KnownCarProblems2000 Volvo S80 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 318 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Volvo S80, most often about the speed control (29% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles). It is the most complained-about S80 model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2000 Volvo S80 problems
Speed control
93 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, linkages, cruise control.
In mid 2005, I started having problems with my Volvo S80 (yr 2000) idling at stop lights. The idle would fluctuate from 400 to 1100 rpms. At times this would cause my car to die. While it was a nuisance at stop lights, it started to fluctuate at higher rpms and three times while on the interstate going approximately…
I have a 2000 Volvo S80 t6 with several etm or throttle control failures. I have had ist serviced twice and it continues to fail. My neighbor has the same problem. The vehicle stalls inadvertently and has stranded me in the middle of traffic where I narrowly missed being hit by a tractor trailer. My wife also was…
Engine
71 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Volvo S80. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact noticed smoke and pulled the vehicle off the road. He opened the hood and noticed flames. He was unsuccessful at extinguishing the fire and called the fire department, who stated that the cooling fan caused an electrical fire. The…
Dt: while driving consumer noticed every time took foot off the gas pedal and car stalled. The car would shut down completely sometimes. There was still electrical power in the car. There was no power steering or power brakes when it stalled. The car would start back up right away. The check engine light illuminated.…
Electrical
54 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 81,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, instrument cluster/panel.
While driving in highway traffic, the car has a sudden loss of speed & steering & completely stalls. 1st time 3/17/04 throttle body control unit was replaced. 2nd time 11/26/05 mass air flow meter was replaced. Both times was able to restart car after coasting to shoulder. One other time as well, date not noted. These…
The vehicle would have small changes in speed over the course of several months the car began to lose power and then stall at speed between 50-75 MPH. The car restarted but speed was inconsistent even with cruise control. Dealer was contacted and they advised that is was probably the electronic throttle control…
Fuel system
41 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 85,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system, carburetor system.
Loss of power - the electronic throttle control module failed. I had just left home and was still in my sub-division. My auto came to a stop, was still running but had no power. I turned the motor off and then restarted it. Problem was resolved but I am concerned when & where it might happen again.
I purchased a used 2000 Volvo S80 today. Previous owner purchased car in 2002 and had all factory service done up to the 75000 check up (car has 85000 miles now). Car manifests all symptoms covered by NHTSA action number : pe05041. Surges and if you don't hold the brake hard at stop, car will lurch forward into…
Suspension
29 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
The vehicle experienced the same defect with it's ball joint as stated in recall # 00 v 238 000. The consumers vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
Shortly after buying a Volvo 80, I noticed that the car would surge periodically. I was told that the throttle body needed to be cleaned. After reading up on this, it sounded like a waste of money so I am stuck with a $40+k car that has a sizable defect. The surging is so bad that if you don't hold the brake pedal…
Brakes
23 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 107,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, antilock, power assist.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Volvo S80. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would spontaneously decelerate. Prior to the failure, the engine and brake warning lights illuminated on the instrument control panel. The dealer stated that the ABS module needed to be replaced at the cost of $1,500. The vehicle has not been…
While stopping or turning at low speeds the cars idle speed will fluctuate from a complete stop up to 1100 rpms. Most of the time between 500 & 1100 rpms ! When the car stops running while I am trying to turn a corner , the power steering of coarse does not work and its hard to steer it. I did take it to a Volvo…
Transmission
23 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, manual transmission, axle hubs.
Own a 2000 Volvo S80, I began to experience an uneven idling when driving either low or high speed, whether on cruise control or not. The car idle goes out of control, it feels as if the car goes on limp mode, I'm then compelled to accelerate to compensate and regain speed. I had the car checked, had the vehicle speed…
Own a 2000 Volvo S80, I began to experience an uneven ideling when driving either low or high speed, whether on cruise control or not. The car idle goes out of control, it feels as if the car goes on limp mode, I'm then compelled to accelerate to compensate and regain speed. I had the car checked, had the vehicle…
Air bags
19 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 111,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Volvo S80. While driving at 7 MPH the steering wheel locked. The vehicle crashed into a tree and rolled over. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. The road conditions were clear. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The current and failure mileage were…
I have a 2000 Volvo s 80 and it was sold to me by a dealer this car has so many problems and I feel that when I took the car to Volvo they tried to charge me 6400 just to fix the problem like ABS sensors,stc sensor , throttle etc I feel its un fair I only had the car for 3days what can I do.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 Volvo S80 recalls
Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)
Risk: An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: This resulted in a high number of vehicles going into the limp home mode without need.
Fix: Dealers will install the current software upgrade onto the involved vehicles. The recall began on december 29, 2006. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing, and/or inefficient software calibration may cause a warning lamp to light and the subsequent onset of limp home modes.
Engine: fan
Risk: A fire in the engine compartment could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the cooling fan. The recall began on november 29, 2004. Customers should contact volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, under certain operating conditions, some electric cooling fans may overheat potentially causing heat damage and, in rare instances, a fire in the engine compartment.
Suspension: upper ball joint
Risk: This condition could affect the ball joint's durability and performance.
Fix: Dealers will replace both front ball joints.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Over time, the ball joint between the front wheel king pin and the suspension link arm, can experience increased looseness.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Throttle control malfunction
Summary
On november 14, 2006 volvo submitted a defect information report to NHTSA concerning etm failures in model year (my) 1999 through 2001 volvo models (not including the s40 and v40), my 2002 s60 and v70 with naturally aspirated engines and my 2002 v70s.according to volvo, ?a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing and/or inefficient software calibration may cause a warning lamp to light and the subsequent onset of limp home modes.volvo further stated that,this resulted in a high number of these vehicles going into limp home mode without need.?volvo indicated that this was the most severe consequence of an etm fault in the subject vehicles.the recall
Throttle control malfunction
Summary
Pe05-041 was opened on july, 26, 2005, based on 136 consumer complaints to odi alleging throttle control malfunctions in the subject vehicles.odi has now received 591 complaints of etm failures which allege symptoms with potential safety related consequences.these include allegations of engine stall, vehicle surging forward without accelerator input, vehicle hesitation upon acceleration and sudden and unexpected transition into reduced performance operation (limp mode).volvo submitted over 2,900 complaints concerning the etm in the subject vehicles during pe05-041.odi's preliminary analysis of a sample the volvo complaints identified approximately 55 percent with one or more of the symptoms
Questions about the 2000 Volvo S80
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Volvo S80?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: speed control (93 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); engine (71 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); electrical (54 complaints, typically around 81,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Volvo S80 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 8, 2010 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the Volvo S80?
- It is the most complained-about S80 model year since 2000, with 318 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.