Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2015 Volvo S80 with NHTSA between 2016 and 2024.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 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 — 86
16.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 73
43% 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 2015 Volvo S80
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
325.0%
Median failure at 36,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
216.7%
Median failure at 56,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
216.7%
Median failure at 34,000 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
18.3%
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
18.3%
Wheels
18.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
18.3%
Median failure at 16,000 miles
Airbags
18.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 77,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
342.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
342.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
114.3%
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.
Feb 2016peak 3Feb 2024
Recalls on the 2015 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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 77,000 milesBolton, MACrash
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2015 Volvo S80. The contact stated while driving at 55 mph, the contact noticed three deer crossing the highway. The contact could not brake the vehicle in time and as a result, the vehicle crashed into the deer. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injures sustained. The vehicle was drivable and the contact drove the vehicle back to their home address. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that the air bags may or may not engage in accidents. The failure mileage was 77,000.
NHTSA complaint #11420988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesMinneapolis, MN1 injured
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLVO S80. WHILE STATIONARY THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD AFTER THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALMOST RAN OVER THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000. UPDATED 02/03/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A FEATURE THAT IDLES THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO BE QUIET ENOUGH TO FOR THE DRIVER TO FORGET THE VEHICLE WAS ON. THE CONSUMER RELEASED THE BREAK PEDAL AND WAS FLIPPED INTO THE STREET. THE CONSUMER'S KNEE WAS INJURED AND PANTS WERE TORN. UPDATED 12/5/2017
NHTSA complaint #10920531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Centennial, CO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Most concerning: Front driver door latch quit working while driving leaving door to swing open during traffic. This is a known issue that led to recalls of other Volvo models (2011 - 2017), but the S80 was excluded. It was a terrifying ordeal that has now happened twice (during freezing conditions here in Colorado). Less concerning to me but a problem: The blindspot monitoring system malfunctions and keeps on blinking even when there's nothing in the blindspot - which betrays the reason it exists.
NHTSA complaint #11571533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centennial, CO
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Most concerning: Front driver door latch quit working while driving leaving door to swing open during traffic. This is a known issue that led to recalls of other Volvo models (2011 - 2017), but the S80 was excluded. It was a terrifying ordeal that has now happened twice (during freezing conditions here in Colorado). Less concerning to me but a problem: The blindspot monitoring system malfunctions and keeps on blinking even when there's nothing in the blindspot - which betrays the reason it exists.
NHTSA complaint #11571533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centennial, CO
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Most concerning: Front driver door latch quit working while driving leaving door to swing open during traffic. This is a known issue that led to recalls of other Volvo models (2011 - 2017), but the S80 was excluded. It was a terrifying ordeal that has now happened twice (during freezing conditions here in Colorado). Less concerning to me but a problem: The blindspot monitoring system malfunctions and keeps on blinking even when there's nothing in the blindspot - which betrays the reason it exists.
NHTSA complaint #11571533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maple Grove, MN
ENGINE
Car has 110000 miles on it and is using a quart of oil every 1000 miles, car has been maintained to Volvo specifications it's entire life. This is excessive oil consumption. Oil level low warning cones in every 1000 miles and a quart is needed to satisfy it
NHTSA complaint #11487561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,000 milesBolton, MACrash
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2015 Volvo S80. The contact stated while driving at 55 mph, the contact noticed three deer crossing the highway. The contact could not brake the vehicle in time and as a result, the vehicle crashed into the deer. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injures sustained. The vehicle was drivable and the contact drove the vehicle back to their home address. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that the air bags may or may not engage in accidents. The failure mileage was 77,000.
NHTSA complaint #11420988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesColumbia, TN
POWER TRAIN
MY CAR HAS THE START/STOP FUNCTION. IT HAS A BUTTON TO MANUALLY DEACTIVATE THE START/STOP SYSTEM BUT IT HAS TO BE PUSHED EVERY TIME THE CAR IS RESTARTED. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND DECIDED TO STOP AT A CONVENIENCE STORE TO GET A PEPSI. HE PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE. HE DIDN'T REALIZE THAT HE HADN'T PRESSED THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND WHEN HE PARKED THE CAR, IT SHUT OFF. HE'D BEEN DRIVING IN A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND DIDN'T REALIZE THE START/STOP HAD STOPPED THE ENGINE. HE THOUGHT HE'D TURNED THE CAR OFF. WELL, HE OPENED THE DOOR AND WHEN HE TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD CAUSING IT TO JUMP THE CONCRETE PARKING BUMPER. FORTUNATELY THE ONLY DAMAGE IT CAUSED WAS TO THE PLASTIC BELLY PAN UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. BUT SOMEONE IN A 4X4 PICKUP HAD TO WINCH MY CAR BACKWARDS TO GET IT OFF THE PARKING BUMPER. THERE SHOULD BE AN OPTION IN THE CAR'S CONTROL CENTER TO PERMANENTLY DEACTIVATE THE AUTO START/STOP FUNCTION INSTEAD OF HAVING TO DO IT MANUALLY EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED. ALL CARS WITH THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE NEED TO HAVE THE OPTION AVAILABLE. VOLVO TOLD ME IT CAN'T BE DONE. IT'S A COMPUTER, I'M SURE IT COULD BE REPROGRAMMED WITH THAT OPTION. THIS IS JUST AN ACCIDENT AND LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN! IT'S EASY TO FORGET, ESPECIALLY IF A PERSON HAS A LOT ON HIS/HER MIND (AND WHO DOESN'T THESE DAYS?)
