What is the best year for the Volvo S80?

2016 rates Best, with a complaint index of 9, the lowest of any S80 model year, and only 2 recall campaigns.

Is the 2008 Volvo S80 reliable?

The 2008 S80 has the highest complaint index (100) of any S80 year and 7 recall campaigns, with fuel system problems, including stalling and surging, as the top reported issue.

Does the Volvo S80 have recalls related to transmission or airbags?

Yes. The 2013 S80 was recalled for a software error that could prevent the transmission from downshifting, and the 2010 S80 was recalled for a driver's airbag clockspring wiring fault.

How many total complaints and recalls does the Volvo S80 have?

NHTSA data covers 155 total complaints and 19 recall campaigns across the 2005-2016 Volvo S80 model years.

Volvo S80 Best and Worst Years (2005–2016)

Across the Volvo S80's 2005-2016 run, 2008, 2010, and 2013 are the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100, 91, and 82 out of 155 total complaints and 19 recall campaigns. 2016 is the Best year (index 9) and 2005, 2006, 2012, 2015 rate Good.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2008 Avoid 2010 Avoid 2013 Best 2016

Model years: 12; 2005–2016
NHTSA complaints: 155
Recall campaigns: 19
Crashes reported: 10
Fires reported: 3
Top problem area: Engine

S80 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Volvo S80 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Good	36	15	1	2	5	Engine	20	—
2006	Good	18	12	1	0	3	Engine	21	—
2007	Caution	55	24	0	0	5	Structure & Body	19	—
2008	Avoid	100	26	4	0	7	Fuel System	18.5	—
2009	Caution	64	16	0	0	5	Structure & Body	18	—
2010	Avoid	91	27	1	0	5	Engine	19	—
2011	Caution	73	5	1	1	4	Electrical System	21.5	—
2012	Good	45	8	1	0	3	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	22	—
2013	Avoid	82	8	0	0	3	Engine	21.5	—
2014	No verdict	0	1	0	0	1	Transmission & Powertrain	22	—
2015	Good	27	7	1	0	2	Engine	25.5	—
2016	Best	9	6	0	0	2	Engine	29	—

S80 years to avoid: what went wrong

2008 Volvo S80 Index 100 · 26 complaints · 7 recalls

2008 has the highest complaint index of any S80 year (100) and ranks worst overall. Owners most often reported fuel system problems (27% of that year's complaints, median mileage 58,421), including sudden stalling and unintended surging described in NHTSA complaints. Electrical system and engine issues each made up 19%, with a median failure mileage around 65,000. The year carries 7 recall campaigns, including a seat belt anchor cable recall and a tire/rim labeling recall covering 2007-2010 models. Four crashes and three injuries are recorded for this model year.

2010 Volvo S80 Index 91 · 27 complaints · 5 recalls

2010 ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 91. Engine complaints (19% of the year's total) had a low median failure mileage of 11,500, including reports of sudden stalling at intersections and after acceleration attempts. Visibility and wiper issues were reported at a much higher median mileage of 130,500. Airbag complaints (15%) included an incident where airbags failed to deploy during a crash with a deer. The year has 5 recall campaigns, including one for a driver's airbag clockspring wiring fault, plus one crash with two injuries recorded.

2013 Volvo S80 Index 82 · 8 complaints · 3 recalls

2013 has a complaint index of 82, the third highest among S80 years. Engine and Structure & Body complaints each accounted for 25% of that year's reports. Owners described a radiator anti-tamper device issue tied to overheating and check-engine warnings at 51,000 and 57,000 miles, and delaminating steering wheel trim with sharp edges. The year has 3 recall campaigns, including a software error that could prevent the transmission from downshifting and a TPMS software issue. Four injuries are recorded for this model year despite the relatively low complaint count of 8.

Most common Volvo S80 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine36 (23%)
Structure & Body25 (16%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires25 (16%)
Electrical System24 (15%)
Fuel System19 (12%)
Other16 (10%)
Visibility & Wipers15 (10%)
Airbags12 (8%)
Transmission & Powertrain11 (7%)
Seat Belts10 (6%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Volvo S80 should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2008, 2010, and 2013 are the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100, 91, and 82 respectively out of 155 total complaints across all years.
What is the best year for the Volvo S80?: 2016 rates Best, with a complaint index of 9, the lowest of any S80 model year, and only 2 recall campaigns.
Is the 2008 Volvo S80 reliable?: The 2008 S80 has the highest complaint index (100) of any S80 year and 7 recall campaigns, with fuel system problems, including stalling and surging, as the top reported issue.
Does the Volvo S80 have recalls related to transmission or airbags?: Yes. The 2013 S80 was recalled for a software error that could prevent the transmission from downshifting, and the 2010 S80 was recalled for a driver's airbag clockspring wiring fault.
How many total complaints and recalls does the Volvo S80 have?: NHTSA data covers 155 total complaints and 19 recall campaigns across the 2005-2016 Volvo S80 model years.