Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2011 | 2 | 40% | 66,000 miles |
| 2010 | 3 | 11% | — |
| 2009 | 2 | 13% | 54,000 miles |
| 2008 | 5 | 19% | 65,000 miles |
| 2007 | 4 | 17% | 40,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 25% | 80,000 miles |
| 2005 | 4 | 27% | 81,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 10% | 125,000 miles |
| 2003 | 4 | 15% | 144,000 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 10% | 150,000 miles |
| 2001 | 39 | 24% | 63,000 miles |
| 2000 | 54 | 17% | 82,000 miles |
| 1999 | 35 | 18% | 71,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On [redacted] I was driving from Opelika, AL to Birmingham, AL. About 20 miles from home while driving on [redacted] in the left lane, my car would not accelerate. I pushe9 it down to the floor and there was no gas, so I had to get over to the right lane while rolling to get out of danger of the traffic and large trucks. MY car has been towed three time in about 3 month in 2025. I had it towed from my work parking lot twice because it would not crank. We bought new batteries, changed out the key batteries and this last incident. We had just got the car out of the shop for a fuel pump & fuel pump control module. (see receipt). I learned there was a Safety Recall from the NHTSA. However, when I called only to learn that my car had not been recalled. Therefore, I am quite confused because the safety issue recall no 09V343000 for 2010,S80 appears to be having the same issue. …
The air bag warning randomly popped up on my screen. They will not deploy if I get into a wreck. Non working air bag. I also have issues that come and go with the electrical component. Sometimes my door won't open, sometimes my seats won't move, and my license plate light is out due to something electrical. My gas tank spits gas back at me and makes weird noises sometimes.
The contact owns a 2008 Volvo S80. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed Central Electronic Module (CEM). The contact was informed that the CEM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
1. In February 2017, while in motion on a city street, alternator failed, vehicle was towed to dealership, alternator was replaced 2. In August 2017, while in motion on city street, message displayed alerting on engine overheat -- slow down speed - then stop immediately. Vehicle was towed to dealership. On diagnostics, was established that only one fan was working on the cooling fan assembly causing overheat. 3. While at dealership for repairs of the cooling fan, diagnostics established the following: - code ECM-po19000: was recommended to replace fuel rail pressure sensor first (if same code comes back in the future, a fuel pump replacement was recommended) - tag light bulbs regularly go out - negative battery cable is corroded; replacement needed - power steering line leaking from rack to cooler, replacement needed; reservoir replacement needed -- has internal filter - power steering …
Warning light on dashboard indicated right front headlamp out. Repair shop removed and replaced original component with new component. Internal inspection of light assembly revealed missing insulation(photos attached) on wiring harness causing a short circuit which also ruined the headlight igniter and control module. Shop stated that this issue is NOT uncommon with Volvo lighting systems. The current concern is the same condition is present in the left(driver) headlight and could cause a short and fire within the headlight assembly. Correspondence with Volvo resulted in no resolution of the issue and lack of concern for the reliability of installed components or possible safety concern for their product.
The passenger side head light while I was driving home from work bulb went out had message stating bulb failure replaced bulbs and within 2 days. Lights were out again and the wiring connected to head lights were frayed as if they had shorted out or had melted and the back side signal on passenger side stopped working the car was being driven at that time
Without preceding event, the electrical systems monitoring the car-check engine lights, gas gauge, vehicle range, tire pressure etc have ceased to function. The car was stationary at the time this occurred.
First the high beam headlights could not be dimmed and constantly remained on creating problems for oncoming drivers. Next the high beams could not be turned on creating visibility issues when driving the car. The component that failed is the central electronic module ( cem ) . When the cem failed it also burned out the turn signal board. Both the cem and the turn signal board needed to be replaced with new units.
Related recalls (6)
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting…
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing starter motor fuse with a higher amperage fuse, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015.
Electrical system
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2014 S60, S80, XC60 and XC70 vehicles equipped with keyless ignition. In the affected vehicles, the Central Electronic Module (CEM) will not perform as intended. As a result, the front windshield wipers might run continuously when the ignition is on.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the CEM software, free of charge. The recall began on October 3, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Electrical system › Wiring
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2012 s60, xc60, s80 and xc70 vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2011, through October 6, 2011. In these vehicles, the wire harness under the front seats May have not been attached properly to the seat frame.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, secure the seat wire harness. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on April 12, 2012.
Electrical system › Software
Volvo is recalling my 2008-2010 s80, model year 2009-2010 xc70 and model year 2010 xc60 vehicles. Under certain conditions the software within the central electronic module (cem) May not send a signal to the fuel pump electronic module (pem). This missing signal to the pem inhibits the start of the fuel pump.
Remedy: Dealers will download software to the vehicles' cem free of charge. The recall began on September 30, 2009. Vehicles in dealer's inventory will be repaired prior to delivery. Owners May contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Electrical system › Software
Volvo is recalling 12,303 my 2007-2008 s80 and v70 vehicles. The diagnostic software in the central electronic module (cem) May cause a malfunction of the windshield wiper functionality.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the cem and upgrade the software free of charge. The recall began on May 15, 2009. Owners May contact Volvo customer care center at 1-800-458-1552, or customercare@volvoforlife.com.
Show 1 more recall
Electrical system › Starter assembly › Solenoid
On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, due to an error in the factory assembly instruction, the b+terminal May be in conflict with the starter motor solenoid. If this occurs, the conflict between the b+terminal and the starter motor solenoid May develop into a short circuit of the battery cable to ground.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and increase distance between the b+terminal and the starter motor solenoid by adjusting the terminal. The recall began on January 31, 2006. Owners May contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo S80 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (54), 2001 (39), 1999 (35), 2004 (5) and 2008 (5) model years. Electrical complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Volvo S80 electrical problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 15V-555 (fuses and circuit breakers, Sep 2, 2015); 13V-377 (electrical system, Aug 21, 2013); 12V-075 (wiring, Feb 28, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volvo S80 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles; 16% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition › module (9 mentions), followed by the ignition (8).
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.