Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Volvo S80. The contact stated that as the vehicle was being started, a strong burning odor began to circulate inside of the vehicle. Immediately, the contact exited the vehicle and noticed flames emitting from the exhaust pipe. The contact then extinguished the flames. The vehicle had been repaired four times prior to the recent fire for a severe oil leak. The turbo oil trap pcv was replaced each time. The repairs were performed by an authorized dealer. The contact also replaced the part himself. The vehicle had not been repaired for the most recent failure. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
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. …
I was driving on the highway and I felt a loss of power. I pulled over and the car shut down. I tried starting it but it backfired and stalled. It took me a while to find out what was going wrong. Finally I unplugged the maf (mass air flow sensor) and drove back home with an extremely weak and dangerous car. I drove it like that for a few days. I had no choice because I had no other way to go to school. I changed the maf sensor but it didn't do much. I went to a local shop and had the throttle body cleaned. I could now drive with my maf plugged in but it wouldn't drive properly and would occasionally stall. I learned that Volvo had alot of etm (electronic throttle module/body) failures on their S80's. So they issued a recall that they apparently have a hard time respecting. I went to a Volvo dealership (Volvo laval) one of the worst dealerships I've been through, by the way. …
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 just purchased a used 99 Volvo, I am a mom of 4 and had heard Volvo to be very safe reliable car. The car ran great for about 2 days, then the lights started coming on, engine system service required, and the vehicle would also stall for no reason. I took it to local Volvo dealer, they say there was a recall on the message board, but if the light came on again it would need a new throttle module, cost of 1100. I left and came home and did some research, I have since found that the etm has been recalled on that year vehicle and they extended the warranty to 200,000 miles. I am very disappointed in the dealership that they would not inform me first hand and try to charge me. I have since contacted Volvo llc and am awaiting a response. …
I purchased this Volvo s 80 car as a second owner when it had 35,500 miles with 19,500 miles remaining on the 50,000 new car warrenty. The car had been serviced faithfully. At 57,00 miles the serpentine belt failed and the car quit. The car was towed to byers Volvo,columbus,oh. The serpentine belt caused the timing belt to get out of time which caused all the intake valves to be be bent. I was advised that the serpentine belt was scheduled to be replaced at 60,000 miles and that since the car was out of warranty, that I should contact Volvo of America. Again I was told that even though the belt was not due to be replaced until 60,000 miles , the car was still out of warranty and since I did not purchase it from the Volvo dealer, there was nothing they could do. I took the car to an independent garage and had the car repaired. I again contacted Volvo and received the same response. …
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 -
On September 10, 2005 at approximately 2:30 pm, my engine abruptly stalled while traveling at highway speeds with cruise control engaged. I pulled the car off to the side of the road. It would not restart. Upon each attempt to restart, the engine would actually run roughly for 1-2 seconds and then stall. I had the car towed about 35 miles to my Volvo dealer. When it arrived, it started. This is the second time this has happened. The last time, the dealer found no problem. I am aware that Volvo suspects the throttle body in these matters. Mine has already been replaced!
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, under certain operating conditions, some electric cooling fans May overheat potentially causing heat damage and, in rare instances, a fire in the engine compartment.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cooling fan. The recall began on November 29, 2004. Customers should contact Volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
On some passenger vehicles, certain electric cooling fans could be inadequate in a hot climate. Under certain circumstances, excessive heat could be generated.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine cooling fan. Owner notification began April 1, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Engine complaints in other S80 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Volvo S80?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Volvo S80, 19% of the model year's 199 complaints. The component named most often is engine (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Volvo S80 engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-451 (fan, Sep 13, 2004); NHTSA recall 02V-096 (fan, Apr 7, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Volvo S80 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.