VehicleVerdict

2000 Volvo S80 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 442 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 15.8 times the median S80 year — the 2000 model ranks #1 of 18 S80 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 18 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across speed control (94), engine (75), and electrical system (58), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

442

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

18

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other S80 years?

S80 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted442 complaints1999: 288 complaints2000: 442 complaints2001: 218 complaints2002: 59 complaints2003: 30 complaints2004: 63 complaints2005: 26 complaints2006: 22 complaints2007: 32 complaints2008: 37 complaints2009: 20 complaints2010: 36 complaints2011: 8 complaints2012: 11 complaints2013: 8 complaints2014: 1 complaints2015: 12 complaints2016: 7 complaints
S80 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S80 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Volvo S80 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control9421%
Engine7517%
Electrical System5813%
Fuel System4310%
Suspension348%
Brakes266%
Transmission245%
Airbags194%
Steering174%
Visibility & Wipers164%
Other112%
Lighting92%
Body & Structure51%
Seat Belts41%
Tires & Wheels31%
Seats20%
Latches & Locks20%

Does the 2000 Volvo S80 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V566000Electrical SystemNovember 8, 2010 · 416 units

Defect

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.

07E023000BrakesMarch 29, 2007 · 13,128 units

Defect

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

06V441000Speed ControlNovember 15, 2006 · 170,099 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.

Consequence

THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

04V451000EngineSeptember 13, 2004 · 149,799 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SOME ELECTRIC COOLING FANS MAY OVERHEAT POTENTIALLY CAUSING HEAT DAMAGE AND, IN RARE INSTANCES, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Consequence

A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

00V238000SuspensionAugust 24, 2000 · 49,488 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OVER TIME, THE BALL JOINT BETWEEN THE FRONT WHEEL KING PIN AND THE SUSPENSION LINK ARM, CAN EXPERIENCE INCREASED LOOSENESS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT THE BALL JOINT'S DURABILITY AND PERFORMANCE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AS THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE, IT PLACED ITSELF IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE REVVED AND ACCELERATED ACROSS A MEDIAN, AND THEN HAD COME TO REST AGAINST TWO OTHER VEHICLES AND AN ABUTMENT. *AK *SC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 28, 2004 · crash

“AS I WAS DRIVING I HEARD A BANG AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH AND BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT AND QUICKLY FIRE SPREADING THROUGHOUT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR WINDOW BLEW OUT. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AS I DROVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE STREET. I HAD TO THROW MYSELF OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 24, 2013 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE INSURANCE AGENCY AND VOLVO INVESTIGATORS DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO A SHORT IN THE WIRE HARNESS. THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 23, 2003 · fire

“DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT NIGHT, EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. FORTUNATELY COASTED TO A STOP ON AN EXIT RAMP. UPON STOPPING OBSERVED SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE EDGES OF THE HOOD. TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND EXITED THE CAR. NOTICED A FLAME UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 12, 2011 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, ROAD WAS CLEAR, CONSUMER DIDN'T HAVE ANY WARNING SIGNS, AND VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND CAME THROUGH GUARDRAIL. ON DECEMBER 10TH, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A CLUNKING NOISE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · December 7, 2000 · crash

2000 Volvo S80 — common questions

Is the 2000 Volvo S80 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 442 complaints put the 2000 model at #1 of 18 S80 years. It is one of the S80 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 S80 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (94 complaints), engine (75 complaints), electrical system (58 complaints).

Does the 2000 Volvo S80 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Volvo S80. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Volvo S80 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volvo S80 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S80 years to avoid are 2000, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2002. The cleanest record among S80 years belongs to 2014.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.