The 2001 Volvo S80 has 8 safety recalls and 164 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (64 complaints).
Recalls8safety recalls
Complaints164filed by owners
Crashes · fires7 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints
2001 Volvo S80 in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Problem: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2006 S80 and 2001-2009 S60 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10125.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 20V681000 · Nov 4, 2020 · 54,124 vehicles
Problem: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2003 S80 and S60 vehicles sold or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The driver side frontal air bag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments into the passage compartment, when the driver side air bag is deployed.
Risk: Metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Fix: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10058.
NHTSA recall 10V566000 · Nov 8, 2010 · 416 vehicles
Problem: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Risk: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Fix: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
NHTSA recall 09V483000 · Dec 18, 2009 · 158,733 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 S80, MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 V70, S60, XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES SOLD IN OR REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, UTAH, VIRGINIA AND THE U.S. TERRITORIES. WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (HOT CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE CYCLING) OVER TIME AND IN COMBINATION WITH VARYING FUEL QUALITY, THE FUEL PUMP CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE.
Risk: IF THE CONDITION OCCURS VEHICLE OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
NHTSA recall 07E023000 · Mar 29, 2007 · 13,128 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 control
NHTSA recall 06V441000 · Nov 15, 2006 · 170,099 vehicles · opened 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.
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.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
NHTSA recall 01V100000 · Mar 26, 2001 · 3,276 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDANS AND WAGONS. THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BOLTS MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ANCHORAGE BOLTS AND TIGHTEN TO THE CORRECT TORQUE LEVEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2001. 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.
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
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2001 Volvo S80 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not 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.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal; Cables
64
3
0
0
66,712 mi
Electrical system Ignition › Module; Wiring › Front underhood
39
2
2
0
63,008 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Exhaust system › Emission control
Service brakes, hydraulic Power assist; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
4
1
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Oct 8, 2021Air bags Takata recall. The contact owns a 2001 Volvo S80. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V766000 (Air Bags). The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was then notified and informed him that they were unaware of when the parts may have become available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnection.
Jun 15, 2019 · 52,000 milesUnknown or other MY CAR LURCHES FORWARD WHEN YOU ARE IDLING AS WELL AS DRIVING. I WAS ON A BUSY STREET WHEN I PULLED OUT INTO AN ONCOMING LINE OF TRAFFIC WHEN THE MOTOR COMPLETELY DIED LEAVING ME IN THE MIDDLE OF BOTH LANES OF TRAFFIC. AFTER A TIME I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED IN BUMPER TO BUMPER HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. AS YOU ARE IDLING AT AN INTERSECTION OR AWAITING A TRAIN TO PASS, THE MOTOR RACES AND THEN SLOWS AND ALSO LURCHES AHEAD. FOOT MUST BE HARD ON THE BRAKE OR I COULD REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY ABOUT 65,000 MILES AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. IT HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR UNTIL THIS STARTED HAPPENING. THE CAR IS NOW SITTING IN THE…
Nov 9, 2017 · 158,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryAir bags ON NOVEMBER 9TH MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2001 VOLVO S80 TO CHURCH. SHE PARKED THE CAR BUT IT BEGAN TO MOVE. IT ACCELERATED AND SHE WOUND UP DRIVING INTO A TREE TO AVOID HITTING OTHER CARS. SHE WAS ALSO WORRIED THAT CHILDREN FROM THE SCHOOL MIGHT BE AROUND. THE CAR WAS IN PARK. THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THE EMERGENCY BREAK WAS ON. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER SINCE THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THE CHURCH SECRETARY OBSERVED THE INCIDENT. SHE SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE BACK OF THE CAR WHICH WOULD INDICATE THE EMERGENCY BREAK WAS ON. WHEN SHE FIRST REACHED THE CAR WITH MY WIFE IN IT SHE NOTED THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK.
