2009 Volvo S80: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 16 owner complaints on record; most reports concern wheels; the 2011 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“At night, when a direct strong light (headlight) from behind shines on the car, the BLIS system stop working. The only way to reset the system is to stop and restart the car, instead of turning the system button OFF and then back ON. This is unsafe since when you are on the highway, it is unsafe to do so. A simple fix is a software update that will RESET the system when you turn it OFF and then ON again”Owner report · Lane Departure · Jun 2022
“The contact owns a 2009 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the seat belt assembly to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V378000 (Seat Belts) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2022
“Severe subframe rust due to the exhaust on volvo s80 v8 being too close and melting the paint off. Car is very clean and we'll taken care of. Appears to be a very common problem on the v8 s80s.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“My car is extremely clean and well taken care of. But just like every single volvo s80, specifically the v8 model there is a rust hole in the subframe. This is because volvo put the exhaust too close to the subframe and the heat from the v8 eats away the paint and causes it to rust.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2020
“Engine subframe crossbar is rusting out and needs to be replaced. The vehicle was in for a tire rotation and alignment and this was found.”Owner report · Structure · May 2019
“Aluminum nuts on the valve stems completely disintegrate and fall apart causing tires to go flat while driving. This happened on two occasions (two tires) while driving down the highway. Luckily we were able to get off the road quickly without incident. All 4 valve stems were inspected”Owner report · Wheels · Feb 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 volvo s80. The contact stated that the cooling fan failed and the engine overheating message displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the cooling fan was faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that in 2009 the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 09v2180000 (engine, and engine cooling) for the same failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2016
“Tl*the contact owns a 2009 volvo s80. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the fuel pump assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 09v343000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000. Updated 6/8/15*cn”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 volvo s80. While driving at 35 mph, the tpms warning light illuminated even though there was pressure in the tires based on the tire and loading information label. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 10v335000 (wheels); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 22,500.”Owner report · Tires · Oct 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 volvo s80. The contact stated that the driver seat began to crack and peel. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair. The seat was replaced but the failure recurred one year later. The contact called the dealer and they informed him that they wanted to dye the seat. The contact notified the manufacturer but they advised that there was nothing further they could do to correct the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000. Volvo stated it was normal wear and tear. Updated 10/04/12 updated 10/05/12”Owner report · Seats · Jun 2012
Recalls - 5 campaigns
VOLVO IS RECALLING MY 2008-2010 S80, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2010 XC60 VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE SOFTWARE WITHIN THE CENTRAL ELECTRONIC MODULE (CEM) MAY NOT SEND A SIGNAL TO THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE (PEM). THIS MISSING SIGNAL TO THE PEM INHIBITS THE START OF THE FUEL PUMP. THE DRIVER MAY BE ABLE TO START THE ENGINE IN SPITE OF THE FUEL PUMP NOT BEING ACTIVATED DUE TO RESIDUAL PRESSURE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. IN SOME CASES, THE DRIVER MAY BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE AT IDLE BUT THEN THE ENGINE MAY STALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE TO THE VEHICLES' CEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2009. VEHICLES IN DEALER'S INVENTORY WILL BE REPAIRED PRIOR TO DELIVERY. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
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.
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.
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.
VOLVO IS RECALLING 17,614 MY 2008-2009 S80, V70, AND XC70 VEHICLES. THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING ERROR IN THE FAN CONTROL MODULE (FCM). DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CUSTOMER MAY EXPERIENCE REDUCED AIR CONDITIONING PERFORMANCE, AND/OR RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AT 1-800-458-1552.
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 S80 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND A PAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL CONTAIN INCORRECT MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE INFLATION PRESSURE AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) SOFTWARE HAS AN INCORRECT TRIGGER LEVEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE VEHICLES WITH A NEW TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL, OWNER'S MANUAL LABEL AND TPMS SOFTWARE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM .
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2009 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 2009 Volvo S80 reliable?
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Volvo S80. The most complained-about area is wheels.
Does the 2009 Volvo S80 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:software. 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.