Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
70–25K
925–50K
3350–75K
2775–100K
36100–150K
8150K+
120 reports with mileage · 79 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports6 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
199 reports
4,600 miles · Aug 26, 2003
Electrical System
1999 VOLVO S80 ENGINE CUT OUT ON HIGHWAY FIRST 6 MOS OF NEW VEHICLE OWNERSHIP. ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS BY LEE VOLVO TO REPAIR, ENGINE HAS CUT OUT THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES OVER LAST THREE MONTHS DESPITE $1400 SPENT WITH LEE VOLVO. THIS CAR WAS TO HAVE A NEW FAN RECALL NOTICE 02V096/VOLVO RECA…
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1999 VOLVO S80 ENGINE CUT OUT ON HIGHWAY FIRST 6 MOS OF NEW VEHICLE OWNERSHIP. ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS BY LEE VOLVO TO REPAIR, ENGINE HAS CUT OUT THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES OVER LAST THREE MONTHS DESPITE $1400 SPENT WITH LEE VOLVO. THIS CAR WAS TO HAVE A NEW FAN RECALL NOTICE 02V096/VOLVO RECALL NO. 110. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10036637
43,095 miles · Aug 5, 2003
Power Train
ON JULY 23, 2003, OUR 1999 S80 VOLVO WAS SERVICED AT MT. KISCO VOLVO. THIS SERVICE INCLUDED THE 45,000 CHECKUP. THE BILL CAME TO $615.15. LESS THAN 48 HOURS LATER, AND AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN 100 MILES THE FRONT END AXLE COLLAPSED ON 124TH STREET AND THIRD AVENUE IN NEW YORK CITY. A YOUNG MAN CAME RUNNING TO THE CAR AND TOLD US …
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ON JULY 23, 2003, OUR 1999 S80 VOLVO WAS SERVICED AT MT. KISCO VOLVO. THIS SERVICE INCLUDED THE 45,000 CHECKUP. THE BILL CAME TO $615.15. LESS THAN 48 HOURS LATER, AND AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN 100 MILES THE FRONT END AXLE COLLAPSED ON 124TH STREET AND THIRD AVENUE IN NEW YORK CITY. A YOUNG MAN CAME RUNNING TO THE CAR AND TOLD US THAT THE AXLE HAD BROKEN. AFTER MUCH BADGERING AND A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HAD OCCURRED, CHRIS, THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MT. KISCO VOLVO DISPATCHED A TOW TRUCK AND A LOANER CAR. ON MODAY, JULY 27,2003, CHRIS, THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MT. KISCO VOLVO, ADVISED US THAT THE CAR HAD ANSWERED A RECALL IN 2001 FOR THE DEFECT IN THE AXLE. THUS VOLVO WAS AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO TOLD US THE CAR WOULD BE REPAIRED AND READY IN A WEEK AT NO COST TO US. AS OF TODAY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. IN A CONVERSATION WITH THE OWNER OF MT. KISCO VOLVO IN THE EVENING OF JULY 25, 2003, INFORMED US THAT HE WANTED US TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, CONTACT OUR INSURANCE CARRIER, SIGN A RELEASE AND RETURN THE LOANER BEFORE ANY WORK IS DONE TO REPAIR THE AUTO. MR. STAVIDES, THE OWNER TOLD US HE WOULD GET BACK TO US ON FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2003. HE IMPLIED THAT UNLESS WE AGREED TO HIS TERMS THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED. HE HAS NOT CONTACTED US AGAIN. I NOTE THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED EXCLUSIVELY BY MT. KISCO VOLVO AND THAT IT HAS BEEN SERVICED NO LESS THAN FOURTEEN TIMES.*AK I NOTE THAT ACCORDING TO THE RULE OF THE NHTSA, " IF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN A MOTOR VEHICLE OR ITEM OF MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT THE MANUFACTURER MUST FIX IT AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. "
