2009 Volvo S80 problems

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The headlight system malfunctioned. It is available for inspection upon request. The low beam failure error occurred, which led to an inspection of the headlight system. The wiring inside the headlight assembly failed. The insulation on bulb wires is crumbling everywhere and causing short circuits from exposed wire conductors. This causes a safety issue because the bulbs stop functioning, impairing visibility of the car, visibility of the road, and disabling motion intent lights like the turn signals. Bare wires touching can also lead to overheating and fires or failures of the headlight electrical system. Humidity may damage the exposed wires and cause bulb failure or wire overheating. The wiring harnesses may also overheat. The wire insulation problem was confirmed by an independent service center on multiple cars of this model.

NHTSA complaint #11681205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The headlight system malfunctioned. It is available for inspection upon request. The low beam failure error occurred, which led to an inspection of the headlight system. The wiring inside the headlight assembly failed. The insulation on bulb wires is crumbling everywhere and causing short circuits from exposed wire conductors. This causes a safety issue because the bulbs stop functioning, impairing visibility of the car, visibility of the road, and disabling motion intent lights like the turn signals. Bare wires touching can also lead to overheating and fires or failures of the headlight electrical system. Humidity may damage the exposed wires and cause bulb failure or wire overheating. The wiring harnesses may also overheat. The wire insulation problem was confirmed by an independent service center on multiple cars of this model.

NHTSA complaint #11681205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

For the last several years I’ve been complaining about my TPMS ALWAYS reflecting a “Low Tire Pressure “ response. Recently I went in for a oil change but indicated the my tire pressure light was on again. I take the Volvo to a shop I trust. Global AutoWorks in GrandHaven. They took care of my previous owned BMW without any issues. I put in Volvo S80’s recall site and found that there was a recall on 10/07/2010. The vehicle was a private purchase made in January 8, 2018 from the original owner. Upon purchase I made the decision to put new tires on the vehicle to see if that would fix the problem. $1200.00 later and the problem was not resolved. I do not feel that I should pay for safety issue that the company knew about. I spoke to the previous owner and she did not receive a letter from Volvo. The Volvo is in very good condition with low mileage for a 14 year old car. 69,815. Second issue: Seat belt issue. Reason for recall: Volvo car investigations have identified a problem regarding the front seat fastening. All I can tell you if I lean forward abruptly the seat belt will not tighten or secure itself. Recall R10029 Again we have safety issue. I would like Volvo to fix both issues At Their Expense not mine. Both owners have maintained this vehicle in beautiful condition and these issues were not the result of the owners.They are Volvos issues. I would greatly appreciate someone at Volvo looking into these issues and bringing forward a resolution.

NHTSA complaint #11520072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

At night, when a direct strong light (headlight) from behind shines on the car, the BLIS system stop working. The only way to reset the system is to stop and restart the car, instead of turning the system button OFF and then back ON. This is unsafe since when you are on the highway, it is unsafe to do so. A simple fix is a software update that will RESET the system when you turn it OFF and then ON again

NHTSA complaint #11470743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

The contact owns a 2009 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the seat belt assembly to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V378000 (Seat Belts) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.

NHTSA complaint #11463236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

SEVERE SUBFRAME RUST DUE TO THE EXHAUST ON VOLVO S80 V8 BEING TOO CLOSE AND MELTING THE PAINT OFF. CAR IS VERY CLEAN AND WE'LL TAKEN CARE OF. APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE V8 S80S.

NHTSA complaint #11407345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY CAR IS EXTREMELY CLEAN AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF. BUT JUST LIKE EVERY SINGLE VOLVO S80, SPECIFICALLY THE V8 MODEL THERE IS A RUST HOLE IN THE SUBFRAME. THIS IS BECAUSE VOLVO PUT THE EXHAUST TOO CLOSE TO THE SUBFRAME AND THE HEAT FROM THE V8 EATS AWAY THE PAINT AND CAUSES IT TO RUST.

