1999 Volvo S80: common problems and reliability

The 1999 Volvo S80 has 214 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are vehicle speed control and electrical system. Owners most often flag *first generation (p2, ~1998-2006):.

Safety record for the 1999 model year

214
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
6
Crash reports
7
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1999 Volvo S80 vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

vehicle speed control
54
electrical system
38
engine and engine cooling
34
fuel system
29
gasoline
27

Recalls affecting the 1999 S80

vehicle speed control

Campaign 06V441000

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF …

service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

Campaign 07E023000

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 AS REPLACEMENT EQUI…

suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint

Campaign 00V238000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OVER TIME, THE BALL JOINT BETWEEN THE FRONT WHEEL KING PIN AND THE SUSPENSION LINK ARM, CAN EXPERIENCE INCREASED LOOSENESS.

engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan

Campaign 02V096000

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN ELECTRIC COOLING FANS COULD BE INADEQUATE IN A HOT CLIMATE. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED.

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is divided by generation and is heavily dependent on maintenance history and specific powertrain. For the first-generation S80 (P2 platform, ~1998-2006), owner feedback is largely negative regarding reliability, with the twin-turbo T6 model and its a

  • *First Generation (P2, ~1998-2006):
  • Automatic transmission failure (especially on T6 models) — Very frequent.
  • General high cost of repairs and maintenance — Very frequent.
  • PCV system clogging — Recurrent.
  • Timing belt failure causing catastrophic engine damage — Recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the S80.

Typical used price

Used S80 listings typically run $6,995–$10,990 across 2002 to 2016 model years.

Other S80 model years

2013 S802011 S802009 S802008 S802006 S802003 S802001 S802000 S80
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