NHTSA ODI #10030818
75,500 miles · Jun 25, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023782
51,000 miles · Apr 30, 2003
StructureVisibility
WHILE DRIVING, AND WITHOUT WARNING THE SUNROOF SUPPORT BAR DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. *JB THE FRONT ROLLOVER SUPPORT BAR FELL OUT WHILE OPENING THE SUNROOF AND THE SAME HAPPENED TO THE REAR SUPPORT TWO WEEKS LATER. (VIN#[XXX]) *SCC INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6…
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WHILE DRIVING, AND WITHOUT WARNING THE SUNROOF SUPPORT BAR DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. *JB THE FRONT ROLLOVER SUPPORT BAR FELL OUT WHILE OPENING THE SUNROOF AND THE SAME HAPPENED TO THE REAR SUPPORT TWO WEEKS LATER. (VIN#[XXX]) *SCC INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10017846
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2003
Air BagsInjury
THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS,SEAT AND WINDOW CURTAIN DEPLOYED AFTER CLOSING FRONT DRIVERS DOOR. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016332
54,500 miles · Mar 29, 2003
Steering
1) P/S UNIT FAILED ALLOWING P/S FLUID TO RAPIDLY DRAIN OUT. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10013633
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10011815
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2003
Air Bags
A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE ACTUAL INCIDENT, I NOTICED THAT MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD ONLY GO DOWN HALFWAY BEFORE ROLLING BACK UP AUTOMATICALLY ON ITS OWN. IT KEPT DOING IT UNTIL I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON. A FEW WEEKS LATER, WHEN I CLOSED MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VOLVO RE…
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A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE ACTUAL INCIDENT, I NOTICED THAT MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD ONLY GO DOWN HALFWAY BEFORE ROLLING BACK UP AUTOMATICALLY ON ITS OWN. IT KEPT DOING IT UNTIL I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON. A FEW WEEKS LATER, WHEN I CLOSED MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VOLVO REPRESENTATIVE CAME OUT AND INSPECTED IT AND VOLVO FIXED IT BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10010364
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2003
Electrical System
WHEN VEHICLE IS IDLING ALL LIGHTING ON THE VEHICLE(INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR) SLIGHTLY DIMS EVERY COUPLE SECONDS. AN ANNOYANCE THE DEALER(ANNAPOLIS VOLVO) SAYS IS AN ANOMALY THAT IS INHERENT IN THIS MODEL AND CANNOT BE FIXED. I DISAGREE AND AM CONFIDENT THAT A $38K CAR CAN BE MADE WITHOUT FLICKERING LIGHTING. DEALER REFUSES TO AD…
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WHEN VEHICLE IS IDLING ALL LIGHTING ON THE VEHICLE(INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR) SLIGHTLY DIMS EVERY COUPLE SECONDS. AN ANNOYANCE THE DEALER(ANNAPOLIS VOLVO) SAYS IS AN ANOMALY THAT IS INHERENT IN THIS MODEL AND CANNOT BE FIXED. I DISAGREE AND AM CONFIDENT THAT A $38K CAR CAN BE MADE WITHOUT FLICKERING LIGHTING. DEALER REFUSES TO ADDRESS THIS FURTHER. CALLS TO VOLVO USA WENT UNRETURNED. ALL OF THE 6 OTHER CARS I'VE OWNED DON'T HAVE FLICKERING LIGHTING.
