SENSOR-DIGITAL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
WHEN DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SLAMS / BUCKS FOR 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AT THE 20 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR. THE TRANSMISSION REVS AND THEN BANG?S INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND COMING TO A STOP, YOU CAN FEEL IT BUCKING / JOLT (AS IF IT WAS SLIPPING) AS I APPLY THE BRAKE. I HAD REPORTED THIS TO THE VOLVO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAID THAT NOTHING CAME UP ON THE CODES OR DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED TOO IN APRIL 2013 AND IT RAN GOOD FOR ABOUT 12 MONTHS AND THAT BACK TO SAME SYMPTOMS / ISSUES. I ALSO BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN AROUND AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 TIME FRAME TO HAVE THE SOFTWARE UPDATED AND EXPLAINED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEM AND AGAIN NO FAULT CODES. MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT COULD BE A HAZARD IF TRYING TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY OR TRYING TO STOP QUICKLY AND IT DOES NOT RESPOND AS IT SHOULD AND AN ACCIDENT OCCURS, AND A POSSIBLE FATALITY COULD RESULT. I ALSO DID SPEAK WITH VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICES AND REGISTER A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST VOLVO, I HAVE OWNED VOLVOS SINCE 1988. PLEASE ADVISE OF FINDINGS AND RESOLUTION. *TR
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
on Tuesday 11/19/2024 i went to my car and saw that a lot of fluid had leaked out of it. i went to start my car and when the car came on the gas tank was empty, but i had just filled the tank up the day before and parked it. on monday the 11/18/2024 i had put gas in the tank. so on tuesday when i had to go to the store i was pretty confused that the tank was low. this same thing had happened one time before but it never occurred that there was any kind of leak. but for an entire tank of gas to spill out is extremely concerning
2006 VOLVO S80 . CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY VEHICLE REPAIRS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE FRONT BRAKES, PADS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAD AIR BAG PROBLEMS AND IT OVER HEATED.
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
on Tuesday 11/19/2024 i went to my car and saw that a lot of fluid had leaked out of it. i went to start my car and when the car came on the gas tank was empty, but i had just filled the tank up the day before and parked it. on monday the 11/18/2024 i had put gas in the tank. so on tuesday when i had to go to the store i was pretty confused that the tank was low. this same thing had happened one time before but it never occurred that there was any kind of leak. but for an entire tank of gas to spill out is extremely concerning
2006 VOLVO S80 . CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY VEHICLE REPAIRS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE FRONT BRAKES, PADS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAD AIR BAG PROBLEMS AND IT OVER HEATED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
2006 VOLVO S80. CONSUMER STATES DRIVER SEAT SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD STICK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE IMMEDIATELY. *TGW ALSO, THE RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT DUE TO A LEAK. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN DEPRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RELEASE THE CONTACT. THE SEAT BELT WOULD RELEASE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.
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
SAFETY RECALL R10125 for this vehicle has not been performed as of this date; received Safety Recall Notice letter from Volvo Car USA LLC 29 NOV 2021; have contacted dealer once immediately upon receipt of letter; Volvo Corporation 4 to 6 times telephonic and email with the last response (Volvo is looking into it) on 15 DEC 2022 upon which I have again responded with an email for a status check. My perception is that this VIN number has a three spoke steering wheel which would have to be manufactured (not four and requires different airbag) and that is not going to happen (last unoffical response from Volvo dealer in Jan 2022). Request assitance from NHTSA. Phone no is 5302647381 home or 7573282950 I could not find a way to report this failure to perform safety recall on your website
2006 VOLVO S80 . CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY VEHICLE REPAIRS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE FRONT BRAKES, PADS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAD AIR BAG PROBLEMS AND IT OVER HEATED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF AIR ENTERING THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT EXTERIOR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL, THE WINDSHIELD, AND THE ROOF WERE BECOMING DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,808.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF AIR ENTERING THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT EXTERIOR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL, THE WINDSHIELD, AND THE ROOF WERE BECOMING DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,808.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
on Tuesday 11/19/2024 i went to my car and saw that a lot of fluid had leaked out of it. i went to start my car and when the car came on the gas tank was empty, but i had just filled the tank up the day before and parked it. on monday the 11/18/2024 i had put gas in the tank. so on tuesday when i had to go to the store i was pretty confused that the tank was low. this same thing had happened one time before but it never occurred that there was any kind of leak. but for an entire tank of gas to spill out is extremely concerning
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
FIRST THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS COULD NOT BE DIMMED AND CONSTANTLY REMAINED ON CREATING PROBLEMS FOR ONCOMING DRIVERS. NEXT THE HIGH BEAMS COULD NOT BE TURNED ON CREATING VISIBILITY ISSUES WHEN DRIVING THE CAR. THE COMPONENT THAT FAILED IS THE CENTRAL ELECTRONIC MODULE ( CEM ) . WHEN THE CEM FAILED IT ALSO BURNED OUT THE TURN SIGNAL BOARD. BOTH THE CEM AND THE TURN SIGNAL BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH NEW UNITS. *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
WHEN DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SLAMS / BUCKS FOR 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AT THE 20 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR. THE TRANSMISSION REVS AND THEN BANG?S INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND COMING TO A STOP, YOU CAN FEEL IT BUCKING / JOLT (AS IF IT WAS SLIPPING) AS I APPLY THE BRAKE. I HAD REPORTED THIS TO THE VOLVO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAID THAT NOTHING CAME UP ON THE CODES OR DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED TOO IN APRIL 2013 AND IT RAN GOOD FOR ABOUT 12 MONTHS AND THAT BACK TO SAME SYMPTOMS / ISSUES. I ALSO BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN AROUND AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 TIME FRAME TO HAVE THE SOFTWARE UPDATED AND EXPLAINED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEM AND AGAIN NO FAULT CODES. MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT COULD BE A HAZARD IF TRYING TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY OR TRYING TO STOP QUICKLY AND IT DOES NOT RESPOND AS IT SHOULD AND AN ACCIDENT OCCURS, AND A POSSIBLE FATALITY COULD RESULT. I ALSO DID SPEAK WITH VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICES AND REGISTER A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST VOLVO, I HAVE OWNED VOLVOS SINCE 1988. PLEASE ADVISE OF FINDINGS AND RESOLUTION. *TR
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 .