NHTSA complaint #11361376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE SUBFRAME/ENGINE CRADLE HAS A LARGE ROT HOLE WHICH IS INCREASING IN SIZE AT A HIGH RATE. THE CAR IS ONLY A 2009 WITH LESS THAN 100K MILES ON IT (AND WAS MAINTAINED VERY WELL ITS WHOLE LIFE) BUT THIS STILL OCCURRED. I'VE MET A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH S80 V8S WHO HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. IT SEEMS THAT THE DESIGN ON THE CAR IS FLAWED WHERE THE EXHAUST IS TOO CLOSE TO THE SUBFRAME, SO THE HEAT EVENTUALLY WEARS DOWN THE PAINT AND THEN RUST STARTS. THIS IS A MAJOR STRUCTURAL COMPONENT WHICH ALSO MAKES THE CAR VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT THE MOMENT. ADDITIONALLY, VOLVO HAS A 12-YEAR, UNLIMITED MILE CORROSION WARRANTY, YET THEY WON'T HONOR THIS. VOLVO FIRST SAID THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY GOOD TOWARD SHEET METAL. WHEN TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS MADE OF STAMPED SHEET METAL, THEY THEN SAID ONLY PAINTED COMPONENTS. WHEN TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME IS PAINTED AND THE RUST WAS ACTUALLY CAUSED BY THE PAINT FAILING OFF FROM EXHAUST HEAT, THEY FINALLY JUST SAID 'NO'. THERE HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE MINOR ISSUES WITH CARS THAT HAVE CAUSED RECALLS. WITH THIS ISSUE BEING DANGEROUS AND COMMON, IT SIMPLY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. AS AN OWNER, I SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AT THE VOLVO DEALER TO KEEP MYSELF SAFE AND CORRECT THE MISTAKE THEY MADE WHEN INITIALLY DESIGNING THE CAR. THE IMAGE PROVIDED IS FROM ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I PUT MY CAR ON THE LIFT YESTERDAY AND SAW THAT THE ROT HOLE IN THE SUBFRAME WAS NOTICEABLY LARGER. IN THE PHOTO, IF YOU ZOOM IN, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE RUST IS SPREADING BEHIND WHERE IT'S ALREADY VISIBLE. IN PERSON, YOU ARE ABLE TO TELL THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

NHTSA complaint #11317557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

ENGINE SUBFRAME CROSSBAR IS RUSTING OUT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR A TIRE ROTATION AND ALIGNMENT AND THIS WAS FOUND.

NHTSA complaint #11207695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

ALUMINUM NUTS ON THE VALVE STEMS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATE AND FALL APART CAUSING TIRES TO GO FLAT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS (TWO TIRES) WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY WITHOUT INCIDENT. ALL 4 VALVE STEMS WERE INSPECTED

NHTSA complaint #10980879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN FAILED AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING FAN WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IN 2009 THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V2180000 (ENGINE, AND ENGINE COOLING) FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA complaint #10891684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS PRESSURE IN THE TIRES BASED ON THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V335000 (WHEELS); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,500.

NHTSA complaint #10780571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

DURING THE SPRING OF 2013, MY 2009 CPO VOLVO S80 EXPERIENCED TWO FLAT TIRES WITHIN ONE WEEK DUE TO FAULTY HEX NUTS (I.E., HEX NUTS BROKE OFF CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE) THAT HOLD THE TIRE VALVE STEM TO THE WHEEL (VOLVO INCIDENT #130404-000103). VOLVO RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE TIRE AND ALL FOURS HEX NUTS AS A THIRD HEX NUT WAS VISIBLY CRACKED AND THE NEXT LIKELY CULPRIT OF A FUTURE FLAT TIRE. HOWEVER, ON JULY 25, 2015 ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER, I FOUND MYSELF ONCE AGAIN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, WHEN THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN STATING, TIRE NEEDS AIR NOW. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE CAR OVER ON THE SHOULDER AND INSPECTED THE TIRES WHEN I NOTICED THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS FLAT DUE TO A BROKEN HEX NUT. WHILE I APPRECIATE THE OVERALL SAFETY FEATURES VOLVO CARS PROVIDE, THEY ARE FULLY NEGATED BY THE FAULTY HEX NUT. THERE IS NO GOOD IN HAVING ONE OF THE SAFEST AND RELIABLE CARS IF YOU CANT EVEN DRIVE IT UNLESS YOU WANT TO RISK BEING IN A CRASH. I THINK ITS SAFE TO ASSUME THAT MOST PEOPLE, WHO BUY A VOLVO, BUY IT FOR SAFETY AND NOT TO EXPERIENCE RECKLESS DRIVING AS A RESULT OF FAULTY PARTS. THIS PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED THE FIRST TIME AROUND. HOPEFULLY, APPROPRIATE ACTION IS TAKEN TO SUCCESSFULLY RECALL AND REMEDIATE THESE FAULTY HEX NUTS TO AVOID ANY UNNECESSARY CAR ACCIDENTS WITH OTHER VOLVO VEHICLES WITH THIS PART.

