VehicleVerdict

2004 Volvo S80 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 63 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median S80 year — the 2004 model ranks #4 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 (14), engine (8), and steering (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

63

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other S80 years?

See all S80 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Volvo S80 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System1422%
Engine813%
Steering610%
Electrical System58%
Suspension58%
Transmission58%
Tires & Wheels58%
Airbags35%
Brakes35%
Seat Belts35%
Speed Control23%
Other23%
Lighting23%

Does the 2004 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.

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.

04V029000SteeringJanuary 16, 2004 · 29,986 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

STRONG ODOR OF GAS OUTSIDE OF CAR. RECALL ON SIMILIAR CARS BUT NOT IN THIS AREA. KNOWN ISSUE BY VOLVO BUT WILL NOT REPAIR AT NO COST AS IT IS OUTSIDE OF THE 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH CAR DOES NOT HAVE 150000 MILES ON. FIRE HAZARD AND SHOULD BE FOR ALL CARS OF THIS YEAR AND MAKE BUT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 9, 2017

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S80. THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $350.00. THE HOSE WAS INSTALLED; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO PAID $4,200 FOR REPAIRS THAT DIDN'T REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 27, 2008

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 12, 2007

ON 11/17/2020 WAS DRIVING TO PICK UP DECAL FOR MY CAR AND I GOT A MESSAGE THAT READ A CHECK AIRBAGS I DIDN'T HAVE ANY READING ON MY GAGES TURN SIGNAL FOR RIGHT TURN STAY LIT UP NOT BRINKING JUST ON , WHEN I STOPPED AND WENT IN BUILDING TO GET DECAL CAME BACK TO CAR STARTED IT MY GAGES CAME BACK…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 17, 2020

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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 15, 2013

2004 Volvo S80 — common questions

Is the 2004 Volvo S80 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 63 complaints put the 2004 model at #4 of 18 S80 years. It is one of the S80 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 S80 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (14 complaints), engine (8 complaints), steering (6 complaints).

Does the 2004 Volvo S80 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 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.