2011 Volvo S80 problems

General information about Volvo-S80
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list
Negative car reviews
Positive car reviews

The Volvo S80 is an executive car produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars from 1998 to 2016 across two generations. It took the place of the rear-wheel-drive S90 as Volvo's flagship sedan.

The first generation (1998–2006) was made available for the 1999 model year. It has since been built at the Torslanda Works in Gothenburg, Sweden, with a few 1999 model year cars for the North American market built at Volvo's Halifax Assembly plant. Unlike most Volvo models, it did not have a station wagon version for its first generation.

The second generation (2006–2016) was released in 2006 as a model year 2007 car. It has an estate version, the third generation of the Volvo V70. In June 2007, the S80 scored the highest "good" rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash test performance for frontal, side, and rear impacts, earning it the IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The model was replaced by the second generation S90 in the later half of 2016.

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Common 2011 Volvo S80 problems

The 2011 Volvo S80 has been reported to have several common problems by its owners. These issues span across different categories, including drivetrain, electrical, seat belts/airbags, engine, and interior accessories.

Drivetrain problems are the most severe issues reported for the 2011 Volvo S80, with two complaints submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These problems may be related to the car's transmission or all-wheel-drive system.

Electrical problems are also prevalent in the 2011 Volvo S80, with another two complaints submitted to the NHTSA. These issues may be related to the car's wiring, electrical components, or software.

Seat belts/airbags problems have been reported by two owners of the 2011 Volvo S80. These issues may be related to the car's safety systems, including seat belts and airbags, which are critical for passenger safety in the event of a collision.

Engine problems have been reported by one owner of the 2011 Volvo S80. These issues may be related to the car's engine, including its performance, fuel efficiency, or emissions.

Interior accessories problems have also been reported by one owner of the 2011 Volvo S80. These issues may be related to the car's interior features, such as its audio system, climate control, or infotainment system.

In addition to these issues, other common problems reported by owners of the 2011 Volvo S80 include potential engine fires, fuel gauge inaccuracies, power steering failures, coolant leaks, fuel hose cracks, and parking brake malfunctions. These issues may be related to the car's engine, fuel system, power steering system, cooling system, or braking system.

It is important to note that not all 2011 Volvo S80 owners have experienced these problems, and the car has received positive reviews from some owners for its performance, reliability, and comfort. However, these common problems should be taken into consideration when purchasing a used 2011 Volvo S80, and potential buyers should be aware of the potential risks and costs associated with these issues.

Is the Volvo S80 a reliable car?

According to RepairPal, the Volvo S80 has an average reliability rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars and is currently ranked 17th out of 32 car makers. You've come to the right place if you're looking for the most reliable Volvo S80 year.

How many miles will a Volvo S80 last?

What is Volvo S80 lifespan? The estimated lifespan of a Volvo S80 is 178,000mi, before reaching the life expectancy upper limit. Fuel type is a major factor when looking into a vehicles lifespan/life expectancy.

Are Volvo S80 expensive to maintain?

Average annual repair cost: $705

If the repair record is your top concern when buying a luxury full-size car, look at the Volvo S80 as you shop. Its annual average repair cost runs almost $300 less than the other models in the segment, and its reliability ranking of four easily beats the average of 2.5 out of 5.

Does a 2011 Volvo S80 have a timing belt or chain?

To answer your question the 3.2 has a timing chain, so no belt to change. There are a few items that need attention as the mileage get closer to 100K or the age get near 10 years. Because you are looking for a newer vehicle you will have time for the maintenance. Thanks for the great info, Paul.

Is the Volvo S80 a reliable car?

How many miles will a Volvo S80 last?

Does a 2011 Volvo S80 have a timing belt or chain?

What is the mileage of Volvo S80 2011?

Volvo S80 2006-2013 Mileage

The claimed ARAI mileage for the automatic variants: Volvo S 80 2006-2013 Diesel is 16 kmpl . Volvo S 80 2006-2013 Petrol variant has a mileage of 11.4 kmpl.

2011 Volvo S80 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volvo S80 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Power train problems
Electrical system problems
Engine problems
Seats problems
Air bags problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2011 Volvo S80 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2011 Volvo S80 complaints

The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2011 Volvo S80.

2021-03-10

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2014-03-01
VIN: YV1940AS3B1
Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STABILIZATION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STARTED FLASHING. THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE AND VEHICLE LOSS POWER. THE CHARGING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED PEDERSEN VOLVO CARS (4455 S MASON ST, FORT COLLINS, CO 80525, (970)223-8500) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE CONSUMER STATED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE "CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE" WARNING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAD AN INCIDENT IN WHICH IT WOULD NOT POWER ON. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE CHARGING FAILURE LIGHT CONTINUED FLASH. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONSUMER THEN EXPERIENCED A TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE WILE DRIVING. IT WAS DETERMINED THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE WARNING LIGHTS RETURNED. IT WAS DETERMINE VIA SERVICE BULLETIN FROM 2015 THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR LOST COMMUNICATION. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ANTI TAMPER UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. HOWEVER, THE DEALER OFFERED A 15% DISCOUNT.

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2021-02-10

SEATS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2021-01-22
VIN: YV1952AS4B1
Components: SEATS
Summary: DRIVER SEAT BELTS HAS FAULTY HOOKS. SEAT BELT POPPED OPEN WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO QUICK BRAKE TO AVOID BEING HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. THE SUDDEN STOP CAUSED MY SEAT TO SHIFT POSITION. I TRIED TO MOVE SEAT BACK INTO POSITION IT DID MOVE. THE SEAT WAS PERMANENTLY LOCKED IN THE POSITION WHICH RENDERED ME KNEES CRAMPED ON STEERING WHEEL. I BUCKLED MY SEAT BELT BACK AND SLIPPED OUT AGAIN. THE DRIVERS SEAT & SEAT BELT STILL MALFUNCTIONING.