Oct 19, 2017 · 150 milesElectrical system TAKATA RECALL" FRIST I CALLED VOLVO TO INQUIRE ABOUT RECALLS REFERENING TO THE COOLING SYSTEM AND THE FUEL PUMP THE FIRST LADY I SPOKE WITH INFORMED ME THIS PROBLEM WAS UNDER RECALLS AND TO TAKE MY CAR TO GET IT SERVICED AT THE NEAREST DEALER AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALER AT 7:15AM 4HOURS LATER AFTER I CALLED THEM FIRST THEY NOW ARE SAYING THAT THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THEY CAN DO WITH MY CAR AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHO TOLD ME THAT FALSE INFORMATION. ON TOP OF ALL OF THIS MY CAR ACCELERATES BY ITSELF LUCKY WHEN IT HAPPENS I HURRY AND PUSH THE BRAKES AND THE CAR DOSENT START UP ONCE TURNING THE KEY EVEN THE GUY SAY THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM. BASED ON HOW EXPENSIVE THIS CAR IS IT SEEM THERE…
Dec 25, 2016 · 143,000 milesElectronic stability control (esc) TAKATA RECALL- THE VEHICLE BECOME NON RESPONSIVE WHEN PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, THE DSTC (DYNAMIC STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL) FAILED AND THE ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE STOPPED READING. THE VEHICLE STARTED STALLING EVERYTIME I COME TO A STOP. ALL THIS STARTED AT THE SAME TIME WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *TR
May 10, 2010 · 147,054 miles · crashElectrical system PLACED MY VEHICLE IN REVERSE TO PULL BACK OUT OF MY GARAGE & MY CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS FORCED INTO A PARKING SIGN THAT SCRATCHED AND DENTED MY LEFT REAR BUMPER. IN THE LAST 2 1/2 MONTHS RELATED PROBLEMS CONTINUE WHERE MY CAR SURGES & ALSO EXPERIENCES SUDDEN & UNEXPECTED REDUCED PERFORMANCE. WHEN I ACCELERATE MY CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS STUCK IN GEAR & WON'T RESPOND. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD!! AGAIN!!! THIS DUPLICATES THE SAME ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE PROBLEM I HAD IN AUGUST OF 2005. AFTER TAKING MY CAR IN 4 TIMES (NOT KNOWING WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS), IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED IT IS THE ETM AGAIN. VOLVO PERFORMED A COMPUTERIZED UPGRADE ON THE ETM & THEN IT WAS FINALLY RECALLED IN…
Dec 14, 2012Suspension I PURCHASED VEHICLE 8 MONTHS AGO I NOW HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT AND BACK SUSPENSION. THE AIR TURNS ON ITS OWN, THE AXLE HAS BROKEN, THE SUNROOF OPENS WHEN IT WANTS TO OPEN, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS TURNED ON ALONG WITH MAINTENANCE LIGHT, MY DOORS WILL UNLOCK THEMSELVES WHEN I LOCK THEM AND THE ALARM WILL ENGAGE, THE LEFT WINDOW DOES NOT WORK , SOMETIMES I CANT UNLOCK THE DOORS HAVE TO UNLOCK WITH MY HAND. MY CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK, THE BATTERY STOPS WORKING OFTEN, THE INSIDE LIGHTS WORK SOMETIMES. IT IS RUNNING TERRIBLE , IDLE UP AND DOWN I KNOW ALL HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH RECALL PLEASE HELP! *TR
Jul 16, 2012 · 87,000 milesVehicle speed control TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE ABNORMALLY AS THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SIGNS OF POSSIBLE STALLING. THE VEHICLE THEN ACTIVATED IN LIMP MODE AND STOPPED RUNNING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT DEALT WITH THE DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING. THE RECALL REPAIR CONSISTED OF A SOFTWARE UPGRADE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY STIPULATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,000.
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
EA05021 · opened Dec 6, 2005 · closed Dec 12, 2006 · led to recall 06V441000THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION 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…
PE05041 · opened Jul 26, 2005 · closed Dec 7, 2005THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION 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…
