Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 | 29% | 56,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 13% | 46,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 40% | 66,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 7% | 48,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 8% | 48,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 13% | 80,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 8% | 101,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 8% | 129,000 miles |
| 2002 | 11 | 26% | 100,000 miles |
| 2001 | 17 | 10% | 83,000 miles |
| 2000 | 23 | 7% | 86,000 miles |
| 1999 | 15 | 8% | 76,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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. …
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.
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.
When the vehicle warms up from start it will not move forward or reverse it started at like 30 miles and I parked the car till I could get it fixed now when the car just warms up (not gets hot) it will not engage trans I have on more senser to check but the car will move when you first start it both forward and back but when it warms up it stops
Most recent is an upper idler arm went causing the timing belt to skip damaging the motor: cost 4K to fix or 5K to install a used motor. Pressure test came back (no pressure)pistons are OK. Sunroof caved in on my head. I did get cutup with the glass. Car stalled, need new alternator, fuel link shield fell off bottom of car causing the fuel line to drag on road. I had to tape the rubber fuel line up until garage to install a new shield. Passenger side safety belt linkage broke (no passenger side seat belt) there are other 'routine maintainence' tires/brakes/ etc that I did have done. I've take good car, but these large ticket items continue. There are always lights out somewhere on this car. One of the tire rims cracked and I need a new one (dangerous to drive highway with that). …
Dt: the vehicle is a 2001 Volvo S80. The consumer's daughter was driving the vehicle in traffic when it stalled in the middle of the freeway. She was able to get the vehicle to restart but when she put the vehicle into drive it went backwards. When the consumer got there he tried to get it to go forward and it went backwards. They called for a tow truck to take it to the dealer. When the consumer took it to the dealer they told him that it was the throttle body- etm that failed. This was because the banjo fitting had carbon build up. The throttle body is covered by warranty. And the cleaning of the banjo fitting is not. The consumer feels that it should be part of the manufactures preventive maintenance. When he contacted the manufacture they told him that he could not speak to the people there that decide what is covered as normal wear and tear. …
2000 Volvo, S80 very bad car, complaints never fixed by dealer hardly runs--this car is a lemon-pages required to list all problems auto transmission broke at 51,1000 miles, one month after dealer said all was okay. This model a real lemon--the worst running car I ever owned.other problems; front bumper fell off when car had 1200 miles. Defective battery cable linkage caused intermintent stalling, motor does not run smooth and surges at low speeds. Poor winshield wipers that dealer can seem to fix. Interior controls break often, light bulbs are constantly going out--every light replaced at least once. Automatic transmission replaced "under warrenty" at 51,200--but must have been replaced with a rebuilt or used transmission--as it is very much louder and 'wines' when shifting--very loud. …
Similar to a NHTSA complaint number 873996, this vehicle (2000 Volvo s-80 t6) shut down during highway driving at 70 MPH. Console message status indicated "engine system service urgent" after coasting to safe location, engine would not re-start until cooled. After starting, the message status remained the same, but cruise control was inoperable, automatic transmission would not operate above 2000 RPM in both automatic -or- manual mode. Early symptoms of this problem May have been falsely manifested as poor automatic transmission shifting performance in 3rd, 4th, and overdrive gears. The symptoms have persisted until failure since the vehicle was purchased. …
Related recalls (1)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 s80 vehicles. A software error May prevent the transmission from downshifting such as shifting from fifth to fourth gear when coasting.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the software to the transmission control module, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 10, 2012. Owners May contact Volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo S80 years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (23), 2001 (17), 1999 (15) and 2002 (11) model years. Transmission complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Volvo S80 transmission problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 12V-317 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), Jul 6, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volvo S80 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles; 24% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (42 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (6).
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.