- The 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.
- The risk
- An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2011 Volvo S80 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2011 Volvo S80 with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (2) and the electrical system (2). Those complaints describe 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in June 2020 for the front. For comparison, the 2010 has 27 and the 2012 has 8.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical S80 year, for its age
#229 most complained-about 2011 vehicle
- Complaints
- 5
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2011 Volvo S80 problems
Share of all 5 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2011 Volvo S80 recalls 4
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The 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.
- The risk
- This may result in decreased engine rpms and possible engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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 problem
- Volvo is recalling certain model year 2011, s80, s60, xc70 and xc60 vehicles. The software calibration for the fuel cut-off functionality in the engine control module (ecm) is too sensitive.
- The risk
- Sudden engine stall could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will update the ecm and tcm with new software free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before december 10, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552 or at [email protected].
- The problem
- Volvo is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 s80, xc70, model year 2011 xc60 and model year 2010 v70 vehicles. There may be an intermittent fault in the driver's airbag clockspring wiring connector for the supplemental restraint system.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, the driver's frontal airbag may not deploy as intended or at all, and therefore will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a metal shim in the driver's air bag clockspring wiring connector. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 20, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
What owners say
Be the first S80 owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
5 complaints about the 2011 Volvo S80
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volvo s80. The contact stated while driving at low speeds, the stabilization warning light illuminated and started flashing. The steering wheel failed to move and vehicle loss power. The charging warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the alternator and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact called pedersen volvo cars (4455 s mason st, fort collins, co...
Read the full complaint
80525, (970)223-8500) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000. The consumer stated shortly after purchasing the vehicle the "charging system failure" warning light would intermittently illuminate while driving. The vehicle had an incident in which it would not power on. The battery was replaced. The charging failure light continued flash. The alternator was replaced, but the failure persisted. The consumer then experienced a total system failure wile driving. It was determined the battery was defective. The battery was replaced, but the warning lights returned. It was determine via service bulletin from 2015 the battery and alternator lost communication. The failure was due to the anti tamper unit. The manufacturer was contacted, but did not offer any assistance. However, the dealer offered a 15% discount.
Driver seat belts has faulty hooks. Seat belt popped open while driving and coming to quick brake to avoid being hit by another car. The sudden stop caused my seat to shift position. I tried to move seat back into position it did move. The seat was permanently locked in the position which rendered me knees cramped on steering wheel. I buckled my seat belt back and slipped out again. The drivers seat & seat belt still malfunctioning.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volvo s80. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to switch gears. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer system failed and needed to be restarted. In addition, the battery cable was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,000.
While driving between 35 to 40 miles per hour for approximately 5 minutes, I began to smell something burning. There was no engine nor temperature indicator lit up on the dash. Assuming it was from a passing vehicle, I continued to drive for 1 to 2 minutes. Then looking in the rear view mirror, I could see black smoke coming from the trunk. Upon opening the trunk, the car burst into flames. The fire seems to have started in wiring located in the trunk then proceeded through to the speaker in the back seat. ...
Read the full complaint
Even after turning off engine, the fireman on the scene noticed that the radio and air conditioning were still running. The battery had to be disconnected to shut electrical items off. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volvo s80. The contact was sitting at a complete stop when a preceding vehicle reversed and abruptly crashed into the front end of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained severe injuries to the right arm, shoulder and neck. In addition, the passenger sustained whiplash. A police report was filed of the incident. The contact was able to drive the vehicle from the scene of the crash. The vehicle was taken to a collision center and repaired for the front...
Read the full complaint
end damage. The defective air bags had not been repaired. The contact stated that in 2011, the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign id number 10v489000 (air bags:frontal) although there was no malfunction with the air bag at that time. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000. ..Updated 11/14/12 *bf updated 11/14/12
Volvo S80: every year compared
All S80 years2011 Volvo S80 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Volvo S80 | 5 | 4 | B | |
| 2011 Volvo C30 | 14 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 2011 Volvo C70 | 14 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 2011 Volvo S40 | 5 | 2 | A | Compare |
| 2011 Volvo S60 | 5 | 6 | C | Compare |
| 2011 Volvo V50 | 2 | 1 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2011 Volvo S80
Does the 2011 Volvo S80 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2011 Volvo S80: front (June 2020); control module (tcm / pcm / tecm) (July 2012); engine and engine cooling (November 2010); frontal (October 2010). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Volvo S80?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (2), electrical system (2), engine & cooling (1).
How many complaints has the 2011 Volvo S80 had?
5 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 15, 2012 and the latest on March 10, 2021. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2011 Volvo S80 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 66 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Volvo S80 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Volvo S80 years have the most complaints?
2000 (342), 1999 (210), 2001 (179). See every Volvo S80 year compared.
What should I do if my 2011 Volvo S80 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data