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2016-01-11

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2016-01-07
VIN: YV1952AS7B1
Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY CABLE WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

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2013-05-21

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2013-05-18
Fire: 1
VIN: YV1952AS8B1
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35 TO 40 MILES PER HOUR FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. THERE WAS NO ENGINE NOR TEMPERATURE INDICATOR LIT UP ON THE DASH. ASSUMING IT WAS FROM A PASSING VEHICLE, I CONTINUED TO DRIVE FOR 1 TO 2 MINUTES. THEN LOOKING IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, I COULD SEE BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE TRUNK. UPON OPENING THE TRUNK, THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE SEEMS TO HAVE STARTED IN WIRING LOCATED IN THE TRUNK THEN PROCEEDED THROUGH TO THE SPEAKER IN THE BACK SEAT. EVEN AFTER TURNING OFF ENGINE, THE FIREMAN ON THE SCENE NOTICED THAT THE RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONING WERE STILL RUNNING. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED TO SHUT ELECTRICAL ITEMS OFF. *TR

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2012-10-15

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2012-09-09
Number Of Injuries: 2
Crash: 1
VIN: YV1952ASXB1
Components: AIR BAGS
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN A PRECEDING VEHICLE REVERSED AND ABRUPTLY CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE RIGHT ARM, SHOULDER AND NECK. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE SCENE OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION CENTER AND REPAIRED FOR THE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN 2011, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V489000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIR BAG AT THAT TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. ..UPDATED 11/14/12 *BF UPDATED 11/14/12

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2011 Volvo S80 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2011 Volvo S80.

2020-06-30

Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA LLC
Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.

2012-07-06

Manufacturer: VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Summary: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2013 S80 VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE ERROR MAY PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM DOWNSHIFTING SUCH AS SHIFTING FROM FIFTH TO FOURTH GEAR WHEN COASTING.
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN DECREASED ENGINE RPMS AND POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

2010-11-17

Manufacturer: VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, S80, S60, XC70 AND XC60 VEHICLES. THE SOFTWARE CALIBRATION FOR THE FUEL CUT-OFF FUNCTIONALITY IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) IS TOO SENSITIVE.
Consequence: SUDDEN ENGINE STALL COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE ECM AND TCM WITH NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 10, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR AT [email protected].

2010-10-13

Manufacturer: VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.

Positive 2011 Volvo S80 car reviews

Valentin Leannon 2025-01-04

I chose the Volvo S80 because I wanted a safe, stylish, and high-performing vehicle. The features I included were the blind spot information system, climate package, and parking assist. Having driven other 'performance' cars, I found that the base 3.2 was more than enough. If you live in a mountainous region with snow, consider the T6 as the front wheels do spin even with the DTSC system. The interior of the S80 is impressive, with true wood and incredible attention to detail. For reference, I test drove the BMW 328, BMW 335, and Acura TL. Based on my previous experience, I would not recommend an Audi, as even the model I recently owned had many electrical problems.
Ron Hermann 2024-11-06

Great car, quiet, and safe. It's also roomy!
Jerry Wiegand 2024-08-17

We decided to upgrade from our 06-S60 to the new S80. We test drove both the T6AWD and the 3.2 without AWD, and found that the ride was much smoother with the AWD and turbo 6. Plus, having the AWD is a great advantage in the Northeast when it's needed.
Kristofer Hauck 2024-06-13

Out of all the usual suspects from BMW, MB, Lexus, and Audi, I found myself liking the S80 T6 the most. Sure, it has a couple of quirks, but what car doesn't? The I6 turbo is incredibly responsive, produces great noises, and is super smooth - even more so than the competitors' V6 engines, and on par with the turbo I6 from BMW. I opted for the dynamic package, which really makes for a great handler without any undue harshness. Plus, the lowered suspension and package-specific wheels give it a more stylish and aggressive look. All in all, it's a great car!
Francis Pfeffer 2024-06-03

I'm so glad to hear that you've had such a positive experience with your car! It's great to know that it has been such a reliable machine for you and your family. With 87,500 miles on the clock and still going strong after almost 14 years, it's clear that this car has been well taken care of. Here's to many more years of happy motoring!

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2011 Volvo S80 problems:

Volvo S80 Problems and Complaints - 21 Issues

https://repairpal.com/problems/volvo/s80

Top Volvo S80 Problems · Transmission Will Not Shift Properly · Front Upper Strut Mounts May Fail and Cause Noise Over Bumps · Volvo Extends Warranty on ETM Due to ...

want to buy a 2000 S80 any known problems? - Volvo Forums ...

https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-s80-18/want-buy-2000-s80-any-known-problems-58295/

Oct 21, 2011 ... Volvo S80 - want to buy a 2000 S80 any known problems? - im interested in buying a 2000 s80 with either the 2.9 or 2.8 engine.

2011 Volvo S80 Reliability - Consumer Reports

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/volvo/s80/2011/reliability/

Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how used vehicles are holding up in 17 ...

2008 Volvo S80 Common problems? | SwedeSpeed - Volvo ...

https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/2008-volvo-s80-common-problems.231361/

Jun 9, 2015 ... I bought a 2008 volvo S80 with 56k miles about 3 months ago from my dad who had bought it new. He never had a single issue with the car, ...