VehicleVerdict

2002 Volvo S80 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 59 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median S80 year — the 2002 model ranks #5 of 18 S80 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (12), transmission (11), and engine (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

59

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other S80 years?

See all S80 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Volvo S80 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System1220%
Transmission1119%
Engine610%
Electrical System58%
Speed Control47%
Suspension47%
Brakes47%
Other35%
Lighting35%
Airbags35%
Seats12%
Body & Structure12%
Seat Belts12%
Child Seat12%

Does the 2002 Volvo S80 have recalls?

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

21V766000AirbagsSeptember 30, 2021 · 259,383 units

Defect

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.

20V681000AirbagsNovember 4, 2020 · 54,124 units

Defect

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.

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.

09V483000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2009 · 158,733 units

Defect

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 26, 2017 · fire

WHEN THE VEHICLE WARMS UP FROM START IT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE IT STARTED AT LIKE 30 MILES AND I PARKED THE CAR TILL I COULD GET IT FIXED NOW WHEN THE CAR JUST WARMS UP (NOT GETS HOT) IT WILL NOT ENGAGE TRANS I HAVE ON MORE SENSER TO CHECK BUT THE CAR WILL MOVE WHEN YOU FIRST START IT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 11, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 26, 2017 · fire

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 23, 2017

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A RATTLING SOUND IN THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 17, 2008

2002 Volvo S80 — common questions

Is the 2002 Volvo S80 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 59 complaints put the 2002 model at #5 of 18 S80 years. It is one of the S80 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 S80 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (12 complaints), transmission (11 complaints), engine (6 complaints).

Does the 2002 Volvo S80 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Volvo S80. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.