RoadVitals

2009 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.
16
Latest Aug 17, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
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.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 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

  • Other / unspecified420.0%
  • Body & structure420.0%
  • Tires & wheels315.0%
  • Seat belts210.0%
  • Electrical210.0%
  • Interior & seats15.0%
  • Engine15.0%
  • Driver assistance15.0%
  • Exterior lighting15.0%
  • Fuel system15.0%

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

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ALUMINUM NUTS ON THE VALVE STEMS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATE AND FALL APART CAUSING TIRES TO GO FLAT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS (TWO TIRES) WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY WITHOUT INCIDENT. ALL 4 VALVE STEMS WERE INSPECTED

NHTSA ID 10980879 · filed Apr 26, 2017

DURING THE SPRING OF 2013, MY 2009 CPO VOLVO S80 EXPERIENCED TWO FLAT TIRES WITHIN ONE WEEK DUE TO FAULTY HEX NUTS (I.E., HEX NUTS BROKE OFF CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE) THAT HOLD THE TIRE VALVE STEM TO THE WHEEL (VOLVO INCIDENT #130404-000103). VOLVO RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE TIRE AND ALL FOURS HEX NUTS AS A THIRD HEX NUT WAS VISIBLY CRACKED AND THE NEXT LIKELY CULPRIT OF A FUTURE FLAT TIRE. HOWEVER, ON JULY 25, 2015 ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER, I FOUND MYSELF ONCE AGAIN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, WHEN THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN STATING, TIRE NEEDS AIR NOW. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE CAR OVER ON THE SHOULDER AND INSPECTED THE TIRES WHEN I NOTICED THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS FLAT DUE TO A BROKEN HEX NUT. WHILE I APPRECIATE THE OVERALL SAFETY FEATURES VOLVO CARS PROVIDE, THEY ARE FULLY NEGATED BY THE FAULTY HEX NUT. THERE IS NO GOOD IN HAVING ONE OF THE SAFEST AND RELIABLE CARS IF YOU CANT EVEN DRIVE IT UNLESS YOU WANT TO RISK BEING IN A CRASH. I THINK ITS SAFE TO ASSUME THAT MOST PEOPLE, WHO BUY A VOLVO, BUY IT FOR SAFETY AND NOT TO EXPERIENCE RECKLESS DRIVING AS A RESULT OF FAULTY PARTS. THIS PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED THE FIRST TIME AROUND. HOPEFULLY, APPROPRIATE ACTION IS TAKEN TO SUCCESSFULLY RECALL AND REMEDIATE THESE FAULTY HEX NUTS TO AVOID ANY UNNECESSARY CAR ACCIDENTS WITH OTHER VOLVO VEHICLES WITH THIS PART.

NHTSA ID 10743723 · filed Jul 27, 2015

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SEVERE SUBFRAME RUST DUE TO THE EXHAUST ON VOLVO S80 V8 BEING TOO CLOSE AND MELTING THE PAINT OFF. CAR IS VERY CLEAN AND WE'LL TAKEN CARE OF. APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE V8 S80S.

NHTSA ID 11407345 · filed Apr 10, 2021

MY CAR IS EXTREMELY CLEAN AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF. BUT JUST LIKE EVERY SINGLE VOLVO S80, SPECIFICALLY THE V8 MODEL THERE IS A RUST HOLE IN THE SUBFRAME. THIS IS BECAUSE VOLVO PUT THE EXHAUST TOO CLOSE TO THE SUBFRAME AND THE HEAT FROM THE V8 EATS AWAY THE PAINT AND CAUSES IT TO RUST.

NHTSA ID 11361376 · filed Sep 27, 2020

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS PRESSURE IN THE TIRES BASED ON THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V335000 (WHEELS); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,500.

NHTSA ID 10780571 · filed Oct 7, 2015

VALVE STEM LOCKING NUT CORRODED ON LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND SEPARATED FROM STEM. THE STEM ACTUALLY FELL INSIDE THE WHEEL CAUSING A BLOW OUT. NO INJURIES, BUT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEFECT HAPPENED AT 45 MONTHS, AND 51,000 MILES. SUBSEQUENTLY ALL STEMS AND SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED PRIOR TO 48 MONTHS. PER THE TIRE DEALER AND GRUDGINGLY BY VOLVO, THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON FOR THAT VINTAGE OF STEM AND SENSOR. VOLVO DID NOT HONOR WARRANTY BECAUSE THE FAILURE HAPPENED 1000 MILES OUTSIDE OF MILEAGE WARRANTY BUT INSIDE THE 48 MONTH TIMEFRAME, VERY POOR SERVICE FROM A COMPANY THAT IS SUPPOSEDLY KNOWN FOR SAFETY. I FIND IT IRONIC THAT A MANDATED SAFETY FEATURE BARELY LASTS THROUGH THE WARRANTY PERIOD, AND THE FAILURE MODE CAUSES THE PROBLEM IT WAS "DESIGNED" TO PREVENT. REPLACING THE SENSORS COST ABOUT $150 EACH, OR AT LEAST $600 FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10510891 · filed May 7, 2013

