YearToAvoid

2005 Volvo S80 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

36/100

#8 most-complained of 12 S80 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2005 Volvo S80 has 15 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 36 out of 100 — #8 highest of 12 S80 model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is engine (5 complaints, 33% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash and 2 fires.

Complaints
15
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
1 / 2
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
17 city / 24 hwy

Top 2005 Volvo S80 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine5 (33%)
  2. Fuel System5 (33%)
  3. Electrical System4 (27%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (27%)
  5. Brakes3 (20%)
  6. Steering2 (13%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain2 (13%)
  8. Airbags1 (7%)
2005 Volvo S80 complaints: complaints filed per month4Sep 2005Jan 2011Mar 2013Aug 2014Feb 2015Dec 2016Sep 2019Jan 2022
26 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2005 to Jan 2022; peak Apr 2007 (4).

2005 Volvo S80 recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V766000Sep 30, 2021Airbags259,383 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2006 S80 and 2001-2009 S60 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10125.

  2. NHTSA 10V566000Nov 8, 2010Other416 vehicles

    Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)

    Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.

    Risk: An overheated battery could lead to a fire.

    Remedy: Volvo advises owners to please stop using the garmin portable gps device immediately, and visit the garmin website to determine if their unit is affected. The unit's battery will be replaced with a new battery and a spacer will be inserted on top of the battery next to the pcb. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 18, 2010. Owners may contact garmin at 866-957-1981 or visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.

  3. NHTSA 09V483000Dec 18, 2009Fuel System158,733 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    Volvo is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 s80, model year 2001-2004 v70, s60, xc70 and model year 2003-2005 xc90 vehicles sold in or registered in the states of alabama, arizona, arkansas, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, kentucky, louisiana, mississippi, nevada, new mexico, north carolina, oklahoma, south carolina, tennessee, texas, utah, virginia and the u.s. Territories. When exposed to certain environmental conditions (hot climate and temperature cycling) over time and in combination with varying fuel quality, the fuel pump can develop cracks in the fuel pump flange.

    Risk: If the condition occurs vehicle owners may notice fuel smell and/or fuel leak which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel pump installed in the vehicle, and if necessary replace the fuel pump with a part of a modified design. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on january 15, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

See all 5 recalls for the 2005 Volvo S80 →

2005 Volvo S80 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,000
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2005 compared with other S80 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Good3615520
2006Best1812321
2007Caution5524519

All Volvo S80 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Volvo S80 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Volvo S80 ranks #8 of 12 among S80 model years (Complaint Index 36/100, verdict: Good). It has 15 complaints and 5 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Volvo S80?
The most reported problem areas are engine (5 complaints), fuel system (5 complaints), and electrical system (4 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 102,000 miles.
Does the 2005 Volvo S80 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2005 Volvo S80, most recently reported 2021, covering airbags, other, fuel system, and electrical system.
What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Volvo S80?
EPA rates the 2005 Volvo S80 at 20 MPG combined (17 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,000. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.