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 2001 Volvo S80 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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!
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!
Tl contact owns a 2001 Volvo S80. While driving 55 MPH downhill, the contact smelled burning and saw smoke. The vehicle had no acceleration, power steering, or brake function. The contact applied the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. All of the warning indicator lights illuminated. The vehicle burst into flames fifteen seconds after stopping. The vehicle was towed. The Volvo investigators stated that the fire was caused by bird seed deposits underneath the hood. The current and failure mileages were 56,000.
The contact owns 2000 Volvo S80. Purchased it under an extended warranty certified used car program from clayton Volvo in knoxville tennessee in April 2001. Several months later, while the car was still under warranty, the car died in the middle of an intersection. After towing it to the dealer it was discovered the electronic throttle module wasfilled with carbon. That unit was replaced under warranty. A couple years later, the car again died. This time it happened in a parking lot. Thankfully, in both cases it happened in a safe situation. Again, the etm was determined to be the problem. But, the warranty had expired. The dealer and the manufacturer refused to recognize that the problem was an ongoing issue. This time the contact was forced to pay nearly $1000 for repairs. …
My etm on Volvo S80, t6 model (year 2001) has a recall on it issued by Volvo but the problem is that this part along with the throttle body is defective and needs constant computer update, and than the etm faults without notice and takes with it the whole infrastructure despite etm being serviced and new software being installed by dealer. The dealer is not always keen on working on etm or throttle bottle issues as they don't get payment on time from Volvo and they need to do a lot of paper work to et paid by Volvo USA. The car stalls suddenly and one of these days I am afraid this will lead to a major crash as gov.'t can't stop what Volvo USA wants to accomplish and that is profits and not recalling their defective equipment. Human lives are second to corporate profits has already being noted ad shown.
I experienced a sudden loss of engine power while driving on the interstate. At approximately 60 MPH, my Volvo 2001 S80 sedan experienced a sudden loss of power with an instrument indication of "reduced power". The problem recurred twice before I was forced to take the car to a Volvo dealer for diagnosis and repair. The dealership advised me that the auto required a major repair, for which I incurred a bill of $1142.68. The following items were billed: replace throttle body and download new software for throttle body module: (1) 8644347 0 throttle body ($561.90) (1) 8636753 9 gasket ($4.69) (1) 9438290 0 etm reload ($40.95) (1) 1003 clamp ($1.75) replace pedal sensor: (1) 111 cp ($85.00) (1) 30683516 accelerator pe ($108.39) parts total: $717.68 labor total: $425.00.
While on a road trip, my 2001 Volvo S80 started lurching forward and speeding up/slowing down by itself. The car was idling erratically and would stall out. As I was away from home and needed to return soon, I took my car to be checked out. I was told that I needed a new electronic throttle module. I had no choice but to have the car fixed at a cost of over $800.00. Now I find out that Volvo knew of problems with this particular part and that there May be a recall and I am very angry that I had to pay to replace a part they (Volvo) knew was defective!!! Additionally, and more importantly, I wonder about the potential danger I and my family were unknowingly subjected to due to Volvo's decision to not inform consumers of this defect.
The following narrative is submitted as information regarding the NHTSA preliminary evaluation on July 26, 2005 to investigate a variety of concerns resulting from the failure or reduced performance of the electronic throttle module in 1999-2001 Volvo passenger cars. In addition too the high failure rate of the etm, the air mass meter failure rate in my opinion is just as high and as costly. It has been my experience as well as others to loose engine power when this unit fails. This unit failed while stopped at a light. Once the light changed the car refused to move. Once the accelerator was depressed the engine would bog down and shut off. This resulted in a $425 repair and $35 tow. My vehicle is a Volvo s-80, 2001.
Dt: 2001 Volvo S80. The vehicle shut down/stalled. This happened three times. Each time the consumer stated that the vehicle just stalled. Stalling occurred on 10-18-04, 5-30-05, and 7-1-05. Consumer was driving d when the vehicle stalled. . The first time she took it to the dealer they replaced a part, consumer was unsure of what it was. The second time the dealership had to replace another part. Again the consumer was unsure of the name, and the third time the vehicle stalled, and by the time it was taken to the dealership it had started again. The steering and the brakes were still usable. Dealer was still unable to find the cause of the problem, and currently vehicle is still at the dealer.
Electrical complaints in other S80 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2001 Volvo S80?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Volvo S80, 24% of the model year's 164 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › module (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Volvo S80 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2001 Volvo S80, though it has 7 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 2001 Volvo S80 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 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.