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

For the last several years I’ve been complaining about my TPMS ALWAYS reflecting a “Low Tire Pressure “ response. Recently I went in for a oil change but indicated the my tire pressure light was on again. I take the Volvo to a shop I trust. Global AutoWorks in GrandHaven. They took care of my previous owned BMW without any issues. I put in Volvo S80’s recall site and found that there was a recall on 10/07/2010. The vehicle was a private purchase made in January 8, 2018 from the original owner. Upon purchase I made the decision to put new tires on the vehicle to see if that would fix the problem. $1200.00 later and the problem was not resolved. I do not feel that I should pay for safety issue that the company knew about. I spoke to the previous owner and she did not receive a letter from Volvo. The Volvo is in very good condition with low mileage for a 14 year old car. 69,815. Second issue: Seat belt issue. Reason for recall: Volvo car investigations have identified a problem regarding the front seat fastening. All I can tell you if I lean forward abruptly the seat belt will not tighten or secure itself. Recall R10029 Again we have safety issue. I would like Volvo to fix both issues At Their Expense not mine. Both owners have maintained this vehicle in beautiful condition and these issues were not the result of the owners.They are Volvos issues. I would greatly appreciate someone at Volvo looking into these issues and bringing forward a resolution.

NHTSA ID 11520072 · filed May 2, 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the seat belt assembly to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V378000 (Seat Belts) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.

NHTSA ID 11463236 · filed May 3, 2022

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The headlight system malfunctioned. It is available for inspection upon request. The low beam failure error occurred, which led to an inspection of the headlight system. The wiring inside the headlight assembly failed. The insulation on bulb wires is crumbling everywhere and causing short circuits from exposed wire conductors. This causes a safety issue because the bulbs stop functioning, impairing visibility of the car, visibility of the road, and disabling motion intent lights like the turn signals. Bare wires touching can also lead to overheating and fires or failures of the headlight electrical system. Humidity may damage the exposed wires and cause bulb failure or wire overheating. The wiring harnesses may also overheat. The wire insulation problem was confirmed by an independent service center on multiple cars of this model.

NHTSA ID 11681205 · filed Aug 17, 2025

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V343000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 6/8/15*CN

NHTSA ID 10701092 · filed Mar 23, 2015

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

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT BEGAN TO CRACK AND PEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE SEAT WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE YEAR LATER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THEY WANTED TO DYE THE SEAT. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING FURTHER THEY COULD DO TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. VOLVO STATED IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. UPDATED 10/04/12 UPDATED 10/05/12

NHTSA ID 10464337 · filed Jul 5, 2012

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN FAILED AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING FAN WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IN 2009 THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V2180000 (ENGINE, AND ENGINE COOLING) FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID 10891684 · filed Jul 29, 2016

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

At night, when a direct strong light (headlight) from behind shines on the car, the BLIS system stop working. The only way to reset the system is to stop and restart the car, instead of turning the system button OFF and then back ON. This is unsafe since when you are on the highway, it is unsafe to do so. A simple fix is a software update that will RESET the system when you turn it OFF and then ON again

NHTSA ID 11470743 · filed Jun 23, 2022

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The headlight system malfunctioned. It is available for inspection upon request. The low beam failure error occurred, which led to an inspection of the headlight system. The wiring inside the headlight assembly failed. The insulation on bulb wires is crumbling everywhere and causing short circuits from exposed wire conductors. This causes a safety issue because the bulbs stop functioning, impairing visibility of the car, visibility of the road, and disabling motion intent lights like the turn signals. Bare wires touching can also lead to overheating and fires or failures of the headlight electrical system. Humidity may damage the exposed wires and cause bulb failure or wire overheating. The wiring harnesses may also overheat. The wire insulation problem was confirmed by an independent service center on multiple cars of this model.

NHTSA ID 11681205 · filed Aug 17, 2025

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V343000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 6/8/15*CN

NHTSA ID 10701092 · filed Mar 23, 2015

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 .