Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Volvo S80. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, she heard a loud abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was unable to be diagnosed. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering reservoir return hose had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V378000 (steering). The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Volvo S80. While the contact's husband was driving 30 MPH and making a turn, an abnormal "pop" sound was heard and the steering wheel became difficult to turn without warning. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering hose failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the steering failed again. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering pump/reservoir failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
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.
Dt: the consumer stated on 2001 Volvo S80 the steering wheel locked while driving 5 MPH. This lasted for about 3-4 seconds and then the steering resumed back to normal. The consumer was turning the wheel so hard that it broke the turn signal. The consumer took the car to the dealership and they said that they had never heard of this. The dealer constacted the manufacturer. The manufacturer denied any knowledge of the problem. The dealer could not find anything wrong the car and returned it back to the owners. The car has not had any more problems.
Dt*: the contact stated the power steering reservoir hose connecting clamp leaked fluid. The vehicle was seen by a dealer and connecting clamp was replaced. Afterwards, the power steering fluid continued to leak and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The service department determined the clamp needed to be replaced again.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Volvo S80. While driving at 7 MPH the steering wheel locked. The vehicle crashed into a tree and rolled over. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. The road conditions were clear. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The current and failure mileage were 111,000.
My wife was driving home from work and noticed that the car was making a squealing noise as she made right and left hand turns. When she got home I checked the power steering reservoir and found that it was empty. There was no warning of this happening, there was no fluid on the floor of the garage. I immediately purchased power steering fluid and filled the reservoir. The next day the floor was covered with fluid. I contacted my former Volvo dealer and asked if they could look at the problem and was told that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. They recommended that I take to a local repair shop that specializes in import cars. They identifed the problem as the rack & pinion and said not to drive the car as it was unsafe. I authorized them to begin the repair process and was advised that the cost would be about $1000.00 dollars. …
Related recalls (2)
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2007 s80 passenger cars manufactured from March 8, 2006, through May 16, 2007. The power steering reservoir return hose May have been incorrectly routed, which can result in increased pressure in the power steering system.
Remedy: Volvo dealers will inspect the routing of the power steering reservoir return hose and make repairs as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during August 2011.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo S80 years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (17), 1999 (16), 2004 (6) and 2001 (5) model years. Steering complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Volvo S80 steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 11V-378 (hose, piping, and connections, Jul 26, 2011); 04V-029 (linkages, Jan 16, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volvo S80 steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist system (6 mentions), followed by the rack and pinion › rack (5).
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.