Volvo S80 Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 143 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Volvo S80 across 9 model years. The 2000 model year has the most (68). The words owners use most often: “throttle module” (9% of reports).
- 143engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $1,950typical repair cost reported by owners
- 42%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Throttle module: mentioned in 13 of 143 complaints (9%)
- Air flow: mentioned in 9 of 143 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Volvo S80 at $1,950, and half of them between $1,750 and $3,950.
Based on 12 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2009), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 102 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 143 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 6 a fire.
Volvo S80 engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2011
Problem: Volvo is recalling certain model year 2011, s80, s60, xc70 and xc60 vehicles. The software calibration for the fuel cut-off functionality in the engine control module (ecm) is too sensitive.
Risk: Sudden engine stall could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the ecm and tcm with new software free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before december 10, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552 or at [email protected].
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Model years: 2008, 2009
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 2008
Problem: Volvo is recalling 102 my 2008 xc90 and s80 vehicles equipped with v8 engines. These vehicles may have been built with incorrect bolts to the engine mount.
Risk: The aluminum bracket for the engine mount could break due to lack of adequate clamping force. This could cause the engine to come in contact with the sub-frame, ultimately resulting in a reduced engine torque or stalling of the engine without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine mount bolts for specific markings. If any of the bolts contain the incorrect markings, the bracket and bolts will be replaced. All owners have been contacted and arrangements have been made to repair these vehicles.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Model years: 1999, 2000, 2001
Problem: On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, under certain operating conditions, some electric cooling fans may overheat potentially causing heat damage and, in rare instances, a fire in the engine compartment.
Risk: A fire in the engine compartment could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the cooling fan. The recall began on november 29, 2004. Customers should contact volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Model years: 1999
Problem: On some passenger vehicles, certain electric cooling fans could be inadequate in a hot climate. Under certain circumstances, excessive heat could be generated.
Risk: Should this occur, the engine cooling fan components could overheat and cause the melting of electrical connections and adjacent components, increasing the likelihood of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine cooling fan. Owner notification began april 1, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
My driver seat belt just locked up and i am unable to get it to release. All of the housing inside car appears to be cracking. I have had the two front windows repaired over and over again. And now i can't even let my front windows down. I have also paid to have the throttle body repaired. Not to…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo s80. The contact noticed that the engine cooling system warning indicator illuminated and the air conditioning performance reduced while at a traffic light. The failure occurred multiple times. The contact also stated that the vehicle would not start when the key…
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.
Since i bought my car from the volvo dealer last winter it has stalled on me at low rpms it also surges forward almost causing me to hit cars in front of me i brought it back to them and the dealers told me its normal because its fuel injected and they wont do anything about it.. This is very…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Volvo S80s have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 143 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Volvo S80. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Volvo S80 engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Volvo S80?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,950 (half paid between $1,750 and $3,950), from 12 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Volvo S80?
The most frequent phrase is “throttle module”, in 13 of 143 complaints, followed by “air flow” (9).
Other Volvo S80 problems
See all Volvo S80 problems.