Most common 2004 Volvo S80 problems
Share of the 50 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 →
2004 Volvo S80 recalls (4)
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.
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.
Steering › Linkages
On certain passenger vehicles, the front control arms May not have been manufactured correctly and, as a result, the stud and nut that secure the arm to the spindle May lose their initial axial tension. Under certain driving conditions, the steering May become less responsive and the driver May experience steering wheel play.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new type of nut. Owner notification began on February 16, 2004. Owners should contact Volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
What 2004 Volvo S80 owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
Shortly after moving to north carolina, I began to smell fuel. I first thought that it was the gas cap and replaced it. The smell continued to grow stronger and stronger, to the point I could not keep it parked in my garage in my townhome due to the smell of gas which would permeate the entire house. I also noticed during this time a substantial loss in gas mileage. I took the car in to have it looked at. The auto shop found that the fuel pump was leaking and showed me the back of the fuel tank which was covered in gas. Due to the extreme risk, the auto shop stated that the pump needed to be replaced immediately, especially since I was about to take a 300-mile trip. The shop did find the recall: 09V483000 and called the local Volvo dealer. The dealer stated that my car was not covered by the recall. I requested that the fuel pump be given to me so that I could review the recall. …
Back in 2010 under the recall adv ,I took my car in to my Volvo dealer for the recall for fuel smell and they told me it was OK . The car then had around 90.000 miles or so, now I take my car back with strong fuel smell in 2015 170.000 miles and I reported to Volvo head quarters and they tell they will cover the pump only and not the labor to tune of 550.00 because the car has over 150000 miles on it and is past the recall extended warrinty , but I thought under recall p29075 that Volvo is lia for free replacement of parts and labor the first time I took it in. Volvo told me it is about 4 hrs labor when there own recall calls for .09 hrs labor. So it hasn't been fixed yet. I will fix it my self to the tune of a pump (bocsh pump 155.00 )and my own labor.thanks for nothing Volvo I guess if I would of burnt up in this car Volvo wouldn't be lia ? My att sure thinks they would of been. …
Engine & cooling
Vehicle has been hesitant, sputtering and surging when stopped or increasing speed. When stopped the vehicle surges and moves. This can be very dangerous, as we can hit a vehicle in front of us. The etm has been cleaned by collins auto in sc. They told us that it needed to be replaced with a few thousand miles. There is build up in the throttle body and this is due to the oil change interval (7500 miles) which is recommended by Volvo. This is a safety issue and a part defect which Volvo should fix and replace at their cost.
Car began overheating and eventually overheated and ruined engine later mechanic discovered thermostat wasnt working properly so no indication as to vehicle tempurature. Car was on freeway and stopped coming off freeway. Head gasket blew also as well as bad transmission
Steering
Purchased a 2004 Volvo S80 in "mint condition" from a used car dealership (good reputation).three (3) months later the transmission started the famous Volvo "slip, slide, away".. It rides like a rock, I fell every crack, grain of sand in the road. I replaced the struts, coil springs, lower control arms and other suspensions parts but to no avail improved its condition. Every week or so I get the "stop safely coolant level low" warning on my dash...keep in mind the dealership had nothing to do with these issues since the conditions didn't appeared until 3 months/50000 miles after the purchase. Steering has some play and I'm continuously recovering the directional path slightly. Shortly after I purchased the vehicle I installed all new tires (michelins) purchased a lifetime wheel alignment, which was done during new tire install and recently re-checked. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Volvo S80. The contact stated that when driving over a road bump, the steering wheel begin to pull to the right abnormally. Within minutes, the power steering failed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the power steering would need replacing. The manufacturer advised there was a previous open steering recall on the vehicle (NHTSA campaign id number: 04V029000- steering: linkages) but the vehicle was never taken in for repairs. The contact stated that she had purchased the vehicle used and was unaware of any open recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 99,000.
2004 Volvo S80 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| 2.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| 2.9L 6-cyl turbo | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Volvo S80 a good car?
Based on 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 S80 rates use caution: 2.5× 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 2004 Volvo S80?
The fuel & propulsion system — 14 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › fuel pump. Next are the engine & cooling (8) and steering (6).
How many recalls does the 2004 Volvo S80 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2004 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 2004 Volvo S80 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 99,000 miles; 24% 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.