Is the 2000 Volvo S80 a bad year?
318 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 64, 6.4× a quiet S80 year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 55k–97k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2000 S80 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 78,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 93 (29%) | 50k–93k miles · around this mileage | — |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 58 (18%) | 56k–97k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 54 (17%) | 60k–92k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 41 (13%) | 65k–119k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 23 (7%) | 54k–127k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 23 (7%) | 61k–120k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Suspension | 29 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 19 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 17 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 16 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine and cooling | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 78,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 318 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 8 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Nov 2022.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Engine constantly surges forward while brakes are applied. At a stoplight, the car will just suddenly lurch forward.
The engine shut down suddenly with loss of power steering and power brakes once while on a ramp entering the expressway and a second time while on the expressway.
2000 S80 Volvo has defective throttle body according to Volvo repair center. This is a know and wide spread defect.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 78,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2000 Volvo S80: 5
The batteries on those units may overheat. An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
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. Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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 limp home modes. This resulted in a high number of vehicles going into the limp home mode without need.
On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, under certain operating conditions, some electric cooling fans may overheat potentially causing heat damage and, in rare instances, a fire in the engine compartment. A fire in the engine compartment could occur.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Over time, the ball joint between the front wheel king pin and the suspension link arm, can experience increased looseness. This condition could affect the ball joint's durability and performance.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Volvo: 112
Repair instructions Volvo sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2000 Volvo S80. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Retailers should only use a Volvo part number on claims for items purchased directly from Volvo
The Volvo Certified Pre-Owned (VCPO) warranty on all vehicles certified and retailed on or after 1/1/05…
VIDA will not support Windows 8.1 after June 30th 2017
Washer system layout for identifying leakage points REF NO : ISSUING DEPARTMENT : CAR MARKET : United States and Canada TJ 25153 Technical Service PARTNER :…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Throttle control malfunction
Throttle control malfunction
Neighbouring years
2001 S80: 164 complaints, keep it.
Every Volvo S80 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · All S80 years side by side
Other Volvo models: Volvo C70 · Volvo S40 · Volvo S60 · Volvo S70 · Volvo V70 · Volvo V70XC · Volvo XC40 · Volvo XC60 · Volvo XC70 · Volvo XC90. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2000 Volvo S80 a bad year?
318 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 64, 6.4× a quiet S80 year. At 78,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 55k–97k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Volvo S80?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: speed control (93), engine (58), electrical system (54), fuel system (41), brakes (23). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 55k–97k miles.
How many recalls does the 2000 Volvo S80 have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Equipment (NHTSA 10V-566), Brakes (NHTSA 07E023000), Speed control (NHTSA 06V-441), Engine and cooling (NHTSA 04V-451) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.