2003 VOLVO S80 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
30
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 VOLVO S80
The 2003 VOLVO S80 has received a total of 30 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Volvo Car USA, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (3 complaints), Electrical System (3 complaints), and Fuelpropulsion System (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 VOLVO S80
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2003 VOLVO S80, potentially affecting up to 706,191 vehicles.
Recall 21V766000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 259,383 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 20V681000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 54,124 vehicles affected
Defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2003 S80 and S60 vehicles sold or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The driver side frontal air bag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments...
Consequence: Metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is...
View full details →Recall 10V566000 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
| 416 vehicles affected
Defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 09V483000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 158,733 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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....
View full details →Recall 07E023000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
| 13,128 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
View full details →Recall 03V284000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
| 220,407 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 VOLVO S80
30 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 VOLVO S80. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection System | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System12v24v48v Battery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Controlautomatic Asc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Electric | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipabs Warning Light | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringhydraulic Power Assisthose Piping And Connections | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
In Tank Fuel Pump, problem was leaking at top of pump @ the inlet at the outlet & return valve, crack in the plastic mold. Was giving off fumes, totally unhealthy and waitin for someone to light up a cigarette for a total car explosion and death for all occupants. I have replaced the pump myself. Local Dealer wanted 1100 plus to replace out of my budget This in my view it should have been done by recall, local Jim Volvo of Portland, Oregon said no, out of warranty period. I disagree, If unrepaired, I would have been risking me and my family or occupants in the vehicle at the time. There are still many of these cars and other models & years that I found my research on the web that has had this same problem. I have a 1998 Volvo s70 that appears to be developing the same issue. I had come to like my 2003 S80, it will be my last Volvo My cost so far About $150, and 1st pump I installed was defective, had to start over [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The lovely GM transmission suddenly decided to not shift while going uphill. Pushing the accelerator just made the RPMs go up and up while the car did nothing. Then a warning light. Transmission service Then limp mode. And all I could do literally was go 5 mph then. It occurred as I was turning at a light. I did call my local volvo dealer who kind of laughed about the price of a new transmission and told me that was all I could do.
The contact owns a 2003 Volvo S80. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V766000 (Air Bags). The dealer had been notified about the recall and an appointment was made for the recall repair. The contact then received a call that the appointment was cancelled due to parts not yet being available. The manufacturer was also notified of the recall and also stated that parts were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The vehicle has a recall and Volvo told me I have to drive 8 hours to another state to get it fixed by the closest dealership. I cannot do that - I need to have it fixed locally
Safety Rating for the 2003 VOLVO S80
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 VOLVO S80 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 VOLVO S80
Volvo Car USA, LLC has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 2003 VOLVO S80. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
168 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
PLASTIC NIPPLE OF THE POSITIVE CRANK VENTILATION (PCV) SYSTEM MAY CRACK OR BECOME LOOSE. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN AIR LEAK FROM THE CRANK CASE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THIS MAY CAUSE A WHISTLING NOISE OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE. *KB
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 VOLVO S80
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the VOLVO S80
- 1999 VOLVO S80 — 288 complaints
- 2000 VOLVO S80 — 442 complaints
- 2001 VOLVO S80 — 218 complaints
- 2002 VOLVO S80 — 59 complaints
- 2003 VOLVO S80 (current)
- 2004 VOLVO S80 — 63 complaints
- 2005 VOLVO S80 — 26 complaints
- 2006 VOLVO S80 — 22 complaints
- 2007 VOLVO S80 — 32 complaints
- 2008 VOLVO S80 — 37 complaints
Other VOLVO Models
- VOLVO XC90 — 2,131 total complaints
- VOLVO S60 — 1,655 total complaints
- VOLVO V70 — 1,177 total complaints
- VOLVO XC60 — 846 total complaints
- VOLVO S70 — 780 total complaints
- VOLVO 850 — 732 total complaints
- VOLVO S40 — 677 total complaints
- VOLVO V70XC — 521 total complaints