2003 Volvo S80
Only 26 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 26 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 199 |
| 2000 | 318 |
| 2001 | 164 |
| 2002 | 42 |
| 2003 | 26 |
| 2004 | 50 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 24 |
| 2008 | 25 |
| 2009 | 16 |
| 2010 | 27 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 26 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
3 of 26 total reports mention: fuel/propulsion system.
Show complaint excerpts
Within a week of purchasing the vehicle from a dealer, I discovered that the fuel tank has a leak, so its currently unsafe to drive. I found out about the leak when I brought it to an independent mechanic for service.
NHTSA ODI report, 20210607
3 of 26 total reports mention: electrical system.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 VOLVO S80. WHILE PARKED, THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20161013
DRIVER INFORMATION MODULE (DIM) ORIGINALLY STARTED DROPPING OUT AND RETURNING MULTIPLE TIMES DURING A TRIP, NOW IT IS GOING OUT COMPLETELY AFTER ROUGHLY 15 MILES, NO CLUSTER GAUGES OR DASH LIGHTS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130128
3 of 26 total reports mention: air bags.
Show complaint excerpts
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA ODI report, 20240205
The contact owns a 2003 Volvo S80. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V766000 (Air Bags). The dealer had been notified about the recall and an appointment was made for the recall repair.
NHTSA ODI report, 20220311
The vehicle has a recall and Volvo told me I have to drive 8 hours to another state to get it fixed by the closest dealership. I cannot do that - I need to have it fixed locally
NHTSA ODI report, 20211216
2 of 26 total reports mention: service brakes, hydraulic.
2 of 26 total reports mention: fuel system, gasoline.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
RE: 2003, VOLVO S80.
NHTSA ODI report, 20050525
DEAR [XXX]. ,HIS IS TO NOTIFY ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE S80 ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE DIFFICULTY WE ARE FACING WITH THE DEALER THAT SOLD THE CAR TO US.
NHTSA ODI report, 20031229
SAFETY TIMELINE
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE
Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TA
Campaign 03V284000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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.
Campaign 07E023000 — check if this car was fixed
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, CALIF
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
Campaign 09V483000 — check if this car was fixed
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 N
Campaign 10V566000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V681000 — check if this car was fixed
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2006 S80 and 2001-2009 S60 vehicles.
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.
Campaign 21V766000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2003 Volvo S80 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (3 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (3 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (3 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 03V284000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E023000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V483000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V566000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V681000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V766000 (air bags) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2003 Volvo S80 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Volvo S80?
The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 12% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Volvo S80 have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.