19 of the
442 complaints about the 2000 Volvo S80 are about the
airbag system — 4% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
111,000 miles.
F
19
Complaints
7
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
Exactly what failed
AIR Bags
947.4%
Frontal
631.6%
Sensor/Control Module
315.8%
Side/Window
15.3%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 119,375 milesBarre, VT
AIR BAGS
SWAPPED BATTERY AT O'REILLY'S AUTO PARTS. ALL MANUFACTURER SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOLLOWED. AFTER SWAPPING OUT W/NEW BATTERY: CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE NOT WORKING- SRS AIRBAG 'SERVICE URGENT' ERRORS. VOLVO QUOTING $2500 TO REPLACE CCM, $800 FOR REBUILD-PROCESS. DIM IS ALSO FRIED. NO HEAT OR A/C- AIRBAG ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT RISK. QUICK SEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THIS IS A VOLVO ISSUE SPECIFIC TO S60, S80 & XC70 MODELS (ALL YEARS) FILED COMPLIANT W/VT STATE AG- CAP 2020-07438 ORIGINAL REPAIR ORDER ATTACHED
NHTSA complaint #11351616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesPlymouth Meeting, PA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND EXITING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE, PASSENGER'S SIDE AND THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND AGREED TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #10500978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesVirginia Beach, VA
AIR BAGS
I CHANGED THE BATTERY AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WENT ON. WENT TO VOLVO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT CONTROL MODULE IS DEAD AND IT COST ME $900 TO REPLACE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10482329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesMoreno Valley, CA
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 VOLVO S80 ABOUT 20-25MPH ALL THE SUDDEN LOST POWER TO ALL MY GAUGES, DASHBOARD LIGHTS, POWER WINDOWS, & POWER LOCKS. THE RADIO WAS THE ONLY DEVICE THAT WAS WORKING. THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED SRS-AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT. I HAVE NOTICED A DIFFERENCE ON MY BRAKE PEDAL THAT IT DOES NOT RESPOND AS WELL AS IT USE TOO THERE IS A SHORT DELAY WHEN STEPPED ON. BEFORE THIS INCIDENT I HAD NOTICED A CLICKING NOISE ON THE DRIVER SIDE WHEN A CAME TO A STOP LIKE A RELAY CHATTERING & ALSO THE AC WOULD COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. AT TIMES THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE WOULD APPEAR FREQUENTLY ALARM NEEDS SERVICING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS MALFUNCTIONS BUT IF ITS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM VOLVO SHOULD BE LIABLE ON CORRECTING THE PROBLEM & PROVIDE US WITH A SAFE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10482246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,000 milesMiami, FL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I HAVE A 2000 VOLVO S 80 AND IT WAS SOLD TO ME BY A DEALER THIS CAR HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS AND I FEEL THAT WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO VOLVO THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME 6400 JUST TO FIX THE PROBLEM LIKE ABS SENSORS,STC SENSOR , THROTTLE ETC I FEEL ITS UN FAIR I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 3DAYS WHAT CAN I DO.
NHTSA complaint #10380108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesHampton C OVE, ALCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VOLVO S-80 AIRBAG FAILURE IN A SEVERE CRASH. 2000 VOLVO S-80 INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT (DRIVER WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT). WENT OFF ROAD AT 55+MPH, SPUN INTO A DITCH HIT THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN, TOSSED BACK ACROSS THE ROAD AND LANDED IN THE MEDIAN. TOTALED THE CAR. ALTHOUGH THE SIDE CURTAIN, SIDE IMPACT (IN DRIVER SIDE SEAT) AND PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE MAIN DRIVER AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT DEPLOY. MULTIPLE MINOR INJURIES; UNKNOWN IF ANY WILL TURN OUT TO BE SERIOUS.
NHTSA complaint #10252977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,900 milesAlexandria, VA
AIR BAGS
SRS AIRBAG FAILURE AND ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS AND ALERTS POSTED ON DASHBOARD DISPLAY. TURNS OUT THE PROBLEM WAS DEFECTIVE SOFTWARE AND WAS RESOLVED WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE FAILURE RESULTS IN THE DISABLING OF THE SYSTEMS. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AND FIXED IN ABOUT AN HOUR. VOLVO CLEARLY NEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEMS SINCE THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE (AKA A FIX) WAS ALREADY COMPLETED AND AVAILABLE - VOLVO HAD TO PAY SOMEONE TO FIX THE SOFTWARE, WHY PAY THEM IF THERE WAS NO DEFECT. I BELIEVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD BE AT LEAST ADVISED IF NOT MANDATORY FOR ALL OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. IT IS A SIMPLE EASY WAY TO AVOID A TRAGEDY IF THESE SYSTEMS ARE DISABLED BY DEFECTIVE SOFTWARE.
