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
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY CAR HAS A DESIGN FLAW REGARDING THE AIR INTAKE TUBE. IT PROTRUDES APPROXIMATELY 3" BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE CAR. I HAVE READ ACCOUNTS BY OTHER OWNERS WHO, WHILE PARKING THEIR CARS, GENTLY STRUCK THE CEMENT BLOCK WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT. THIS CAUSED THE AIR INTAKE TUBE TO BE FORCED UPWARDS, INTO THE SERPENTINE BEL…
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MY CAR HAS A DESIGN FLAW REGARDING THE AIR INTAKE TUBE. IT PROTRUDES APPROXIMATELY 3" BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE CAR. I HAVE READ ACCOUNTS BY OTHER OWNERS WHO, WHILE PARKING THEIR CARS, GENTLY STRUCK THE CEMENT BLOCK WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT. THIS CAUSED THE AIR INTAKE TUBE TO BE FORCED UPWARDS, INTO THE SERPENTINE BELT, CAUSING IT TO JUMP OFF THE TRACK AND ULTIMATELY CAUSE MASSIVE ENGINE DAMAGE TOTALLING OVER $3,000. I HAVE VERIFIED THAT NEW 2002 VOLVO S80'S FEATURE A COMPLETELY REDESIGNED AIR INTAKE TUBE, SIGNALING THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOGNITION OF THE DESIGN FLAW. I CONTACTED MY DEALER, BUT HE WAS UNWILLING TO PERFORM THE SIMPLE OPERATION OF CUTTING THE PROTRUDING TUBE AND SECURING IT AS IT IS NOT A VOLVO-AUTHORIZED REPAIR. I REALLY HOPE THAT NHTSA WILL FORCE VOLVO TO RECALL AFFECTED CARS AND MAKE A SIMPLE MODIFICATION THAT IS PREVENTATIVE AND COULD SAVE OWNERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN UNNECESARY REPARIS. NLM
NHTSA ODI #767606
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2002
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF AS A RESULT OF BALL JOINT FAILURE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE FIXED UNDER PREVIOUS BALL JOINT RECALL 00V238000. SINCE RECALL REPAIRS, CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE FRONT BALL JOINTS TWICE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8018235
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2002
Electrical SystemEquipmentVisibility
COMPUTER FAILED EXCESSIVELY RESULTING IN INTERMITTENT WORKING OF SUNROOF/ AIR CONDITIONING, AND POWER WINDOWS. ALSO VEHICLE STALLED FREQUENTLY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8017817
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE SUFFERS COMPLETE SHUTDOWN AT 30-40MPH. OCCURS 3-4 TIMES A WEEK AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR LAST 3-4 MONTHS. DEALER CAN FIND NO PROBLEM AND HAS NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM HOWEVER I SEE SEVERAL REFERENCES TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM AT THIS DATABASE AND ALSO WWW.CARREVIEW.COM. ENGINE WILL RESTART WITH NO PROBLEM HOWEVER OBVIOUS…
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ENGINE SUFFERS COMPLETE SHUTDOWN AT 30-40MPH. OCCURS 3-4 TIMES A WEEK AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR LAST 3-4 MONTHS. DEALER CAN FIND NO PROBLEM AND HAS NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM HOWEVER I SEE SEVERAL REFERENCES TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM AT THIS DATABASE AND ALSO WWW.CARREVIEW.COM. ENGINE WILL RESTART WITH NO PROBLEM HOWEVER OBVIOUSLY WHEN ENGINE STOPS ALL POWER TO BRAKING AND STEERING SYSTEM IS LOST. ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN COASTING, TYPICALLY DOWN LOW GRADE, AND TAKING A CORNER. I BELIEVE ISSUE IS TIED TO POWER STEERING, CLIMATE CONTROL AND LOW RPM (OR COMBO THEREOF) AS AT THIS SPEED THE TACHOMETER SWINGS WILDLY BETWEEN 400 AND 1200 RPM THOUGH SPEED IS STEADY (POSSIBLE EMISSION CONTROL ISSUE).*AK
NHTSA ODI #764181
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
THE LEFT REAR BUSHINGS FAILED CAUSING A RUBBING SOUND WHEN BACKING UP. NLM
NHTSA ODI #566698
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2002
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE DRIVING HEARD NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE. SUDDENLY VEHICLE LURCHED TO RIGHT, AND HIT A PARKED CAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8012766
