Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
2000 Volvo, S80 very bad car, complaints never fixed by dealer hardly runs--this car is a lemon-pages required to list all problems auto transmission broke at 51,1000 miles, one month after dealer said all was okay. This model a real lemon--the worst running car I ever owned.other problems; front bumper fell off when car had 1200 miles. Defective battery cable linkage caused intermintent stalling, motor does not run smooth and surges at low speeds. Poor winshield wipers that dealer can seem to fix. Interior controls break often, light bulbs are constantly going out--every light replaced at least once. Automatic transmission replaced "under warrenty" at 51,200--but must have been replaced with a rebuilt or used transmission--as it is very much louder and 'wines' when shifting--very loud. …
Similar to a NHTSA complaint number 873996, this vehicle (2000 Volvo s-80 t6) shut down during highway driving at 70 MPH. Console message status indicated "engine system service urgent" after coasting to safe location, engine would not re-start until cooled. After starting, the message status remained the same, but cruise control was inoperable, automatic transmission would not operate above 2000 RPM in both automatic -or- manual mode. Early symptoms of this problem May have been falsely manifested as poor automatic transmission shifting performance in 3rd, 4th, and overdrive gears. The symptoms have persisted until failure since the vehicle was purchased. …
Since buying my 2000 Volvo S80 t6 in 2001 I've been puzzled by an occasional noise coming from the front of the car and would mention it to the pat patterson Volvo, memphis, tn service writer. He would pass my comments on to the mechanics but nothing was ever found. On Saturday 8/5/2006 I made a trip in the mountains of central arkansas during which I drove on a rough, gravel road. After a little over a mile I heard a noise something like that caused when there is a flat tire. I was fortunate in finding a mechanic to look at the car. He was able to get me on my way and I thus was not stranded on a weekend a hundred miles from home. Mystery of the long time noise solved! The problem was a bolt loose on the right front hub. The mechanic stated the bolt had been loose for a long time and theorized that driving on the rough road had caused it to finally come all the way out. …
Last year my S80 Volvo stalled on the highway due to an etm defect. Two days, I experienced another serious safety issue with the Volvo. I was driving the car on a busy street. Suddenly, an electronic message came up indicating a problem with the air bag. Then two seconds later, a 'check engine message' came up. Within another minute another message indicated 'transmission service required urgently'. Then within two minutes the car went to a limp mode. They were cars behind me. It was a miracle that we were not involved in an accident. I searched the internet and found out that many people have experienced similar problems. I found many complaints online related to Volvo sudden transmission failure. Some were even involved in accidents when their cars suddenly stopped. I am wondering whether the government had looked at this serious safety hazard. Volvo must be aware of the defect. …
Own a 2000 Volvo S80, I began to experience an uneven idling when driving either low or high speed, whether on cruise control or not. The car idle goes out of control, it feels as if the car goes on limp mode, I'm then compelled to accelerate to compensate and regain speed. I had the car checked, had the vehicle speed sensor replaced, complete tune up, but the problem remains. I did my research on the web only to find out that this problem is part of a recall from Volvo. I took the car to a Volvo dealer (Volvo of los angeles) with the recall documentation, they kept the car for a week, then I was told that Volvo does not repair the problem unless the computer code show up in their system, even though the symptoms of the car are clearly depicted in the NHTSA action #ea05021. …
Own a 2000 Volvo S80, I began to experience an uneven ideling when driving either low or high speed, whether on cruise control or not. The car idle goes out of control, it feels as if the car goes on limp mode, I'm then compelled to accelerate to compensate and regain speed. I had the car checked, had the vehicle speed sensor replaced, complete tune up, but the problem remains. I did my research on the web only to find out that this problem is part of a recall from Volvo. I took the car to a Volvo dealer (Volvo of los angeles) with the recall documentation, they kept the car for a week, then I was told that Volvo does not repair the problem unless the computer code show up in their system, even though the symptoms of the car are clearly depicted in the NHTSA action #ea05021. …
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. …
3 independent issues: throttle module - vehicle suddenly and unpredictably surges forward, particularly during idle or low speeds while in forward or reverse either stopped or moving, causing potential safety problems. Transmission module - vehicle suddenly and unpredictably looses power, presenting the driving performance of a "slipping" transmission, causing unpredictable responsiveness to changing traffic conditions, and potential safety problems. Front suspension - "knocking" noise from front suspension component(s), causing lack of driving confidence and concerns of driving safety and performance. All 3 of these problems are widely reported as chronic design, performance, safety and reliability issues for the same model years by other Volvo owners. …
My 2000 S80 t6 stalls in traffic and loses power while driving. Whenever I stop at a traffic light, I'll have to step harder on the accelerator in order to avoid the vehicle behind me from hitting my car.sometimes it jerks so bad I feel that engine May fall off.there's no engine light on or anything. I have called Volvo and was told the problem is etm but has been replaced on my car according to their records. I have taken the car to the dealership and had different components tested out and fixed but that did not solve the problem.
2000 Volvo S80. Transmission failure with only 109,000 miles. I have always done the required maintenance and service on the vehicle, which included a transmission flush in 2003. I had no prior warnings, no slipping, nothing. The transmission fluid is clean, at the level it is supposed to be at, no leaks, and no warning "check engine" or "transmission" lights came on. My mechanic said that due to the sudden failure with no warning, it is most likely something internal that just broke and that I have to get a new transmission.
Transmission complaints in other S80 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Volvo S80?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Volvo S80, 7% of the model year's 318 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Volvo S80 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2000 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 2000 Volvo S80 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles.
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.