2004 Volvo S80: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
50 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
99,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 41 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 50 complaints (26.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 22.0% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 12.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 13 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Steering:Linkages | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 13; Electrical System: 5; Suspension: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Engine: 3; Power Train: 3; Steering:Linkages: 3; Air Bags: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 7
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2005: 3; 2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2010: 5; 2011: 3; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 6; 2015: 6; 2016: 5; 2017: 4; 2020: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 11 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10047697 · 2003-11-27 (November 27, 2003)
HAZARDOUS STOPPING OF THE ENGINE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ACCIDENT AVERTED BY THE ATTENTIVE DRIVER IN THE BACK. *LA. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 834 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047697 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057727 · 2004-02-09 (February 9, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE CAME OFF.CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 5,825 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057727 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090335 · 2004-09-02 (September 2, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING THE SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10090335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130424 · 2005-07-28 (July 28, 2005)
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WITHIN THE DESIGNATED 70 MILE LIMIT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. IT SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT AND LUCKILY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC, OR A TRAGIC ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED, SINCE MY TWO CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR. I LANDED IN A DITCH. THE DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE SUNNY AND THE ROAD WAS CLEAR OF DEBRIS. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED A LOOSE GRAVE SHIELD, WHICH THEY SAID WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING HITTING THE CAR, ALTHOUGH THE ROAD WAS CLEAR OF DEBRIS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. I TOLD T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10130424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132836 · 2005-08-15 (August 15, 2005)
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS VOLVO S80 2004, SUDDENLY THE TIRE BECAME PARTIALLY SEPARATED FROM THE RIM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE CAR CRASHED, THEN ROLLED AND FLIPPED OVER INTO A DITCH UPSIDE DOWN. THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR BEHIND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES, INCLUDING HEAD TRAUMA. THE CONSUMER CALLED VOLVO AND REQUESTED THAT AN INVESTIGATOR COME AND CHECK THE CAR. AN INVESTIGATOR CAME, AND INVESTIGATED THE VEHICLE BUT VOLVO WOULD NOT RELEASE ANY INFORMATION TO THE CONSUMER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10132836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10133624 · 2005-08-20 (August 20, 2005)
LATE EVENING ON THE 22ND , OR EARLY MORNING, OF JULY 23RD I RENTED A VOLVO S80 FROM HERTZ CORPORATIO DIA LOCATION AND LATER ON THE MORNING OF THE 23RD DROVE WITH MY FAMILY FROM DENVER TO CARBONDALE ALONG I-70 AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SHORTLY AFTER ARRIVING IN CARBONDALE MY YOUNGEST SON AND I WENT FROM THE HOUSE AT WHICH WE WERE STAYING TO THE LOCAL 7/11 FOR A FEW SUPPLIES. WHILE IN THE PARKING LOT THE FRONT AXEL, DRIVER''S SIDE, DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. HAD THIS HAPPENED A FEW HOURS EARLIER ON THE INTERSTATE I DOUBT THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO A…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10133624 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10191258 · 2007-05-20 (May 20, 2007)
THE CAR HESITATES WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE GAS PEDAL, AND IN ORDER TO SPEED UP THE PEDAL HAS TO BE PUSHED AGAIN. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEVERAL TIMES. THE SECOND TIME I COMPLAINED THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE CAR AND SAID IT THE WAY THE CAR WAS SUPPOSE TO BE, THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WORKED THAT WAY. I BROUGHT IT BACK IN WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND THEY SAID OTHER CARS HAD SIMILAR DIFFICULTIES, AND THEY REPLACED A COMPUTER CHIP. THE PICK-UP WAS A LITTLE BETTER BUT STILL NOT LIKE OTHER CARS. THE LATEST FAILURE OCCURRED …
Owner-reported narrative. 36,882 miles reported. Look up ODI 10191258 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10193923 · 2007-06-21 (June 21, 2007)
2004 VOLVO S80 2.5T, LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE FELL OFF. CONNECTION BETWEEN FITING AND HOSE FAILED, CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,494 miles reported. Look up ODI 10193923 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V029000 · Steering:Linkages
Reported: 2004-01-16 (January 16, 2004)
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.
Consequence: THIS DRIVING CONDITION COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SEPARATION BETWEEN THE FRONT CONTROL ARM AND THE SPINDLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V483000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V566000 · Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V766000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