VOLVO S80 · model year

2002 VOLVO S80

59 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002VOLVOS80 carries 59 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 S80 is fuel/propulsion system with 7 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (5) and fuel system, gasoline (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 28 investigation files overlapping the 2002 S80. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

59
Complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

59 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
POWER TRAIN4
SUSPENSION:FRONT4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
AIR BAGS3
ENGINE3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
STRUCTURE1
CHILD SEAT1

Recalls (5)

21V76600030/09/2021

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.

07E02300029/03/2007

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAI

09V48300018/12/2009

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 CAROLIN

10V56600008/11/2010

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.

20V68100004/11/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2003 S80 and S60 vehicles sold or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Island

Recent Complaints

20211005AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V681000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was notified and informed the contact that the part was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20210719ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the odometer would go black. The contact stated that the electrical system of the vehicle would fail causing all of the functions to start flashing, the brakes to stutter, and the transmission to fail. The contact stated no warning lights would be illuminated as the control panel would go black. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to have it diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

Mileage: 22,000

20210628ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the instrument panel malfunctioned and failed to illuminate while driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of an electrical failure that affected the brakes and the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact also mentioned that she had received NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V681000 (Air Bags) however, the part was not yet available. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20210628SERVICE BRAKES

The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the instrument panel malfunctioned and failed to illuminate while driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of an electrical failure that affected the brakes and the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact also mentioned that she had received NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V681000 (Air Bags) however, the part was not yet available. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20210628POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the instrument panel malfunctioned and failed to illuminate while driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of an electrical failure that affected the brakes and the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact also mentioned that she had received NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V681000 (Air Bags) however, the part was not yet available. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20181103POWER TRAIN

WHEN THE VEHICLE WARMS UP FROM START IT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE IT STARTED AT LIKE 30 MILES AND I PARKED THE CAR TILL I COULD GET IT FIXED NOW WHEN THE CAR JUST WARMS UP (NOT GETS HOT) IT WILL NOT ENGAGE TRANS I HAVE ON MORE SENSER TO CHECK BUT THE CAR WILL MOVE WHEN YOU FIRST START IT BOTH FORWARD AND BACK BUT WHEN IT WARMS UP IT STOPS

Mileage: 180,000

20181103VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN THE VEHICLE WARMS UP FROM START IT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE IT STARTED AT LIKE 30 MILES AND I PARKED THE CAR TILL I COULD GET IT FIXED NOW WHEN THE CAR JUST WARMS UP (NOT GETS HOT) IT WILL NOT ENGAGE TRANS I HAVE ON MORE SENSER TO CHECK BUT THE CAR WILL MOVE WHEN YOU FIRST START IT BOTH FORWARD AND BACK BUT WHEN IT WARMS UP IT STOPS

Mileage: 180,000

20181103UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN THE VEHICLE WARMS UP FROM START IT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE IT STARTED AT LIKE 30 MILES AND I PARKED THE CAR TILL I COULD GET IT FIXED NOW WHEN THE CAR JUST WARMS UP (NOT GETS HOT) IT WILL NOT ENGAGE TRANS I HAVE ON MORE SENSER TO CHECK BUT THE CAR WILL MOVE WHEN YOU FIRST START IT BOTH FORWARD AND BACK BUT WHEN IT WARMS UP IT STOPS

Mileage: 180,000

20171116FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WE HAVE A 2002 VOLVO S 80 THAT HAD A FUEL PUMP LEAK THAT LOOKS LIKE OUR MODEL HAD AN ISSUE WITH. WE HAD A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CAR. THERE'S A CAMPAIGN NUMBER TO IT... 09V483000. WE'RE STILL HAVING AN ISSUE WITH IT.

20170826FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL PUMP FLANGE IS LEAKING FUEL, CAUSING FUEL SMELL THROUGHOUT CABIN OF VEHICLE. FUEL PUMP FLANGE RECALLED FOR DEFECTS DUE TO TEMPERATURE EXTREMES, THERMOCYCLING AND FUEL QUALITY,

20170721FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I HAD A GAS LEAK AT 141,000 MILES.. HAVE TO PAY $889.00 BUCKS TO REPAIR OR THE SAID I COULD CATCH FIRE.. PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL [XXX] THANKS.. IT'S HAPPENS WHEN I WAS DRIVING WAS THIS A RECALLED PART? INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Mileage: 141,000

20170615FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

20170615FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

20170525FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY VOLVO S80 SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHEN I WAS AWAY FROM HOME. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS, WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE (UNDER THE HOOD) AND BURNED.

Mileage: 95,000

20170424ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO START WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF FUEL. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 248,000.

Mileage: 248,000

20170424FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO START WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF FUEL. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 248,000.

Mileage: 248,000

20160217FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL SMELL IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEHIND THE REAR SEATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL COULD BE HEARD SPLASHING AROUND IN THE TANK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLANGE WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Mileage: 112,000

20151026FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

Mileage: 170,000

20150511FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 7/1/15*CN

Mileage: 120,000

20150209ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINES RPMS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT POWERED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

Mileage: 147,000

Compare 2002VOLVOS80 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 VOLVO S80 have?
The 2002 VOLVO S80 has 59 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 VOLVO S80?
Yes, the 2002 VOLVO S80 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 VOLVO S80?
The most-complained component for the 2002 VOLVO S80 is FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
Is the 2002 VOLVO S80 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.