2012 Volvo S80 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2012 S80.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 12V075000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-458-1552.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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: 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.
Notes: 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.
2. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. A SOFTWARE ERROR MAY PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM DOWNSHIFTING SUCH AS SHIFTING FROM FIFTH TO FOURTH GEAR WHEN COASTING.
What could happen: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2012 S80.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 12V317000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-458-1552.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Summary: 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.
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN DECREASED ENGINE RPMS AND POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: 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.
3. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2012 S80.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 20V378000 (manufacturer code R10029).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-458-1552.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Summary: 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.
Consequence: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: 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.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Portable jump starter
- 2012 Volvo S80 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Unknown Or Other (2), Wheels / tires (2), Airbags (1), Vehicle Speed Control (1), Seats (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
12/18/2024 · Airbags · crash
See attached document for complaint.
03/25/2024 · Steering
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 m…
03/02/2020 · Unknown Or Other
MY WIFE KAREN WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK ON FEBRUARY 24, 2020 WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE-VIEW MIRROR DETACHED, HIT THE PAVEMENT AND SHATTERED. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT ABOUT 7:45 AM. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AT 140 STATESIR PLACE FOR 60 HOURS WITHOUT BEING USED AND THE MIRROR SHOWED NO SIGN OF DAMAGE PRIOR TO BEING DRIVER. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED…
03/11/2019 · Wheels / tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL STUDS FRACTURED FROM THE TIRE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SLID ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER AND THE FENDER WAS RIPPED OFF. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TAKEN TO DEMONDTROND VOLVO (VOLVO BUILDING, 14101 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, T…
12/29/2017 · Body / structure
THE PASSENGER DOOR CONTINUES TO OPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE THE OPTION FOR DOORS TO LOCK WHEN CAR BEGINS TO MOVE. THE LOCK REMAINS "LOCKED" HOWEVER DOOR OPENS WITH INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DASHBOARD WARNING. I HAVE CONTACTED VOLVO TO NO END... I SEE A MULTITUDE OF DOOR OPENING ISSUES ON VOLVO FORUM SITES, AND MECHANIC STATES COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLVO.
09/07/2016 · Suspension
DRIVERS SIDE REAR SUSPENSION LINK ARM FAILURE. VEHICLE TRAVELING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON EXPRESSWAY AT POSTED SPEED, 70MPH, ROAD CONDITIONS DRY AND CLEAR. NO IMPACTS OR SUDDEN MANEUVERS PRIOR TO FAILURE, I.E. CHUCK HOLE OR DEBRIS. NO TIRE OR WHEEL DAMAGE SUSTAINED PRIOR TO OR AFTER SUSPENSION FAILURE. NO IMPACT EVIDENCED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE.
03/08/2016 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING TO A HIGH SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE TACHOMETER FLUCTUATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF T…
07/23/2013 · Wheels / tires
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS 21 JUL 2013 - SUNDAY EVENING THE TIRE LOW PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE. I LOOKED AT ALL FOUR TIRES AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. 22 JUL 2013 - MONDAY AS SAFETY PRECAUTION I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD THE SENSOR CHECKED. THE VOLVO SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED; THE…