NHTSA complaint #10743723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V343000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 6/8/15

NHTSA complaint #10701092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V343000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 6/8/15

NHTSA complaint #10701092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

VALVE STEM LOCKING NUT CORRODED ON LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND SEPARATED FROM STEM. THE STEM ACTUALLY FELL INSIDE THE WHEEL CAUSING A BLOW OUT. NO INJURIES, BUT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEFECT HAPPENED AT 45 MONTHS, AND 51,000 MILES. SUBSEQUENTLY ALL STEMS AND SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED PRIOR TO 48 MONTHS. PER THE TIRE DEALER AND GRUDGINGLY BY VOLVO, THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON FOR THAT VINTAGE OF STEM AND SENSOR. VOLVO DID NOT HONOR WARRANTY BECAUSE THE FAILURE HAPPENED 1000 MILES OUTSIDE OF MILEAGE WARRANTY BUT INSIDE THE 48 MONTH TIMEFRAME, VERY POOR SERVICE FROM A COMPANY THAT IS SUPPOSEDLY KNOWN FOR SAFETY. I FIND IT IRONIC THAT A MANDATED SAFETY FEATURE BARELY LASTS THROUGH THE WARRANTY PERIOD, AND THE FAILURE MODE CAUSES THE PROBLEM IT WAS "DESIGNED" TO PREVENT. REPLACING THE SENSORS COST ABOUT $150 EACH, OR AT LEAST $600 FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10510891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

VALVE STEM LOCKING NUT CORRODED ON LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND SEPARATED FROM STEM. THE STEM ACTUALLY FELL INSIDE THE WHEEL CAUSING A BLOW OUT. NO INJURIES, BUT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEFECT HAPPENED AT 45 MONTHS, AND 51,000 MILES. SUBSEQUENTLY ALL STEMS AND SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED PRIOR TO 48 MONTHS. PER THE TIRE DEALER AND GRUDGINGLY BY VOLVO, THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON FOR THAT VINTAGE OF STEM AND SENSOR. VOLVO DID NOT HONOR WARRANTY BECAUSE THE FAILURE HAPPENED 1000 MILES OUTSIDE OF MILEAGE WARRANTY BUT INSIDE THE 48 MONTH TIMEFRAME, VERY POOR SERVICE FROM A COMPANY THAT IS SUPPOSEDLY KNOWN FOR SAFETY. I FIND IT IRONIC THAT A MANDATED SAFETY FEATURE BARELY LASTS THROUGH THE WARRANTY PERIOD, AND THE FAILURE MODE CAUSES THE PROBLEM IT WAS "DESIGNED" TO PREVENT. REPLACING THE SENSORS COST ABOUT $150 EACH, OR AT LEAST $600 FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10510891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