NHTSA complaint #10214883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,500 milesManhattan Beach, CA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
1) ENGINE IDLES ROUGH, PROBLEM BECAME SO BAD THAT CAR STALLS AT LOW SPEEDS, LOST POWER STEERING & "ENGINE DIES" AT LOW SPEEDS (UNSAFE!). LOCAL MECH REFERRED TO ETM WARRANTY PROGRAM TO RE-PROGRAM FAULTY ETM MODULE. TOOK CAR TO DLR, RE-PROGRAMMED ETM CAR DIED AGAIN! TURNS OUT BAD BATTERY AS WELL: SEVERAL HUNDRED $$$ TO REPLACE BATTERY. CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY, LARGE "SHUDDERS" PRESENT WHEN MERGING ONTO HWY, DURING TRANSMISSION/GEAR SHIFT. NOT GOOD! 2) AIRBAG "SRS-URGENT SERVICE" WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON. GOOD LOCAL MECH. STATES THIS IS A $1000 REPAIR. 3) "CHECK BRAKE LIGHT" WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT TURNS ON WHEN DEPRESSING ON BRAKE PEDAL: GOOD LOCAL MECH. STATES THAT THIS IS "NORMAL" REQUIRES EXACT MATCHING ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS TO ENSURE THAT "CHECK BRAKE LIGHT" WARNING DOES NOT OCCUR (IN ACTUALITY THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK FINE, THE BUILT-IN-TEST IS FAULTY). 4) "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" COMES ON 2-3 TIMES IN LAST 3 MONTHS. MAJOR SERVICE WAS REQUIRED. ONE FAULT WAS ISOLATED TO FUEL TANK GAS CAP: IF NOT SECURED PROPERLY "ECM-4308 (LEAK DIAGNOSTIC) LARGE LEAK" OCCURS...REMEDIED BY TWISTING FUEL CAP 3 FULL ROTATIONS, AFTER RE-FUELING GAS TANK. GOOD LOCAL MECH. DIAGNOSED THE LOOSE GAS CAP PROBLEM, WARNED ME ABOUT IT, AND DIDN'T CHARGE ME (NICE!). 5) BODY PAINT IS VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO CHIPPING & SCRATCHES. PAINT OR EXTERIOR PANELS ARE VERY SOFT AND EASILY DAMAGED. ANOTHER SHAME, THIS CAR LOOKS GREAT BUT DOES NOT HOLD UP VERY WELL UNDER TYPICAL PARKING LOT CONDITIONS (I.E. SOMEONE PARKED NEXT TO YOU OPENS THEIR CAR DOOR INTO THE SIDE OF YOUR CAR RESULTING IN A LARGE SCRATCH). SOLUTION: PURCHASE A FANCY CAR COVER AND PROTECT THE BODY PAINT, IF YOU CAN! 6) PARKING BRAKE "SEEMS LOOSE", UPON PARKING CAR AND ENGAGING PARKING BRAKE THE VEHICLE ROLLS ALMOST 30 CM BWDS OR FWD DEPENDING ON LEVEL OR INCLINED SURFACE.
NHTSA complaint #10213987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,000 milesEllicott City, MDCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING AT 7 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND ROLLED OVER. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 111,000.
