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KLUNK
KLUNK

2002 Volvo S80

The Verdict

89 Smooth Ride

The 2002 Volvo S80 has 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (18 complaints) and body (10 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 89/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Volvo S80, consider the 2014 model year which has 97% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2014 has 97% fewer complaints

View the 2014 Volvo S80 dashboard →

89

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000131186011320
2001763404813
200210161810
200353894
20041537223
200521192
200640341
2007141450
2008121390
2009130120
2010152460
201110211
201260101
201360020
201400001
201520131
201620040

By Category

Engine
18
Body
10
Transmission
10
Electrical
6
Brakes
1

By Severity

1
23
2
19
4
3

Worst Problems

Complaints

Electrical 1

The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V681000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was notified and informed the contact that the part was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

58mo ago
Electrical 2

The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the odometer would go black. The contact stated that the electrical system of the vehicle would fail causing all of the functions to start flashing, the brakes to stutter, and the transmission to fail. The contact stated no warning lights would be illuminated as the control panel would go black. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to have it diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

60mo ago
Transmission 1

The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the instrument panel malfunctioned and failed to illuminate while driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of an electrical failure that affected the brakes and the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact also mentioned that she had received NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V681000 (Air Bags) however, the part was not yet available. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

61mo ago
Transmission 2

WHEN THE VEHICLE WARMS UP FROM START IT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE IT STARTED AT LIKE 30 MILES AND I PARKED THE CAR TILL I COULD GET IT FIXED NOW WHEN THE CAR JUST WARMS UP (NOT GETS HOT) IT WILL NOT ENGAGE TRANS I HAVE ON MORE SENSER TO CHECK BUT THE CAR WILL MOVE WHEN YOU FIRST START IT BOTH FORWARD AND BACK BUT WHEN IT WARMS UP IT STOPS

93mo ago
Engine 2

WE HAVE A 2002 VOLVO S 80 THAT HAD A FUEL PUMP LEAK THAT LOOKS LIKE OUR MODEL HAD AN ISSUE WITH. WE HAD A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CAR. THERE'S A CAMPAIGN NUMBER TO IT... 09V483000. WE'RE STILL HAVING AN ISSUE WITH IT.

105mo ago
Engine 2

FUEL PUMP FLANGE IS LEAKING FUEL, CAUSING FUEL SMELL THROUGHOUT CABIN OF VEHICLE. FUEL PUMP FLANGE RECALLED FOR DEFECTS DUE TO TEMPERATURE EXTREMES, THERMOCYCLING AND FUEL QUALITY,

108mo ago
Engine 2

I HAD A GAS LEAK AT 141,000 MILES.. HAVE TO PAY $889.00 BUCKS TO REPAIR OR THE SAID I COULD CATCH FIRE.. PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL [XXX] THANKS.. IT'S HAPPENS WHEN I WAS DRIVING WAS THIS A RECALLED PART? INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

109mo ago
Engine 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

110mo ago
Body 4

MY VOLVO S80 SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHEN I WAS AWAY FROM HOME. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS, WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE (UNDER THE HOOD) AND BURNED.

111mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO START WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF FUEL. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 248,000.

112mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL SMELL IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEHIND THE REAR SEATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL COULD BE HEARD SPLASHING AROUND IN THE TANK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLANGE WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

126mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

130mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 7/1/15*CN

136mo ago
Engine 1

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINES RPMS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT POWERED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

