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 2001 Volvo S80 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Takata recall- the vehicle become non responsive when pushing the accelerator, the engine started running rough, the cruise control stopped working, the dstc (dynamic stability traction control) failed and the engine coolant temperature stopped reading. The vehicle started stalling everytime I come to a stop. All this started at the same time while I was driving the vehicle.
I was driving approx. 65 miles an hour on i395 and I was in the passing lane. I went to accelerate and move into the travel lane and I was not able to accelerate. My speed stared to reduce and all of the power shut off in the vehicle. No warning lights came on and no indication on what the car was shutting down. I checked for vehicles behind me and around me and put on my hazard lights. I quickly pulled off of the busy highway and managed to stop at the side of the road (middle of the highway - next to the median). The police had seen me pull over and called a wrecker service. The car was brought to the place where I purchased the vehicle (foreign motors east in brooklyn, ct) and they kept the car for the next 3 days. They were unable to determine the cause and this just happened again last month (June 20th 2007). …
Tl contact owns a 2001 Volvo S80. While driving 35 MPH, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle shut off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they refused to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to another Ford dealer that will perform the repair. The contact stated that the failure has occurred before and she believes that the cause is the vehicle speed control, which is currently under NHTSA recall number 06V441000. She also stated that the radiator was replaced at 28,000 and 56,000 miles and currently needs to be replaced again. The contact stated that the radiator fails every 28,000 miles and the engine coolant light illuminates. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 87,000.
Cooling system problem message displayed at 29,500 miles ...dealer found and replaced cracked hoses that caused coolant leak. Transmission service urgent message came up. Dealer replaced transmission valve body per Volvo. Transmission failed again 36 hours later. Now in shop having complete transmission replaced at 31000 miles! Transmission problem occurred right after 30,000 mile service at Volvo at cost of $600. I asked Volvo for discount on extended warrantee... They refused saying if they did it for me they would have to do it for others.
2001 Volvo S80 t6. Vehicle stalls without warning when accelerator is released and vehicle returns to idle. Problem was fixed once but has returned. Dealer & Volvo n.a. Say that since there is no computer code for the stall and they can't duplicate it there is no cure. Vehicle has stalled on numerous occasions during the last 5 months including 12/17/2006 in heavy traffic the hov lane on the long island expressway. Has also stalled in high speed traffic on i95 in stamford, ct and while making turns and going through intersections.
Dt*: the contact stated while in stop and go traffic the vehicle stalled three times. The vehicle restarted each time and was taken to the dealership for the 60,000 miles checkup. Although there were no codes on the computer, the dealership performed a software update for this problem. Updated 4/19/2006 - 25 miles after the 60000 mile check up the vehicle stalled again and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle has not stalled again since the software updated was performed.
Drove 2001 Volvo s 80 on 6/6/04, when parked in garage: coolant leaked out, all at once. Refilled coolant and drove to dealer on Monday (6/7/04). Car was just in for 60,000 mile service at same dealer a few weeks ago. Dealer stated (quote from receipt): "ECM 6110, and fault traced to failed engine cooling fan module. Replaced engine cooling fan module as diagnosed to repair". (old part left at dealer) cost to replace: $505
I was driving my vlolvo S80 on 07/10/2005 on the highway when it suddenly lost power. I could barely operate it over 30 miles an hour. I got stopped by a state policeman and got ticket for operating under 30 miles/hour and negligent operation. I'm schefuled for an appeal hearing. Throttle was replaced by a dealesrhip, nut they said that it can happen again, since it's the same design part.
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 complaints in other S80 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Volvo S80?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Volvo S80, 18% of the model year's 164 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Volvo S80 engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-451 (fan, Sep 13, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Volvo S80 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 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.