1999 Volvo S80: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1999 Volvo S80: 4 recalls, 199 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Suspension Vehicle recall #00V238000 · 2000 · 49,488 vehicles
What's wrong: Over time, the ball joint between the front wheel king pin and the suspension link arm, can experience increased looseness.
Why it matters: This condition could affect the ball joint's durability and performance.
The fix: Dealers will replace both front ball joints.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #02V096000 · 2002 · 25,876 vehicles
What's wrong: On some passenger vehicles, certain electric cooling fans could be inadequate in a hot climate. Under certain circumstances, excessive heat could be generated.
Why it matters: Should this occur, the engine cooling fan components could overheat and cause the melting of electrical connections and adjacent components, increasing the likelihood of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the engine cooling fan. Owner notification began April 1, 2002.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #04V451000 · 2004 · 149,799 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, under certain operating conditions, some electric cooling fans May overheat potentially causing heat damage and, in rare instances, a fire in the engine compartment.
Why it matters: A fire in the engine compartment could occur.
The fix: Dealers will replace the cooling fan. The recall began on November 29, 2004. Customers should contact Volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #06V441000 · 2006 · 170,099 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing, and/or inefficient software calibration May cause a warning lamp to light and the subsequent onset of limp home modes.
Why it matters: This resulted in a high number of vehicles going into the limp home mode without need.
The fix: Dealers will install the current software upgrade onto the involved vehicles. The recall began on December 29, 2006.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #07E023000 · 2007 · 13,128 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain cardone master cylinders with part numbers 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987mza, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, and 11-3156, and with date codes lower than dca7078 sold as replacement equipment for use on the vehicles listed above. The seal on master cylinder can fail and leak brake fluid.
Why it matters: Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Cardone will notify owners and offer to repurchase any defective master cylinders. The recall began during April 2007. Owners can contact cardone at 1-800-777-4780.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 6 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Speed control / throttle (53): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (26), warning light on (10), sudden acceleration (9).
- Electrical (35): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (13), electrical failure (7), warning light on (6).
- Engine & cooling (33): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (13), warning light on (10).
- Fuel system (26): the most common themes are leaks (9), stalls / loses power (8), fire / smoke (6).
The 1999 Volvo S80 has 199 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 18 S80 model years for complaints (3.8× the average S80 year). Complaints peaked in 2005 (55 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 81,656 miles. Neighboring years: 2000 (318 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Premium |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1999 Volvo S80.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1999 Volvo S80 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 1999 Volvo S80, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1999 Volvo S80 problems?
Owners have filed 199 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are speed control / throttle (53), electrical (35), engine & cooling (33).
What gas mileage does the 1999 Volvo S80 get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (2.9 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1999 Volvo S80 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.