NHTSA complaint #10187440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesMinneapolis, MN
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE SERVICE DEALER WHO INDICATED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FOR THE AIR BAG FAILED. WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO OFFERED TO DISCOUNT FOR THE REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10167151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,160 milesSenoia, GA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
MY S80-T6 AIR BAG CAME ON FOR NO REASON AT ALL. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CONFIRMED AN INTERNAL FAULT WITH SRS CONTROL MODULE. THIS MODULE CONTROLS THE AIR BAG SYSTEM FOR THE ENTIRE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10161900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesMT. Juliet, TN
AIR BAGS
ANOTHER COMPLAINT FOR THE VOLVO S80 THROTTLE MODULE CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE ALL POWER ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT EACH TIME THIS OCCURRED, I WAS IN A POSITION TO GET OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS, HOWEVER. I WORK IN NASHVILLE WHERE EVERY ROUTE TO WORK IS UNDERGOING ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND DOES NOT HAVE A SHOULDER TO PULL OFF ON. HAD THE ETM FAILED IN ONE OF THESE LOCATIONS, I WOULD LIKELY HAVE BEEN HIT BY OTHER AUTOS UNABLE TO AVOID ME. I HAD THE PART REPLACED FOR ABOUT $850 AS VOLVO CLAIMED THAT IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO FIX IT. IN ADDITION TO THE FAULTY ETM IS THE ABS CONTROL UNIT FOR THE AIRBAGS AND TRACTION CONTROL. ACCORDING TO WHAT I'VE SEEN ON VOLVO MESSAGE BOARDS (VOLVOSPY.COM, SWEDESPEED.COM AND BRICKBOARD.COM), THIS PART ALSO SEEMS TO FAIL AS FREQUENTLY AS THE ETM. MINE IS FAILING NOW AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR I CAN HAVE IT FIXED AT AN INDEPENDENT SHOP - PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS SHOP: HTTP://HOME.EARTHLINK.NET/~VICROCHA/ IF THE ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILS IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT TO DEPLOY. IF THE TRACTION CONTROL IS NOT WORKING, THE CAR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AVOID A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT AS WELL. THE PART CAN BE MADE TO BE MORE DEPENDABLE, ACCORDING TO INFORMATION FROM THE INDEPENDENT SHOP LISTED ABOVE. THE INCIDENT DATE IS NOT ACCURATE. IT OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF A COUPLE OF WEEKS A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. I CAN CHECK THE DATE OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU A MORE ACCURATE DATE IF YOU WISH. THANKS!
NHTSA complaint #10133950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesCharleston, SC
AIR BAGS
CONTINUOUS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. CAR DIES ON ROAD. GET FIXED, THEN AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. RAN INTO A PERSON WHO VOLVO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON AND SHE WAS INJURED. AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY, CAR "DIED." I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AS THE WHEEL STIFFENED UP & I HAD TO RELY ON THE PARKING BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN. HAD TO GET A "JUMP START" TO GET HOME. CAR IS UNSAFE. RETURNED TO VOLVO. ALSO HAD STEERING WHEEL THAT SHAKES AT HIGWAY SPEEDS, ALARM THAT WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING, & WOULDN'T START, REMOTE DOOR OPENER DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT FLICKERED ON & OFF -- SAID IT WAS AN EMISSIONS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10069650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,800 milesFair Oaks, CA
AIR BAGS
FAILED CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT DRIVING TO WORK. AIR BAG SYSTEM SEVICE URGENT (IN INFO. BOX) CAME ON AND STILL ON. EAT BELT TIGHTEN FOR NO REASON.
NHTSA complaint #10045983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,382 milesMarietta, GACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10001650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westport, CTCrash
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHILE SLOWING DOWN ON WET PAVEMENT VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE,AND CONSUMER BUMPED ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH PASSENGER'S SIDE AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8009247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tequesta, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS HIT ON THE DRIVERS DOOR SIDE AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 25-30MPH AND MY AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. I SUSTAINED INJURIES IN THIS ACCIDENT. AND I FEEL AFTER MY DOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO MY LEFT FENDER AND THE STRUT WAS BENT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE OPENED. I FEEL UNSAFE IN THIS CAR. PLEASE ADVISE.
NHTSA complaint #751586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NYCrash
AIR BAGS
PROBLEM NUMBER 1:ON 07/18/2000 FOUND TO HAVE NONE OF THE CONTROLS ON DRIVERS DOOR PANEL MASTER SWITCH WERE WORKING. MY CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRING ON VOLVO STATION FROM 07/19/2000 TO 08/16/2000. MASTER SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND SOFTWARE DOWNLOADED. IT TOOK ALMOST ONE MONTH TO FIX MY CAR.PROBLEM NUMBER 2ON 02/13/2001 DURING HIGH SIDE IMPACT WITH ANOTHER CAR NONE OF AIRBAGS AND NONE OF SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION SYSTEM WORKED. THREE PEOPLE WERE INJURED. IMPACT OCCURRED AT THE RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER) T-BONE AND RIGHT FRONT FENDER. VOLVOCARS WAS CONTACTED. THEY REFUSED TO RELEASE THEIR TECHNICAL EVALUATION OF MY CAR. STATEMENT FROM VOLVO INFORMATION IS PROPRIETARY TO VOLVO AND WILL NOT BE RELEASED.PROBLEM NUMBER #3 04/13/2001
NHTSA complaint #744091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NYCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THERE WAS A HUGE SIDE IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. AT THE TIME OF IMPACT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE THREE PEOPLE INJURED DURING THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #741354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.