Reliability
Volvo

S80 (AS)

2007-2016 · Midsize Sedan · 4 engines
127 NHTSA Complaints
15 Recalls
1 Fire Reports
8 Crash Reports
View all 2 generations of the Volvo S80 → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

8.3 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar midsize sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 36 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 66.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall36 complaints against about 66 for similar vehicles
8.3
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced
n/aNot enough data
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20078.6
  • 20088.2
  • 20098.8
  • 20108.4
  • 20118.5
  • 2012n/a
  • 2013n/a
  • 2014n/a
  • 2015n/a
  • 2016n/a

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

By engine

3.2L 6-cyl 8.4/10
No clear difference from the 3.0L 6-cyl (turbo and non-turbo together). (15 complaints, about 31,000 built)
3.0L 6-cyl (turbo and non-turbo together) 8.6/10
No clear difference from the 3.2L 6-cyl. (6 complaints, about 17,000 built)

A complaint counts toward an engine only when its VIN names the engine. Each score is that engine on its own against similar vehicles, worked out the same way as the score above.

On the record · from NHTSA's files, not reviewed by hand

Recall09V218
Engine And Engine Cooling, Cooling System, Fan · 8,000 vehicles (15% of those built)

Complaints by Engine Code

B6324S

3.2L 6-cyl / 235 hp
45 complaints 4.6 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
11
engine
10
other
7
interior
6
steering
4

B6304T2

3.0L 6-cyl / 281 hp
30 complaints 6.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
7
wheels tires
5
safety systems
4
body
4
engine
3

B8444S

4.4L 8-cyl / 311 hp
27 complaints 6.8 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

body
14
electrical
3
fuel system
3
other
2
suspension
2

Same engine used in

B6294S2

17 complaints 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires
4
safety systems
3
fuel system
3
engine
2
other
2

Same engine used in

Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

B4204T11

2.0L 4-cyl / 240 hp
5 complaints 2.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
2
safety systems
1
transmission
1
electrical
1
fuel system
1

B4204T11 (ULEV2)

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 240 hp
3 complaints 3.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
2
wheels tires
1

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Volvo S80, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Body/Trim: 21 owner complaints
Engine: 20 owner complaints
Electrical System: 17 owner complaints
Wheels & Tires: 14 owner complaints
Fuel System: 13 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2007-2016 Volvo S80

On a used 2007-2016 Volvo S80, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the body and structure (21), the engine (20) and the electrical system (17). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 21 owner complaints on the 2007-2016 Volvo S80 about the body and structure.
  2. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 20 owner complaints on the 2007-2016 Volvo S80 about the engine, all engines combined.
  3. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 17 owner complaints on the 2007-2016 Volvo S80 about the electrical system.
  4. Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 14 owner complaints on the 2007-2016 Volvo S80 about the wheels and tires.
  5. Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 13 owner complaints on the 2007-2016 Volvo S80 about the fuel system, all engines combined.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2007-2016 Volvo S80

Recalls (15)

20V378000Jun 30, 2020serious
Seat Belts

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.

15V555000Sep 2, 2015serious
Electrical System

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting when necessary.

13V377000Aug 21, 2013serious
Electrical System

Volvo is recalling certain model year 2014 S60, S80, XC60 and XC70 vehicles equipped with keyless ignition. In the affected vehicles, the Central Electronic Module (CEM) will not perform as intended. As a result, the front windshield wipers might run continuously when the ignition is on. Also, the turn signals, high beams, and headlight switch might not work.

12V415000Aug 28, 2012serious
Tires

Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S80 and XC70 vehicles. A software error within the Central Electronic Module (CEM) will result in the "TPMS Service Required" message appearing after approximately 15 minutes of accumulated driving over 25 mph. The error will prevent the Tire Pressure Monitoring System from warning the driver that a tire needs air. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."

12V317000Jul 6, 2012serious
Powertrain

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2013 S80 VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE ERROR MAY PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM DOWNSHIFTING SUCH AS SHIFTING FROM FIFTH TO FOURTH GEAR WHEN COASTING.

