10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,528 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #20

Dec 212015

S80 6-cyl

  • 181,000 miles
Vehicle has the smell of fuel. The 2001-2005 models have a recall for this same issue because of the plastic on the fuel pump flange cracking. Many owners of the 2000 models are reporting this issue. The fuel pump is the same used on the 2000 year model as the 2001-2005 so the 2000 should be part of the recall also. The smell of fuel is not just unpleasant but dangerous. I have a 11 month old son who rides in my car and it would be tragic if something happened to my family or someone else. You can search google and see many other owners reporting issues in the 2000 model Volvo S80. Please do something about this. Thank you!

- Tempe, AZ, USA

problem #19

Jun 102015

S80 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Volvo S80. The contact noticed a fuel odor near the rear seat of the vehicle and the fuel gauge indicator drastically decreased. The contact discovered an excessive amount of fuel leaking on the ground near the rear side of the vehicle under the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump flange was cracked. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 09V483000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. Update 01/15/16 MA updated 02/04/16. Updated 03/04/16 updated 03/14/16.

- Elizabeth, NJ, USA

problem #18

Oct 062014

S80 6-cyl

  • miles
Within the past few days, I've gotten many complaints about the foul smell of gasoline lingering on my vehicle. Sure enough, I take it to a mechanic and the fuel pump is visibly moist on the exterior from an obvious fuel leakage. I researched "Volvo S80 fuel pump" and found a recall is in place. The recall starts from 2001 models and ranges up to 2005 models and is due to the material used in the fuel pump (recall campaign 09V-483). Since my vehicle is a 2000 model, my local Volvo dealership said "I do not meet the qualifications". my concern is if the material used in the assembly of the fuel pump changed from S80 2000 to 2001 models. I would like to be notified what material was used for S80 2000 models versus the material used for S80 2001 models and make sure that the material for S80 2000 models "may not develop cracks due to exposure to certain environmental conditions and varying fuel quality" as does the S80 2001 material. Thank you very much.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #17

Aug 152014

S80 6-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
Component: Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump there is a strong smell of raw gasoline both inside and outside the vehicle. Gasoline is dripping from the fuel system directly below the position of the fuel pump. The vehicle is registered in sarasota, Florida, a warm weather climate. All indications point to recall number R220. This recall begins with the 2001 Volvo S-80 and therefore does not include my 2000 model year. I contend that the recall should be expanded to include 2000 model year Volvo. V483000 vehicles in warm weather climates may develop a fuel leak car recalls Volvo S80 recall 09V483000 vehicles in warm weather climates may develop a fuel leak engine, January 15, 2010 repairpal expert overview our quick take: Vehicles operated in certain warm weather climates may develop a fuel smell and/or leak. Original recall from the NHTSA model year(s): 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 mfr's report date: January 15, 2010 NHTSA campaign id number: 09V483000 NHTSA action number: PE09039.

- Grosse Pointe, MI, USA

problem #16

Jul 012009

S80 6-cyl

  • 106,987 miles
While stopping or turning at low speeds the cars idle speed will fluctuate from a complete stop up to 1100 rpms. Most of the time between 500 & 1100 rpms ! when the car stops running while I am trying to turn a corner, the power steering of coarse does not work and its hard to steer it. I did take it to a Volvo dealer, & they said it needed a new throttle sensor & computer software change, & it would cost me $2400. I can't find out if any of the recalls have ever been done #R155, R146, NHTSA I.D. #626114 & I.D. #10018801. The previous owner had the car for three years & did not receive and recalls notices. Most of the time the car runs fine, I have driven it over 40,000 miles now with the check eng. Light on & off. The check engine light will stay on for a day or too & go off for three or four days at a time. I would really like to know if any of the recalls have ever been done to this car.

- Sugar Grove, OH, USA

problem #15

Dec 122011

S80 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
Driving on freeway at night, experienced a sudden loss of power. Engine check light came on. Fortunately coasted to a stop on an exit ramp. Upon stopping observed smoke coming through the edges of the hood. Turned off the ignition and exited the car. Noticed a flame under the engine compartment. Within one minute the front end of the car burst into flames and burned in a bright yellow fireball estimated to be 20 feet high. It burned until the fire trucks arrived 20 minutes later. The heat was extremely intense. The hood vaporized, metal parts of the engine melted, tires exploded. Car had a full tank of gas and strongly suspect malfunction of fuel system. Had we been trapped in the car on the freeway, there could have been four fatalities.

- Gig Harbor, Wa, WA, USA

problem #14

Jun 122011

S80

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Volvo S80. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, she began to smell an odor of fuel inside the vehicle. The vehicle was stopped and the contact noticed that fuel was leaking through cracks in the fuel pump, traveling up to the front passenger seat. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that there was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 09V483000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump) that may be related to the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

problem #13

Jun 202011

S80

  • 58,675 miles
On winding downhill road (1500 ft. Drop in 2 miles) car went from 45 to non-optional 20 mph due to failure throttle body. Part know to suddenly fail was subject of lawsuit about 2005 which settled in limited time free replacement now expired. Should have been a recall as now permits safety issue to continue indefinitely in automobile type/model typically driven decades. Note: Car when slowed backed up downhill traffic on the decent is the major cause fatal and other accidents in the area, and set stage for out-of-control slowing accidents. Alternative of pulling off and requesting tow at least as equally hazardous.

