Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Volvo S80 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While we were try I g to repair this vehicle we were test driving it a d came to a full stop at a stoplight signal and could not downshift vehicle into 1st gear from a stop after the vehicle was at normal running temperature. Causing it to go I to a limp home mode. So while we were driving we noticed that the floor was saturated with antifreeze and a sweet odor from the vents was noticed with a smoke . We serviced the transmission without success . Also noticed an no oil pressure read on dash only when we were not in acceleration. This disappear when upon acceleration and returned when idling. We serviced the oil filter the fluids performed a motor flush first and replaced the oil pressure switch. Without successful repairs and continue of the code returns after performing a drive cycle numerous times. We are convinced this is caused by the recall #r155. …
When im driving and have to come to a slow stop im hearing the master cylinder sound like its rubbing against something loudly even with the appropriate brake fluid and measure is filled within it, also the air conditioner blows hot air during the summer causing the car to fail during hot weather
My 1999 Volvo s-80 t-6 suffers from a design flaw associated with the throttle body and engine warning light. The light is on all of the time. Servicing does not clear the light, so I have begun to simply ignore the light. The throttle body has a problem where the engine runs properly for 20,000 then begins to oscillate upand down by 200-300 rmps at idle. This seems minor, but it almost caused a major accident yesterday. When slowing to a stop at a major intersection, the engine slowed to idle and then sped up just as I was about to come to a stop. The higher RPM caused the car to move into the intersection. If another car had been approaching, it would have struck my car. I asked my wife (this is her primary car)if she had experienced the same problem and she said she had several times. …
After Volvo performed their recall on my second failure electronic throttle module in April 2006 my cars stalls while driving without warning. At this time Volvo replaced the failed etm and loaded new controller software into my car. In May 2006 I returned my car to Volvo after 3 stalling events in one week's time, they told me the car set no codes therefore they could not help me until they car told them what was wrong. The problem did not reoccur again until July 8th. At this time I was driving with my family in the car and in a rolling backup at at 30 MPH on I-95 in delaware. The first time was on a downhill section and I was able to restart the car without the car slowing down. The second stalling failure occurred with no warning other then the dash indicator lights coming on, on an uphill section with an semi following directly behind me. …
Tl contact owns a 1999 Volvo S80. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to slow down and the ABS and engine indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the trollis system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred two weeks later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again and they stated that the central module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle needed to be taken back to the dealer for further inspection. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 97,000. Updated 1/8/09 the ball joint needed to be replaced, the heating system, throttle systems, engine cooling fan and the master cylinder all failed. The vehicle would accelerated on its own. The vehicle stalled on several occasions. The steering made a noise when it was turned. …
I am writing you today in regard of a recall for my 1999 Volvo S80's etm (electronic throttle module). In 2006, there was a class action lawsuit in which Volvo agreed to extend the warranty of the etm to 10 years or 200,000 miles. I have owned the car for about a year and bought the car from my father. My father owned the car since 2007, and had frustratingly spent a total of approximately $7,000 in (documented) repairs. He never received notification of this recall and would have undoubtedly made that repair knowing the part was recalled and there was a strong likelihood the part was defective. The car as of now has under 126,000 miles and has been out of warranty since 2009. Volvo will cover a software upgrade for free, but in the event the software patch fails, the repair will cost in upwards of $1000. …
Tl contact owns a 1999 Volvo S80. While accelerating from a stop, the contact felt a thump from the driver side wheel. The failure occurred whenever she accelerated from a stop or decelerated. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the insulation surrounding the wires in the engine compartment were degraded. The vehicle also displayed difficulty when shifting into fourth gear. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact could not shift out of third gear after attempting to accelerate from 40 MPH. The failure occurred intermittently and the check engine light began to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in recalls 00V238000 (suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint), 02V096000 (engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan), and 06V441000 (vehicle speed control). …
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds (15-75 MPH) on normal road conditions with the cruise control engaged and after an extended ride from 45 to 90 minutes, all warning lights illuminated. The cruise control disengaged by it self and the engine hesitated. The vehicle was taken to the dealership twice, who performed a NHTSA recall #06v41000 which entailed upgrading the current software. However, the problem was not corrected either time, the lurch/stall problem continued. The dealership and the manufacturer coincided the replacement of the air flow control and the ABS control unit was not covered by the vehicle's extended warranty, eventhough those replacement corrected the problem. The contact was very concerned because the recall did not solve the dangerous problem. Updated 12/28/2006 -
Purchased a 1999 Volvo S80 in June 2000. Since that time on dozens of occasions warning messages have constantly appeared on the dash display, I.e. Fuel filler cap loose, emission system service required, and engine system service urgent. We had the vehicle checked by Volvo of annapolis for this problem and were informed that there was nothing wrong. Since then we have had the S80 checked by a reputable aaa certified auto service center who informed us that the throttle body was the cause of the problem and that Volvo had to rectify the problem which is very common. When the error message engine system service urgent appears the cruise control disconnects and will not re-engage. The vehicle surges and is a constant worry for my spouse who primarily operates the vehicle.
Just after entering the highway and attaining highway speed my 1999 vovlo S80 lost power and had to be coasted off the ramp. The emission service warning came on and the vehicle was idling very rough. The car was towed in to a repair shop and the computer codes indicated the throttle module had failed. After hearing that their was an extended warranty issued I checked the website and learned that this had happened to others. Fortunately this power failure occurred while in the rt hand aloowing the vehicle to safely exit the hwy without incident. Had this loss of power occurred in ione the interior lanes then this incident would've ended in a collision and most likely resulted in injuries to my family. This condition warrants an immediate recall.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
On certain passenger vehicles, a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing, and/or inefficient software calibration May cause a warning lamp to light and the subsequent onset of limp home modes.
Remedy: Dealers will install the current software upgrade onto the involved vehicles. The recall began on December 29, 2006. Owners May contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control malfunction
Pe05-041 was opened on July, 26, 2005, based on 136 consumer complaints to odi alleging throttle control malfunctions in the subject vehicles.odi has now received 591 complaints of etm failures which allege symptoms with potential safety related consequences.these include allegations of engine stall, vehicle surging forward without accelerator input, vehicle hesitation upon acceleration and sudden and unexpected…
Throttle control malfunction
On November 14, 2006 Volvo submitted a defect information report to NHTSA concerning etm failures in model year (my) 1999 through 2001 Volvo models (not including the s40 and v40), my 2002 s60 and v70 with naturally aspirated engines and my 2002 v70s.according to Volvo, ?a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing and/or inefficient software calibration May cause a warning…
Acceleration complaints in other S80 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1999 Volvo S80?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1999 Volvo S80, 27% of the model year's 199 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Volvo S80 acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-441 (vehicle speed control, Nov 15, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Volvo S80 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.