2005 Volvo S80 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Volvo S80 has a complaint index of 36, ranking 8th out of 12 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other S80 years. NHTSA lists 15 complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 fires, with Engine and Fuel System each making up 33% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 36/100
- #8 of 12 S80 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 15
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2005 Volvo S80 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine5 (33%)
- Fuel System5 (33%)
- Electrical System4 (27%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (27%)
- Brakes3 (20%)
- Steering2 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (13%)
- Airbags1 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe the B+ battery cable at the starter solenoid shorting and grounding, sparking an engine compartment fire and sudden shutdown with all electrics going dead.
- Some report the brake pedal becoming hard to press or inoperable while driving, in one case accompanied by smoke and rattling from the front of the car.
- A rear tire reportedly separated at the sidewall while driving at highway speed, causing a sudden jerk before the driver regained control.
- Owners note the transmission slipping and stuttering at low speeds and shaking violently over speed bumps.
- Several describe sudden loss of power or stalling at speed, with the dash showing 'reduced engine performance,' check engine, or ABS warnings, sometimes tied to a fuel pressure sensor fault.
- One owner reported a passenger airbag deploying unexpectedly just from shutting the door firmly.
2005 Volvo S80 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Volvo S80 reliable?
- Compared with other S80 model years, 2005 rates Good with a complaint index of 36 and ranks 8th out of 12 years tracked. NHTSA lists 15 complaints and 5 recalls for this year.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Volvo S80?
- Engine and Fuel System issues each account for 33% of complaints, followed by Electrical System and Suspension, Wheels & Tires problems at 27% each. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 92,600 miles.
- Does the 2005 Volvo S80 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls, including a driver's airbag inflator that may explode during deployment, a fuel pump inspection/replacement campaign, and an electrical issue where the B+ terminal could conflict with the starter motor solenoid.
- How does the 2005 S80 compare to other years like 2008 or 2016?
- The 2005 model (complaint index 36, Good) fares much better than the 2008 S80 (complaint index 100, Avoid) but trails the 2016 S80, which has a complaint index of 9 and rates Best.
- What fuel economy does the 2005 Volvo S80 get?
- EPA rates it at 20 mpg combined (17 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,000.