2004 Volvo S80 problems and owner complaints
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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10348614 · 2010-08-10 (August 10, 2010)
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR TWO KIDS IN OUR 2004 VOLVO S80 ON I-75 WHEN THE VEHICLE JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED OPERATING. SHE COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AS WHEN SHE PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT EVEN REV UP. MY WIFE AN CHILDREN WERE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE IN A CAR THAT WOULDN'T DRIVE. THE DASH STATED "REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE". SHE CALLED ME ON MY CELL IN A PANIC AS CARS ON I-75 WERE FLYING BY HER AND SWERVING OUT OF HER LANE TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH OUR VEHICLE. I ASKED HER IF SHE HAD TR…
Owner-reported narrative. 152,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10348614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10439510 · 2011-12-08 (December 8, 2011)
2004 VOLVO S80. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT DUE TO IT LEAKING. *TGW THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONSUMER SENT IN A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10439510 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 10208180 · 2007-11-07 (November 7, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S80. WHILE MAKING A SHARP TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING ACTIVATED AND MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RACK. THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208180 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10631852 · 2014-09-09 (September 9, 2014)
TRANSMISSION HAS ERRATIC SHIFTING DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR TO BE IN WAS TOLD BY VOLVO MECHANIC THAT TRANSMISSION WAS BROUGHT UP IN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BECAUSE TRANSMISSION IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR CARS HORSE POWER. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT FIXED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10631852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10789003 · 2015-11-07 (November 7, 2015)
CAR BEGAN OVERHEATING AND EVENTUALLY OVERHEATED AND RUINED ENGINE LATER MECHANIC DISCOVERED THERMOSTAT WASNT WORKING PROPERLY SO NO INDICATION AS TO VEHICLE TEMPURATURE. CAR WAS ON FREEWAY AND STOPPED COMING OFF FREEWAY. HEAD GASKET BLEW ALSO AS WELL AS BAD TRANSMISSION
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10789003 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 ↗
Owner report 10222413 · 2008-03-26 (March 26, 2008)
RUPTURED BRAKE LINES TWICE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 42,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10222413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10285720 · 2009-09-29 (September 29, 2009)
MY 2004 VOLVO S80 HAS STALLED DOZENS OF TIMES OVER THE PAST 2 1/3 YEARS. SOMETIMES IT STALLS WHILE COASTING TO A STOP. IT WILL GENERALLY RESTART AND YOU CAN LIMP HOME. THIS IS A SEVERE INCONVENIENCE, BUT NOT A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. HOWEVER, IT ALSO HAS LOST POWER AND SPUTTERED ALONG AT A VERY LOW SPEED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER REFUSE TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A VOLVO DEALER 6 TIMES SINCE MAY 2007 FOR THIS PROBLEM. MANY TIMES THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 51,376 miles reported. Look up ODI 10285720 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10440902 · 2011-12-21 (December 21, 2011)
SLOWLY DRIVING ON A ROAD IN NEIGHBORHOOD AND WAS SIGNALING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SIGNAL LIGHT STOPPED AND THE WHOLE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. NO ELECTRICAL OR AUTO OPERATING AT ALL. AUTOMOBILE TOTALLY STALLED AND WOULD NOT START. CAR WAS ENTERING AN INTERSECTION NECESSITATING ME GETTING OUT AND PUSHING THE AUTO BACK BEHIND THE STOP SIGN. AUTO WOULD NOT START AGAIN AND HAD TO BE TOWED. MY REGULAR REPAIR PERSON TRIED TO GET IT OPERATING BUT COULD NOT AND WAS AGAIN TOWED TO A VOLVO DEALER WHO TOOK 4 DAYS TO FIX. MY ISSUE I…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10440902 at NHTSA ↗