2012 Volvo S80 recalls and problems

The 2012 Volvo S80 has 3 recalls and 8 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is unknown or other.

How the 2012 compares

Low

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Low complaint count among 17 S80 model years — 12th most.

3recalls

8complaints

1crashes

0fires

1injuries

56,763median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

3 recalls

Seat Belts

Jun 30, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V378000 · 308,260 vehicles

Problem: Volvo 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.

Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy & notes

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Power Train

Jul 6, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V317000 · 1,469 vehicles

Problem: Volvo 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.

Original NHTSA wording

VOLVO 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.

Risk: This May result in decreased engine rpms and possible engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS MAY RESULT IN DECREASED ENGINE RPMS AND POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the software to the transmission control module, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 10, 2012. Owners May contact Volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.

The Volvo recall campaign number is 255.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Electrical System

Feb 28, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V075000 · 32,552 vehicles

Problem: Volvo 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.

Original NHTSA wording

VOLVO 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.

Risk: In the event of crash, the front and/or side impact air bags May deploy improperly or not at all, increasing the risk of injury. Also, the lap belt pretensioner May not deploy.

Original NHTSA wording

IN THE EVENT OF CRASH, THE FRONT AND/OR SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY IMPROPERLY OR NOT AT ALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. ALSO, THE LAP BELT PRETENSIONER MAY NOT DEPLOY.

Remedy & notes

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, secure the seat wire harness. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on April 12, 2012. Owners May contact Volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.

The Volvo recall campaign number is 250.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Unknown or other2

Vehicle Speed Control1

Wheels1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2012 vs. other Volvo S80 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2012. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2012 Volvo S80 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering the 2012 Volvo S80, the latest from Jun 30, 2020 (seat belts). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volvo S80?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention unknown or other (2), air bags (1), power train (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.