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #12

Jan 012010

S80 6-cyl

  • 200,000 miles
I purchased a 2000 Volvo S80 in December 2010 and soon after I noticed that there is a strong gas smell coming from the rear passenger side. You can smell gas all around the car. The fumes are also inside the car and if you are in the car for a long period of time you do not feel well later. This problem may have been happening for a long time but I have not spoken with the previous owner. This is the same fuel pump assembly leak that was recalled on the same car from 2001-2004. I have a 2000 Volvo S80.

- West Point, MS, USA

problem #11

Jun 212010

S80

  • 79,655 miles
Last month I entered my garage to an extreme smell of gasoline. I drove the car to a service shop and they found a cracked fuel pump, which I had replaced. Last week, I received a recall letter for my wife's 2004 Volvo XC70, describing the exact problem I experienced on my 2000 S80. In this letter, they were also recalling 2001-2004 S80S for this problem. I sent this letter along with the bill for the fuel pump on my 2000 S80 to Volvo and asked them to reimburse me. They denied. I telephoned them and asked them to reconsider, as the 2000 S80 was the first year of that model and the problem they were describing in their recall of years 2001-2004 was identical to the problem I experienced. My wife's 2004 car, which they did recall, also had this problem. Both cars, leaking gas fumes in our garage, with the gas hot water tank in the garage...very dangerous. My call to discuss this resulted in another denial. The mechanic told me the fuel pump had a plastic top that cracked. He did not believe a 2000 Volvo with 79000 miles should have had this problem with the fuel pump. I believe Volvo should reimburse me for the charges and I certainly believe the 2000 S80 should be included in the recall this is a danger.

- Las Cruces, NM, USA

problem #10

Jul 052010

S80

  • 85,386 miles
I purchased a used 2000 Volvo S80 today. Previous owner purchased car in 2002 and had all factory service done up to the 75000 check up (car has 85000 miles now). Car manifests all symptoms covered by NHTSA action number : PE05041. Surges and if you don't hold the brake hard at stop, car will lurch forward into traffic. While cruising, car surges forward and if you're not careful, the surging will cause the car to get out of control. Called the nearest dealer in jacksonville. They indicate that ETM may need replacing ($1200) but my cars 10 year warranty in PE05041 expired in May. Car had problems before and dealer downloaded software but problem not corrected and ETM was never mentioned to be replaced. Is there a way for me to be covered under the PE05041 warranty since prior dealer never took care of this and now my local dealer says it is just past the 10 year mark? my phone number is [xxx] and email is [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Live Oak, FL, USA

problem #9

May 172009

S80

  • 115,300 miles
The vehicle sporadically surge/hesitate and stalls at low revs. This started maybe about half a year ago and has gotten worse with the problems even at high revs. The problem culminated on May 17th 2009 or there about when I nearly got into an accident. I was traveling on the middle at about 60 mph and there was a slower vehicle in front of me. I accelerated to try to pass the vehicle on the fast lane. The vehicle did pick up and all of a sudden went on a limp mode even I stepped on the accelerator. My vehicle was almost just side by side to the slower vehicle when this happened. The next thing I heard was a loud continuous horning and screeching of brakes of a car behind me on the fast lane.. the vehicle is well maintained and perform service well above as what manufacturer recommended. Based on various info. Sources, the problem is almost identical to car that has an electronic throttle module problem.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #8

Aug 082002

S80

  • 15,726 miles
ETM (electric throttle module intake manifold) needs to be replaced! (Volvo only has a very limited extended warranty issued on 4/2006. The ETM was cleaned 3 different times since 8/8/02; and a software upgrade was completed on 10/19/06. My last 2 complaints to my Volvo dealership mechanic has resulted in denial on 10/19/06 and refusal to repair under the extended warranty on 8/18/08 due to unretrievable computer codes (Volvo admits the problem was still an ETM problem). [this has occurred every year for the last 6 years!!!] on several occasions, accidents almost happened because the vehicle either stalls on the freeway at 55-60mph, or vehicle suddenly surges at a red light or stop sign. According to vexedvolvo.com, the real cause is due to a wearing out of the "potentiometer films in the throttle position sensors". a simple ETM "cleaning" will not suffice.

- Flushing, NY, USA

problem #7

Jun 202008

S80

  • 111,075 miles
At the end of June of 2008 I noticed that my 2000 Volvo S-80 smelled of gas. Subsequently, on 06/20/2008 abby car care (559-438-7181) mechanic kevin determined, per my receipt, that 'diagnose fuel leak-fuel leaking from the top tank found defective at flange for evap system leaking were it attaches to top of the fuel tank not repairable.' I was also advised by kevin that the leak was not caused by wear and tear but was 'defective / not repairable' in nature. Abby car care replaced the fuel tank. After learning of this leak and doing some research on the internet 'goggle search engine', it appears that other Volvo owners have experienced similar problems with leaks to the gas tanks. I did call my local Volvo dealer (fresno Lincoln Mercury Volvo ' 5200 N. blackstone avenue fresno, ca 93710 telephone number 559-226-5175) and advised them of my leaky gas tank and they advised me that there was no recall and didn't seem to concerned with my problem other than giving me there customer service toll free number.

