10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 46,041 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.
The contact owns a 1999 Volvo S80. While stationary, the vehicle leaked fuel onto the ground. Wallace Volvo in stuart, Florida diagnosed the vehicle as having a mass air flow failure. The vehicle was repaired by don imports auto service in vero beach, Florida. In addition, while driving 2 mph, the vehicle caught fire underneath the driver's seat. A police report was filed. The contact extinguished the fire with the assistance of a neighbor. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to wallace Volvo in stuart, Florida. The vehicle was not destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.
- Tampa, FL, USA
I've had this problem for months now. The car shuts down and won't restart! I been taking off the battery and letting it sit over night, then putting cables back on to get it to restart! today I drove it for a mile and parked it and while it was running it shut down again! most of the time it shuts down when I'm driving and I lose brake control!
- Mansfield, CT, USA
1999 Volvo S 80. Consumer states problems with the transmission and electrical problems the consumer stated while driving, the interior dashboard and overhead lights began to dim and then returned to normal light levels on a repeated basis. There were a couple of incidents, where the vehicle would lunge forward without applying pressure to the accelerator and at times would almost come to a complete stall. The consumer stated he also had problems accelerating as he entered the interstate on entrance ramps due to what appeared to be stalling of the engine. The vehicle completely stalled. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop and it was determined the ETM had failed and needed to be replaced. The repair shop informed the consumer about a recall and extended warranty. However, when the consumer contacted Volvo, he was told his vehicle was updated in August 2008 and they wouldn't assist any further.
- Washington, DC, USA
Volvo S80 1999 - I have had 3 instances of the car lurching forward for no apparent reason when I am coming to a stop. In all 3 cases the throttle body assembly required replacement. Each time I thought the problem was corrected for good. The first occurrence was in 04, then 05, and now again in 09. I was lead to believe that the design had been changed and the problem corrected. I have been fortunate that when this happened I did not hit anyone or crash into anything. I feel that this is a serious problem and no effort has been made by Volvo to correct the problem.
- Nashville, TN, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Volvo S80. The vehicle shut off in the middle of the road while traveling at an unknown speed. There was no power and the vehicle failed to move when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact must wait for a couple of minutes and then depress the accelerator pedal before the vehicle would start. The dealer stated that the failure was due to the electronic throttle system software. The Volvo manufacturer stated that they would not repair the vehicle because it was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 118,000.
- Orlando, FL, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Volvo S80. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle began to slow down and the ABS and engine indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the trollis system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred two weeks later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again and they stated that the central module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle needed to be taken back to the dealer for further inspection. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 97,000. Updated 1/8/09 the ball joint needed to be replaced, the heating system, throttle systems, engine cooling fan and the master cylinder all failed. The vehicle would accelerated on its own. The vehicle stalled on several occasions. The steering made a noise when it was turned. The dealer lubricated the steering. The dealer stated the vehicle needed an O2 sensor. The ignition switch was replaced. The inner tie rods were replaced. 01/14/09.
- Chicago, IL, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Volvo S80. While driving 55 mph, the check engine light illuminated with a message stating "transmission service urgent". the dealer stated that the valve body was faulty and there was mechanical failure with the transmission. The vehicle has not been repaired and the check engine light remains illuminated. The contact felt there may be a defect with the software. The current mileage is 100,255 and failure mileage was 99,769.
- Solorado Sprngs, CO, USA
This car has several recurring problems that I have never seen on any car before. 1) electronic throttle has been replaced 2 times as well as oxygen sensors. 2) suspension parts replaced 3 times, ball joints, struts, strut mounts, frame bushings. The car still squeaks.
- Waukee, IA, USA
I was driving on I95, I was in the middle lane and my car started losing power. I had to get all the way to the break down lane and shut off my car for a few minutes. I started the car up and it seemed to be fine but about 5 minutes later it did it to me again and completely lost power. I called my mom and told her about what happened and she told me that the same thing happened to her when she was on her way home from work the day before and when she went on the highway as well. Luckily I wasn't in heavy traffic so it was easy for me to get into the breakdown lane if not I would have been stuck in the middle lane or god forbid gotten into an accident. I called the Volvo dealership next to my house and made an appointment for Tuesday morning I told him my problem and he told me that I have to bring in the car for a diagnostic check. I'm pretty sure my car will be covered under that new extended warranty of 10 years/200,000 miles but I'll have to wait and see.
