Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Volvo s-80 2004 new york . - passenger side real wheel locked- while making a left turn from a highway to a local road a loud noise in the back and had to pull to the nearest open space. A quick check of the rear of the vehicle showed tire marks on the passenger side and a burning smell. Short movement of the car showed passenger rear wheel is locked. .ABS light came on after turning on the car. Car has 82,225 miles. Volvo dealer checked the vehicle safety a month back.
2000 Volvo S80--the automatice stabilizing system and ABS braking system failure lights come on intermittently. Our mechanic (Volvo expert, but not employed by a dealership) says this is a common fault in the s-80s when they reach 50,000 miles. The dealership is claiming it is a $1000 repair--because the car has 60,000 miles and is out of warranty. This appears to be a substantial software control design problem that should not be occurring and is quite dangerous unless it is repaired properly.
I keep getting ABS module failure on Volvo S80; every time we take our car to Volvo dealer, they come up with some module failure diagnosis. Seems like a Volvo generic issue with ABS module failure message. We have tried contacting Volvo about this and they really did not help us. They have asked me to talk to the service manager at the local Volvo dealership. However service manager has told us that this is not a typical Volvo and asked to get rid of our car. Please help.
The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the instrument panel malfunctioned and failed to illuminate while driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of an electrical failure that affected the brakes and the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact also mentioned that she had received NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V681000 (Air Bags) however, the part was not yet available. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Volvo S80 2002 -pa .while reversing rear wheel locked and car could not be driven.parking brake not engaged. Car towed to Volvo dealer. On assessment dealer indicated that parking shoes froze up and delaminated causing collateral damage. Another possibility was that parking cable froze up and parking shoes delaminated. Car had approx 85000 miles. Either way this is a defect if occurred on the highway would have had disastrous consequence. Irrespective of age of car cable cannot freeze. Car has always been serviced by dealer. All maintenance done by dealer as recommended by manufacturer. Car underwent spring inspection around month ago. So quality of parking shoes needs to be investigated or parking brake cable inspection should be added. Agreed with dealer to replace and repair defect as I need the car. Requested them to keep the parts available for inspection by NHTSA if necessary. …
After about one year of use the brake pedal goes too low before the braking effect takes place. Resulted in accident. Problem many times reported to the dealer.the dealer admits that there are many similar complaints from customers. Still dealer insists that this is not a problem but this is a construction difference.
As the consumer was pulling away from curb at 3 MPH vehicle suddenly accelerated without touching the gas. Brakes were not functional, and vehicle shot through three intersections before the emergency brake was pulled. Mechanic informed the consumer that mass air flow sensor was faulty.
I want to make you aware of a very serious car accident that my mother had on 9-5-18. She was driving her 2000 Volvo S80 when her car began to accelerate on its own. She was not able to control the car. My mom had her foot on the brake but that did not stop the vehicle. Unfortunately, at that point the car was out of control hitting and banging up all the cars around it. Then the car finally smashed into another car stopping the out of control car. My mom was seriously hurt and taken to the hospital. She had emergency surgery to repair her aorta that tore from the crash. She also broke her sternum. I am devastated by what happened to my mom. I feel that it is extremely important that you and Volvo are made aware of this tragic situation that occurred by this Volvo S80.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo S80 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (24), 1999 (19) and 2001 (5) model years. Brake complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Volvo S80 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for any Volvo S80 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Volvo S80 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles; 24% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (12 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module (7).
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.