2013 Volvo S80 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (2) · Visibility/Wiper (1) · Suspension (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.
Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems 2012-08-28 · campaign 12V415000 · 286 vehicles
Defect: Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S80 and XC70 vehicles. A software error within the Central Electronic Module (CEM) will result in the "TPMS Service Required" message appearing after approximately 15 minutes of accumulated driving over 25 mph. The error will prevent the Tire Pressure Monitoring System from warning the driver that a tire needs air. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Sys
Risk: A malfunctioning TPMS cannot warn a driver that a tire is underinflated. Underinflated tires can result in tire overloading and overheating, which could lead to a blowout and possible crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's TPMS. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 12, 2012. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
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.
Service bulletins (264)
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 264 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-01-17 · Structure:body“my drivers side door latch will no longer open from the inside or the outside. i have to climb across to the passenger side and go out the opposite door. i am reporting this because this vehicle is part of the volvo "p3" platform which includes the s60, and they had a huge recall to replace all the door latch mechanisms for this exact reason. …”
2022-01-18 · Visibility/Wiper“the top of the windshield is leaking water. windshield is coming loose.…”
2018-12-13 · Engine · 57,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2013 volvo s80. the contact stated that the radiator anti-tampering device was faulty, the check engine indicator illuminated, and the vehicle overheated. the reading indicated that there was an issue with the "anti-tamper switch for radiator." the dealer (volvo cars annapolis, 333 buschs frontage rd, annapolis, md 21409, (41…”
2018-10-14 · Unknown Or Other · 191,000 mi“sunroof exploded while driving down the interstate in an open rural area without any sort of outside force.…”
2018-10-11 · Engine · 51,000 mi“about 6 weeks ago the check engine light went on in my volvo. i went to an auto shop and the scan read "faulty radiator anti-tamper device." i then researched the problem and found that volvo had a recall (tj27910) the 2013 s80 was effected by this recall. i called the dealer and my car was supposedly not on the recall list even though i had the s…”
2016-12-27 · Suspension“tl* the contact owns a 2013 volvo s80. the contact stated that upon driving over unlevelled ground, the vehicle swayed several times without warning. the vehicle was taken to three different dealers where various repairs were completed but a permanent repair was unable to be provided. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate …”
2015-09-17 · Unknown Or Other · 25,000 mi“the chrome trim on our console has peeled back very slightly and has a very sharp edge it has cut our hands multiple times and has took out chunks of our skin it is very painful and unnessary we have had the car brand new a dealer demo since december 2013 we are very unhappy because we have been loyal volvo customers since 2005 we hope volvo will …”
2013-04-15 · Structure · 20,000 mi“the chrome foil decoration on the steering wheel trim is delaminating, causing a sharp edge where the foil has pulled away from the plastic substrate. this is happening at the outside edge of the steering wheel, where the hands come in contact with it. in the course of driving the car and turning the wheel, the sharp edge has cut my hands and tho…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.