1999 Volvo S80: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 199 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (23% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 199 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Theres a recent recall on the airbags of the 1999 s80 volvo that we need our airbags replaced because its a hazard that can lead up to death. Also the electricity keeps zapping down from the car creating no starts or very poor driving, I almost was stranded because the car seems like it wanted to shut down one night I was getting off work, I hit full gas and it only gave me 3 mph and also when I made a right turn one night from work I feel the wheel feel like its coming apart from the inside or loosening I dont know what it is but it feels and sounds rough”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2020
“When im driving and have to come to a slow stop im hearing the master cylinder sound like its rubbing against something loudly even with the appropriate brake fluid and measure is filled within it, also the air conditioner blows hot air during the summer causing the car to fail during hot weather”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volvo s80. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the power steering failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion and the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 153,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volvo s80. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 mph, the vehicle began to operate roughly and the engine stalled without warning. After fifteen minutes, the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In 2007, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 06v441000 (vehicle speed control) however, the failure recurred eight years later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2014
“I've had this problem for months now. The car shuts down and won't restart! I been taking off the battery and letting it sit over night, then putting cables back on to get it to restart! Today I drove it for a mile and parked it and while it was running it shut down again! Most of the time it shuts down when I'm driving and I lose brake control! *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volvo s80. While stationary, the vehicle leaked fuel onto the ground. Wallace volvo in stuart, florida diagnosed the vehicle as having a mass air flow failure. The vehicle was repaired by don imports auto service in vero beach, florida. In addition, while driving 2 mph, the vehicle caught fire underneath the driver's seat. A police report was filed. The contact extinguished the fire with the assistance of a neighbor. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to wallace volvo in stuart, florida. The vehicle was not destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volvo s80. While driving approximately 60 mph the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact stated the fuel gauge did not read empty at the time the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 8/29/11 *cn the consumer stated a recall was issued regarding defective fuel pumps. However, her vehicle was not included in the recall. The dealer was unable to determine what caused the vehicle to stall. Updated 09/28/11”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volvo s80. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer numerous for the failure. The dealer replaced the battery and the wiring harness but to no avail. The failure mileage was 186,585 and the current mileage was 187, 642.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 volvo s80. While driving on three different occasions there was sudden unintended acceleration. The rpms increased from 700 to 4000. The vehicle was shifted into neutral gear in order to turn the engine off. Within a few seconds before restarting the vehicle the rpms increased. The vehicle was turned off three times and then back on in order to reset itself. The dealer was not contacted nor was the manufacturer notified. The failure mileage was 136,044.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volvo s80. While the vehicle was parked the contact smelled a strong fuel odor in the vehicle. The smell was coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated the fuel pump was fractured and had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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 FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OVER TIME, THE BALL JOINT BETWEEN THE FRONT WHEEL KING PIN AND THE SUSPENSION LINK ARM, CAN EXPERIENCE INCREASED LOOSENESS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS.
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN ELECTRIC COOLING FANS COULD BE INADEQUATE IN A HOT CLIMATE. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 1, 2002. 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact S80 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Volvo S80 reliable?
NHTSA has 199 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Volvo S80. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Volvo S80 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 83,300 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Volvo S80 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.