2004 Volvo S80: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 50 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel/propulsion system (27% of complaints); the 2003 and 2005 and 2006 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“On 11/17/2020 was driving to pick up decal for my car and I got a message that read a check airbags I didn't have any reading on my gages turn signal for right turn stay lit up not brinking just on , when I stopped and went in building to get decal came back to car started it my gages came back which was glad they were working but still had message about airbags”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2020
“After noticing a very acute smell of gas I took the vehicle in for inspection. The mechanic advise that I had a fuel leak in my 2004 volvo s 80 . Thats could have been a serious problem and that the car is not driveable in this condition.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2020
“Strong odor of gas outside of car. Recall on similiar cars but not in this area. Known issue by volvo but will not repair at no cost as it is outside of the 10 year extended warranty even though car does not have 150000 miles on. Fire hazard and should be for all cars of this year and make but offer little if any help.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volvo s80. On several occasions, the contact smelled fuel coming from the garage. Upon checking underneath the vehicle, the odor became stronger. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that a fuel leak originated from the top of the fuel tank. The fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volvo s80. The contact stated that he smelled fuel around the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed fuel had leaked out of the top of the fuel pump. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volvo s80. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle lost acceleration. The contact pulled the vehicle over in a parking lot and noticed that the front driver side axle was hanging. The contact stated that the same failure occurred two other times. The vehicle was repaired, but the control arm kept fracturing. The vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2016
“Car began overheating and eventually overheated and ruined engine later mechanic discovered thermostat wasnt working properly so no indication as to vehicle tempurature. Car was on freeway and stopped coming off freeway. Head gasket blew also as well as bad transmission”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2015
“Based on NHTSA campaign 04v029000> the control arms are grinding as I drive the vehicle. There is a grinding noise coming from the front right passenger side. I have lost stabilization of the vehicle when in motion. This happens on city streets, highways and while turning. This is a problem that has led to complainants and presents a danger while driving.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2015
“There was a recall regrding fuel smell/fuel pump and/or fuel seal problem in 2010..my car is not regersted in the data base for the dealer to fix the fuel pump. How do I get a dealer vocher to take of this problem.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2015
“Tla* the contact owns a 2004 volvo s80. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle veered to the right and drove into an embankment. The front passenger side wheel separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. ...updated 02/04/16 *b the consumer stated the vehicle had been pulling slightly to the right for 3-4 days prior to the incident 03/15/18 *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Remedy: 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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY AND, AS A RESULT, THE STUD AND NUT THAT SECURE THE ARM TO THE SPINDLE MAY LOSE THEIR INITIAL AXIAL TENSION. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE STEERING MAY BECOME LESS RESPONSIVE AND THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE STEERING WHEEL PLAY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TYPE OF NUT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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 2004 Volvo S80 reliable?
NHTSA has 50 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Volvo S80. The most complained-about area is fuel/propulsion system (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Volvo S80 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 99,500 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Volvo S80 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. 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.