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 RUST.
2009 Volvo S80 body problems
moderate 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$1,500
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
ENGINE SUBFRAME CROSSBAR IS RUSTING OUT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR A TIRE ROTATION AND ALIGNMENT AND THIS WAS FOUND.
SEVERE SUBFRAME RUST DUE TO THE EXHAUST ON VOLVO S80 V8 BEING TOO CLOSE AND MELTING THE PAINT OFF. CAR IS VERY CLEAN AND WE'LL TAKEN CARE OF. APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE V8 S80S.
THE SUBFRAME/ENGINE CRADLE HAS A LARGE ROT HOLE WHICH IS INCREASING IN SIZE AT A HIGH RATE. THE CAR IS ONLY A 2009 WITH LESS THAN 100K MILES ON IT (AND WAS MAINTAINED VERY WELL ITS WHOLE LIFE) BUT THIS STILL OCCURRED. I'VE MET A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH S80 V8S WHO HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. IT SEEMS THAT THE DESIGN ON THE CAR IS FLAWED WHERE THE EXHAUST IS TOO CLOSE TO THE SUBFRAME, SO THE HEAT EVENTUALLY W…
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2009 Volvo S80?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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