2009 Volvo S80 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Volvo S80 has a complaint index of 64, ranking 5th worst out of 12 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 16 complaints and 5 recalls, with Structure & Body and Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues each making up 31% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 64/100
- #5 of 12 S80 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 16
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2009 Volvo S80 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body5 (31%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (31%)
- Electrical System2 (13%)
- Seat Belts2 (13%)
- Engine1 (6%)
- Fuel System1 (6%)
- Lane Departure1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the engine subframe crossbar rusting through, often near the exhaust on V8 models, sometimes discovered during routine tire rotation.
- Driver seat material cracks and peels, and repeated dealer reseating or replacement attempts do not always fix it long-term.
- Valve stem locking nuts corrode or disintegrate, causing sudden tire deflation or blowouts, in some cases at highway speed.
- The vehicle can stall without warning at low speed due to a failed fuel pump assembly and not restart afterward.
- The TPMS warning light illuminates repeatedly even when tire pressure matches the tire and loading label.
- The engine cooling fan can fail, triggering an overheating warning on the dash.
2009 Volvo S80 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V378000Jun 30, 2020Seat Belts308,260 vehicles
Seat belts:front
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
- 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 10V335000Jul 22, 2010Suspension, Wheels & Tires3,635 vehicles
Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 s80 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." the tire and loading information label and a page in the owner's manual contain incorrect maximum permissible inflation pressure and the tire pressure monitoring system (tpms) software has an incorrect trigger level.
Risk: These vehicles do not meet the required safety standards.
Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicles with a new tire and loading information label, owner's manual label and tpms software. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about august 27, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552 or [email protected] .
2009 Volvo S80 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2009 compared with other S80 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Volvo S80 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 S80 has a complaint index of 64 and ranks 5th worst among the 12 model years with data, earning a Caution verdict rather than a Good or Best rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Volvo S80?
- NHTSA data shows Structure & Body and Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues each account for 31% of complaints, including subframe rust and valve stem nut failures leading to flat tires.
- Does the 2009 Volvo S80 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2009 S80, covering seat belt anchor cables, a GPS unit battery issue, tire label information, fuel pump software, and an engine cooling fan control module.
- How does the 2009 S80 compare to other model years?
- The 2009 S80 (complaint index 64) is less troubled than the 2008 and 2010 model years, both rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 100 and 91, but worse than years like 2012, 2015, and 2016, which rate Good or Best.