KnownCarProblems2001 Volvo S80 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 164 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Volvo S80, most often about the speed control (39% of complaints, typically around 66,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about S80 model year since 2000 and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2001 Volvo S80 problems
Speed control
64 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 66,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cables, cruise control.
For the past year (10/04-10/05), my 2001 Volvo S80 sedan has had repeated problems with stalling and loss of power steering. It has occurred at slow speeds and up to 40 MPH in traffic. I have taken the car to the dealer twice. They can not find any fault codes during the computer troubleshooting, so my warranty will…
: the contact stated while in reverse the vehicle accelerated suddenly and ran into a cactus. As a result, the vehicle sustained body damage. The dealership inspected the vehicle; however they were unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, which replaced the rear passenger…
Electrical
39 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, alternator/generator/regulator.
I was driving on I-75 interstate and when I went to pass a vehicle in the left lane I felt a sudden loss of power in my engine. I then had to cut across 4 lanes of expressway traffic to get my car onto the shoulder. Then my car stalled out. Whenever I restarted it, it would stall back out again. The auto shop told me…
Car ran rough rpms up & down felt like car would stall if foot did not stay on gas pedal. Did not feel safe driving because of potential to stall at any time. Took to dealer who replaced the electronic throttle module (at our expense). Now we are reading that Volvo has reversed its position--but only in sweden not…
Engine
29 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
I was driving my vlolvo S80 on 07/10/2005 on the highway when it suddenly lost power. I could barely operate it over 30 miles an hour. I got stopped by a state policeman and got ticket for operating under 30 miles/hour and negligent operation. I'm schefuled for an appeal hearing. Throttle was replaced by a dealesrhip…
Message in vehicle displayed "no oil pressure pull over asap." while pulling over "asap" a blue plume of smoke and shards of metal ejected from the rear of the car. Volvo dealership told me that the car had thrown a rod and that it will cost $9,000 to fix the car.
Fuel system
17 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system, delivery, storage.
I own a 2001 Volvo s 80. It died on the highway in the middle of busy rush hour traffic. Had it towed to Volvo and repaired. Need a new throttle body and mass air flow sensor. Very expensive repair and was told off the record that this part failure has been much more common than it should be. I am notifying you so…
2001 Volvo S80 sedan traveling at 70 MPH on US 75 (limited access expressway) in dallas tx. Sudden loss of fuel supply caused the car to decelerate to 15 MPH and would not respond to the accelerator. Managed to get car to the side of the road narrowly avoiding two collisions. Car was towed to the dealer where the…
Transmission
17 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, driveline.
While driving on an interstate highway at 65-70 MPH, my 2001 Volvo S80 t6 displayed a message indicating "reduced power". I was able to steer the car, but pushing the accelerator pedal had no effect. I was forced to maneuver to the shoulder and have the car towed to my local dealer. The car would start and continue to…
Upper strut bushings cracked front lower control arm bushings front link rods rear link rods flame trap box leaking oil this 2001 S80 Volvo is a piece of junk tried to have this Volvo work done per the extended warr ultimate I have a piece of junk.
Suspension
7 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: front.
Upper strut bushings cracked front lower control arm bushings front link rods rear link rods flame trap box leaking oil this 2001 S80 Volvo is a piece of junk tried to have this Volvo work done per the extended warr ultimate I have a piece of junk.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Volvo S80. While driving 5mph traveling over a speed bump the left front tire suddenly separated from the lower ball joint damaging the front end of the vehicle .the Volvo manufacturer had not been contacted at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 117,900.
Visibility and wipers
7 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly, power window devices and controls, rearview mirrors/devices, defroster/defogger/hvac system.
The contact owns a 2001 Volvo s-80. The contact stated after having the battery replaced, the climate control unit became inoperable. The dealer was unable to reset the unit and advised it would need to be replaced. The contact believed the manufacturer should take the liability for the failure which could potentially…
Tl contact owns a 2001 Volvo S80. The contact stated that there was a color differential on the rearview mirror, which made visibility difficult. The dealer stated that the computer was the cause of the failure. As of july 5, 2007, the rearview mirror has not been repaired. The powertrain was unknown. The current…
Other or unspecified
6 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 94,500 miles.
While on a road trip, my 2001 Volvo S80 started lurching forward and speeding up/slowing down by itself. The car was idling erratically and would stall out. As I was away from home and needed to return soon, I took my car to be checked out. I was told that I needed a new electronic throttle module. I had no choice but…
Most recent is an upper idler arm went causing the timing belt to skip damaging the motor: cost 4k to fix or 5k to install a used motor. Pressure test came back (no pressure)pistons are ok. Sunroof caved in on my head. I did get cutup with the glass. Car stalled, need new alternator, fuel link shield fell off bottom…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Volvo S80 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: Metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Fix: Volvo car will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began april 20, 2021. Owners may contact volvo car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo car's number for this recall is r10058.
Full defect summary
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 islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands. The driver side frontal air bag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments into the passage compartment, when the driver side air bag is deployed.
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
Seat belts: anchorage
Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the anchorage bolts and tighten to the correct torque level. Owner notification began may 7, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: sedans and wagons. The rear outboard seat belt anchorage bolts may have been incorrectly tightened.
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 2001 Volvo S80
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Volvo S80?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: speed control (64 complaints, typically around 66,500 miles); electrical (39 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles); engine (29 complaints, typically around 52,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Volvo S80 have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 30, 2021 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Volvo S80?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about S80 model year since 2000, with 164 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.