2008 Volvo S80 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (3) · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly (2) · Vehicle Speed Control (2)
🧭 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 (3)
Seat Belts:front 2020-06-30 · campaign 20V378000 · 308,260 vehicles
Defect: Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
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.
Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems 2010-07-22 · campaign 10V335000 · 3,635 vehicles
Defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 S80 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND A PAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL CONTAIN INCORRECT MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE INFLATION PRESSURE AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) SOFTWARE HAS AN INCORRECT TRIGGER LEVEL.
Risk: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIRED SAFETY STANDARDS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE VEHICLES WITH A NEW TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL, OWNER'S MANUAL LABEL AND TPMS SOFTWARE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM .
Service bulletins (243)
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 243 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-20 · Electrical System · 115,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 volvo s80. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. the contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagno…”
2025-07-03 · Seat Belts“i bought this car from elderly people. after i bought it and drove, there's lots of thing not according to safety standard? i asked them (seller) but they don't have any answer, due to their age. so, since last tuesday, i am driving as it is. hardly i put 250 miles so far. there's belt sign, air bag sign, and low tire air sign. all signs are showin…”
2022-04-14 · Structure:body“front subframe has multiple holes due to excessive engine heat. the front subframe rots prematurely and causes paint to flake off so rust forms. …”
2022-03-01 · Structure:body“sub frame cracking due to rust. …”
2021-10-14 · Suspension“the subframe is rotting prematurely and this issue is only present on the v8 equipped models. cars in very good shape but the subframe is almost rotted totally through above the exhaust. due to the poor layout of the exhaust which causes the paint on the welds to flake off and then the subframe begins to rust from the inside out.…”
2021-07-09 · Unknown Or Other“the front windshield is leaking, such that the driver's side front and rear floors flood, even with a light rain. enough water comes in that the padding, carpet, floor mat and rubber floors mat are all under water. when it rains, we see water droplets and water trails on the inside of the windshield. the windshield is original and has never been…”
2020-10-23 · Unknown Or Other · 91,689 mi“driving on highway and closed sunroof shattered. no debris came from vehicles ahead. the vehicles were more than 500 feet ahead, and i was looking ahead on the highway when it shattered. cause unknown.…”
2018-06-05 · Seat Belts · 69,500 mi“after starting my car i tried to put on my seat belt but it would not extend out so i could not put it on. this happened last night and the problem still persists today.…”
2018-01-16 · Fuel/Propulsion System“tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo s80. while fueling the vehicle, the contact noticed an extremely strong odor of fuel emitting into the vehicle. the vehicle was not inspected and diagnosed by a dealer. the vehicle was taken to an inspection station and passed the inspection, but the mechanic also indicated to check the fuel system due to a strong …”
2018-01-14 · Vehicle Speed Control · 58,421 mi · 💥 crash“while turning into a parking space from the lane of a parking lot, with my foot on the brake, my volvo s80 accelerated so powerfully it could be heard yards away. i applied the brake harder but the car wouldn't stop and surged over a wheel stop, it was still surging so i started pumping the brake, the car finally crashed into a pipe bollard bringin…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.