Model year record

1999 Volvo S80 recalls & problems

The 1999 Volvo S80 has 5 safety recalls and 199 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (53 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints199filed by owners

Crashes · fires6 · 6reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

1999 Volvo S80 in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicMar 29, 2007

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 07E02300013,128 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

Vehicle speed controlNov 15, 2006

Vehicle speed control

Recall 06V441000170,099 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.
Risk: THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Engine and engine coolingSep 13, 2004

Cooling system › Fan

Recall 04V451000149,799 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SOME ELECTRIC COOLING FANS MAY OVERHEAT POTENTIALLY CAUSING HEAT DAMAGE AND, IN RARE INSTANCES, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Risk: A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

Engine and engine coolingApr 7, 2002

Cooling system › Fan

Recall 02V09600025,876 vehicles

Problem: ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN ELECTRIC COOLING FANS COULD BE INADEQUATE IN A HOT CLIMATE. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED.
Risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN COMPONENTS COULD OVERHEAT AND CAUSE THE MELTING OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND ADJACENT COMPONENTS, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

SuspensionAug 24, 2000

Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint

Recall 00V23800049,488 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OVER TIME, THE BALL JOINT BETWEEN THE FRONT WHEEL KING PIN AND THE SUSPENSION LINK ARM, CAN EXPERIENCE INCREASED LOOSENESS.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT THE BALL JOINT'S DURABILITY AND PERFORMANCE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1999 Volvo S80 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

S80

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.9 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

S80

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Accelerator pedal	53	2	0	0	84,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Wiring › Front underhood	36	1	2	0	70,564 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	34	0	2	0	73,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Fuel injection system	27	0	1	0	87,695 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm	25	1	0	0	72,500 mi
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly; Hydraulic power assist system	18	0	1	0	60,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module	17	0	0	0	75,100 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly	16	1	0	0	75,250 mi
Air bagsSide/window; Frontal	11	1	0	4	109,427 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Sun/moon roof assembly	9	0	0	0	51,000 mi
StructureFrame and members; Body › Door	6	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Brake lights	6	0	0	0	100,762 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine
The ETM is acting up for no reason available
Jul 23, 2021
Air bags
THERES A RECENT RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS OF THE 1999 S80 VOLVO THAT WE NEED OUR AIRBAGS REPLACED BECAUSE ITS A HAZARD THAT CAN LEAD UP TO DEATH. ALSO THE ELECTRICITY KEEPS ZAPPING DOWN FROM THE CAR CREATING NO STARTS OR VERY POOR DRIVING, I ALMOST WAS STRANDED BECAUSE THE CAR SEEMS LIKE IT WANTED TO SHUT DOWN ONE NIGHT I WAS GETTING OFF WORK, I HIT FULL GAS AND IT ONLY GAVE ME 3 MPH AND ALSO WHEN I MADE A RIGHT TURN ONE NIGHT FROM WORK I FEEL THE WHEEL FEEL LIKE ITS COMING APART FROM THE INSIDE OR LOOSENING I DONT KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT IT FEELS AND SOUNDS ROUGH
Oct 2, 2020 · 128,855 miles
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
Sep 29, 2020 · 128,855 miles
Electronic stability control (esc)
ECM
Jan 1, 2018
Electrical systemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO S80. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL ONTO THE GROUND. WALLACE VOLVO IN STUART, FLORIDA DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS HAVING A MASS AIR FLOW FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY DON IMPORTS AUTO SERVICE IN VERO BEACH, FLORIDA. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A NEIGHBOR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WALLACE VOLVO IN STUART, FLORIDA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
Apr 10, 2012
Engine
WHILE WE WERE TRY I G TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE WE WERE TEST DRIVING IT A D CAME TO A FULL STOP AT A STOPLIGHT SIGNAL AND COULD NOT DOWNSHIFT VEHICLE INTO 1ST GEAR FROM A STOP AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS AT NORMAL RUNNING TEMPERATURE. CAUSING IT TO GO I TO A LIMP HOME MODE. SO WHILE WE WERE DRIVING WE NOTICED THAT THE FLOOR WAS SATURATED WITH ANTIFREEZE AND A SWEET ODOR FROM THE VENTS WAS NOTICED WITH A SMOKE . WE SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT SUCCESS . ALSO NOTICED AN NO OIL PRESSURE READ ON DASH ONLY WHEN WE WERE NOT IN ACCELERATION. THIS DISAPPEAR WHEN UPON ACCELERATION AND RETURNED WHEN IDLING. WE SERVICED THE OIL FILTER THE FLUIDS PERFORMED A MOTOR FLUSH FIRST AND REPLACED THE OIL PRESSURE…
Jan 19, 2016 · 143,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OPERATE ROUGHLY AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER FIFTEEN MINUTES, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED EIGHT YEARS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Jun 3, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
Jul 8, 2014 · 153,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONClosedLed to recall 06V441000
ON NOVEMBER 14, 2006 VOLVO SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING ETM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2001 VOLVO MODELS (NOT INCLUDING THE S40 AND V40), MY 2002 S60 AND V70 WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINES AND MY 2002 V70S.ACCORDING TO VOLVO, ?A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.VOLVO FURTHER STATED THAT,THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES GOING INTO LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.?VOLVO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE MOST SEVERE CONSEQUENCE OF AN ETM FAULT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE RECALL REMEDY IS A SOFTWARE UPGRADE INTRODUCED BY VOLVO ON MARCH 16, 2006 IN A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM.AT THE TIME OF THE NOTIFICATION 161,202 VEHICLES OF THE POPULATION OF 331,301 HAD ALREADY HAD THE…
EA05021 · opened Dec 6, 2005 · closed Dec 12, 2006
THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONClosed
PE05-041 WAS OPENED ON JULY, 26, 2005, BASED ON 136 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGING THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI HAS NOW RECEIVED 591 COMPLAINTS OF ETM FAILURES WHICH ALLEGE SYMPTOMS WITH POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES.THESE INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE STALL, VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD WITHOUT ACCELERATOR INPUT, VEHICLE HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED TRANSITION INTO REDUCED PERFORMANCE OPERATION (LIMP MODE).VOLVO SUBMITTED OVER 2,900 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE ETM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING PE05-041.ODI'S PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 55 PERCENT WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ABOVE.ODI IS CONTINUING ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS. IN NOVEMBER 2005, TO RESOLVE AN INVESTIGATION BY THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD, VOLVO…
PE05041 · opened Jul 26, 2005 · closed Dec 7, 2005