2012 Volvo S80 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Wheels (1) · Vehicle Speed Control (1) · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems (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 (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.
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.
Electrical System:wiring 2012-02-28 · campaign 12V075000 · 32,552 vehicles
Defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. IN THESE VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED PROPERLY TO THE SEAT FRAME. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED TO ADJUST THE SEATING POSITION, THE WIRE HARNESS MAY GET PULLED, CAUSING IT TO DISCONNECT.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF CRASH, THE FRONT AND/OR SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY IMPROPERLY OR NOT AT ALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. ALSO, THE LAP BELT PRETENSIONER MAY NOT DEPLOY.
Fix: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, SECURE THE SEAT WIRE HARNESS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
Service bulletins (259)
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 259 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-12-18 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“see attached document for complaint. …”
2024-03-25 · Unknown Or Other“a batch of metal used for the steering wheel trim prematurely wears down at the base of the steering wheel in 2 locations out of sight with normal use and becomes razor sharp. when turning the wheel, the spinning razor edge can cause the driver to lose control due to sudden pain due to slicing into the fingers. the metal slices into the skin drawin…”
2020-03-02 · Unknown Or Other · 1 mi“my wife karen was on her way to work on february 24, 2020 when the driver side-view mirror detached, hit the pavement and shattered. the incident occurred at about 7:45 am. the vehicle had been parked in our driveway at 140 statesir place for 60 hours without being used and the mirror showed no sign of damage prior to being driver. the incident …”
2019-03-11 · Wheels · 138,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 volvo s80. while driving 35 mph, the contact stated that the wheel studs fractured from the tire. as a result, the vehicle slid onto the road shoulder and the fender was ripped off. there was no crash. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and then taken to demondtrond volvo (volvo building, 14101 north fwy, h…”
2017-12-29 · Structure:body · 65,000 mi“the passenger door continues to open at highway speeds. i have the option for doors to lock when car begins to move. the lock remains "locked" however door opens with interior lights and dashboard warning. i have contacted volvo to no end... i see a multitude of door opening issues on volvo forum sites, and mechanic states common problem with volvo…”
2016-09-07 · Suspension · 56,763 mi“drivers side rear suspension link arm failure. vehicle traveling straight ahead on expressway at posted speed, 70mph, road conditions dry and clear. no impacts or sudden maneuvers prior to failure, i.e. chuck hole or debris. no tire or wheel damage sustained prior to or after suspension failure. no impact evidenced underneath vehicle.…”
2016-03-08 · Power Train · 45,800 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 volvo s80. the contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle would jerk violently when accelerating to a high speed. in addition, the tachometer fluctuated causing the vehicle to jerk violently. the failure occurred on numerous occasions. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not noti…”
2013-07-23 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · 29,142 mi“tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems 21 jul 2013 - sunday evening the tire low pressure warning light came on when i parked my car in the garage. i looked at all four tires and found nothing wrong. 22 jul 2013 - monday as safety precaution i took the vehicle in for service and had the sensor checked. the volvo service department st…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.