2002 Volvo S80 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
104,445 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 42 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 21.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 16.7% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.4% |
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 | 7 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Suspension:Front | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Electrical System: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Power Train: 4; Suspension:Front: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Air Bags: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 7
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 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 | 5 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
2003: 5; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2008: 4; 2009: 4; 2010: 6; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 6; 2018: 1; 2021: 3
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10025181 · 2003-06-30 (June 30, 2003)
2002 VOLVO S80 WHEN STOPPED ON A HILL, FACING DOWN A DECLINE, WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, THEN TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE...THE CAR 'FREELY" ROLLS FORWARD. SAME THING HAPPENS WHEN STOPPED ON AN INCLINE AND YOU PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AND ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN.... THE TRANSMISSION "ACTS LIKE" A MANUAL ONE IN THESE SITUATIONS. YOU NEED TO USE TWO FEET IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF SITUATION WITHOUT HITTING ANOTHER CAR (WHEN IN A PARALLEL PARKED SITUATION...ETC.) COMPLAINED TO MY DEALER AND VOLVO CUSTOMER SV…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037461 · 2003-09-08 (September 8, 2003)
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAUSING VECHILE TO STOP ON FREEWAY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037461 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005987 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230760 · 2008-06-11 (June 11, 2008)
FUEL LEAK DEVELOPS AROUND FUEL PUMP AND TANK. RISK OF FUEL IGNITION AND VAPOR INHALATION TO DRIVE AND PASSENGERS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230760 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10143871 · 2005-11-29 (November 29, 2005)
(YOUR WEBSITE DOESN'T LIST VOLVO S-80 TYPES) WE HAVE REPEATEDLY RECEIVED BULB FAILURE INDICATOR(I BELIEVE ITS THE BRAKE LIGHT. ITS BEEN REPAIRED /REPLACED 3 TIMES IN THE 3 YEARS WE'VE HAD THE CAR. SOMETIMES ITS INTERMITTENT. VOLVO SAYS THIS IS COMMON. IF SO, WHY NOT A RECALL? (NO OTHER CAR I'VE OWNED HAS FREQUENT BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE) . *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143871 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10457499 · 2012-05-04 (May 4, 2012)
THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS ADJUSTING ITSELF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. HOWEVER, THE CONTROLS WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RE-ADJUST THE SEAT. SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING, THE BACKREST OF THE SEAT WOULD MOVE INTO A COMPLETELY HORIZONTAL POSITION. OTHER TIMES, THE ENTIRE SEAT (INCLUDING THE BACKREST) WOULD MOVE AS FAR FORWARD AS POSSIBLE, CREATING A MAJOR DRIVING HAZARD. I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT, REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTING TO RE-ADJUST THE SEAT UNTIL IT RANDOMLY STARTED TO RESPOND. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO A VOLVO DEALERSHIP, THEY COULD…
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10457499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11422659 · 2021-06-28 (June 28, 2021)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11422659 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10246518 · 2008-10-23 (October 23, 2008)
NUMEROUS DEFECTS IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, ONE TIME IT WAS THE BUMPER CONNECTION, ANOTHER TIME THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER, AND THEN THE CONNECTION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, THEN IT GOES OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND I SPEND 800.00 THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND THE DEALER SAYS TOO BAD IT MUST BE SHORTED SOMEWHERE.....JOKES ON YOU. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246518 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10308146 · 2010-02-09 (February 9, 2010)
I PURCHASED A 2002 VOLVO S80 IN MARCH OF 2009 AND STATED HEARING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR & WHEN I WENT & GOT IT CHECKED THE MECHANIC SAID THAT I NEEDED NEW STRUTS SO I GOT THE STRUTS FIXED FOR A WARPING $600 BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED 3 TIMES SINCE THE REPAIR,I HAVE HAD IT REPAIR 2 TIMES BY THE SAME SHOP BUT SINCE THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME LABOR ON THE LAST VISIT I'M DONE,THE MECHANIC ALSO SAID THAT I NEEDED FRONT CONTROL ARMS WHICH ARE ALSO EXPENSIVE.I CHECKED ONLINE TO SEE IF MAYBE VOLVO HAD ANY RECALLS ON THIS …
Owner-reported narrative. 117,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10308146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10980093 · 2017-04-24 (April 24, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO START WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF FUEL. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 248,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 248,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10980093 at NHTSA ↗