NHTSA ODI #10005694
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN BRAKING PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. DEALER NOTIFIED AND SAID THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. PH...*AK
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SOME ELECTRIC COOLING FANS MAY OVERHEAT POTENTIALLY CAUSING HEAT DAMAGE AND, IN RARE INSTANCES, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN ELECTRIC COOLING FANS COULD BE INADEQUATE IN A HOT CLIMATE. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN COMPONENTS COULD OVERHEAT AND CAUSE THE MELTING OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND ADJACENT COMPONENTS, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OVER TIME, THE BALL JOINT BETWEEN THE FRONT WHEEL KING PIN AND THE SUSPENSION LINK ARM, CAN EXPERIENCE INCREASED LOOSENESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT THE BALL JOINT'S DURABILITY AND PERFORMANCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
EA05021 · Throttle Control Malfunction
Opened Dec 6, 2005 · Closed Dec 12, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
ON NOVEMBER 14, 2006 VOLVO SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING ETM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2001 VOLVO MODELS (NOT INCLUDING THE S40 AND V40), MY 2002 S60 AND V70 WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINES AND MY 2002 V70S.ACCORDING TO VOLVO, ?A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.VOLVO FURTHER STATED THAT,THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES GOING INTO LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.?VOLVO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE MOST SEVERE CONSEQUENCE OF AN ETM FAULT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE RECALL REMEDY IS A SOFTWARE UPGRADE INTRODUCED BY VOLVO ON MARCH 16, 2006 IN A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM.AT THE TIME OF THE NOTIFICATION 161,202 VEHICLES OF THE POPULATION OF 331,301 HAD ALREADY HAD THE SOFTWARE UPLOADED AND WERE THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED IN THE POPULATION COUNT OF THE RECALL. ODI?S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND VOLVO, VOLVO FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY DATA FOUND THAT ETM FAILURE COULD RESULT IN (1) ENGINE STALL; (2) MECHANICAL LIMP MODE; (3) LUNGING FORWARD DURING LOW-SPEED DRIVING MANEUVERS; AND (4) FALTERING DURING HIGH SPEED MERGES OR WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC.ODI IDENTIFIED 12 CRASHES RELATED TO ETM FAILURE, WITH 6 CAUSED BY LUNGING INCIDENTS, 3 CAUSED BY STALLING INCIDENTS, 2 CAUSED BY MECHANICAL LIMP MODE AND 1 FROM THE FALTERING CONDITION.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA AND INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM CONSUMER INTERVIEWS IDENTIFIED 1,289 INCIDENTS WITH SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES (389.1 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), INCLUDING 479 INVOLVING ENGINE STALL (144.6 PER 100,000 VEHICLES) AND 729 INVOLVING MECHANICAL LIMP MODE (220.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES).ODI'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY CLAIM NARRATIVE TEXT SHOWS AT LEAST 14,965 WARRANTY CLAIMS WITH CODES INDICATING AN ETM FAULT RESULTING IN VEHICLE OPERATION IN MECHANICAL LIMP MODE (4.5% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES). VOLVO?S RECALL ADDRESSES ODI?S SAFETY CONCERNS WITH ETM FAILURES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF ADDITIONAL ACTION IS REQUIRED.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.
PE05041 · Throttle Control Malfunction
Opened Jul 26, 2005 · Closed Dec 7, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
PE05-041 WAS OPENED ON JULY, 26, 2005, BASED ON 136 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGING THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI HAS NOW RECEIVED 591 COMPLAINTS OF ETM FAILURES WHICH ALLEGE SYMPTOMS WITH POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES.THESE INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE STALL, VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD WITHOUT ACCELERATOR INPUT, VEHICLE HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED TRANSITION INTO REDUCED PERFORMANCE OPERATION (LIMP MODE).VOLVO SUBMITTED OVER 2,900 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE ETM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING PE05-041.ODI'S PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 55 PERCENT WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ABOVE.ODI IS CONTINUING ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS. IN NOVEMBER 2005, TO RESOLVE AN INVESTIGATION BY THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD, VOLVO ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 10 YEARS / 200,000 MILES FOR THE ETM IN APPROXIMATELY 356,000 MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 PASSENGER CARS SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.UNDER VOLVO'S POLICY, VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCE ETM FAILURES WILL RECEIVE A VARIETY OF REPAIRS INCLUDING ETM CLEANING, REPROGRAMMING THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND/OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ETM. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-021) TO CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF ETM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
1999 Volvo S80 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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