2010 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 2010 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
- Visibility514.7%
- Body & structure411.8%
- Airbags411.8%
- Fuel system38.8%
- Electrical38.8%
- Engine38.8%
- Driver assistance25.9%
- Other / unspecified25.9%
- Brakes25.9%
- Seat belts12.9%
- Steering12.9%
- Suspension12.9%
- Tires & wheels12.9%
- Transmission12.9%
- Powertrain (other)12.9%
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
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Leaking windshield. Notice Glass loose from top of windshield.Water leaking down into car on passenger and driver side. Floors soak and wet. Unable to drive in rain car smells due to wet floors. This windshield never was changed, it is the original. This is a Safety issue. This should be a recall. Made an appointment with Volvo dealership on 5/22/2023, they confirmed the windshield leak, water coming in from the top of the windshield. Advise to reseal or replace was told glass will continue to come loose if not taken care of. The windshield can cause an injury or accident if it comes a part while I'm driving. Many volvo's owners have this defective windshield. The leak is due to poor sealing during manufacturing of the vehicle's. This issue should be on the recall list and repairs done for free. All owners who had to pay for this repair should be reimbursed.The floor rugs should also be included in the recall, because it can cause health issue like mold, which is unhealthy. Safety for your customers should always come first.
The stock oem windshield has come away from the body. This a common on-going issue with p3 volvos. My car leaks water into the cabin. It is dangerous not having a windshield glued down to the body.
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
The contact owns a 2010 Volvo S80. The contact stated that there was condensation inside the vehicle. Additionally, the contact's daughter informed the contact that there was mold on the front passenger's side seat belt. The contact stated that there was mold on the lower seal near the front passenger's side door jam. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected. The dealer informed the contact that the upper part of the windshield was detaching on the passenger's and driver's sides. The contact stated that after the dealer removed the carpet on the passenger's side, the contact noticed water inside the vehicle and the wiring was wet. The dealer determined that the windshield needed to be replaced. The dealer advised the contact to file an insurance claim for the windshield replacement and another claim for the water damages. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 89,500.
The exhaust for the car is routed within inches of the subframe which does not have a heat shield. The paint has since deteriorated and large rust holes have formed.
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
The air bag warning randomly popped up on my screen. They will not deploy if I get into a wreck. Non working air bag. I also have issues that come and go with the electrical component. Sometimes my door won't open, sometimes my seats won't move, and my license plate light is out due to something electrical. My gas tank spits gas back at me and makes weird noises sometimes.
"SRS (SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM) AIRBAG FAILURE URGENT" MESSAGE CAME ON. I TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A FAULTY (R) FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, WHICH WAS REPLACED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER THE FAULT MESSAGE RETURNED. DEALERSHIP CHECKED CODES AND INDICATED IT WAS THE SAME EXACT PART. I HAD THE PREVIOUS OWNER'S SERVICE HISTORY FOR THE CAR AND DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND ANOTHER DEALERSHIP HAD ALREADY REPLACED THE SAME SEATBELT ASSEMBLY. SO INSTEAD, THE CURRENT DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CONTROL MODULE FOR THE ENTIRE SRS SYSTEM. TWO DAYS LATER THE FAULT MESSAGE RETURNED AGAIN. THE CAR IS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE THIRD TIME NOW AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT A MONTH. THEY ARE NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, BUT SUSPECT THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR AREA. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE QUITE A BIT AND HAVE DISCOVERED A RECALL INVOLVING THE CONNECTION FOR THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL FOR MY 2010, BUT MORE TELLING IS A RECALL AFFECTING 17,000 VEHICLES ENCOMPASSING MANY MODELS MY 2012 FOR A WIRING PROBLEM WHERE THE SEAT HARNESS MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED WHEN MOVING THE SEAT. PERHAPS EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS A 2010 IT STILL COULD BE THE SAME PROBLEM SINCE NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED BETWEEN THESE MODEL YEARS. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT THE SRS SYSTEM DISABLES THE AIRBAGS WHEN THIS FAULT OCCURS SO THIS REPRESENTS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK TO ME AND MY FAMILY. *TR
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
The air bag warning randomly popped up on my screen. They will not deploy if I get into a wreck. Non working air bag. I also have issues that come and go with the electrical component. Sometimes my door won't open, sometimes my seats won't move, and my license plate light is out due to something electrical. My gas tank spits gas back at me and makes weird noises sometimes.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLVO S80. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOTICED A FUEL ODOR DUE TO A LEAKING FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FUEL LINES WERE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
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
On [XXX] I was driving from Opelika, AL to Birmingham, AL. About 20 miles from home while driving on [XXX] in the left lane, my car would not accelerate. I pushe9 it down to the floor and there was no gas, so I had to get over to the right lane while rolling to get out of danger of the traffic and large trucks. MY car has been towed three time in about 3 month in 2025. I had it towed from my work parking lot twice because it would not crank. We bought new batteries, changed out the key batteries and this last incident. We had just got the car out of the shop for a fuel pump & fuel pump control module. (see receipt). I learned there was a Safety Recall from the NHTSA. However, when I called only to learn that my car had not been recalled. Therefore, I am quite confused because the safety issue recall no 09V343000 for 2010,S80 appears to be having the same issue. the software within the Central Electronic module (CEM) is not sending the signal to the fuel pump that was just replaced to the electronic module (PEM). The missing signal to the PEM inhibits the start of the fuel pump. This was a very frightening experience having a car stop on the highway while in the fast lane. Now the fear of it happening again is quite frightening, that's why I confused as to the seriousness of this electrical system software issue is not being taken for granted on my vehicle. If it was a problem for some, why would it not be a problem for all. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The air bag warning randomly popped up on my screen. They will not deploy if I get into a wreck. Non working air bag. I also have issues that come and go with the electrical component. Sometimes my door won't open, sometimes my seats won't move, and my license plate light is out due to something electrical. My gas tank spits gas back at me and makes weird noises sometimes.
