Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 | 50% | — |
| 2015 | 3 | 43% | 56,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 25% | 57,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 20% | 25,000 miles |
| 2010 | 3 | 11% | 48,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 6% | 85,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 12% | 98,000 miles |
| 2007 | 4 | 17% | — |
| 2006 | 3 | 25% | — |
| 2005 | 4 | 27% | 104,000 miles |
| 2004 | 8 | 16% | 123,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 4% | 3,000 miles |
| 2002 | 6 | 14% | 147,000 miles |
| 2001 | 29 | 18% | 53,000 miles |
| 2000 | 71 | 22% | 78,000 miles |
| 1999 | 38 | 19% | 75,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact called on behalf of his wife who owns a 2016 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the engine auto Start/Stop function was not operating as needed and the vehicle had a delay to start automatically upon releasing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown repair was completed; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds and driving over a pothole, the check engine warning light would illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the ignition coil of cylinder #1 had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
A warning light came on stating that the oil pressure was low and that the car needed to immediately be stopped. No previous warning lights have ever come on in this vehicle. It was towed to Kenny Jones auto and they stated that there was half a quart of oil in the engine. *This car has an electronic oil gauge (no manual "dip stick") which had failed. It indicated there was an appropriate amount of oil in the engine when there was almost nothing. This could have resulted in engine failure or a fire. According to the auto shop, this is common. It cost $600 to fix.
Car has 110000 miles on it and is using a quart of oil every 1000 miles, car has been maintained to Volvo specifications it's entire life. This is excessive oil consumption. Oil level low warning cones in every 1000 miles and a quart is needed to satisfy it
My car has the start/stop function. It has a button to manually deactivate the start/stop system but it has to be pushed every time the car is restarted. My husband was driving the car a couple of weeks ago and decided to stop at a convenience store to get a pepsi. He parked in a parking space. He didn't realize that he hadn't pressed the deactivation switch and when he parked the car, it shut off. He'd been driving in a lot of traffic and didn't realize the start/stop had stopped the engine. He thought he'd turned the car off. Well, he opened the door and when he took his foot off the brake pedal the engine restarted and the car lurched forward causing it to jump the concrete parking bumper. Fortunately the only damage it caused was to the plastic belly pan underneath the engine. But someone in a 4x4 pickup had to winch my car backwards to get it off the parking bumper. …
Car would not crank, got fuel system replaced. Week later after being parked, while driving car cut off on highway. Mechanic has vehicle and has determined the issue is Central Electronic Module. Car is 2010 Volvo S80 with active recall but vin number is not apart of recall while experiencing same problem that almost caused a major accident. Vin [redacted]
The warning, charging failure service urgent is displayed the service engine light comes on. Several mechanics have not be able to repair. The front passenger seat belt is not stable to fasten properly. The TMPS has yet another warning, inoperable
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 …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Volvo S80. The contact noticed that the engine cooling system warning indicator illuminated and the air conditioning performance reduced while at a traffic light. The failure occurred multiple times. The contact also stated that the vehicle would not start when the key was inserted into the ignition. When the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an oil and filter change, the mechanic replaced the fan control module according to NHTSA campaign number: 09V218000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact was unaware of this recall prior to the repair being performed. The failures recurred and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
Related recalls (5)
Engine and engine cooling
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2011, s80, s60, xc70 and xc60 vehicles. The software calibration for the fuel cut-off functionality in the engine control module (ECM) is too sensitive.
Remedy: Dealers will update the ECM and TCM with new software free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before December 10, 2010. Owners May contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552 or at customercare@volvoforlife.com.
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
Volvo is recalling 17,614 my 2008-2009 s80, v70, and xc70 vehicles. The engine cooling fan May stop working due to a software programming error in the fan control module (fcm). Depending on driving conditions, the customer May experience reduced air conditioning performance, and/or rapid increase in engine coolant temperature.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fan control module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2009. Owners May contact Volvo customer care center at 1-800-458-1552.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Volvo is recalling 102 my 2008 xc90 and s80 vehicles equipped with v8 engines. These vehicles May have been built with incorrect bolts to the engine mount.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine mount bolts for specific markings. If any of the bolts contain the incorrect markings, the bracket and bolts will be replaced.
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 and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
On some passenger vehicles, certain electric cooling fans could be inadequate in a hot climate. Under certain circumstances, excessive heat could be generated.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine cooling fan. Owner notification began April 1, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo S80 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (71), 1999 (38), 2001 (29), 2004 (8) and 2002 (6) model years. Engine complaints make up 22% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Volvo S80 engine problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 10V-579 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 17, 2010); 09V-218 (fan, Jun 12, 2009); 08V-206 (engine, May 6, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volvo S80 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles; 24% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (43 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (14).
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.