2010 Volvo S80 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2010 Volvo S80 has a complaint index of 91, ranking as the 2nd-worst year out of 12 model years, with 27 complaints and 5 recalls. Engine, visibility/wipers, and airbag problems dominate owner reports, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other S80 years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 91/100
- #2 of 12 S80 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 27
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2010 Volvo S80 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine5 (19%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (19%)
- Airbags4 (15%)
- Structure & Body4 (15%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (15%)
- Electrical System3 (11%)
- Fuel System3 (11%)
- Brakes2 (7%)
- Other2 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles suddenly stall while accelerating from a stop, with the engine revving but the car failing to move.
- Airbags failed to deploy during a crash after a driver lost control avoiding a deer.
- Airbag warning lights stay on due to a loose clockspring wiring connector that dealers reportedly could not permanently fix.
- Front and rear passenger-side tires blew out at highway speed after rims were found bent.
- A total electrical systems failure occurred on the highway after the central electronic module cut power to the fuel pump.
- Steering gear seals allow moisture intrusion, leading to internal corrosion and gradual oil seepage.
2010 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 10V489000Oct 13, 2010Airbags9,746 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 s80, xc70, model year 2011 xc60 and model year 2010 v70 vehicles. There may be an intermittent fault in the driver's airbag clockspring wiring connector for the supplemental restraint system.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the driver's frontal airbag may not deploy as intended or at all, and therefore will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.
Remedy: Dealers will install a metal shim in the driver's air bag clockspring wiring connector. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 20, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
2010 Volvo S80 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 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.
2010 compared with other S80 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Volvo S80 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 S80 ranks 2nd-worst among 12 model years, with a complaint index of 91 and an Avoid verdict relative to other S80 years.
- What are the main problems with the 2010 Volvo S80?
- Owners most frequently reported engine issues, which made up 19% of complaints, followed closely by visibility and wiper problems and airbag issues.
- Does the 2010 Volvo S80 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2010 S80, covering seat belts, airbag clockspring wiring, tire/rim labeling, a central electronic module fuel pump software fault, and GPS unit batteries.
- What year Volvo S80 should I avoid?
- Among S80 years with data, 2008 has the highest complaint index at 100, followed by 2010 at 91 and 2013 at 82, all rated Avoid relative to other S80 years.
- At what mileage do 2010 Volvo S80 problems typically appear?
- Median mileage at failure varies by area: engine problems appeared around 11,500 miles, suspension issues around 33,000 miles, and visibility/wiper problems around 130,500 miles.