2013 Volvo S80 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Wheels / tires
What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving. A software error within the Central Electronic Module (CEM) will result in the "TPMS Service Required" message appearing after approximately 15 minutes of accumulated driving over 25 mph. The error will prevent the Tire Pressure Monitoring System from warning the driver that a tire needs air. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138, "Tire Pressure Mo…
What could happen: A malfunctioning TPMS cannot warn a driver that a tire is underinflated. Underinflated tires can result in tire overloading and overheating, which could lead to a blowout and possible crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's TPMS. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 12, 2012. Owners may contact Volvo 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 2013 S80.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 12V415000.
- 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: TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S80 and XC70 vehicles. A software error within the Central Electronic Module (CEM) will result in the "TPMS Service Required" message appearing after approximately 15 minutes of accumulated driving over 25 mph. The error will prevent the Tire Pressure Monitoring System from warning the driver that a tire needs air. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
Consequence: A malfunctioning TPMS cannot warn a driver that a tire is underinflated. Underinflated tires can result in tire overloading and overheating, which could lead to a blowout and possible crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's TPMS. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 12, 2012. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Notes: Volvo's safety recall number is 256. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to 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 2013 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 2013 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
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 2013 Volvo S80 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Body / structure (2), Engine (2), Unknown Or Other (2), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1), Suspension (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)
01/17/2024 · Body / structure
My drivers side door latch will no longer open from the inside or the outside. I have to climb across to the passenger side and go out the opposite door. I am reporting this because this vehicle is part of the volvo "P3" platform which includes the S60, and they had a huge recall to replace all the door latch mechanisms for this exact reason.
01/18/2022 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
The top of the windshield is leaking water. Windshield is coming loose.
12/13/2018 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR ANTI-TAMPERING DEVICE WAS FAULTY, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE READING INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE "ANTI-TAMPER SWITCH FOR RADIATOR." THE DEALER (VOLVO CARS ANNAPOLIS, 333 BUSCHS FRONTAGE RD, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21409, (410) 349-88…
10/14/2018 · Unknown Or Other
SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE IN AN OPEN RURAL AREA WITHOUT ANY SORT OF OUTSIDE FORCE.
10/11/2018 · Engine
ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON IN MY VOLVO. I WENT TO AN AUTO SHOP AND THE SCAN READ "FAULTY RADIATOR ANTI-TAMPER DEVICE." I THEN RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT VOLVO HAD A RECALL (TJ27910) THE 2013 S80 WAS EFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. I CALLED THE DEALER AND MY CAR WAS SUPPOSEDLY NOT ON THE RECALL LIST EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE SAME ISSUE…
12/27/2016 · Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON DRIVING OVER UNLEVELLED GROUND, THE VEHICLE SWAYED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS WHERE VARIOUS REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED BUT A PERMANENT REPAIR WAS UNABLE TO BE PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE M…
09/17/2015 · Unknown Or Other
THE CHROME TRIM ON OUR CONSOLE HAS PEELED BACK VERY SLIGHTLY AND HAS A VERY SHARP EDGE IT HAS CUT OUR HANDS MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAS TOOK OUT CHUNKS OF OUR SKIN IT IS VERY PAINFUL AND UNNESSARY WE HAVE HAD THE CAR BRAND NEW A DEALER DEMO SINCE DECEMBER 2013 WE ARE VERY UNHAPPY BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN LOYAL VOLVO CUSTOMERS SINCE 2005 WE HOPE VOLVO WILL RECALL TH…
04/15/2013 · Body / structure
THE CHROME FOIL DECORATION ON THE STEERING WHEEL TRIM IS DELAMINATING, CAUSING A SHARP EDGE WHERE THE FOIL HAS PULLED AWAY FROM THE PLASTIC SUBSTRATE. THIS IS HAPPENING AT THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE STEERING WHEEL, WHERE THE HANDS COME IN CONTACT WITH IT. IN THE COURSE OF DRIVING THE CAR AND TURNING THE WHEEL, THE SHARP EDGE HAS CUT MY HANDS AND THOSE OF MY…