2003 Volvo S80 recalls and problems

5 recalls and 26 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Volvo S80.

5
recalls
26
owner complaints
1
complaints mentioning a crash
1
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2003 Volvo S80 recalls

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 21V766000 · reported September 30, 2021 · Volvo Car USA, LLC · 259,383 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
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.

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 20V681000 · reported November 4, 2020 · Volvo Car USA LLC · 54,124 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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 Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The driver side frontal air bag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments into the passage compartment, when the driver side air bag is deployed.
The risk
Metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
The fix
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.

Equipment: electrical, navigational system(global positioning system)

NHTSA campaign 10V566000 · reported November 8, 2010 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · 416 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
The risk
An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
The fix
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.

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump

NHTSA campaign 09V483000 · reported December 18, 2009 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · 158,733 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If the condition occurs vehicle owners may notice fuel smell and/or fuel leak which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The fix
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.

Equipment: other, labels

NHTSA campaign 03V284000 · reported August 1, 2003 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · 220,407 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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 vehicles and, in certain cases, the owner's manual isofix information is incorrect.
The risk
This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The fix
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 take their vehicle to a volvo dealer for installation of the guide, it will be performed at no charge to the owner. Owner notification began on december 19, 2003. Owners should contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Feb 5, 2024 · Air bags

See attached document for complaint

Jun 10, 2023 · Fuel/propulsion system

In Tank Fuel Pump, problem was leaking at top of pump @ the inlet at the outlet & return valve, crack in the plastic mold. Was giving off fumes, totally unhealthy and waitin for someone to light up a cigarette for a total car explosion and death for all occupants. I have replaced the pump myself. Local Dealer wanted…

Sep 27, 2022 · Power train

The lovely GM transmission suddenly decided to not shift while going uphill. Pushing the accelerator just made the RPMs go up and up while the car did nothing. Then a warning light. Transmission service Then limp mode. And all I could do literally was go 5 mph then. It occurred as I was turning at a light. I did call…

Mar 11, 2022 · Air bags

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. The contact then received a call that the appointment was cancelled due to parts not yet being…

Dec 16, 2021 · Air bags

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

S80 model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2000 4318168
2001 716472
2002 44212
2003 52611
2004 45040
2005 51512
2006 31210

Across all years, the 2000 S80 has the most complaints (318). All Volvo S80 years →

Questions

Does the 2003 Volvo S80 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2003 Volvo S80, the most recent reported on September 30, 2021 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Volvo S80?
Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is fuel system, gasoline (5 complaints), followed by electrical system (4).
How many 2003 Volvo S80 complaints mention a crash or fire?
1 of 26 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 4 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received February 5, 2024.