Most common 2001 Volvo S80 problems
Share of the 164 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo S80 complaints by model year
Best S80 years: 2011, 2005, 2012. Years to avoid: 2001, 2002, 2004, 2003, 2008. Compare all years →
2001 Volvo S80 recalls (7)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2006 S80 and 2001-2009 S60 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2003 S80 and S60 vehicles sold or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S.
Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552.
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units May overheat.
Remedy: Volvo advises owners to please stop using the garmin portable GPS device immediately, and visit the garmin website to determine if their unit is affected.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 s80, model year 2001-2004 v70, s60, xc70 and model year 2003-2005 xc90 vehicles sold in or registered in the states of alabama, arizona, arkansas, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, kentucky, louisiana, mississippi, nevada, new Mexico, north carolina, oklahoma, south carolina,…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel pump installed in the vehicle, and if necessary replace the fuel pump with a part of a modified design. This service will be performed free of charge.
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.
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.
Show 1 more recall
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Vehicle description: sedans and wagons. The rear outboard seat belt anchorage bolts May have been incorrectly tightened.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the anchorage bolts and tighten to the correct torque level. Owner notification began May 7, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2001 Volvo S80:
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…
What 2001 Volvo S80 owners say
Speed control & acceleration all 64 →
Placed my vehicle in reverse to pull back out of my garage & my car accelerated out of control. I was forced into a parking sign that scratched and dented my left rear bumper. In the last 2 1/2 months related problems continue where my car surges & also experiences sudden & unexpected reduced performance. When I accelerate my car feels like it is stuck in gear & won't respond. It is a safety hazard!! Again!!! This duplicates the same electronic throttle module problem I had in August of 2005. After taking my car in 4 times (not knowing what the problem was), it was finally determined it is the etm again. Volvo performed a computerized upgrade on the etm & then it was finally recalled in January of 2006. It is another safety hazard ready to happen. Volvo should have in the beginning & should at this time be made to replace the faulty etm!
Dt*: the contact stated while in reverse the vehicle accelerated suddenly and ran into a cactus. As a result, the vehicle sustained body damage. The dealership inspected the vehicle; however they were unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, which replaced the rear passenger door and panel. The manufacturer was notified; however no additional repairs were made. Updated 5/10/2006 - the dealer replaced the electronic control module.
Electrical system all 39 →
I purchased my Volvo S80 not even 1 year ago and I am experiencing problems with my car losing acceleration in traffic and idling wildly. The problem has become so severe that at one point at a complete stop, my car surged forward and hit the car in front of me! Thank goodness there was no damage or injuries to myself or to the car involved. I took the vehicle to the dealership and was informed the problem lies with the throttle. However, Volvo refuses to issue a recall and hides behind the "warranty" song and dance even though they agree there is a problem with the throttles in their vehicles. I did much research (or so I thought) before purchasing my vehicle. I chose Volvo because they advertise the fact that they manufacture one of the safest cars on the market. My wife owns a Volvo s60 and has had similar problems. I fear for the safety of my wife and 6 year old son. …
Takata recall" frist I called Volvo to inquire about recalls referening to the cooling system and the fuel pump the first lady I spoke with informed me this problem was under recalls and to take my car to get it serviced at the nearest dealer after taking my car to the dealer at 7:15 am 4hours later after I called them first they now are saying that there isn't anything they can do with my car and they do not know who told me that false information. On top of all of this my car accelerates by itself lucky when it happens I hurry and push the brakes and the car dosent start up once turning the key even the guy say that's always been a problem. Based on how expensive this car is it seem there wouldn't be many problems with it or it seem that they would at least try todo something about the false information over all I will never buy another Volvo again!
Engine & cooling all 29 →
Takata recall" frist I called Volvo to inquire about recalls referening to the cooling system and the fuel pump the first lady I spoke with informed me this problem was under recalls and to take my car to get it serviced at the nearest dealer after taking my car to the dealer at 7:15 am 4hours later after I called them first they now are saying that there isn't anything they can do with my car and they do not know who told me that false information. On top of all of this my car accelerates by itself lucky when it happens I hurry and push the brakes and the car dosent start up once turning the key even the guy say that's always been a problem. Based on how expensive this car is it seem there wouldn't be many problems with it or it seem that they would at least try todo something about the false information over all I will never buy another Volvo again!
Tl* - the contact called regarding the 2000 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the check engine light and the emission service light kept turning on, the failure mileage was 32,000. The local Volvo dealer refused to diagnose the vehicle because of past problems regarding the bill. The contact stated that there were no other Volvo dealers in his area. The current mileage was 55000. Failure mileage was 32,000. Updated 03/19/07.
2001 Volvo S80 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl turbo | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Volvo S80 a good car?
Based on 164 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 S80 rates avoid: 14.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the S80 at the same age. It is one of the S80 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Volvo S80?
The speed control & acceleration — 64 complaints, 39% of all complaints for this model year, most often about accelerator pedal. Next are the electrical system (39) and engine & cooling (29).
How many recalls does the 2001 Volvo S80 have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2001 Volvo S80, the most recent from September 30, 2021 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volvo S80?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2005 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001, 2002, 2004, 2003 and 2008. See the full Volvo S80 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Volvo S80 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 63,000 miles; 21% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.