2005 Volvo S80 recalls and problems

5 recalls and 15 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Volvo S80.

5
recalls
15
owner complaints
1
complaints mentioning a crash
2
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.

2005 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.

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 06V375000 · reported October 3, 2006 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · 19,700 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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 incorrect.
The risk
A misprinted label would lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Electrical system: starter assembly, solenoid

NHTSA campaign 05V529000 · reported November 17, 2005 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · 10,259 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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 between the b+terminal and the starter motor solenoid may develop into a short circuit of the battery cable to ground.
The risk
Smoke may appear from under the hood and it may be impossible to start the car. If the short circuit happens during driving, electrical power could be lost resulting in the warning lamps being deactivated. An electrical short could result in a fire.
The fix
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 1-800-458-1552.

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.

Jan 7, 2022 · Fuel/propulsion system

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. Volvo may have extended the warranty.

Oct 8, 2021 · Air bags

When I was closing the passenger door, it did not close tight. So I opened it again and shut it a bit harder. When I shut it harder, the passenger side seat airbag and the top passenger side airbag deployed. If I had been sitting inside the car at the time, I could have been injured as small things exploded inside the…

Sep 24, 2019 · Fuel/propulsion system · 140,000 miles

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. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL…

May 26, 2017 · Service brakes · 106,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACTS GIRLFRIEND OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO APPLY PRESSURE WITH FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED. THE ABS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS…

Dec 26, 2016 · Electronic stability control (ESC)

TAKATA

S80 model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2002 44212
2003 52611
2004 45040
2005 51512
2006 31210
2007 52400
2008 72640

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

Questions

Does the 2005 Volvo S80 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2005 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 2005 Volvo S80?
Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is fuel/propulsion system (5 complaints), followed by electrical system (4).
How many 2005 Volvo S80 complaints mention a crash or fire?
1 of 15 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received January 7, 2022.