2004 Volvo S80 recalls and problems

The 2004 Volvo S80 has 4 safety recalls and 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volvo dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
50
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2004 Volvo S80 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 Volvo S80 recalls

Recall 21V-766: Air Bags

Reported Sep 30, 2021 · 259,383 vehicles affected · Volvo Car USA, LLC

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 10V-566: Equipment

Reported Nov 8, 2010 · 416 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

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

Reported Dec 18, 2009 · 158,733 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

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 04V-029: Steering

Reported Jan 16, 2004 · 29,986 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the front control arms may not have been manufactured correctly and, as a result, the stud and nut that secure the arm to the spindle may lose their initial axial tension. Under certain driving conditions, the steering may become less responsive and the driver may experience steering wheel play.

Risk: This driving condition could eventually lead to separation between the front control arm and the spindle, which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install a new type of nut. Owner notification began on february 16, 2004. Owners should contact volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.

2004 Volvo S80 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Fuel/Propulsion System13
Steering6
Engine and Engine Cooling5
Power Train5
Electrical System5
Suspension5
Tires3
Air Bags3
Seat Belts3
Engine3
Vehicle Speed Control2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2

Most reported parts

  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 4
  • Steering › Linkages — 3
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings — 2
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 1
  • Tires › Tread/Belt — 1
  • Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System — 1
  • Seat Belts › Front — 1
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 99,000 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 2004 Volvo S80 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Unknown or Other · reported Jan 1, 2023
Both of the key fobs I have are broken in that the key won't lock straight out or stay folded into the fob. The weight of the plastic fob alone frequently causes the key to twist backwards if the road is bumpy or uneven, which kills the engine and makes it extremely difficult to steer to safety without power steering. The first time this happened to me I was traveling at 55 mph on a crowded highway but fortunately I was in the rightmost lane, not in a curve, and was approaching an area where I could pull over to safety. I have had to duct tape both keys in the open position to prevent this.…
Air Bags · reported Nov 18, 2020
On 11/17/2020 was driving to pick up decal for my car and I got a message that read a check airbags I didn't have any reading on my gages turn signal for right turn stay lit up not brinking just on , when I stopped and went in building to get decal came back to car started it my gages came back which was glad they were working but still had message about airbags
Fuel/Propulsion System · at 190,000 miles · reported May 25, 2020
After noticing a very acute smell of gas I took the vehicle in for inspection. The mechanic advise that I had a fuel leak in my 2004 volvo s 80 . Thats could have been a serious problem and that the car is not driveable in this condition.
Fuel/Propulsion System · at 92,000 miles · reported Jun 22, 2017
Strong odor of gas outside of car. Recall on similiar cars but not in this area. Known issue by volvo but will not repair at no cost as it is outside of the 10 year extended warranty even though car does not have 150000 miles on. Fire hazard and should be for all cars of this year and make but offer little if any help.
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Apr 19, 2017
The contact owns a 2004 volvo s80. On several occasions, the contact smelled fuel coming from the garage. Upon checking underneath the vehicle, the odor became stronger. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that a fuel leak originated from the top of the fuel tank. The fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Other Volvo S80 years

Compare all Volvo S80 years · All Volvo models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Volvo S80 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2004 Volvo S80: 21V-766 (air bags), 10V-566 (equipment), 09V-483 (fuel system, gasoline), 04V-029 (steering). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Volvo S80?

Owners report fuel/propulsion system problems most often (13 reports), followed by steering (6). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 99,000 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.