2008 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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 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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
Front subframe has multiple holes due to excessive engine heat. The front subframe rots prematurely and causes paint to flake off so rust forms.
Sub frame cracking due to rust.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
BRAKE SYSTEM VACUUM PUMP FAILED, FOUND LEAKING ENGINE OIL INTO THE PUMP HOUSING. *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 .