2011 Volvo S80 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (2) · Seats (1) · Electrical System (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 (4)
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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2012-07-06 · campaign 12V317000 · 1,469 vehicles
Defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2013 S80 VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE ERROR MAY PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM DOWNSHIFTING SUCH AS SHIFTING FROM FIFTH TO FOURTH GEAR WHEN COASTING.
Risk: THIS MAY RESULT IN DECREASED ENGINE RPMS AND POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2010-11-17 · campaign 10V579000 · 6,046 vehicles
Defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, S80, S60, XC70 AND XC60 VEHICLES. THE SOFTWARE CALIBRATION FOR THE FUEL CUT-OFF FUNCTIONALITY IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) IS TOO SENSITIVE.
Risk: SUDDEN ENGINE STALL COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE ECM AND TCM WITH NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 10, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR AT CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM.
Air Bags:frontal 2010-10-13 · campaign 10V489000 · 9,746 vehicles
Defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 S80, XC70, MODEL YEAR 2011 XC60 AND MODEL YEAR 2010 V70 VEHICLES. THERE MAY BE AN INTERMITTENT FAULT IN THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED OR AT ALL, AND THEREFORE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A METAL SHIM IN THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING CONNECTOR. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Service bulletins (261)
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 261 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2021-03-10 · Power Train · 25,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 volvo s80. the contact stated while driving at low speeds, the stabilization warning light illuminated and started flashing. the steering wheel failed to move and vehicle loss power. the charging warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was towed an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the alternator …”
2021-02-10 · Seats · 15 mi“driver seat belts has faulty hooks. seat belt popped open while driving and coming to quick brake to avoid being hit by another car. the sudden stop caused my seat to shift position. i tried to move seat back into position it did move. the seat was permanently locked in the position which rendered me knees cramped on steering wheel. i buckled my se…”
2016-01-11 · Power Train · 66,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 volvo s80. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. in addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to switch gears. the vehicle failed to restart. the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer system failed and needed to be r…”
2013-05-21 · Electrical System · 12,000 mi · 🔥 fire“while driving between 35 to 40 miles per hour for approximately 5 minutes, i began to smell something burning. there was no engine nor temperature indicator lit up on the dash. assuming it was from a passing vehicle, i continued to drive for 1 to 2 minutes. then looking in the rear view mirror, i could see black smoke coming from the trunk. upo…”
2012-10-15 · Air Bags:frontal · 34,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2011 volvo s80. the contact was sitting at a complete stop when a preceding vehicle reversed and abruptly crashed into the front end of the contact's vehicle. the air bags failed to deploy. the driver sustained severe injuries to the right arm, shoulder and neck. in addition, the passenger sustained whiplash. a police report…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.