RoadVitals

2008 Volvo S80 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
25
Latest Jul 3, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 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 system721.9%
  • Electrical412.5%
  • Visibility412.5%
  • Seat belts412.5%
  • Engine39.4%
  • Body & structure39.4%
  • Airbags26.3%
  • Driver assistance26.3%
  • Suspension13.1%
  • Tires & wheels13.1%
  • Brakes13.1%

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.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I bought this car from elderly people. After I bought it and drove, there's lots of thing not according to safety standard? I asked them (seller) but they don't have any answer, due to their age. So, since last Tuesday, I am driving as it is. Hardly I put 250 miles so far. There's belt sign, Air bag sign, and Low tire air sign. All signs are showing in my dashboard and stays as long as car is on. So, I am scared to death to drive this car, car itself in a mint condition and it's got only 131K miles. Still there's is more life left on this car. I am also senior citizen and retired person. So, I need help to get these fixed asap please.

NHTSA ID 11671194 · filed Jul 3, 2025

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO S80. WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN EXTREMELY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTING INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INSPECTION STATION AND PASSED THE INSPECTION, BUT THE MECHANIC ALSO INDICATED TO CHECK THE FUEL SYSTEM DUE TO A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE BE SERVICED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID 11063128 · filed Jan 16, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1. IN FEBRUARY 2017, WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, ALTERNATOR FAILED, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED 2. IN AUGUST 2017, WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET, MESSAGE DISPLAYED ALERTING ON ENGINE OVERHEAT -- SLOW DOWN SPEED - THEN STOP IMMEDIATELY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. ON DIAGNOSTICS, WAS ESTABLISHED THAT ONLY ONE FAN WAS WORKING ON THE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY CAUSING OVERHEAT. 3. WHILE AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS OF THE COOLING FAN, DIAGNOSTICS ESTABLISHED THE FOLLOWING: - CODE ECM-PO19000: WAS RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR FIRST (IF SAME CODE COMES BACK IN THE FUTURE, A FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT WAS RECOMMENDED) - TAG LIGHT BULBS REGULARLY GO OUT - NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE IS CORRODED; REPLACEMENT NEEDED - POWER STEERING LINE LEAKING FROM RACK TO COOLER, REPLACEMENT NEEDED; RESERVOIR REPLACEMENT NEEDED -- HAS INTERNAL FILTER - POWER STEERING FLUID IS WHITE-CONTAMINATED - REPLACE NEEDED FOR THE FRONT STRUTS, MOUNTS, AND SUPPORT PLATES: STRUTS LEAKING

NHTSA ID 11018754 · filed Aug 21, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE AIR CONDITIONING PERFORMANCE REDUCED WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE, THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FAN CONTROL MODULE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V218000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THIS RECALL PRIOR TO THE REPAIR BEING PERFORMED. THE FAILURES RECURRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID 10621542 · filed Aug 11, 2014

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SUN ROOF FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,310.

NHTSA ID 10872983 · filed Jun 7, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS WATER LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE SUNROOF. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS WATER DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND REAR FLOORBOARDS AND MOLD WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. ..UPDATED 08-25-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED VOLVO ADVISED THEY WOULD NEED TO REMOVE THE INTERIOR TO FULLY CLEAN AND DRY IT. THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 09/2/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID 10614582 · filed Jul 18, 2014

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I bought this car from elderly people. After I bought it and drove, there's lots of thing not according to safety standard? I asked them (seller) but they don't have any answer, due to their age. So, since last Tuesday, I am driving as it is. Hardly I put 250 miles so far. There's belt sign, Air bag sign, and Low tire air sign. All signs are showing in my dashboard and stays as long as car is on. So, I am scared to death to drive this car, car itself in a mint condition and it's got only 131K miles. Still there's is more life left on this car. I am also senior citizen and retired person. So, I need help to get these fixed asap please.

NHTSA ID 11671194 · filed Jul 3, 2025

AFTER STARTING MY CAR I TRIED TO PUT ON MY SEAT BELT BUT IT WOULD NOT EXTEND OUT SO I COULD NOT PUT IT ON. THIS HAPPENED LAST NIGHT AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS TODAY.

NHTSA ID 11099971 · filed Jun 5, 2018

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1. IN FEBRUARY 2017, WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, ALTERNATOR FAILED, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED 2. IN AUGUST 2017, WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET, MESSAGE DISPLAYED ALERTING ON ENGINE OVERHEAT -- SLOW DOWN SPEED - THEN STOP IMMEDIATELY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. ON DIAGNOSTICS, WAS ESTABLISHED THAT ONLY ONE FAN WAS WORKING ON THE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY CAUSING OVERHEAT. 3. WHILE AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS OF THE COOLING FAN, DIAGNOSTICS ESTABLISHED THE FOLLOWING: - CODE ECM-PO19000: WAS RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR FIRST (IF SAME CODE COMES BACK IN THE FUTURE, A FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT WAS RECOMMENDED) - TAG LIGHT BULBS REGULARLY GO OUT - NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE IS CORRODED; REPLACEMENT NEEDED - POWER STEERING LINE LEAKING FROM RACK TO COOLER, REPLACEMENT NEEDED; RESERVOIR REPLACEMENT NEEDED -- HAS INTERNAL FILTER - POWER STEERING FLUID IS WHITE-CONTAMINATED - REPLACE NEEDED FOR THE FRONT STRUTS, MOUNTS, AND SUPPORT PLATES: STRUTS LEAKING

NHTSA ID 11018754 · filed Aug 21, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE AIR CONDITIONING PERFORMANCE REDUCED WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE, THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FAN CONTROL MODULE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V218000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THIS RECALL PRIOR TO THE REPAIR BEING PERFORMED. THE FAILURES RECURRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID 10621542 · filed Aug 11, 2014

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Front subframe has multiple holes due to excessive engine heat. The front subframe rots prematurely and causes paint to flake off so rust forms.

