Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
3125–50K
6750–75K
5875–100K
49100–150K
10150K+
224 reports with mileage · 94 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 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports8 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
318 reports
61,280 miles · Oct 4, 2003
EquipmentPower Train
SIMILAR TO A NHTSA COMPLAINT NUMBER 873996, THIS VEHICLE (2000 VOLVO S-80 T6) SHUT DOWN DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 70 MPH. CONSOLE MESSAGE STATUS INDICATED "ENGINE SYSTEM SERVICE URGENT" AFTER COASTING TO SAFE LOCATION, ENGINE WOULD NOT RE-START UNTIL COOLED. AFTER STARTING, THE MESSAGE STATUS REMAINED THE SAME, BUT CRUISE CONT…
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SIMILAR TO A NHTSA COMPLAINT NUMBER 873996, THIS VEHICLE (2000 VOLVO S-80 T6) SHUT DOWN DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 70 MPH. CONSOLE MESSAGE STATUS INDICATED "ENGINE SYSTEM SERVICE URGENT" AFTER COASTING TO SAFE LOCATION, ENGINE WOULD NOT RE-START UNTIL COOLED. AFTER STARTING, THE MESSAGE STATUS REMAINED THE SAME, BUT CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT OPERATE ABOVE 2000 RPM IN BOTH AUTOMATIC -OR- MANUAL MODE. EARLY SYMPTOMS OF THIS PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN FALSELY MANIFESTED AS POOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PERFORMANCE IN 3RD, 4TH, AND OVERDRIVE GEARS. THE SYMPTOMS HAVE PERSISTED UNTIL FAILURE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. AS OF 10/4/03, DEALER HAD REPLACED THE ENTIRE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY (CARBURETOR) AT CONSUMER COST OF $926.70 AND RECOMMENDED CRUISE CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT ESTIMATED AT $860.00 ORIGINAL VEHICLE HISTORY INCLUDING COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT 9000 MILES IS AVAILABLE FROM OWNER OR DEALER. ADDITIONALLY, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE (CARBURETOR) IS AVAILABLE FOR FAILURE ANALYSIS. *LA COMPLAINT IS AN ADDTO EMAIL CONSUMER LETTER REGARDING AN INTERNET VOQ REQUEST THAT WAS FILED IN REFERENCE TO 2000 VOLVO S80. VOLVO EXPERIENCING ENGINE SURGES. 10041220 IS THE COMPLAINT IN WHICH THIS EMAIL CONSUMER LETTER IS BEING ADDED TO.*MR
NHTSA ODI #10041220
85,000 miles · Sep 23, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR OVERHEATS WHILE DRIVING BELOW 15 MILES PER HOUR OR STOPPED IN WARM WEATHER. INDICATOR LIGHTS TELL YOU TO TURN OF THE ENGINE. TEMPERATURE GUAGE PEGGED IN THE RED ZONE. RADIATOR FLUID BOILS OUT WHEN YOU TURN OF THE CAR. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE 1999 S80'S (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V096000 ) HAVE. UNF…
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CAR OVERHEATS WHILE DRIVING BELOW 15 MILES PER HOUR OR STOPPED IN WARM WEATHER. INDICATOR LIGHTS TELL YOU TO TURN OF THE ENGINE. TEMPERATURE GUAGE PEGGED IN THE RED ZONE. RADIATOR FLUID BOILS OUT WHEN YOU TURN OF THE CAR. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE 1999 S80'S (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V096000 ) HAVE. UNFORTUNATLY MY CAR WAS PRODUCED 2 MONTHS AFTER THE END OF THE RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10039399
59,460 miles · Sep 12, 2003
Power Train
FAILED TRANSMISSION AND ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10038785
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
FAILURE TO START, STALLING AT IDLE AS A RESULT OF A FAILED COMPUTER PROGRAM. *PH THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START OR STALLED AT IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED BUT THAT IT HAD TO BE DONE AT A VOLVO DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO T…
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FAILURE TO START, STALLING AT IDLE AS A RESULT OF A FAILED COMPUTER PROGRAM. *PH THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START OR STALLED AT IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED BUT THAT IT HAD TO BE DONE AT A VOLVO DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE VOLVO DEALER WHERE THEY REPROGRAMMED THE THROTTLE BODY SOFTWARE. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR TOW COST. *NLM *JB
NHTSA ODI #10038165
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE ENGINE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT NOTHING WAS DONE, THEY CLAIM THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE COULDN'T BE DETERMINED. THE ENGINE WAS SEVERELY MELTED. *AK *CB *JB
NHTSA ODI #10022631
51,200 miles · Jun 30, 2003
Power Train
2000 VOLVO, S80 VERY BAD CAR, COMPLAINTS NEVER FIXED BY DEALER HARDLY RUNS--THIS CAR IS A LEMON-PAGES REQUIRED TO LIST ALL PROBLEMS AUTO TRANSMISSION BROKE AT 51,1000 MILES, ONE MONTH AFTER DEALER SAID ALL WAS OKAY. THIS MODEL A REAL LEMON--THE WORST RUNNING CAR I EVER OWNED.OTHER PROBLEMS; FRONT BUMPER FELL OFF WHEN CAR HAD…
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2000 VOLVO, S80 VERY BAD CAR, COMPLAINTS NEVER FIXED BY DEALER HARDLY RUNS--THIS CAR IS A LEMON-PAGES REQUIRED TO LIST ALL PROBLEMS AUTO TRANSMISSION BROKE AT 51,1000 MILES, ONE MONTH AFTER DEALER SAID ALL WAS OKAY. THIS MODEL A REAL LEMON--THE WORST RUNNING CAR I EVER OWNED.OTHER PROBLEMS; FRONT BUMPER FELL OFF WHEN CAR HAD 1200 MILES. DEFECTIVE BATTERY CABLE LINKAGE CAUSED INTERMINTENT STALLING, MOTOR DOES NOT RUN SMOOTH AND SURGES AT LOW SPEEDS. POOR WINSHIELD WIPERS THAT DEALER CAN SEEM TO FIX. INTERIOR CONTROLS BREAK OFTEN, LIGHT BULBS ARE CONSTANTLY GOING OUT--EVERY LIGHT REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION REPLACED "UNDER WARRENTY" AT 51,200--BUT MUST HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH A REBUILT OR USED TRANSMISSION--AS IT IS VERY MUCH LOUDER AND 'WINES' WHEN SHIFTING--VERY LOUD. CAR NOT WORTH THE $36,250 THAT I WOULD HAVE PAID NEW--LUCKLY I AM JUST LEASING AND IT IS FINISHED THIS SEPTEMBER. ALSO STRANGE THINGS IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, DOORS THAT WON'T OPEN OR LOCK BY THEMSELVES. ABS BRAKE LIGHT CONSTANTLY GOING ON. CAR IS A LEMON WITH MANY DESIGN FLAWS, AND DEALER IS POWERLESS OR REFUSES TO FIX, DESPITE THE FACT THAT I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE REGULARILY TO THE SAME DEALER. THIS IS THE SECOND VOLVO FROM SAME DEALER, OTHER WAS A 240DL (1988), A WONDERFUL CAR. I WILL NEVER BUY OR LEASE ANOTHER VOLVO--PLEASE WARN OTHERS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10025154
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10022129
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10022054
70,000 miles · May 13, 2003
Suspension
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH IT'S BALL JOINT AS STATED IN RECALL # 00 V 238 000. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10019726
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2003
Suspension
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 00 V23 8000. REGARDING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. *JB
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
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.
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.
2000 Volvo S80 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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