Volvo S80 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Volvo S80 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2014 drew the fewest (1) and the 2000 the most (318).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Power train | — | 21–23 |
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
5 | 4 | Electrical system | — | 21–22 |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
6 | 2 | Engine | — | 29 |
| 2015 | 7 | 2 | Engine | — | 22–29 |
| 2012 | 8 | 3 | Unknown or other | — | 21–23 |
| 2013 | 8 | 3 | Engine | — | 21–22 |
| 2006 | 12 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 20–22 |
| 2005 | 15 | 5 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 19–22 |
| 2009 | 16 | 5 | Structure | — | 18–20 |
| 2007 | 24 | 5 | Structure | — | 18–19 |
| 2003 | 26 | 5 | Fuel system | — | 19–20 |
| 2008 | 26 | 7 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 18–19 |
| 2010 | 27 | 5 | Visibility/wiper | — | 18–21 |
| 2002 | 42 | 4 | Power train | — | 19 |
| 2004 | 50 | 4 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 19–21 |
| 2001 Among the most complaints |
164 | 7 | Vehicle speed control | — | 19–20 |
| 1999 Among the most complaints |
199 | 4 | Vehicle speed control | — | 19–20 |
| 2000 Among the most complaints |
318 | 4 | Vehicle speed control | — | 18–19 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Volvo S80 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2000 Volvo S80: 318 complaints
Most-reported: Vehicle speed control 93 (29%); Engine and engine cooling 68 (21%); Electrical system 54 (17%).
Reports mention 16 crashes, 8 fires, 13 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 78,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
1999 Volvo S80: 199 complaints
Most-reported: Vehicle speed control 53 (27%); Electrical system 35 (18%); Engine and engine cooling 33 (17%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 6 fires, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 83,112 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2001 Volvo S80: 164 complaints
Most-reported: Vehicle speed control 64 (39%); Electrical system 39 (24%); Engine and engine cooling 27 (16%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 63,294 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
The Volvo S80 years with the fewest complaints
2011 Volvo S80: 5 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 2 (40%); Power train 2 (40%); Air bags 1 (20%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 2 injuries. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Volvo S80: 6 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 3 (50%); Electrical system 1 (17%); Fuel system 1 (17%).
2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Volvo S80 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 47,900 |
| 2009 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2008 | 26 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 69,500 |
| 2007 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 90,000 |
| 2006 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2005 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 102,000 |
| 2004 | 50 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 99,000 |
| 2003 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 56,000 |
| 2002 | 42 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 104,445 |
| 2001 | 164 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 63,294 |
| 2000 | 318 | 16 | 8 | 13 | 0 | 78,000 |
| 1999 | 199 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 83,112 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Volvo S80 recalls
- Seat Belts May Not Restrain Occupant (2007–2016 model years; 308,260 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2020; 20V378000)
- Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2001–2006 model years; 259,383 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2021; 21V766000)
- VOLVO/ISOFIX GUIDE (2003 model year; 220,407 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2003; 03V284000)
- THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION (1999–2001 model years; 170,099 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2006; 06V441000)
- FUEL PUMP LEAK (2001–2005 model years; 158,733 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2009; 09V483000)
All 27 Volvo S80 recall campaigns · Volvo S80 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Volvo S80 years FAQ
Which Volvo S80 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2014 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Volvo S80 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2000, 1999 and 2001 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the vehicle speed control. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Volvo S80 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the vehicle speed control (227 of 954 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Volvo S80 have?
NHTSA lists 27 recall campaigns covering the Volvo S80. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Volvo S80 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.