2012 Volvo S80: common problems and reliability
An average S80 year.
8 owner complaints, most about air bags. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 S80?The 2012 Volvo S80 has 8 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and vehicle speed control.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Volvo S80 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other S80 years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the S80?
Across the 18 S80 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2014) to 345 (2000). With 8 complaints, the 2012 S80 sits below the model's median of 24.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 S80
electrical system:wiring
Campaign 12V075000VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. IN THESE VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED PROPERLY TO THE SEAT FRAME. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED TO ADJUST THE SEATING POSITION, THE WIRE HARNESS MAY GET PULLED, CAUSING IT TO DISCONNECT.
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 12V317000VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2013 S80 VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE ERROR MAY PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM DOWNSHIFTING SUCH AS SHIFTING FROM FIFTH TO FOURTH GEAR WHEN COASTING.
seat belts:front
Campaign 20V378000Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is divided by generation and is heavily dependent on maintenance history and specific powertrain.
Owner insights cover all generations of the S80. See the full S80 owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used S80 listings typically run $6,995–$10,990 across 2002 to 2016 model years.
Other S80 model years
Compare every S80 year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the S80 against its rivals
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