- Clovis, CA, USA

problem #6

Dec 012004

S80

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,374 miles
I want to add my documentation about the failure of the throttle module and subsequent lack of appropriate action. The unit in the 2000 Volvo S80 failed to bring the car to a complete halt in traffic in December 2004. Subsequent repairs to solve the problem were $845. If Volvo sent out a notice for ETM repair refunds last winter, I did not receive it despite living at the same address as when I purchased the vehicle in Dec 1999. I also want to call your attention to the increasing problem with the dstc system as evidence by activity in the chat rooms. Our vehicle shows a persistent dstc service message that the dealer claims can not be adequately diagnosed without first replacing the yaw sensor for $668. Others with this problem have turned to buying and self installing rebuilt ABS units which the NHTSA should be proactively seeking to understand. The cause of the ABS unit failure? some claim it is the vibration and pounding from the entirely inadequate front end suspension and wheel system causing the electronic parts to fail. I can attest to the suspension problem having spent $1790 yesterday to replace front bushings, stabilizer links, struts and spring seats on a car with 64K miles. The front struts previously were replace in Jan '04 at a cost of $726 when mileage was 40K. I've also had to replace the ball joints several times already.

- Hinsdale, IL, USA

problem #5

Jan 222006

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles
I operate a 2000 Volvo S-80. It has 70,000 miles. Recently it has uneven engine idle problem especially when A/C is on. For two occasions, the car was stranded on the freeway because the engine suddenly stopped. The car was inspected by the local garage, the throttle assembly was cleaned, but the mechanic gave no guarantee because he said the computer which controls the throttle may have the problem and he has no replacement parts. Two weeks later, I received a notice from the Volvo stating my car might have the ets (electronic throttle system) problem and they offer the refund of repair cost. I submitted my refund request three weeks ago but received no response. Currently the car still has the same problem.

- Hacienda Heights, CA, USA

problem #4

Oct 282005

S80

  • 93,898 miles
Several occurrences of vehicle stalling in traffic, restarting, but not staying started. Vehicle surging at idle. After taken to shop (towed), we now have had our fourth electronic throttle body replaced in last 28 months. The dealership has also replaced the maf sensor and has cleaned the throttle on two occasions. My portion of repairs have already exceeded $2,770. Dealership has acknowledged this is a known problem. They continue to "fix" the problem with the same replacement part.

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #3

Jul 252005

S80

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,107 miles
Vehicle would shut down at highway speeds this happened twice on 1-95 in South Florida causing near accidents. Second time while in the middle highway lane I called for a tow. Before the tow arrived the car started up just fine as if there was no problem. This incident happened an additional 2X before I could get the car to Volvo/palm beach, fl where they replaced the ETM electronic throttle module at a cost of $1259..

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #2

May 092005

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,498 miles
On May 9, 2005 my husband and I were traveling North on the New Jersey turnpike near East rutherford, NJ when our 2000 Volvo S80 sedan lost acceleration. As the vehicle slowed from 60 mph in traffic to 15 mph, the message window read, "performance reduced." As my husband negotiated the failing vehicle from the center lane, surrounded by 60 mph traffic, to the shoulder, I phoned our Volvo dealership in pa for roadside assistance. They informed me to get the vehicle off the road and to take it to the nearest Volvo dealership. As we inched along the shoulder at 15 mph, a NJ state trooper spotted us and recognized that we were in trouble. He pulled along side us and then offered to follow us, with lights flashing, into the nearest rest area, which was 8 miles North. As he said, "you're a sitting duck." Once at the service area, the vehicle would not restart, and we had it towed to kundert Volvo in hasbrouck heights, NJ. All in all, we were fortunate under the circumstances. It was 10:30 am on a clear spring day. The state trooper's assistance was fortuitous and our car service was completed by 4 pm. At kundert Volvo, the service area replaced the throttle body, a gasket and performed an ETM reload. Total labor and parts was $729 plus $150 towing charge. Although all is well that ends well, there was great potential for a serious accident during our time unassisted on the NJ turnpike, caused by vehicle failure.

- Downingtown, PA, USA

problem #1

Oct 292003

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,888 miles
The electronic throttle control failed during a left turn to a freeway on-ramp. The car stopped and would not start. I was lucky it was pouring rain and traffic was light because I was in the middle of the road for about 1/2 hour. It was towed to the dealer and the module replaced for approximately $800. The following year the second module exhibited the same symptoms. I drove it to the dealer and had it cleaned for approximately $200. I was told that the module had to be cleaned every year - which I would have to pay for - or it would fail and have to be replaced. I was told this happened to all Volvo which predominately were driven in city traffic. I am about due to have the problem this year.

- Prospect, KY, USA