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT DUE TO OVERHEATING. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL (02V-096) NOTICE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BURNT. *YH
NHTSA ODI #565833
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. FRAME, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE SHAFT, STEERING, AND POWER LOCKS. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE 6 TIMES BEFORE THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN WITH 8 BULB POSITION LIGHT COMPLAINTS, 3 STEERING COMPLAINTS, 4 COMPLAINTS R…
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I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. FRAME, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE SHAFT, STEERING, AND POWER LOCKS. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE 6 TIMES BEFORE THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN WITH 8 BULB POSITION LIGHT COMPLAINTS, 3 STEERING COMPLAINTS, 4 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON, AND THE MOST RECENT PROBLEM, THE ENGINE JUST QUITS WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THIS CAR FOR OVER 7 WEEKS THIS YEAR ALONE. I AM STUCK BETWEEN THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. VOLVO HAS RESPONDED TO MY COMPLAINT THAT I FILED WITH THE NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD BY SAY, "A VOLVO TECHNICAL SPECIALIST AND LAWRENCE VOLVO'S SERVICE TECH HAVE DRIVEN THE ESTES' 1999 VOLVO S80 IN EXCESS OF 500 MILES AND DETERMINED THAT NO NON-CONFORMITIES EXIST. IN AN EFFORT TO DEMONSTRATE THAT WE VALUE THE ESTES' AS OUR CUSTOMERS, LAWRENCE VOLVO WILL CONTACT THEM TO MAKE A VERY FAIR OFFER TO TRADE THEM INTO A NEW VEHICLE." I DON'T WANT ANOTHER VOLVO. I WANT MINE FIXED OR VOLVO CAN ADJUST THE PURCHASE PRICE OR BUY IT BACK. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CAR AND NOW FEAR EVEN MORE PROBLEMS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #761186
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2002
Suspension
I HAVE HAD THE FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS REPLACED THREE TIMES IN A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS. ALSO THE FRONT BALL JOINTS TWICE (ONCE THROUGH A RECALL). MY TIRES NEED REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT ANY BLAME FOR THE RAPID WEAR OF THE TIRES DESPITE THE CONTINUAL STEERING PROBLEMS. THEY DID REALIG…
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I HAVE HAD THE FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS REPLACED THREE TIMES IN A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS. ALSO THE FRONT BALL JOINTS TWICE (ONCE THROUGH A RECALL). MY TIRES NEED REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT ANY BLAME FOR THE RAPID WEAR OF THE TIRES DESPITE THE CONTINUAL STEERING PROBLEMS. THEY DID REALIGN IT WHEN THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND BUSHINGS IN DEC. OF 01. BUT DID NOT DO SO AGAIN WHEN THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED IN MARCH 02. NOW THEY SAY MY ALIGNMENT IS POOR BECAUSE OF MY UNEVENLY WORN FRONT TIRES.
NHTSA ODI #760585
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2002
Electrical System
UNDERHOOD WIRING HARNESS IS PROTECTED FROM HEAT/ELEMENTS BY A CONVOLUTED TUBING. THE CONVOLUTED TUBING HAS BECOME VERY BRITTLE, TURNED TO POWDER AND FALLEN OFF THE HARNESS LEAVING THE HARNESS UNPROTECTED. VOLVO IS APPARENTLY USING A TUBING PLASTIC UNDERHOOD THAT CANNOT WITHSTAND HEAT! THE WIRING HARNESS ON MY CAR IS NOW LEFT UN…
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UNDERHOOD WIRING HARNESS IS PROTECTED FROM HEAT/ELEMENTS BY A CONVOLUTED TUBING. THE CONVOLUTED TUBING HAS BECOME VERY BRITTLE, TURNED TO POWDER AND FALLEN OFF THE HARNESS LEAVING THE HARNESS UNPROTECTED. VOLVO IS APPARENTLY USING A TUBING PLASTIC UNDERHOOD THAT CANNOT WITHSTAND HEAT! THE WIRING HARNESS ON MY CAR IS NOW LEFT UNPROTECTED AND WILL LIKELY SUFFER PREMATURE FAILURE SIMILAR TO EVERY OTHER MAJOR SYSTEM ON THIS CAR.
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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