FaultScore

Volvo S80 brake problems

69 of the 1,321 complaints filed about the Volvo S80 are about the braking system — 5% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2000.

69

Complaints

5%

Share of all complaints

3

Crashes

1

Fires

Brakes complaints by model year

1999 S80 19 27.5%

Median failure at 83,100 miles

2000 S80 26 37.7%

Median failure at 113,250 miles

2001 S80 5 7.2%

Median failure at 15,006 miles

2002 S80 4 5.8%

Median failure at 85,000 miles

2003 S80 4 5.8%

Median failure at 31,660 miles

2004 S80 3 4.3%

Median failure at 42,300 miles

2005 S80 2 2.9%

Median failure at 112,000 miles

2006 S80 2 2.9%
2007 S80 1 1.4%

Median failure at 58,676 miles

2008 S80 1 1.4%

Median failure at 70,500 miles

2010 S80 2 2.9%

Median failure at 38,250 miles

What owners said

2006 Volvo S80 Largo, FL

SERVICE BRAKES

on Tuesday 11/19/2024 i went to my car and saw that a lot of fluid had leaked out of it. i went to start my car and when the car came on the gas tank was empty, but i had just filled the tank up the day before and parked it. on monday the 11/18/2024 i had put gas in the tank. so on tuesday when i had to go to the store i was pretty confused that the tank was low. this same thing had happened one time before but it never occurred that there was any kind of leak. but for an entire tank of gas to spill out is extremely concerning

NHTSA complaint #11635682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Volvo S80 at 100,000 miles Oaklyn, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES

The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the instrument panel malfunctioned and failed to illuminate while driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of an electrical failure that affected the brakes and the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact also mentioned that she had received NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V681000 (Air Bags) however, the part was not yet available. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11422659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Volvo S80 at 128,855 miles Chicago, IL

SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN IM DRIVING AND HAVE TO COME TO A SLOW STOP IM HEARING THE MASTER CYLINDER SOUND LIKE ITS RUBBING AGAINST SOMETHING LOUDLY EVEN WITH THE APPROPRIATE BRAKE FLUID AND MEASURE IS FILLED WITHIN IT, ALSO THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWS HOT AIR DURING THE SUMMER CAUSING THE CAR TO FAIL DURING HOT WEATHER

NHTSA complaint #11373727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Volvo S80 Middletown, NJ Crash 3 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

I WANT TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A VERY SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT THAT MY MOTHER HAD ON 9-5-18. SHE WAS DRIVING HER 2000 VOLVO S80 WHEN HER CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. MY MOM HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT THAT DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY, AT THAT POINT THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL HITTING AND BANGING UP ALL THE CARS AROUND IT. THEN THE CAR FINALLY SMASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR STOPPING THE OUT OF CONTROL CAR. MY MOM WAS SERIOUSLY HURT AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. SHE HAD EMERGENCY SURGERY TO REPAIR HER AORTA THAT TORE FROM THE CRASH. SHE ALSO BROKE HER STERNUM. I AM DEVASTATED BY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY MOM. I FEEL THAT IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT YOU AND VOLVO ARE MADE AWARE OF THIS TRAGIC SITUATION THAT OCCURRED BY THIS VOLVO S80.

NHTSA complaint #11128657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Volvo S80 at 106,000 miles Victorville, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACTS GIRLFRIEND OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO APPLY PRESSURE WITH FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED. THE ABS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AT ONTARIO VOLVO AT PHONE NUMBER: 909-230-9653 AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPLACED THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA complaint #10991819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Volvo S80 at 65,000 miles Monroe, CT

SERVICE BRAKES

VOLVO BRAKE VACUUM PUMP IS LEAKING OIL ON THE 3.2 LITER MOTORS. VOLVO HAS FINALLY RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE WITH THIS LEAK AND HAS COME UP WITH A VOLVO BRAKE VACUUM PUMP REPAIR KIT (VOLVO 31401556 REPAIR KIT). ALONG WITH THE KNOW EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION OF THE 3.2 LITER MOTOR THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKE POWER.

NHTSA complaint #10680411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Volvo S80 at 118,000 miles Coconut Creek, FL Fire

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO RATTLE AND SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TRIED TO MERGE OVER TO THE SLOWER LANE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP AND SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA complaint #10670225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Volvo S80 at 106,987 miles Sugar Grove, OH

SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE STOPPING OR TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS THE CARS IDLE SPEED WILL FLUCTUATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP UP TO 1100 RPMS. MOST OF THE TIME BETWEEN 500 & 1100 RPMS ! WHEN THE CAR STOPS RUNNING WHILE I AM TRYING TO TURN A CORNER , THE POWER STEERING OF COARSE DOES NOT WORK AND ITS HARD TO STEER IT. I DID TAKE IT TO A VOLVO DEALER, & THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW THROTTLE SENSOR & COMPUTER SOFTWARE CHANGE, & IT WOULD COST ME $2400. I CAN'T FIND OUT IF ANY OF THE RECALLS HAVE EVER BEEN DONE #R155, R146, NHTSA I.D. #626114 & I.D. #10018801. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE CAR FOR THREE YEARS & DID NOT RECEIVE AND RECALLS NOTICES. MOST OF THE TIME THE CAR RUNS FINE, I HAVE DRIVEN IT OVER 40,000 MILES NOW WITH THE CHECK ENG. LIGHT ON & OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR A DAY OR TOO & GO OFF FOR THREE OR FOUR DAYS AT A TIME. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY OF THE RECALLS HAVE EVER BEEN DONE TO THIS CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10627132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Volvo S80 at 97,000 miles Mansfield, CT

SERVICE BRAKES

I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR MONTHS NOW. THE CAR SHUTS DOWN AND WON'T RESTART! I BEEN TAKING OFF THE BATTERY AND LETTING IT SIT OVER NIGHT, THEN PUTTING CABLES BACK ON TO GET IT TO RESTART! TODAY I DROVE IT FOR A MILE AND PARKED IT AND WHILE IT WAS RUNNING IT SHUT DOWN AGAIN! MOST OF THE TIME IT SHUTS DOWN WHEN I'M DRIVING AND I LOSE BRAKE CONTROL!

NHTSA complaint #10558799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Volvo S80 Tampa, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2006 VOLVO S80 . CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY VEHICLE REPAIRS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE FRONT BRAKES, PADS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAD AIR BAG PROBLEMS AND IT OVER HEATED.

NHTSA complaint #10514205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Volvo S80 at 70,500 miles Levittown, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKE SYSTEM VACUUM PUMP FAILED, FOUND LEAKING ENGINE OIL INTO THE PUMP HOUSING.

NHTSA complaint #10450535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Volvo S80 at 11,500 miles Bloomfield Hills, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DRIVING ON CITY STREET AT ABOUT 30-35 MPH. AS I APPROACHED INTERSECTION I TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP AT INTERSECTION. AS I STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL, I COULD HEAR ENGINE START ACCELERATING AND CAR WOULDN'T STOP. I NOTICED TACH READING BETWEEN 4 AND 5. ALTHOUGH ENGINE WAS ACCELERATING AND VEHICLE WAS MOVING FORWARD IT WAS NOT MOVING AT EXCESSIVE SPEED. I PRESSED HARDER ON BRAKE PEDAL AND WHILE CAR SLOWED SOMEWHAT IT WOULD NOT STOP. SO I DECIDED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO STOP VEHICLE WAS TO MOVE GEAR SHIFT LEVER TO PARK AND THEN TURN OFF ENGINE. I THEN RESTARTED CAR AND IT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. MY EXPERIENCE MIGHT BE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED "SUDDEN, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION".

NHTSA complaint #10438599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Volvo S80 at 144,400 miles Greer, SC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DRIVING IN THE CITY AND WHEN TRYING TO STOP ON A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE BRAKES BECAME HARD AND ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING WELL. WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE OFF IN THE GREEN LIGHT THE SPEED CONTROL OF THE GAS PEDAL WAS VERY CHAOTIC. I GOT A MESSAGE OF ENGINE SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL VOLVO DEALER AND HE DIAGNOSED A FAULTY THROTTLE ETM ASKING 2000 $ TO REPLACE. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND THAT THERE WAS ALREADY A RECALL ON THAT BY VOLVO AND WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER HE SAID THAT THIS WAS TRUE BUT MY CAR WAS MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD ( ALTHOUGH HE COULD HAVE INFORMED ME ABOUT THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE). HE INFORMED ME THAT A SOFTWARE SERVICE ON THE ETM OF MY CAR WAS DONE IN 2006 ( AFTER THE RECALL?) BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AS APPARENTLY THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE ETM DESIGN ( FALTERING POTENTIOMETER). THIS CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IT WILL PROBABLY GO TO THE JUNKYARD, BUT WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED BY ALL VOLVOS REMAINING ON THE STREET WITH FAULTY ETM'S, WHICH THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FILED AT NHTSA SHOW.

NHTSA complaint #10433515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Volvo S80 at 131,329 miles East Moline, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I WAS DRIVING ALONG A BUSY STREET, WHEN I CAME TO A STOP SIGN THE BRAKES WHERE HARD TO PUSH, WHEN I FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR, YOU COULD STILL FILL THE CAR TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD I TOOK MY FOOT OF THE BRAKES AND THE CAR SPED UP ON IT'S ON REACHING CLOSE TO 40 MPH AGAIN I WAS BARELY ABLE TO STOP THE CAR DO TO A STIFF BRAKE PEDAL. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND SHUT IT OFF, ONCE I RESTARTED THE CAR IT WAS SPUTTERING AND WOULDN'T IDLE CORRECTLY EVERY TIME I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR IT WOULD SHUT OFF NOW I'M GETTING AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT SAYS SERVICE ENGINE SYSTEM URGENT.

