2003 Volvo S80: complaints, problems and recalls

I BOUGHT A VOLVO S80 IN JANUARY 2003. BOTH OF THE HEADLIGHT GLASS ASSEMBLIES HAVE CRACKED FROM NO APPARENT IMPACT. THE FIRST WAS IN APRIL, AND THE SECOND IN AUGUST. I BELEIVE THERE IS A HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DEFECT. I LIVE IN A VERY HOT CLIMATE, AND THE HEAT MAY CRACK THE GLASS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037000 at NHTSA ↗

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.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037510 at NHTSA ↗

DEAR [XXX]. ,HIS IS TO NOTIFY ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE S80 ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE DIFFICULTY WE ARE FACING WITH THE DEALER THAT SOLD THE CAR TO US. I, [XXX] HAS BOUGHT THE CAR WITH WIN # [XXX], FROM DARRELL WALTRIP VOLVO IN FRANKLIN TN ON 11/01/03. ON 11/26/03 THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED AND IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER A WEEK WE WERE TOLD THE GAS INDICATOR IS BROKEN. MY ATTEMPTS TO GET A WRITTEN REPORT ABOUT THE CAUSE FOR THE VEHICLE FAILURE HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THE EVENT WAS VERY TRAUMATIC TO MY WIFE WHO WAS …

Owner-reported narrative. 834 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051289 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING LEFT, THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE LIKE METAL RUBBING TOGETHER COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BELTS, HOSES AND A TUBE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055885 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEEL. CONSUMER SHIFTED THE GEAR IN REVERSE AND THE NOISE RECURRED. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 7,320 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063560 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEEL. CONSUMER SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE AND THEN REVERSE AND THE LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AGAIN. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 3,123 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063566 at NHTSA ↗

RE: 2003, VOLVO S80. I HAD JUST PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT MY PRESCHOOL SON'S SCHOOL, I WENT TO SHIFT GEARS AND TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND MY CAR HAD A SUDDEN ACCELERTATION CAUSING ME TO BE WITHOUT CONTROL OF MY CAR FOR OVER 50 FEET, HITTING A TREE, 3 SHRUBS AND A 3000 LB. ROCK. MY PRESCHOOLER AND I SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES BUT MY CAR IS TOTALLED. MY CAR IS IN AN AUTO BODY SHOP AWAITING INSURANCE APPROVAL FOR A TOTALLED CAR. MY SON IS TRAUMATIZED AND I WAS SHAKEN UP FOR DAYS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS A MACHANICAL FAILURE BUT I H…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10122130 at NHTSA ↗

CARRIER BIKE RACK AND 2 BIKES FLEW OFF THE ROOF OF A S-80 VOLVO(2003) WHILE DRIVING ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE.LUCKILY NO ONE WAS CLOSE BEHIND AND I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE WRECKAGE FROM THE HIGHWAY.I COMPLAINED TO VOLVO BUT THEY CLAIMED THAT IT WAS MY FAULT.NOTHING WAS REPLACED.SOMEWHERE IN THE MANUAL IT SAYS TO CHECK THE RACK.THERE IS NO WARNING LABEL ON RACK AND AS IT IS ENCLOSED THERE IS NO EVIDENT WAY TO SECURE.THERE ARE FINGERS IN THE SLOT ON TOP OF THE CAR BUT THE ROOF MATERIL IS SO FLIMSY THAT IT APPEARED TO HAVE ENOUGH GIVE SO THAT THE R…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10122509 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)

CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF THE GUIDE, IT WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Reported: 2009-12-18 (December 18, 2009)

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 S80, MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 V70, S60, XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES SOLD IN OR REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, UTAH, VIRGINIA AND THE U.S. TERRITORIES. WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (HOT CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE CYCLING) OVER TIME AND IN COMBINATION WITH VARYING FUEL QUALITY, THE FUEL PUMP CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE.

Consequence: IF THE CONDITION OCCURS VEHICLE OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Reported: 2010-11-08 (November 8, 2010)

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.

Reported: 2020-11-04 (November 4, 2020)

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2003 S80 and S60 vehicles sold or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The driver side frontal air bag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments into the passage compartment, when the driver side air bag is deployed.

Consequence: Metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10058.

Reported: 2021-09-30 (September 30, 2021)

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2006 S80 and 2001-2009 S60 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10125.