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Steering

Volvo S80 Steering problems by year

59 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Volvo S80's steering. Loss of power steering, stiff or loose steering, wandering, column and rack problems.

Steering complaints by model year

YearSteering complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20121010
20101000
20074001
20052000
20046001
20031000
20016000
200020200
199918000

Steering recalls

Latest S80 steering complaints

2012 Volvo S80Steering1 injury

A batch of metal used for the steering wheel trim prematurely wears down at the base of the steering wheel in 2 locations out of sight with normal use and becomes razor sharp. When turning the wheel, the spinning razor edge can cause the driver to lose control due to sudden pain due to slicing into the fingers. The metal slices into the skin drawing blood much like that of a papercut. I have experienced sudden cuts in turning on 2 separate occasions recently having to re-grab the steering wheel due to involuntary pain reflex release to prevent total loss of control and the problem has not been confirmed by the dealer. There is no prior warning when this issue suddenly occurs.

Filed Incident Steering · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11579271
1999 Volvo S80SteeringElectrical systemAirbags

Theres a recent recall on the airbags of the 1999 s80 volvo that we need our airbags replaced because its a hazard that can lead up to death. Also the electricity keeps zapping down from the car creating no starts or very poor driving, I almost was stranded because the car seems like it wanted to shut down one night I was getting off work, I hit full gas and it only gave me 3 mph and also when I made a right turn one night from work I feel the wheel feel like its coming apart from the inside or loosening I dont know what it is but it feels and sounds rough

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · Air bagsNHTSA 11373728
2007 Volvo S80Steering

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 volvo s80. While the contact's husband was driving 30 mph and making a turn, an abnormal "pop" sound was heard and the steering wheel became difficult to turn without warning. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering hose failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the steering failed again. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering pump/reservoir failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11003606
2007 Volvo S80SteeringEngine & coolingVisibility & wipers

This car leak oil every where the valve cover gasket break down because of the por cooling system design and the power steering pump spray oil every where the oil gets burn in the exaust

Filed Incident Steering · Engine · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10927339
2004 Volvo S80SteeringSuspensionTransmission & drivetrain

Purchased a 2004 volvo s80 in "mint condition" from a used car dealership (good reputation).Three (3) months later the transmission started the famous volvo "slip, slide, away".. It rides like a rock, I fell every crack, grain of sand in the road. I replaced the struts, coil springs, lower control arms and other suspensions parts but to no avail improved its condition. Every week or so I get the "stop safely coolant level low" warning on my dash...Keep in mind the dealership had nothing to do with these issues...

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since the conditions didn't appeared until 3 months/50000 miles after the purchase. Steering has some play and I'm continuously recovering the directional path slightly. Shortly after I purchased the vehicle I installed all new tires (michelins) purchased a lifetime wheel alignment, which was done during new tire install and recently re-checked. I do 90% of the work myself; I'm an engineer by trade with 40 years of mechanical skills/knowledge. Checked the recall database by vin (safercar.Gov) and various other sites and there was no recall on my vehicle. The volvo situation is extremely disheartening for such a well-known european car. [[redacted]] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr

Filed Incident Steering · Suspension · Power trainNHTSA 10896930
2007 Volvo S80Steering

I was driving from los angeles to las vegas stopped at barstow ca (half way between both cities) to refill gasoline went back to the car and could not make it start message read "steering locked try again", had to towed it back to las vegas (150 miles) $$$$$, took it to volvo dealership where I bought it 3 months prior, long story short , I had no warranty now the dealer wants about $1300 to replace a $150 part!. Want to know if there is a recall on this vehicle for this particular situation? Please help.!!

