Volvo S80: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
Volvo S80: 6 model years scored from 35 NHTSA owner complaints and 15 recall campaigns. Worst year 2012, best year 2013.
Volvo S80: which years to avoid
Across 6 scored model years the Volvo S80 ranges from 85/100 in 2012 to 91/100 in 2014 — a 6-point spread, so which year you buy matters. The weakest year’s complaints concentrate in Unknown Or Other (2 of them).
Safest years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 — scored 70 or better.
Scored from NHTSA complaints per year of exposure and recall campaigns. How the score works · every car’s years to avoid.
Year-by-year data table
Best year in our data: 2013 (score 87). Worst: 2012 (score 85, BUY).
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 86 | BUY | $3,901 | 6 | 2 |
| 2015 | 85 | BUY | $4,742 | 7 | 2 |
| 2014 | 91 | BUY | $5,022 | 1 | 1 |
| 2013 | 87 | BUY | $5,172 | 8 | 3 |
| 2012 | 85 | BUY | $5,310 | 8 | 3 |
| 2011 | 86 | BUY | $5,446 | 5 | 4 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
Photographs and every generation of the S80, through the years →
What goes wrong on the Volvo S80
Across every S80 model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.
- Engine9 complaints across all S80 years · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair$1,040–$2,220
- Unknown Or Other7 complaints across all S80 years · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair$360–$940
- Power Train5 complaints across all S80 years · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair$1,290–$4,040
- Electrical System3 complaints across all S80 years · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement$540–$1,310
- Air Bags3 complaints across all S80 years · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement$600–$1,700
- Wheels2 complaints across all S80 years · typical job: Wheel bearing or hub replacement$460–$920
Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.
FAQ
What are the best Volvo S80 years to buy?
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 all score 70 or better. The strongest is the 2014 at 91/100, on 1 complaints and 1 recall campaigns.
Which Volvo S80 years should I avoid?
The 2012 is the weakest year we score, at 85/100 (BUY), on 8 complaints and 3 recalls. Check the year-by-year table above before committing to any particular car.
What is the most common Volvo S80 problem?
9 of the complaints filed against the S80 across all its model years sit in the Engine group — more than any other component.
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Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04