NHTSA ID 11460775 · filed Apr 14, 2022

Sub frame cracking due to rust.

NHTSA ID 11454606 · filed Mar 1, 2022

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I bought this car from elderly people. After I bought it and drove, there's lots of thing not according to safety standard? I asked them (seller) but they don't have any answer, due to their age. So, since last Tuesday, I am driving as it is. Hardly I put 250 miles so far. There's belt sign, Air bag sign, and Low tire air sign. All signs are showing in my dashboard and stays as long as car is on. So, I am scared to death to drive this car, car itself in a mint condition and it's got only 131K miles. Still there's is more life left on this car. I am also senior citizen and retired person. So, I need help to get these fixed asap please.

NHTSA ID 11671194 · filed Jul 3, 2025

2005 VOLVO S80 WAS STRUCK ON PASSENGER DOOR. THERE WAS NO ONE SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. WHEN CAR WAS HIT, DRIVER'S HEAD HIT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. *TR

NHTSA ID 10219980 · filed Mar 3, 2008

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE FROM THE DRIVING LANE OF A PARKING LOT, MY VOLVO HAD A SURGE OF POWER THAT COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED/STOPPED BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. I WAS BARELY IN MOTION WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN WE (MY MOTHER, SISTER, AND I) HEARD THE ENGINE ROAR AND THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND WENT OVER A WHEEL STOP SO I THEN STARTED PUMPING THE BRAKE. THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED MOVING ONCE IT HIT A PIPE BOLLARD BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OFF, MY ELECTRICAL WENT HAYWIRE AND I COULD NOT GET THE CAR IN PARK TO REMOVE THE KEY. UPON IMPACT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD MY MOTHER IN PLACE AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS CAR WHICH WAS IN PRISTINE CONDITION BUT NOW WRECKED. I HAVE ALL THE SERVICE RECORDS FOR THIS CAR AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WITH THE FOLLOWING ITEMS; FAULTY COOLING FAN MODULE, ENGINE RUNNING HOT, FAULTY BATTERY CELL, FAULTY SCU MODULE, FAULTY STARTER, FAULTY MAP SENSOR, FAULTY OIL LEVEL SENSOR, FAULTY POWER STEERING RACK,FAULTY FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR, FAILING LAMP SOCKET, FAULTY SCHRAEDER VALVES, FAULTY ALTERNATOR AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR, AND A FAULTY AC COMPRESSOR.

NHTSA ID 11062721 · filed Jan 14, 2018

WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE FROM THE LANE OF A PARKING LOT, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, MY VOLVO S80 ACCELERATED SO POWERFULLY IT COULD BE HEARD YARDS AWAY. I APPLIED THE BRAKE HARDER BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP AND SURGED OVER A WHEEL STOP, IT WAS STILL SURGING SO I STARTED PUMPING THE BRAKE, THE CAR FINALLY CRASHED INTO A PIPE BOLLARD BRINGING IT TO A STOP, THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN OFF, THE ELECTRICAL WAS GOING HAYWIRE AND I COULD NOT GET THE CAR INTO PARK TO REMOVE THE KEY. UPON IMPACT THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD MY MOTHER INTO PLACE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 2008 VOLVO S80 AWD WITH 58K MILES ON IT IN PRISTINE CONDITION. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WITH THE COOLING FAN MODULE, ENGINE RUNNING HOT, THE SCU MODULE, MAP SENSOR, A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR, FAULTY SCHRAEDER VALVES, FAULTY ALTERNATOR AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR, FAULTY AC COMPRESSOR BUT NEVER A POWER SURGE TO THIS EXTREME.

NHTSA ID 11062718 · filed Jan 14, 2018

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The subframe is rotting prematurely and this issue is only present on the v8 equipped models. Cars in very good shape but the subframe is almost rotted totally through above the exhaust. Due to the poor layout of the exhaust which causes the paint on the welds to flake off and then the subframe begins to rust from the inside out.

NHTSA ID 11436848 · filed Oct 14, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TIRE PRESSURE CHECK SIGNAL COMES ON VERY OFTEN - SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO DEALER OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS - ALWAYS TOLD THAT'S IT MY PROBLEM. CHECKING YOUR WEBSITE IT APPEARS TO BE A RECALL BY THE FACTORY ON THEIR OWN - INCORRECT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10370714 · filed Dec 15, 2010

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

BRAKE SYSTEM VACUUM PUMP FAILED, FOUND LEAKING ENGINE OIL INTO THE PUMP HOUSING. *TR

NHTSA ID 10450535 · filed Mar 6, 2012

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

Data on this page last refreshed .