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ProblemsByVin File / 2009-VOLVO-S80 NHTSA data synced minutes ago
2009 · Volvo

Volvo S80 problems

Light NHTSA footprint — 16 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.

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Reliability score
8.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

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Critical
1
Severe
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Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 S80?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Buying a used 2009 Volvo S80? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 8.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is body (~$1,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2009 Volvo S80

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints

body
4 reports · fails ~116,900 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
tires
3 reports · fails ~41,500 mi · avg $150
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2009 S80's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2009 S80?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2009 S80 · body
My car is extremely clean and well taken care of. But just like every single Volvo s80, specifically the v8 model there is a rust hole in the subframe. This is because Volvo put the exhaust too close to the subframe and the heat from the v8 eats away the paint and causes it to…
09/27/2020 · at 100,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11361376.0 · see body pattern →
2009 S80 · electrical
The headlight system malfunctioned. It is available for inspection upon request. The low beam failure error occurred, which led to an inspection of the headlight system. The wiring inside the headlight assembly failed. The insulation on bulb wires is crumbling everywhere and…
08/17/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11681205.0
2009 S80 · engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Volvo s80. The contact stated that the cooling fan failed and the engine overheating message displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the cooling fan was faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that…
07/29/2016 · at 85,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10891684.0
2009 S80 · wheels
During the spring of 2013, my 2009 cpo Volvo s80 experienced two flat tires within one week due to faulty hex nuts (I.e., hex nuts broke off causing sudden loss of air pressure) that hold the tire valve stem to the wheel (Volvo incident #130404-000103). Volvo recognized the…
07/27/2015 · at 50,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10743723.0
View all 16 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2009 Volvo S80? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 09V218000 June 12, 2009

Volvo is recalling 17,614 my 2008-2009 s80, v70, and xc70 vehicles

This situation may result in loss of cooling system function and engine failure. The driver may not have sufficient time to react to the warning light(s) or the text message in the instrument panel, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fan control module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during july 2009. Owners may contact Volvo customer care center at 1-800-458-1552.

Common questions

Is the 2009 Volvo S80 reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Volvo S80 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2009 Volvo S80?

On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Volvo S80 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.4/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2009 Volvo S80?

Inspect the body first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 4 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 116,900 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2009 Volvo S80 a good used car to buy?

It scores 8.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 16 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is body. Typical failure occurs around 116,900 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2009 Volvo S80?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is body, with 4 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 116,900 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The body is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 116,900 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Volvo S80 has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Volvo S80?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 16 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced minutes ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Volvo/S80. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Volvo. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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