NHTSA complaint #10423220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Volvo S80 at 230,000 miles West Point, MS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I PURCHASED A 2000 VOLVO S80 IN DEC 2010. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED A HISSING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH NEAR THE FIRE WALL. THE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THIS HAS CAUSED WEAK BRAKES. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL IT GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE PUMPED TO STOP THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10375405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Volvo S80 at 58,676 miles SAN Jose, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DURING A SCHEDULED SERVICE IN 2008-09 THE TECH. FAILED TO CHECK FOR LEAKS AFTER AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR A FEW DAYS WITH OIL UNDETECTED UNTIL THE ENGINE COWL COULD NOT HOLD AN MORE OIL AND STARTED LEAKING ON THE DRIVEWAY. NOW AFTER A RECALL FOR A HEATER HOSE SMYTHE SERVICE DETECTED AN OIL LEAK COMING FOR THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP AND HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1154.00 (VACUUM PUMP $995.00 AND LABOR $159.00). THE VACUUM PUMP IS LUBRICATE BY THE ENGINE AND I WONDER IF THE LACK OF OIL PRESSURE MIGHT HAVE SHORTENED THE LIFE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, OR IF THE VACUUM PUMP IS A PROBLEM WITH OTHER VOLVO CARS? A $1154.00 COST TO REPLACE THE PUMP SEEMS TO BE EXCESSIVE FOR A VACUUM PUMP NO BIGGER THE A SOFTBALL. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10375115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Volvo S80 at 63,000 miles Winsted, CT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2002 VOLVO S80 TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 63,000 MILES, REPLACED WITH NEW VOLVO TRANSMISSION, LASTED 2 YEARS 1 MONTH, VOLVO STATES 2 YEARS IS THE WARRANTY, SO FAR WE HAVE 8900.00 IN REPAIRS TO THIS CAR IN THE LAST 3 YEARS,THIS CAR IS A REAL LEMON.

NHTSA complaint #10373785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo S80 at 82,250 miles Cliftonpark, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

VOLVO S-80 2004 NEW YORK . - PASSENGER SIDE REAL WHEEL LOCKED- WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A HIGHWAY TO A LOCAL ROAD A LOUD NOISE IN THE BACK AND HAD TO PULL TO THE NEAREST OPEN SPACE. A QUICK CHECK OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SHOWED TIRE MARKS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND A BURNING SMELL. SHORT MOVEMENT OF THE CAR SHOWED PASSENGER REAR WHEEL IS LOCKED. .ABS LIGHT CAME ON AFTER TURNING ON THE CAR. CAR HAS 82,225 MILES. VOLVO DEALER CHECKED THE VEHICLE SAFETY A MONTH BACK.

NHTSA complaint #10362875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Volvo S80 at 59,493 miles Folsom, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

I KEEP GETTING ABS MODULE FAILURE ON VOLVO S80; EVERY TIME WE TAKE OUR CAR TO VOLVO DEALER, THEY COME UP WITH SOME MODULE FAILURE DIAGNOSIS. SEEMS LIKE A VOLVO GENERIC ISSUE WITH ABS MODULE FAILURE MESSAGE. WE HAVE TRIED CONTACTING VOLVO ABOUT THIS AND THEY REALLY DID NOT HELP US. THEY HAVE ASKED ME TO TALK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL VOLVO DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER SERVICE MANAGER HAS TOLD US THAT THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL VOLVO AND ASKED TO GET RID OF OUR CAR. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10362161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Volvo S80 at 85,000 miles Pittsburgh, PA

PARKING BRAKE

VOLVO S80 2002 -PA .WHILE REVERSING REAR WHEEL LOCKED AND CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN.PARKING BRAKE NOT ENGAGED. CAR TOWED TO VOLVO DEALER. ON ASSESSMENT DEALER INDICATED THAT PARKING SHOES FROZE UP AND DELAMINATED CAUSING COLLATERAL DAMAGE. ANOTHER POSSIBILITY WAS THAT PARKING CABLE FROZE UP AND PARKING SHOES DELAMINATED. CAR HAD APPROX 85000 MILES. EITHER WAY THIS IS A DEFECT IF OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY WOULD HAVE HAD DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCE. IRRESPECTIVE OF AGE OF CAR CABLE CANNOT FREEZE. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED BY DEALER. ALL MAINTENANCE DONE BY DEALER AS RECOMMENDED BY MANUFACTURER. CAR UNDERWENT SPRING INSPECTION AROUND MONTH AGO. SO QUALITY OF PARKING SHOES NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED OR PARKING BRAKE CABLE INSPECTION SHOULD BE ADDED. AGREED WITH DEALER TO REPLACE AND REPAIR DEFECT AS I NEED THE CAR. REQUESTED THEM TO KEEP THE PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY NHTSA IF NECESSARY. COST APPROX $2000.00 WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT. SAFETY ISSUE IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY LEADING TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10336366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Volvo S80 problems