VehicleVerdict

2006 Volvo S80 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 22 complaints on file for the 2006 Volvo S80 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

22

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other S80 years?

S80 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 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, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S80 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Volvo S80 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine314%
Speed Control314%
Electrical System314%
Airbags29%
Brakes29%
Seat Belts29%
Suspension29%
Fuel System15%
Body & Structure15%
Visibility & Wipers15%
Lighting15%
Transmission15%

Does the 2006 Volvo S80 have recalls?

4 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.

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.

06V375000OtherOctober 3, 2006 · 19,700 units

Defect

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE LABEL DENOTING THE TIRE AND LOADING PRESSURE INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.

Consequence

A MISPRINTED LABEL WOULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL THE CORRECT LABELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DROVE TO TORONTO FROM WINDSOR ONTARIO AND CAME OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CAME TO STOP AT RED LIGHT BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 6000 RPM AND I PUT THE BRAKE ON BUT THE CAR WHEELS KEPT SPINNING AND PUT ON THE HAND BRAKE=AND FINALLY SHUT OFF THE MOTOR AFTER COLLIDING WITH CAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 2, 2008 · crash

“2006 VOLVO S80. CONSUMER STATES UNEXPLAINED ENGINE BEHAVIOR. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. AN ENGINE IMMOBILIZED MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY IRREGULARITIES. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS PROBABLY ELECTRONIC INTERFERENCE. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 12, 2009

“2006 VOLVO S80. CONSUMER STATES UNEXPLAINED ENGINE BEHAVIOR. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. AN ENGINE IMMOBILIZED MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY IRREGULARITIES. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS PROBABLY ELECTRONIC INTERFERENCE. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 12, 2009

“2006 VOLVO S80 . CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY VEHICLE REPAIRS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE FRONT BRAKES, PADS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAD AIR BAG PROBLEMS AND IT OVER HEATED.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 7, 2013

“2006 VOLVO S80 . CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY VEHICLE REPAIRS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE FRONT BRAKES, PADS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAD AIR BAG PROBLEMS AND IT OVER HEATED.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 7, 2013

2006 Volvo S80 — common questions

Is the 2006 Volvo S80 reliable?

The record is thin — 22 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2006 S80 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (3 complaints), engine (3 complaints), speed control (3 complaints).

Does the 2006 Volvo S80 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 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.