2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,289 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Volvo S80:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #5

Jul 192008

S80

  • 63,000 miles
2002 Volvo S80 transmission failed at 63,000 miles, replaced with new Volvo transmission, lasted 2 years 1 month, Volvo states 2 years is the warranty, so far we have $8900 in repairs to this car in the last 3 years, this car is a real lemon.

- Winsted, CT, USA

problem #4

Jul 262010

S80

  • 104,445 miles
Pulling into traffic car was hesitating, starting and stopping uncontrollably. Slippage in the transmission from first gear to second, hard to get up to speed. Have almost been in serious accidents because of the hesitations. No indicator warning lights at the beginning of transmission issues, dangerous. Now transmission light is on, vehicle only has 104K miles. Going in to have the transmission rebuilt.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #3

Feb 012010

S80

  • 79,000 miles
In the past month when I drive there is surging and hesitation. When I stop then accelerate there is no power, symptoms occurring more frequently and daily. I took it to dealer where I purchased the vehicle thinking it was a recall for the ems. Dealer says no codes came up it was ems problem that I need a new transmission. Metal in trans. Fluid. I purchased in Oct. 2008 with 30 day warranty and it only has 79,000 miles.

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

problem #2

Aug 082009

S80

  • 150,000 miles
The cars automatic transmission will shift to the reverse position without giving any warning under the normal driving condition in its drive position. When it shifts to reverse by itself on the freeway I notice the nose of the car will drop lower and if my foot press on the gas paddle the car will act as braking and engine is making noise. I notice on the dashboard and shifter the gear sign indication is toggle in between 'd' and 'R', when I press on the gas paddle the sign will change to 'R' and as I release my foot off the gas paddle the sign will change back to 'd'. the car is completely out of control I almost got in a major accident, luckily I was trained on manual transmission for my driving lesson, so I put the car to 'N' and shift back to 'd' for the 1st 3 times I switch back to 'd' the gear indication sign is still show 'R' when I put to 'd' only on the 4th try its return back to normal condition. When all this happen I was claiming a hill on I-580 before I-680 junction just pass hayward, ca. Try to imaging driving at 65mph on a hill and transmission swift to reverse the car will drop from 65mph to 10mph very fast and the cars behind me almost crash into me. According to my mechanic the car suppose to switch to 'safe mode' and transmission should stay in 3rd gear. It is strange the car think its malfunction is normal and did not engage to 'safe mode'. my mechanic diagnoses the car and tells me the problem trace to a neutral switch (pnp switch) inside the transmission. And after contact nearest dealer fremont motor cars the parts department confirm that the pnp switch is build inside the transmission and would need a new transmission. The GM-sourced 4T65ev/GT transmissions usually show symptoms of failure by suddenly slipping while in gear. There has not been a recall for this issue, but the faults are widely known and documented. This car is still drivable it's not bad, if don't acted up. It still thinks it has no problem at all which is very dangers.

- Tracy, CA, USA

problem #1

Jun 182003

S80

  • miles
2002 Volvo S80 when stopped on a hill, facing down a decline, when you put the car in reverse, then take your foot off the brake...the car 'freely" rolls forward. Same thing happens when stopped on an incline and you put the car in drive. Almost hit the car in front of me, and almost hit a pedestrian.... the transmission "acts like" a manual one in these situations. You need to use two feet in order to get out of situation without hitting another car (when in a parallel parked situation...etc.) complained to my dealer and Volvo customer svc.. they told me that is the way the car is and there is nothing I can do about it. I explained the potential hazard, and he re-iterated the comment.

- Cranston, RI, USA