ONE OF THE NICE SAFETY FEATURES ON THIS VEHICLE IS THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS), WHICH DETECTS UNDER-INFLATED TIRES. DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT A VEHICLE'S HANDLING AND STOPPING ABILITY RESULTING IN A CRASH. LAST WEEK MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR (DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT) ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON AND STATED, "TIRE NEEDS AIR NOW." SO MY WIFE GOT OFF THE BUSY HIGHWAY AND CALLED VOLVO ROADSIDE SERVICE FOR A TIRE CHANGE, AS THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. WE TOOK THE FLAT TIRE TO A MECHANIC, WHO NOTICED THAT THE TIRE VALVE STEM WAS INSIDE THE WHEEL, SO HE REPLACED THE TIRE AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SENSOR. YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE INTERSTATE, WHEN THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND STATED, "TIRE NEEDS AIR NOW." SO I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND CALLED VOLVO ROADSIDE SERVICE FOR A TIRE CHANGE, AS THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. TWO FLAT TIRES WITHIN ONE WEEK AND BOTH WITH THE TIRE VALVE STEMS LOOSE INSIDE THE WHEEL. NOW I REALIZED THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO FAULTY HEX NUTS, SO I CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICE THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HAD A CRACKED HEX NUT. THIS IS NOT A COINCIDENCE, AS THREE OUT OF FOUR HEX NUTS WERE FAULTY. THIS FAULTY PART HAS CAUSED UNNECESSARY DAMAGE AND COSTLY REPAIRS. THE REASON WE HAVE A VOLVO IN THE FIRST PLACE IS FOR SAFETY; HOWEVER, MY CONCERN IS THAT VOLVO IS USING INFERIOR HEX NUTS, WHICH COULD CAUSE UNEXPECTED FLAT TIRES RESULTING IN A CAR ACCIDENT. THE FAULTY HEX NUTS ARE A "TICKING TIME BOMB" AND FEEL IT IS MY CIVIC DUTY TO INFORM VOLVO AND THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES OF THIS ISSUE TO ENSURE THAT ANY NECESSARY ACTION IS TAKEN TO AVOID CAR ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER VOLVO VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #10507205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

ONE OF THE NICE SAFETY FEATURES ON THIS VEHICLE IS THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS), WHICH DETECTS UNDER-INFLATED TIRES. DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT A VEHICLE'S HANDLING AND STOPPING ABILITY RESULTING IN A CRASH. LAST WEEK MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR (DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT) ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON AND STATED, "TIRE NEEDS AIR NOW." SO MY WIFE GOT OFF THE BUSY HIGHWAY AND CALLED VOLVO ROADSIDE SERVICE FOR A TIRE CHANGE, AS THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. WE TOOK THE FLAT TIRE TO A MECHANIC, WHO NOTICED THAT THE TIRE VALVE STEM WAS INSIDE THE WHEEL, SO HE REPLACED THE TIRE AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SENSOR. YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE INTERSTATE, WHEN THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND STATED, "TIRE NEEDS AIR NOW." SO I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND CALLED VOLVO ROADSIDE SERVICE FOR A TIRE CHANGE, AS THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. TWO FLAT TIRES WITHIN ONE WEEK AND BOTH WITH THE TIRE VALVE STEMS LOOSE INSIDE THE WHEEL. NOW I REALIZED THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO FAULTY HEX NUTS, SO I CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICE THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HAD A CRACKED HEX NUT. THIS IS NOT A COINCIDENCE, AS THREE OUT OF FOUR HEX NUTS WERE FAULTY. THIS FAULTY PART HAS CAUSED UNNECESSARY DAMAGE AND COSTLY REPAIRS. THE REASON WE HAVE A VOLVO IN THE FIRST PLACE IS FOR SAFETY; HOWEVER, MY CONCERN IS THAT VOLVO IS USING INFERIOR HEX NUTS, WHICH COULD CAUSE UNEXPECTED FLAT TIRES RESULTING IN A CAR ACCIDENT. THE FAULTY HEX NUTS ARE A "TICKING TIME BOMB" AND FEEL IT IS MY CIVIC DUTY TO INFORM VOLVO AND THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES OF THIS ISSUE TO ENSURE THAT ANY NECESSARY ACTION IS TAKEN TO AVOID CAR ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER VOLVO VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #10507205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT BEGAN TO CRACK AND PEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE SEAT WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE YEAR LATER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THEY WANTED TO DYE THE SEAT. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING FURTHER THEY COULD DO TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. VOLVO STATED IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. UPDATED 10/04/12 UPDATED 10/05/12

NHTSA complaint #10464337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.