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 2000 Volvo S80 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2000 Volvo S80. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle intermittently hesitated in responding while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated during the failure. The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V441000 (Vehicle Speed Control) which he linked to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
I own a 2000 Volvo s-80 t6, which I have had nothing but problems with. Before I had it, my son owned it and also had problems with it. One is that the vehicle doesn't start, it stalls, and it surges forward or in reverse. All since 2005. Just last month I ran into my garage door and several times almost was involved in vehicle crashes due to it either surging forward or dying on me. I read how there is a possible recall on 2001 models, so why does it not include 2000 yrs. Does it take an accident with lives lost before anything is done to correct these problems. The vehicle has been taken in to the dealership and I have been told that the problem has been taken care of. So why is it still happening? The last incident happened on January 3rd of 2009, where I ran into my garage, caused from the car surging. The vehicle has been in for the same problem on numerous occasions.
Our Volvo was serviced regularly by our dealer. We complained about the car hesitating and was told that the problem was corrected. We left nj for a thanksgiving holiday trip to myrtle beach sc. About 30 miles from our destination, the car began to decelerate from 65 MPH and would not go any faster than 20 MPH. We proceed to pull off the highway and let the car cool down. After approx. 30 minutes we tried to restart the car and it did start so we continued onto myrtle beach at no more than 30 MPH as that was as fast as the car would go. The next morning it was taken to the local Volvo dealer approx. 5 miles away and it again refused to accelerate above 20-30 MPH. Beach Volvo of myrtle beach, sc said the problem was the throttle control modular. A new throttle body was installed at a cost of $871.51. The car had 53,481 miles on it just over the 50,000 mileage warranty period. …
I read recently of your inquiry into a stalling problem with certain Volvo models. I had that problem with my 2000 Volvo S80. For no apparent reason, the car started stalling without any warning. Sometimes it would restart immediately, sometimes not. I managed to figure out that, if I always kept the engine revs up (meaning I had to always have my right foot on the throttle and keep the revs above @1500 RPM), I could prevent the stalling most of the time. I called my Volvo dealer, betten imports, who unfortunately is 120 miles away in grand rapids. I was able to drive the car there, but it was a long, nerve-wracking trip. They seemed to be familiar with the problem and replaced the throttle body under warranty. My concern, after reading several articles being reported in the online press, is that other people who have had this repair have experienced a re-occurrence of this problem. …
I get performance reduced messages on my 2000 Volvo S80 message console, and the car will slow down almost to a stop. This has happened more than 100 times to me - even at highway speeds. I have to put the hazard lights on, and make my way off of the road on to the shoulder. If I turn the car off, and restart the car, (often several times), the car seems to "reset" and I can often drive on. Westside Volvo of cleveland, ohio has quoted me between $1,200 and $2,000 to fix this problem, and has told me it is the "etm". My car has 106,000 miles on it. The dealer has told me that the unit was "designed only to last until 100,000" miles, and that only a Volvo dealer can replace it - because of computer software that must be encoded on the part. …
When merging onto hwy. Car lost power while trying to accelerate to enter lane. Car behind me almost hit me and swerved into the other lane where he was almost hit by another car. The electronic throttle system of my car failed. Volvo is replacing these per an extended warranty. Had I known about this problem, I would have had the car repaired before there was a problem. I had to have the car towed and was then told this was a common problem with this car. Why has there been no recall. I am the only private owner of this vehicle, having purchased it from a dealership. Yet when I called Volvo about this problem, they found my neighbor's car in their database, but not mine. I feel there are others being put at risk due to the autos throttle system failure. I have seen a letter sent to a television station stating that these cars have a problem they call, "limp home mode" . …
I purchased a 2000 Volvo S80 from carmax in feb. 2006. The car only had 26000 miles on it so I thought it was a great deal. I contacted the manufacturer to see if any and all recalls had been performed on the vehicle. They said the only thing needed to be done was to have the electronic throttle module system to be upgraded in the cars computer. On 5-11-06 the Volvo dealer performed the upgrade. Within one hour of picking up the car it began to rev and surge with the air conditioner on as if the throttle was sticking. After parking it to run an errand I tried to start the car and it would start but then immediately rev up and then die. I had to get it towed to carmax which it was warranted under. Now carmax had the vehicle towed to the Volvo dealer to have the electronic throttle control worked on. The Volvo dealer diagnosed the problem as needing to replace the e.t.c. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Volvo S80. The contact noticed that when the vehicle was at a stop, the rpms fluctuated up and down. The contact also noticed that when he did not have the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard, the vehicle would suddenly surge forward. He experienced the failure with what he assumed to be the transmission for a year before taking it to the dealership . The authorized dealer was informed about the failure but the contact was told that the repair costs would be at his expense. He called the manufacturer and was informed that because the vehicle was no longer under warranty, he would be responsible for repair costs. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who cleaned the throttle body. The contact noticed no problems until recently. However, the contact began experiencing the same failure. …
I have been having problems with my 2000 Volvo S80 hesitating as if it's not getting any gas when first beginning to drive it everyday. I have complained about this problem since purchasing this vehicle but the Volvo repair shop have not been able to fix the problem and they say they do not know what the problem is. Also my check engine light, stc light, and ABS light keeps coming on. I have also noticed that when these lights come on my car becomes hard to steer sometimes. After checking into this problem I have found that many other Volvo S80 's built around the same time as mine are having the same problems. …
Over the course of ownership of a 2000 Volvo S80 (I.e., four years), I have the transmission overhauled at 67,000 miles;had the throttle replaced when my car choked ( luckily on a side street); had a bar on the sunroof drop off; engine mounts broken; wheel stops broken; and, most recently replaced an ABS panel. Not withstanding in any of these incidents is the cooling fan and ball joint replaced due to recall. Truly this car has been more expensive than any other known to be driven. Every trip to the dealership is easily $1000 plus. At the time of purchase, the research was scant in terms of problems. I have truly been dismayed by Volvo's commitment to its product and is design flaws and/or defects. After, the transmission was corrected at the dealership, I went to trade the car in---to purchase another car. …
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 2000 Volvo S80?
NHTSA has 93 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2000 Volvo S80, 29% of the model year's 318 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 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 2000 Volvo S80 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 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.