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
Car would not crank, got fuel system replaced. Week later after being parked, while driving car cut off on highway. Mechanic has vehicle and has determined the issue is Central Electronic Module. Car is 2010 Volvo S80 with active recall but vin number is not apart of recall while experiencing same problem that almost caused a major accident. Vin [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The warning, charging failure service urgent is displayed the service engine light comes on. Several mechanics have not be able to repair. The front passenger seat belt is not stable to fasten properly. The TMPS has yet another warning, inoperable
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
DRIVING ON CITY STREET AT ABOUT 30-35 MPH. AS I APPROACHED INTERSECTION I TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP AT INTERSECTION. AS I STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL, I COULD HEAR ENGINE START ACCELERATING AND CAR WOULDN'T STOP. I NOTICED TACH READING BETWEEN 4 AND 5. ALTHOUGH ENGINE WAS ACCELERATING AND VEHICLE WAS MOVING FORWARD IT WAS NOT MOVING AT EXCESSIVE SPEED. I PRESSED HARDER ON BRAKE PEDAL AND WHILE CAR SLOWED SOMEWHAT IT WOULD NOT STOP. SO I DECIDED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO STOP VEHICLE WAS TO MOVE GEAR SHIFT LEVER TO PARK AND THEN TURN OFF ENGINE. I THEN RESTARTED CAR AND IT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. MY EXPERIENCE MIGHT BE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED "SUDDEN, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION". *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT SUDDENLY STALLED AGAIN HALFWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION; THE ENGINE REVVED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,200.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was driving down the road at 60mph, and my car started to wobble a little bit. I pulled over to see if something was obviously wrong and I didn't notice anything. At this point I thought that maybe I needed a new rear shock, but when I got back on the road, the wobble was so bad that I couldn't drive 25mph. I drove about 20mph until I could get to a safe place to pull over which was only about a mile. I took the wheel off and this was the moment that I noticed the tire had swelled up to the point that it wouldn't stand upright. It just fell over. I bought the tire (Riken Raptor) brand new 11 months ago. There is still a lot of tread on the tire. I had the presence of mind to pull over as soon as I noticed something wasn't right. I fear that if I had been on an interstate highway going 70mph, then something really bad may have happened.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, BOTH FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRES EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE RIMS WERE BENT AND CAUSING THE TIRES TO BLOW. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
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
VOLVO BRAKE VACUUM PUMP IS LEAKING OIL ON THE 3.2 LITER MOTORS. VOLVO HAS FINALLY RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE WITH THIS LEAK AND HAS COME UP WITH A VOLVO BRAKE VACUUM PUMP REPAIR KIT (VOLVO 31401556 REPAIR KIT). ALONG WITH THE KNOW EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION OF THE 3.2 LITER MOTOR THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKE POWER. *TR
DRIVING ON CITY STREET AT ABOUT 30-35 MPH. AS I APPROACHED INTERSECTION I TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP AT INTERSECTION. AS I STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL, I COULD HEAR ENGINE START ACCELERATING AND CAR WOULDN'T STOP. I NOTICED TACH READING BETWEEN 4 AND 5. ALTHOUGH ENGINE WAS ACCELERATING AND VEHICLE WAS MOVING FORWARD IT WAS NOT MOVING AT EXCESSIVE SPEED. I PRESSED HARDER ON BRAKE PEDAL AND WHILE CAR SLOWED SOMEWHAT IT WOULD NOT STOP. SO I DECIDED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO STOP VEHICLE WAS TO MOVE GEAR SHIFT LEVER TO PARK AND THEN TURN OFF ENGINE. I THEN RESTARTED CAR AND IT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. MY EXPERIENCE MIGHT BE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED "SUDDEN, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION". *TR
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
