Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Volvo S80. While stationary, the vehicle leaked fuel onto the ground. Wallace Volvo in stuart, florida diagnosed the vehicle as having a mass air flow failure. The vehicle was repaired by don imports auto service in vero beach, florida. In addition, while driving 2 MPH, the vehicle caught fire underneath the driver's seat. A police report was filed. The contact extinguished the fire with the assistance of a neighbor. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to wallace Volvo in stuart, florida. The vehicle was not destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.
Theres a recent recall on the airbags of the 1999 S80 Volvo that we need our airbags replaced because its a hazard that can lead up to death. Also the electricity keeps zapping down from the car creating no starts or very poor driving, I almost was stranded because the car seems like it wanted to shut down one night I was getting off work, I hit full gas and it only gave me 3 MPH and also when I made a right turn one night from work I feel the wheel feel like its coming apart from the inside or loosening I dont know what it is but it feels and sounds rough
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. …
Had taken my S80 to the Volvo dealership a number of times complaining of engine hesitation and stalling. Volvo"s diagnostic computer system "vadis" output codes clearly showed default codes indicating a faulty module. The service manager at this steadfastly refused to replace the module "due to cost". I warned him of the potential consequences of trying to operate this vehicle with unreliable engine firing and the associated "stalling" that occurs without warning. I expressed my concerns to him about the danger that this problem presented for me and other vehicles which I had experienced during previous "stallings". …
1,2) Volvo S80 stalled while my wife was driving 60 MPH in rush hour interstate highway traffic. Car lost power, would not accelerate, power steering lost; she got the car to the side of the road just in time before a one-lane construction barrier; otherwise, traffic would have been backed up for miles for a long time (there was no turn around available for tow-truck in this part of the interstate, the tow-truck would have had to back up the highway or try to make it up the grassy divider embankment to get to her stalled car. Luck was on her side; no injuries, and no blocked traffic-this time. 3) car towed to Volvo dealer, where it restarted. The dealer service department could not find the source of the problem, reset sensors and replaced a vacuum hose. I am concerned that this car has a defective etm valve and that the car is still a danger to drive.
Vehicle defect make: Volvo year: 1999 model: S80 nature of problem: check engine light is on and Volvo technician diagnoses the problem as a defective electronic throttle control module which I found later to be a common problem with volvos. The dealership estimated the repair to be $850 plus the cost of the diagnosis ($82.00). I refused to authorize the repair and sought alternatives. Presently, the car's check engine light is still on and the car idles roughly and suffers from poor gas mileage but continues to start and run. As this is an apparent problem with volvos as I was told by other mechanics, I felt that this defect should be the responsibility of Volvo rather than myself.
Volvo S80 1999 - I have had 3 instances of the car lurching forward for no apparent reason when I am coming to a stop. In all 3 cases the throttle body assembly required replacement. Each time I thought the problem was corrected for good. The first occurrence was in 04, then 05, and now again in 09. I was lead to believe that the design had been changed and the problem corrected. I have been fortunate that when this happened I did not hit anyone or crash into anything. I feel that this is a serious problem and no effort has been made by Volvo to correct the problem.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Volvo S80. The vehicle shut off in the middle of the road while traveling at an unknown speed. There was no power and the vehicle failed to move when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact must wait for a couple of minutes and then depress the accelerator pedal before the vehicle would start. The dealer stated that the failure was due to the electronic throttle system software. The Volvo manufacturer stated that they would not repair the vehicle because it was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 118,000.
Transmission problems causing dangerous driving conditions. The transmission slips when going between 2nd and 3rd. Also had issues with the engine going to 700 rpms when going 65 MPH. This is just one of the many problems. The solenoid went out in the transmission about 13000 miles ago. Currently I have three different error codes "transmission service urgent", low oil pressure stop engine asap", and "emission service required". I have read many other people have the same problems I have had. Nm
On two separate occasions my vehicle engine has lost speed and engine has stalled without warning. Car has been repaired by local car dealership once and is once again in the shop for possibly the same problem. While driving at 60 MPH on the freeway with my 3 children in cabin there was a very strong odor of gas followed my a sudden engine shutdown today. I am very grateful and blessed I wasn't hit from the back this would have been very, very disastrous to my family.
Electrical complaints in other S80 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Volvo S80?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Volvo S80, 18% of the model year's 199 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › module (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Volvo S80 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1999 Volvo S80, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Volvo S80 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.