NHTSA complaint #11363143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesColumbia, TN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY CAR HAS THE START/STOP FUNCTION. IT HAS A BUTTON TO MANUALLY DEACTIVATE THE START/STOP SYSTEM BUT IT HAS TO BE PUSHED EVERY TIME THE CAR IS RESTARTED. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND DECIDED TO STOP AT A CONVENIENCE STORE TO GET A PEPSI. HE PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE. HE DIDN'T REALIZE THAT HE HADN'T PRESSED THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND WHEN HE PARKED THE CAR, IT SHUT OFF. HE'D BEEN DRIVING IN A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND DIDN'T REALIZE THE START/STOP HAD STOPPED THE ENGINE. HE THOUGHT HE'D TURNED THE CAR OFF. WELL, HE OPENED THE DOOR AND WHEN HE TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD CAUSING IT TO JUMP THE CONCRETE PARKING BUMPER. FORTUNATELY THE ONLY DAMAGE IT CAUSED WAS TO THE PLASTIC BELLY PAN UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. BUT SOMEONE IN A 4X4 PICKUP HAD TO WINCH MY CAR BACKWARDS TO GET IT OFF THE PARKING BUMPER. THERE SHOULD BE AN OPTION IN THE CAR'S CONTROL CENTER TO PERMANENTLY DEACTIVATE THE AUTO START/STOP FUNCTION INSTEAD OF HAVING TO DO IT MANUALLY EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED. ALL CARS WITH THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE NEED TO HAVE THE OPTION AVAILABLE. VOLVO TOLD ME IT CAN'T BE DONE. IT'S A COMPUTER, I'M SURE IT COULD BE REPROGRAMMED WITH THAT OPTION. THIS IS JUST AN ACCIDENT AND LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN! IT'S EASY TO FORGET, ESPECIALLY IF A PERSON HAS A LOT ON HIS/HER MIND (AND WHO DOESN'T THESE DAYS?)
NHTSA complaint #11363143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesColumbia, TN
ENGINE
MY CAR HAS THE START/STOP FUNCTION. IT HAS A BUTTON TO MANUALLY DEACTIVATE THE START/STOP SYSTEM BUT IT HAS TO BE PUSHED EVERY TIME THE CAR IS RESTARTED. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND DECIDED TO STOP AT A CONVENIENCE STORE TO GET A PEPSI. HE PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE. HE DIDN'T REALIZE THAT HE HADN'T PRESSED THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND WHEN HE PARKED THE CAR, IT SHUT OFF. HE'D BEEN DRIVING IN A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND DIDN'T REALIZE THE START/STOP HAD STOPPED THE ENGINE. HE THOUGHT HE'D TURNED THE CAR OFF. WELL, HE OPENED THE DOOR AND WHEN HE TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD CAUSING IT TO JUMP THE CONCRETE PARKING BUMPER. FORTUNATELY THE ONLY DAMAGE IT CAUSED WAS TO THE PLASTIC BELLY PAN UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. BUT SOMEONE IN A 4X4 PICKUP HAD TO WINCH MY CAR BACKWARDS TO GET IT OFF THE PARKING BUMPER. THERE SHOULD BE AN OPTION IN THE CAR'S CONTROL CENTER TO PERMANENTLY DEACTIVATE THE AUTO START/STOP FUNCTION INSTEAD OF HAVING TO DO IT MANUALLY EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED. ALL CARS WITH THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE NEED TO HAVE THE OPTION AVAILABLE. VOLVO TOLD ME IT CAN'T BE DONE. IT'S A COMPUTER, I'M SURE IT COULD BE REPROGRAMMED WITH THAT OPTION. THIS IS JUST AN ACCIDENT AND LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN! IT'S EASY TO FORGET, ESPECIALLY IF A PERSON HAS A LOT ON HIS/HER MIND (AND WHO DOESN'T THESE DAYS?)
NHTSA complaint #11363143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Andover, MA
WHEELS
2015 VOLVO S80. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO FRONT END MALFUNCTIONS, RECURRING ISSUES WITH RIM,TIRE AND ALIGNMENT. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #11140929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesMinneapolis, MN1 injured
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLVO S80. WHILE STATIONARY THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD AFTER THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALMOST RAN OVER THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000. UPDATED 02/03/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A FEATURE THAT IDLES THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO BE QUIET ENOUGH TO FOR THE DRIVER TO FORGET THE VEHICLE WAS ON. THE CONSUMER RELEASED THE BREAK PEDAL AND WAS FLIPPED INTO THE STREET. THE CONSUMER'S KNEE WAS INJURED AND PANTS WERE TORN. UPDATED 12/5/2017
NHTSA complaint #10920531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesNEW York, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE STOPPED IN DRIVE AT A STOP SIGN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE,ON CORNER OF CITY STREET ENGINE REVVED VERY HIGH AND CAR TRIED TO SURGE FORWARD. APPLIED BRAKE EVEN HARDER, PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND STOPPED ENGINE. TRIED TO START UP AND SAME THING HAPPENED. ON THIRD TRY, ENGINE SEEMED NORMAL, BUT "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" WAS ON. DROVE 100 YARDS TO HOME GARAGE AND HAD CAR FLAT-BEDDED TO DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10837724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesNEW York, NY
ENGINE
WHILE STOPPED IN DRIVE AT A STOP SIGN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE,ON CORNER OF CITY STREET ENGINE REVVED VERY HIGH AND CAR TRIED TO SURGE FORWARD. APPLIED BRAKE EVEN HARDER, PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND STOPPED ENGINE. TRIED TO START UP AND SAME THING HAPPENED. ON THIRD TRY, ENGINE SEEMED NORMAL, BUT "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" WAS ON. DROVE 100 YARDS TO HOME GARAGE AND HAD CAR FLAT-BEDDED TO DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10837724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.