"SRS (SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM) AIRBAG FAILURE URGENT" MESSAGE CAME ON. I TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A FAULTY (R) FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, WHICH WAS REPLACED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER THE FAULT MESSAGE RETURNED. DEALERSHIP CHECKED CODES AND INDICATED IT WAS THE SAME EXACT PART. I HAD THE PREVIOUS OWNER'S SERVICE HISTORY FOR THE CAR AND DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND ANOTHER DEALERSHIP HAD ALREADY REPLACED THE SAME SEATBELT ASSEMBLY. SO INSTEAD, THE CURRENT DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CONTROL MODULE FOR THE ENTIRE SRS SYSTEM. TWO DAYS LATER THE FAULT MESSAGE RETURNED AGAIN. THE CAR IS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE THIRD TIME NOW AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT A MONTH. THEY ARE NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, BUT SUSPECT THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR AREA. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE QUITE A BIT AND HAVE DISCOVERED A RECALL INVOLVING THE CONNECTION FOR THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL FOR MY 2010, BUT MORE TELLING IS A RECALL AFFECTING 17,000 VEHICLES ENCOMPASSING MANY MODELS MY 2012 FOR A WIRING PROBLEM WHERE THE SEAT HARNESS MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED WHEN MOVING THE SEAT. PERHAPS EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS A 2010 IT STILL COULD BE THE SAME PROBLEM SINCE NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED BETWEEN THESE MODEL YEARS. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT THE SRS SYSTEM DISABLES THE AIRBAGS WHEN THIS FAULT OCCURS SO THIS REPRESENTS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK TO ME AND MY FAMILY. *TR
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
I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM VOLVO OF NA REGARDING MY 2010 S-80. VOLVO SAID THEY WERE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE STEERING GEAR TO 7 YEARS FROM 5 YEARS BECAUSE "THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR INSUFFICIENT SEALING IN THE STEERING GEAR. THIS CAN LEAD TO WATER OR MOISTURE INTRUSION, RESULTING IN INTERNAL CORROSION AND OIL SEEPAGE. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LONG TERM GRADUAL INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT AND NOISE." VOLVO DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SINCE THEY DETERMINED IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND DETERMINE IF A RECALL IS NECESSARY AS A SAFETY ISSUE--IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT ANYTHING AFFECTING THE ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR WOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. THE LETTER FROM VOLVO WAS DATED DEC 17, 2010. *TR
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 CAR WAS JUST PURCHASED AT 127K MILES. THE CARFAX SHOWS 0 ACCIDENTS YET THE BALL BEARINGS IS NOW IN ITS 2ND REPLACEMENT. WHEN I TEST DROVE IT MCGRATH VOLVO STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A SAFETY CHECK, BUT THE NOISE WAS NOTICABLE BUT THE SALESMAN PULLED IT OFF AS WEAR AND TEAR. 2 DAYS INTO OWNERSHIP SUSPENSION, BEARINGS (FRONT) NEED REPLACEMENT FOR SAFETY.
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
TPS TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR COMPLETE FAILURE, TOTAL LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN RIGHT FRONT TIRE. UNIT FELL INTO THE TIRE, NORTHERN STATES SALT CORROSION. CONTINENTAL PART #PA66 GF30 OEM PART FOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TR
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
2010 VOLVO S80 TOTAL SYSTEMS FAILURE ON THE HIGHWAY. VOLVO DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER. THE COMPUTER HAD TURNED OFF THE FUEL PUMP, CAUSING ALL SYSTEMS TO FAIL. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. TWO OTHER FRIENDS WITH THE SAME MODEL VOLVO REPORT SIMILAR FAILURES. *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
MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH ORANGE LOW LEVEL OIL LIGHT COMING ON BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, IN MY 2010 VOLVO S80, FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW. ON OCCASION, THE RED LIGHT HAS APPEARED AS WELL IF I DON'T ADD OIL FOR MY WIFE. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE THAT NEITHER MY DEALER NOR CORPORATE HAVE BEEN HELPFUL WITH RESOLVING. I HAVE HAD THE "OIL CONSUMPTION TEST", BUT FRANKLY I AM TIRED OF THE RUN AROUND BECAUSE I LIVE TOO FAR TO KEEP HAVING TO PROVE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND BEING TOLD BY THE SERVICE PERSON THAT IT IS WITHIN SPEC. THIS IS A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES. THE TIP ON MY EXHAUST CLEARLY GIVES AN INDICATION OF THE BURNING OF OIL. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THEM TO FIX THIS. I HAVE EVEN FOUND A TECHNICAL JOURNAL REF NO. 24643 (OIL CONSUMPTION) THAT SPEAKS ON MY EXACT PROBLEM. *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 .