- Providence, RI, USA
Vehicle defect make: Volvo year: 1999 model: S80 nature of problem: Check engine light is on and Volvo technician diagnoses the problem as a defective electronic throttle control module which I found later to be a common problem with Volvo. The dealership estimated the repair to be $850 plus the cost of the diagnosis ($82). I refused to authorize the repair and sought alternatives. Presently, the car's check engine light is still on and the car idles roughly and suffers from poor gas mileage but continues to start and run. As this is an apparent problem with Volvo as I was told by other mechanics, I felt that this defect should be the responsibility of Volvo rather than myself.
- Shorewood, WI, USA
Car has on numerous occasion lost complete power and will basically just idle. This has happened both will starting from a dead stop as well as at highway speeds. This on several occasions has almost resulted in accidents due to high traffic volume at the time of failure. Car is currently at shop for repair with estimate over $1000.
- Greeley, CO, USA
I purchased a 1999 Volvo S80 on August 30, 2005. Within 2 weeks of ownership, the car would race at a stop sign, while I applied the brakes. The next day, it ran rough in my drive way while it idled. I took it directly to the Volvo dealer in memphis. They told me I needed a ETM and air flow meter. These were replaced at a cost to me of $848.21 parts and labor.
- Bartlett, TN, USA
Faulty electronic throttle module (ETM) on 1999 Volvo S80 T6 on a replacement part. Car has stalled numerous times on open highway result in a severe safety situation. The mileage on the car is only 43,000 despite being a 6 year old vehicle. The original ETM was determined faulty and a replacement unit was put in on September 19, 2002. Independent Volvo repair dealer has determined that the replacement unit has failed again despite only having 17,000 miles put on the car since being replaced in 2002.
- Westerville, OH, USA
On two separate occasions my vehicle engine has lost speed and engine has stalled without warning. Car has been repaired by local car dealership once and is once again in the shop for possibly the same problem. While driving at 60 mph on the freeway with my 3 children in cabin there was a very strong odor of gas followed my a sudden engine shutdown today. I am very grateful and blessed I wasn't hit from the back this would have been very, very disastrous to my family.
- Waianae, HI, USA
The ABS module has failed in my car and according to my mechanic and all over the internet the modules continually break and cost around 700 dollars to repair each time. When this module does not work is causes problems with steering power, transmission shifting (will not down shift and causes car to stall), brake failure warnings, and no ABS. The problem is intermittent while driving, but there is always one system not working or more.
- Clarks Green, PA, USA
Initial problem occurred after vehicle was running for about 15 minutes. After stopping at a traffic light, vehicle would only accelerate to 20 mph. Only after turning off the engine for 5-10 minutes would vehicle resume normal performance - then would repeat problem after running a few minutes. Dealer service has replaced a computer module which controls this function. I have learned this is a common problem in Volvo. Mine is a 1999 S80.
- Memphis, TN, USA
1999 Volvo S80 T6-multiple failures of ETM (5 failures, replaced 4 etms total). Car would go into "limp home mode", "check engine" light would go on. Very dangerous and frustrating. The ETM also has failed on wife's 2001 V70 xc one time around 80K miles. I no longer own the S80; too unreliable, a complete joke givens Volvo's reputation for safety!
- Mechanicsville, VA, USA
1999 Volvo S80-T6 has had a multitude of problems latest event the engine quit while driving down the highway. Was able to get car to side of the road. Could not be restarted. Transported vehicle 150 miles to dealer. Because we had had so may problems with the vehicle - $3000 within a three month period culminating in this event, the dealer gave us the parts and labor ($1500 in this case.)
- Paducah, KY, USA
Dt : when attempting to accelerate the tachometer will jump up and drop down, it looses power when trying to increase speed. This started on July 31, 2005. Took vehicle to a Volvo mechanic, and could not pinpoint the problem. However, thought it had something to do with the air intakes. The electronic throttle module was replaced. The consumer also has trouble accelerating onto the highway.
- Middletown, NJ, USA
- Chicago, IL, USA