Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2012 Volvo S80 with NHTSA between 2013 and 2024.
The largest single group is the other & unspecified.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 14 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 6
Against the median year of the Volvo S80. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
45.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 57
33% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2012 Volvo S80
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Other & Unspecified
218.2%
Median failure at 1 miles
Seats
19.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Wheels
19.1%
Median failure at 138,000 miles
Tires
19.1%
Median failure at 29,142 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
19.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Suspension
19.1%
Median failure at 56,763 miles
Body & Structure
19.1%
Median failure at 65,000 miles
Steering
19.1%
Airbags
19.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
19.1%
Median failure at 45,800 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
116.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
233.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
233.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
116.7%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2012 Volvo S80 4 DR AWD
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—
—
—
2012 Volvo S80 4 DR FWD
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—
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When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2013peak 3Dec 2024
Recalls on the 2012 Volvo S80
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202029824,089 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
Issue: On certain vehicles, the flexible steel cable that attaches the seat belt to the outside of the front seats may weaken over time. As a result, the seat belt could detach. Safety Risk: A seat belt that detaches in a crash could create an increased risk of injury. Corrective Action: Volvo will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the front-outboard seat belt anchors.
Recall 2012202144 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, when driving, an error in the automatic transmission control system could cause the engine to stall. Engine stalling would result in lost vehicle propulsion which, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the Transmission Control Module.
Recall 20120823,424 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the wire harness under the driver and/or passenger seat may not have been properly affixed to the seat frame during vehicle assembly. As such, the harness may get caught by the amplifier (mounted under the seat) when seating position is adjusted. If this occurs, the harness connector may detach from the socket and, as a result, the corresponding airbag may not function as intended, causing the instrument panel SRS warning lamp to illuminate. Failure of a frontal airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, secure the wire harness to the driver and/or passenger seat frame.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Scarsdale, NYCrash
SEATS
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11631489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scarsdale, NYCrash
AIR BAGS
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11631489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scarsdale, NYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11631489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellingham, WA1 injured
STEERING
A batch of metal used for the steering wheel trim prematurely wears down at the base of the steering wheel in 2 locations out of sight with normal use and becomes razor sharp. When turning the wheel, the spinning razor edge can cause the driver to lose control due to sudden pain due to slicing into the fingers. The metal slices into the skin drawing blood much like that of a papercut. I have experienced sudden cuts in turning on 2 separate occasions recently having to re-grab the steering wheel due to involuntary pain reflex release to prevent total loss of control and the problem has not been confirmed by the dealer. There is no prior warning when this issue suddenly occurs.
NHTSA complaint #11579271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellingham, WA1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A batch of metal used for the steering wheel trim prematurely wears down at the base of the steering wheel in 2 locations out of sight with normal use and becomes razor sharp. When turning the wheel, the spinning razor edge can cause the driver to lose control due to sudden pain due to slicing into the fingers. The metal slices into the skin drawing blood much like that of a papercut. I have experienced sudden cuts in turning on 2 separate occasions recently having to re-grab the steering wheel due to involuntary pain reflex release to prevent total loss of control and the problem has not been confirmed by the dealer. There is no prior warning when this issue suddenly occurs.
NHTSA complaint #11579271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Scarsdale, NYCrash
SEATS
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11631489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scarsdale, NYCrash
AIR BAGS
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11631489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scarsdale, NYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11631489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellingham, WA1 injured
STEERING
A batch of metal used for the steering wheel trim prematurely wears down at the base of the steering wheel in 2 locations out of sight with normal use and becomes razor sharp. When turning the wheel, the spinning razor edge can cause the driver to lose control due to sudden pain due to slicing into the fingers. The metal slices into the skin drawing blood much like that of a papercut. I have experienced sudden cuts in turning on 2 separate occasions recently having to re-grab the steering wheel due to involuntary pain reflex release to prevent total loss of control and the problem has not been confirmed by the dealer. There is no prior warning when this issue suddenly occurs.
NHTSA complaint #11579271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellingham, WA1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A batch of metal used for the steering wheel trim prematurely wears down at the base of the steering wheel in 2 locations out of sight with normal use and becomes razor sharp. When turning the wheel, the spinning razor edge can cause the driver to lose control due to sudden pain due to slicing into the fingers. The metal slices into the skin drawing blood much like that of a papercut. I have experienced sudden cuts in turning on 2 separate occasions recently having to re-grab the steering wheel due to involuntary pain reflex release to prevent total loss of control and the problem has not been confirmed by the dealer. There is no prior warning when this issue suddenly occurs.
NHTSA complaint #11579271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1 milesRED Bank, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY WIFE KAREN WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK ON FEBRUARY 24, 2020 WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE-VIEW MIRROR DETACHED, HIT THE PAVEMENT AND SHATTERED. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT ABOUT 7:45 AM. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AT 140 STATESIR PLACE FOR 60 HOURS WITHOUT BEING USED AND THE MIRROR SHOWED NO SIGN OF DAMAGE PRIOR TO BEING DRIVER. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 800 FEET FROM OUR RESIDENCE AS SHE WAS TURNING FROM STATESIR PLACE ONTO PINE STREET NEARER TO THE CORNER .
NHTSA complaint #11315577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesHouston, TX
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL STUDS FRACTURED FROM THE TIRE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SLID ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER AND THE FENDER WAS RIPPED OFF. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TAKEN TO DEMONDTROND VOLVO (VOLVO BUILDING, 14101 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77090, (281) 607-0382). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
NHTSA complaint #11185921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesConcord, NH
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE PASSENGER DOOR CONTINUES TO OPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE THE OPTION FOR DOORS TO LOCK WHEN CAR BEGINS TO MOVE. THE LOCK REMAINS "LOCKED" HOWEVER DOOR OPENS WITH INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DASHBOARD WARNING. I HAVE CONTACTED VOLVO TO NO END... I SEE A MULTITUDE OF DOOR OPENING ISSUES ON VOLVO FORUM SITES, AND MECHANIC STATES COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLVO.
NHTSA complaint #11057458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,763 milesSterling Heights, MI
SUSPENSION
DRIVERS SIDE REAR SUSPENSION LINK ARM FAILURE. VEHICLE TRAVELING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON EXPRESSWAY AT POSTED SPEED, 70MPH, ROAD CONDITIONS DRY AND CLEAR. NO IMPACTS OR SUDDEN MANEUVERS PRIOR TO FAILURE, I.E. CHUCK HOLE OR DEBRIS. NO TIRE OR WHEEL DAMAGE SUSTAINED PRIOR TO OR AFTER SUSPENSION FAILURE. NO IMPACT EVIDENCED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10904402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,800 milesWaterloo, IL
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING TO A HIGH SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE TACHOMETER FLUCTUATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V317000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,800.
NHTSA complaint #10845524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,142 milesSuffolk, VA
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS 21 JUL 2013 - SUNDAY EVENING THE TIRE LOW PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE. I LOOKED AT ALL FOUR TIRES AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. 22 JUL 2013 - MONDAY AS SAFETY PRECAUTION I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD THE SENSOR CHECKED. THE VOLVO SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED; THEY CHECK THE PRESSURE IN ALL TIRES FOR LEAKS, PROPER INFLATION AND THE LIGHT WENT OUT. 23 JUL 2013 - TUESDAY MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. AGAIN; I LOOKED AT ALL FOUR TIRES AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10526283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.