139mo ago
Engine 1

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED TACHOMETER DROPPED TO 900 RPM FROM ABOUT 3500 WITH AN 18 WHEELER NOT MORE THAN 6 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND ME, NEEDLESS TO SAY IF IT WEREN'T FOR DIVING ONTO THE SHOULDER AS IS DECELERATED RAPIDLY TO 20 MPH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS I WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. VOLVO HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON SOME OF THE ETMS TO 10 YEARS/200,000 MILES. WHEN I CALLED VOLVO TO ASK IF THIS MODEL WAS PART OF THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY TOLD ME THAT IT ONLY COVERED '99-01' AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT AS " THINGS BREAK WHEN THEY GET OLD", AND THAT I SHOULD DRIVE IT TO THE SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS, AT MY OWN PERIL. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME IT WOULD TAKE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT TO CHANGE THIS. WHY SHOULD IT TAKE A LAWSUIT OR DEATH OF A WHOLE CAR FULL OF PEOPLE TO GET SOMEONE TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR USE OF SUBSTANDARD PARTS? I DROVE THE CAR HOME IN "LIMP MODE " AND PARKED IT. TODAY I WENT OUT TO SEE IF IT WOULD RUN AND DRIVE, TO MY AMAZEMENT IT DID, SO I TOOK IT FOR A LITTLE TEST <5 MILES, AND IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN, THIS TIME I WAS PREPARED. I CHECKED THE CODES AND IT HAD NONE IN THE SYSTEM. CALL ME FOR A FIRST HAND ACCOUNT. [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

146mo ago
Body 2

THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS ADJUSTING ITSELF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. HOWEVER, THE CONTROLS WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RE-ADJUST THE SEAT. SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING, THE BACKREST OF THE SEAT WOULD MOVE INTO A COMPLETELY HORIZONTAL POSITION. OTHER TIMES, THE ENTIRE SEAT (INCLUDING THE BACKREST) WOULD MOVE AS FAR FORWARD AS POSSIBLE, CREATING A MAJOR DRIVING HAZARD. I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT, REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTING TO RE-ADJUST THE SEAT UNTIL IT RANDOMLY STARTED TO RESPOND. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO A VOLVO DEALERSHIP, THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE ANY REASON OR CAUSE FOR THE PROBLEM. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE POWER SEAT MODULE AT A COST OF $850 (PARTS & LABOR). THE DEALERSHIP UNPLUGGED THE MODULE AFTER ADJUSTING THE SEAT TO FIT ME, BUT THAT IS NOT A PROPER SOLUTION. A CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING A VEHICLE PART DUE TO FAULTY WIRING, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT CREATES A DRIVING HAZARD ON THE ROAD! *TR

172mo ago
Transmission 2

CAR SURGES AND HESITATES WHEN CHANGING GEARS, IT SLOWS DOWN AND ACCELERATES RANDOMLY WHEN I PUSH DOWN ON THE GAS. IT STICKS AND WON'T LET ME CHANGE GEARS IN MANUAL MODE AND IT STRUGGLES TO CHANGE GEARS IN AUTOMATIC MODE. THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS, IT WILL DECELERATE RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BOTH WITH THE CRUISE ON AND OFF. *TR

180mo ago
Electrical 4

MY SON WAS DRIVING A 2002 VOLVO S80 WITH NO PASSENGERS WHEN HE WAS HIT IN THE LEFT FRONT BY ANOTHER CAR. HE WAS FORCED TO THE RIGHT AND STRUCK A LIGHT POLE AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE LIGHT POLE IMPACT WAS MAYBE 2" RIGHT OF DEAD CENTER. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. ONLY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED FROM THE DASH. NONE OF THE OTHER SEVEN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE FACT THAT NONE OF THE DRIVERS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED APPEARS TO BE A FAULT. THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO PASSENGER AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DID DEPLOY ALSO APPEARS TO BE A FAULT. *TR

187mo ago
Engine 2

2002 VOLVO S80 TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 63,000 MILES, REPLACED WITH NEW VOLVO TRANSMISSION, LASTED 2 YEARS 1 MONTH, VOLVO STATES 2 YEARS IS THE WARRANTY, SO FAR WE HAVE 8900.00 IN REPAIRS TO THIS CAR IN THE LAST 3 YEARS,THIS CAR IS A REAL LEMON. *TR

189mo ago
Transmission 1

PULLING INTO TRAFFIC CAR WAS HESITATING, STARTING AND STOPPING UNCONTROLLABLY. SLIPPAGE IN THE TRANSMISSION FROM FIRST GEAR TO SECOND, HARD TO GET UP TO SPEED. HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE HESITATIONS. NO INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS AT THE BEGINNING OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES, DANGEROUS. NOW TRANSMISSION LIGHT IS ON, VEHICLE ONLY HAS 104K MILES. GOING IN TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. *TR

194mo ago

45 total

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