Show 10 older recalls
12V075000Feb 28, 2012serious
Electrical System

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. IN THESE VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED PROPERLY TO THE SEAT FRAME. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED TO ADJUST THE SEATING POSITION, THE WIRE HARNESS MAY GET PULLED, CAUSING IT TO DISCONNECT.

11V378000Jul 26, 2011serious
Steering

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 S80 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 8, 2006, THROUGH MAY 16, 2007. THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR RETURN HOSE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ROUTED, WHICH CAN RESULT IN INCREASED PRESSURE IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE MAY BURST AT THE STEERING GEAR DUE TO THE INCREASED PRESSURE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID.

10V579000Nov 17, 2010serious
Engine & Cooling

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, S80, S60, XC70 AND XC60 VEHICLES. THE SOFTWARE CALIBRATION FOR THE FUEL CUT-OFF FUNCTIONALITY IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) IS TOO SENSITIVE.

10V566000Nov 8, 2010serious
Equipment

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

10V489000Oct 13, 2010serious
Air Bags

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 S80, XC70, MODEL YEAR 2011 XC60 AND MODEL YEAR 2010 V70 VEHICLES. THERE MAY BE AN INTERMITTENT FAULT IN THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM.

10V335000Jul 22, 2010cosmetic
Tires

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 S80 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND A PAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL CONTAIN INCORRECT MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE INFLATION PRESSURE AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) SOFTWARE HAS AN INCORRECT TRIGGER LEVEL.

09V343000Sep 1, 2009serious
Electrical System

VOLVO IS RECALLING MY 2008-2010 S80, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2010 XC60 VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE SOFTWARE WITHIN THE CENTRAL ELECTRONIC MODULE (CEM) MAY NOT SEND A SIGNAL TO THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE (PEM). THIS MISSING SIGNAL TO THE PEM INHIBITS THE START OF THE FUEL PUMP. THE DRIVER MAY BE ABLE TO START THE ENGINE IN SPITE OF THE FUEL PUMP NOT BEING ACTIVATED DUE TO RESIDUAL PRESSURE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. IN SOME CASES, THE DRIVER MAY BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE AT IDLE BUT THEN THE ENGINE MAY STALL.

09V218000Jun 12, 2009serious
Engine & Cooling

VOLVO IS RECALLING 17,614 MY 2008-2009 S80, V70, AND XC70 VEHICLES. THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING ERROR IN THE FAN CONTROL MODULE (FCM). DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CUSTOMER MAY EXPERIENCE REDUCED AIR CONDITIONING PERFORMANCE, AND/OR RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE.

09V139000Apr 29, 2009serious
Electrical System

VOLVO IS RECALLING 12,303 MY 2007-2008 S80 AND V70 VEHICLES. THE DIAGNOSTIC SOFTWARE IN THE CENTRAL ELECTRONIC MODULE (CEM) MAY CAUSE A MALFUNCTION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTIONALITY. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY NOT OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED; OR IN CERTAIN CASES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY ACTIVATE WHEN NOT SWITCHED ON.

08V206000May 6, 2008serious
Engine & Cooling

VOLVO IS RECALLING 102 MY 2008 XC90 AND S80 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT BOLTS TO THE ENGINE MOUNT.

All Generations

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2007-2016 Volvo S80 complaints?

Owners have filed 127 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2016 Volvo S80. The systems they name most often are the body and trim, the engine and the electrical system.

Is the 2007-2016 Volvo S80 a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 127 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2016 Volvo S80. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007-2016 Volvo S80 have?

NHTSA has 127 owner complaints on file for the 2007-2016 Volvo S80 as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2007-2016 Volvo S80?

NHTSA lists 15 recalls covering some 2007-2016 Volvo S80 vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Volvo S80?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the body and trim, the engine and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the S80 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2007-2016 Volvo S80. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 127 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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