2003 Volvo S80 recalls and problems
The 2003 Volvo S80 has 5 safety recalls and 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volvo dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2003 Volvo S80 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2003 Volvo S80 recalls
Recall 21V-766: Air Bags
Problem: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2006 S80 and 2001-2009 S60 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10125.
Recall 20V-681: Air Bags
Problem: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2003 S80 and S60 vehicles sold or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The driver side frontal air bag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments into the passage compartment, when the driver side air bag is deployed.
Risk: Metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Fix: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10058.
Recall 10V-566: Equipment
Problem: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (Gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Risk: An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
Fix: Volvo advises owners to please stop using the garmin portable GPS device immediately, and visit the garmin website to determine if their unit is affected. The unit's battery will be replaced with a new battery and a spacer will be inserted on top of the battery next to the pcb. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 18, 2010. Owners may contact garmin at 866-957-1981 or visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.
Recall 09V-483: Fuel System, Gasoline
Problem: Volvo is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 s80, model year 2001-2004 v70, s60, xc70 and model year 2003-2005 xc90 vehicles sold in or registered in the states of alabama, arizona, arkansas, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, kentucky, louisiana, mississippi, nevada, new mexico, north carolina, oklahoma, south carolina, tennessee, texas, utah, virginia and the U.S. Territories. When exposed to certain environmental conditions (Hot climate and temperature cycling) over time and in combination with varying fuel quality, the fuel pump can develop cracks in the fuel pump flange.
Risk: If the condition occurs vehicle owners may notice fuel smell and/or fuel leak which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel pump installed in the vehicle, and if necessary replace the fuel pump with a part of a modified design. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on january 15, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Recall 03V-284: Equipment
Problem: Certain passenger cars fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the second isofix guide was not installed in these vehicles and, in certain cases, the owner's manual isofix information is incorrect.
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: Owners will receive a letter/package consisting of the second isofix guide with installation instructions, and in certain cases, the corrected owner's manual may be provided. If the owner wants to take their vehicle to a volvo dealer for installation of the guide, it will be performed at no charge to the owner. Owner notification began on december 19, 2003. Owners should contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
2003 Volvo S80 problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 | |
| Electrical System | 4 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | |
| Air Bags | 3 | |
| Power Train | 2 | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | |
| Steering | 1 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | |
| Suspension | 1 |
Most reported parts
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System — 2
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 2
- Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 1
- Electronic Stability Control › Automatic (Asc) — 1
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light — 1
- Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections — 1
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 1
- Suspension › Front › Control Arm — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 56,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2003 Volvo S80 complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Volvo S80 years
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2003 Volvo S80 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2003 Volvo S80: 21V-766 (air bags), 20V-681 (air bags), 10V-566 (equipment), 09V-483 (fuel system, gasoline), 03V-284 (equipment). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Volvo S80?
Owners report fuel system, gasoline problems most often (5 reports), followed by electrical system (4). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 56,000 miles.
Are Volvo recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Volvo dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.