VehicleVerdict

2009 Volvo S80 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 20 complaints on file for the 2009 Volvo S80 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

20

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other S80 years?

S80 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 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, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S80 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Volvo S80 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels735%
Body & Structure420%
Seat Belts210%
Electrical System210%
Seats15%
Lighting15%
Engine15%
Fuel System15%
Driver Assistance15%

Does the 2009 Volvo S80 have recalls?

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

20V378000Seat BeltsJune 30, 2020 · 308,260 units

Defect

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.

Consequence

An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.

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.

10V335000Tires & WheelsJuly 22, 2010 · 3,635 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 S80 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND A PAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL CONTAIN INCORRECT MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE INFLATION PRESSURE AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) SOFTWARE HAS AN INCORRECT TRIGGER LEVEL.

Consequence

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIRED SAFETY STANDARDS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE VEHICLES WITH A NEW TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL, OWNER'S MANUAL LABEL AND TPMS SOFTWARE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM .

09V343000Electrical SystemSeptember 1, 2009 · 11,993 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING MY 2008-2010 S80, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2010 XC60 VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE SOFTWARE WITHIN THE CENTRAL ELECTRONIC MODULE (CEM) MAY NOT SEND A SIGNAL TO THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE (PEM). THIS MISSING SIGNAL TO THE PEM INHIBITS THE START OF THE FUEL PUMP. THE DRIVER MAY BE ABLE TO START THE ENGINE IN SPITE OF THE FUEL PUMP NOT BEING ACTIVATED DUE TO RESIDUAL PRESSURE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. IN SOME CASES, THE DRIVER MAY BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE AT IDLE BUT THEN THE ENGINE MAY STALL.

Consequence

IF THE VEHICLE STALLS IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE TO THE VEHICLES' CEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2009. VEHICLES IN DEALER'S INVENTORY WILL BE REPAIRED PRIOR TO DELIVERY. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

09V218000EngineJune 12, 2009 · 17,614 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING 17,614 MY 2008-2009 S80, V70, AND XC70 VEHICLES. THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING ERROR IN THE FAN CONTROL MODULE (FCM). DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CUSTOMER MAY EXPERIENCE REDUCED AIR CONDITIONING PERFORMANCE, AND/OR RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE.

Consequence

THIS SITUATION MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF COOLING SYSTEM FUNCTION AND ENGINE FAILURE. THE DRIVER MAY NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT TIME TO REACT TO THE WARNING LIGHT(S) OR THE TEXT MESSAGE IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AT 1-800-458-1552.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ALUMINUM NUTS ON THE VALVE STEMS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATE AND FALL APART CAUSING TIRES TO GO FLAT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS (TWO TIRES) WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY WITHOUT INCIDENT. ALL 4 VALVE STEMS WERE INSPECTED”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 3, 2017

“MY CAR IS EXTREMELY CLEAN AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF. BUT JUST LIKE EVERY SINGLE VOLVO S80, SPECIFICALLY THE V8 MODEL THERE IS A RUST HOLE IN THE SUBFRAME. THIS IS BECAUSE VOLVO PUT THE EXHAUST TOO CLOSE TO THE SUBFRAME AND THE HEAT FROM THE V8 EATS AWAY THE PAINT AND CAUSES IT TO RUST.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 27, 2020

“The contact owns a 2009 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the seat belt assembly to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · April 15, 2022

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 2, 2015

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 2, 2015

2009 Volvo S80 — common questions

Is the 2009 Volvo S80 reliable?

The record is thin — 20 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2009 S80 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (7 complaints), body & structure (4 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2009 Volvo S80 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 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.