2005 Volvo S80
Only 15 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 15 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 15 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
5 of 15 total reports mention: fuel/propulsion system.
Show complaint excerpts
Fuel smell in and around car. Previous recall on cracked fuel pump causing odor was completed by Powell Volvo in 2010. The same defect may have happened recently as the odor was noticed in December 2021 and is now stronger.
NHTSA ODI report, 20220107
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, ABS, AND BRAKE FAILURE, STOP SAFELY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190924
FUEL LEAK AT TOP OF PUMP UNDER RECALL, INSPECTION AND REPAIR AT NO COST REFUSED BY VOLVO. MY VOLVO S80, 2005 WAS PURCHASED AS A USED VEHICLE IN SAN DIEGO CA FROM THE VOLVO DEALER ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130302
3 of 15 total reports mention: electrical system.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
B+ BATTERY CABLE AT STARTER SOLENOID SHORTED TO STARTER CASE AND GROUNDED. CAUSING A FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAR SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. ENGINE WENT OFF, LIGHTS WENT OUT ALL IN AN INSTANT. EMERGENCY FLASHERS WERE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20110727
2 of 15 total reports mention: service brakes.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO RATTLE AND SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150105
2 of 15 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE: PURCHASED NEW VOLVO S80 CAR ON 9/3/2005 WITH 813 MILES, DROVE IT HOME. NO INFORMATION WAS GIVEN ON THE 813 MILES ALREADY ON THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI report, 20050927
2 of 15 total reports mention: engine.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO RATTLE AND SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150105
SAFETY TIMELINE
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE FACTORY ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION, THE B+TERMINAL MAY BE IN CONFLICT WITH THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CONFLICT B
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INCREASE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE B+TERMINAL AND THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID BY ADJUSTING THE TERMINAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-45
Campaign 05V529000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE LABEL DENOTING THE TIRE AND LOADING PRESSURE INFORMATION IS INCORR
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL THE CORRECT LABELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Campaign 06V375000 — 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 2001-2006 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
2005 Volvo S80 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (3 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 05V529000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06V375000 (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 21V766000 (air bags) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2005 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 2005 Volvo S80?
The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 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.