2005 Volvo S80 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (5) · Service Brakes (2) · Vehicle Speed Control (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volvo S80 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2021-09-30 · campaign 21V766000 · 259,383 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2010-11-08 · campaign 10V566000 · 416 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (191)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-04-23 · 35526.1.8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: text plus 2 pdfs and 1 .png oil consumption test. perform the test. follow service procedure description and service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-07 · 37809.1.1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a tj text only - the purpose of this tj is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. this tj will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval. current items under prior approval are listed in the "service" sec
Unknown Or Other 2025-12-06 · 19245 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal. vehicle type and platform identification.
Exterior Lighting 2025-04-10 · 8501 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: remote connection, bomgar application. before joining a remote session: •connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in vida is between 12.5v and 14.9v. •connect to the vehicle over a wired connection using a voe
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-21 · S10303 · Service Campaign
volvo cars usa llc and volvo car canada ltd on behalf of the volvo car corporation has decided to launch service action s10303 on certain model year 2025 ex90 vehicles. volvo car investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob. as a result, there is a possibil
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-13 · S10303 · Service Campaign
volvo cars usa llc and volvo car canada ltd on behalf of the volvo car corporation has decided to launch service action s10303 on certain model year 2025 ex90 vehicles. volvo car investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob. as a result, there is a possibil
Showing the 6 most recent of 191 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-01-07 · Fuel/Propulsion System“fuel smell in and around car. previous recall on cracked fuel pump causing odor was completed by powell volvo in 2010. the same defect may have happened recently as the odor was noticed in december 2021 and is now stronger. volvo may have extended the warranty. …”
2021-10-08 · Air Bags“when i was closing the passenger door, it did not close tight. so i opened it again and shut it a bit harder. when i shut it harder, the passenger side seat airbag and the top passenger side airbag deployed. if i had been sitting inside the car at the time, i could have been injured as small things exploded inside the car and it filled with a smoky…”
2019-09-24 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 140,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo s80. while driving 70 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle began to decelerate. the contact stated that the check engine, abs, and brake failure, stop safely warning indicators illuminated. the contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 09v483000 (fuel system, gasoline). the vehicle…”
2017-05-26 · Service Brakes · 106,000 mi“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 …”
2015-05-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 135,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo s80. while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. after restarting, the vehicle resumed normal operation. the failure recurred continuously. the vehicle was taken to the dealer on multiple occasions for diagnostic testing. the trouble code detected a failure with the fuel pressure sensor…”
2015-02-05 · Engine · 81,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo s80. while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle's speed reduced and "reduced engine performance" appeared on the instrument panel. the vehicle sputtered. the contact stated that the vehicle was not able to be driven two years ago. the failure recurred on multiple occasions. the vehicle was towed to a dealer, w…”
2015-01-05 · Service Brakes · 118,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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 shortl…”
2014-08-06 · Vehicle Speed Control“tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo s80. the contact stated when vehicle was park the engine accelerated own its own. the failure occurred numerous of times. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and they were unable to diagnose a failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified. the approximate failure mileage was 67,000.…”
2013-05-03 · Suspension · 80,435 mi“we own a beautiful 2005 volvo s80 t6 top of the line (fully loaded, twin turbos,18" rims, metallic green paint & parking sensors) only 80,300 miles. it's a $46,000 car unfortunately it is not safe for the road and is a hazard to all. it cannot go over speed bumps without shaking everyone inside violently. when driving the car the transmission will …”
2013-03-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 102,000 mi“fuel leak at top of pump under recall, inspection and repair at no cost refused by volvo. my volvo s80, 2005 was purchased as a used vehicle in san diego ca from the volvo dealer about 2 years ago. the fuel leak location was diagnosed by independent shop and they confirmed the pump was under recall. the independent shop recommend taking the c…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.