Filed Incident Steering · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10838540
2007 Volvo S80Steering

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 volvo s80. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, she heard a loud abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was unable to be diagnosed. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering reservoir return hose had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 11v378000 (steering). The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10811879
1999 Volvo S80Steering

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 volvo s80. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the power steering failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion and the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 153,000.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10610714
2005 Volvo S80SteeringSuspensionTransmission & drivetrain

We own a beautiful 2005 volvo s80 t6 top of the line (fully loaded, twin turbos,18" rims, metallic green paint & parking sensors) only 80,300 miles. It's a $46,000 car unfortunately it is not safe for the road and is a hazard to all. It cannot go over speed bumps without shaking everyone inside violently. When driving the car the transmission will slip and stutter at low speeds meaning we cannot merge into traffic! There is also coolant leaking everywhere and spilling to storm drains and sewers list of diagnosed...

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problems: -transmission rebuild need (even after paid $150 for transmission software upgrade) -left side window comes up and goes down -check engine light comes and goes -water pump has leak -crankcase ventilation system is clogged. -Car cannot hold alignment and veers off -control arms and bushings are bad car has been serviced at a small swede shop & volvo santa ana frequently and babied. It has new front struts, new belts, new brakes, new rear tires, new cabin filter, etc. Spent more than $2.5K in the last year already. Volvo corporate denied any assistance and said there were 800 fixes made in the model year 2004. Obviously the car is flawed. *Tr

Filed Incident Steering · Suspension · Power trainNHTSA 10510471
2004 Volvo S80Steering

The last time I had the car serviced the representative at the dealership said that there were issues with the power steering reservoir. He said that they had apparently made it of the wrong plastic and when it heats it expands and will leak fluid, possibly failing. I don't know what the result would be with the steering if this happened. He said that the item would be the owners responsibility to replace and they were not recalling or replacing them. *Tr

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10443495
1999 Volvo S80Steering

Tl* the contact owns 1999 volvo s80. The contact stated that after parking, she noticed the vehicle was leaking power steering fluid. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop, but the diagnosis was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and they stated that the vin did not qualify for an unknown recall that was mentioned on television. The nhtsa campaign id was unknown. The failure mileage was 107,000, and the current mileage was 109,000.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10416712
2000 Volvo S80SteeringCrash

2000 S80 volvo on highway going straight. 60 Miles an hr. Steering wheel turns radically to left. Loose control of car. Steering wheel is locked. Mac truck driver said that he heard a loud sound out of car. He heard it before he saw it. After bouncing off truck and hitting railing. Car finally stops. Car is totaled. Volvo body of car was not very crushed. I feared that if the mac truck did not hit me. The volvo would have taken many lives with it. It went through 4 lanes of honking traffic. Hit the rail and went through 4 lanes of traffic again. I have never had an accident and do not know what happened to car. I had just had it in for maintenance. 2 Weeks ago. *Tt

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10413145
2010 Volvo S80Steering

I received a notice from volvo of na regarding my 2010 s-80. Volvo said they were extending the warranty coverage for the steering gear to 7 years from 5 years because "there is a potential for insufficient sealing in the steering gear. This can lead to water or moisture intrusion, resulting in internal corrosion and oil seepage. This condition can result in a long term gradual increase in steering effort and noise." Volvo did not issue a recall to fix this problem since they determined it was not a safety...

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issue. I would like the nhtsa to investigate this issue and determine if a recall is necessary as a safety issue--it would seem to me that anything affecting the ability to steer the car would be a safety issue. The letter from volvo was dated dec 17, 2010. *Tr

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10374983
2004 Volvo S80Steering

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volvo s80. The contact stated that when driving over a road bump, the steering wheel begin to pull to the right abnormally. Within minutes, the power steering failed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the power steering would need replacing. The manufacturer advised there was a previous open steering recall on the vehicle (nhtsa campaign id number: 04v029000- steering: linkages) but the vehicle was never taken in for repairs. The contact stated that she had purchased the vehicle used and was unaware of any open recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 99,000.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10356539
2000 Volvo S80Steering

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 volvo s80. While driving approximately 80 mph the steering wheel became stiff. The vehicle was driven onto the emergency lane but would not shut off. Within a few minutes the steering wheel began to function normally. The failure occurred three times and was taken to an authorized dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 114,000.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10348810

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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