2013 Volvo S80: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
8 NHTSA owner complaints · 3 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Owner complaints: 8 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 0.62
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
My drivers side door latch will no longer open from the inside or the outside. I have to climb across to the passenger side and go out the opposite door. I am reporting this because this vehicle is part of the volvo "P3" platform which includes the S60, and they had a huge recall to replace all the door latch mechanisms for this exact reason.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 volvo s80. the contact stated that the radiator anti-tampering device was faulty, the check engine indicator illuminated, and the vehicle overheated. the reading indicated that there was an issue with the "anti-tamper switch for radiator." the dealer (volvo cars annapolis, 333 buschs frontage rd, annapolis, md 21409, (410) 349-8800) stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall; the…
About 6 weeks ago the check engine light went on in my volvo. i went to an auto shop and the scan read "faulty radiator anti-tamper device." i then researched the problem and found that volvo had a recall (tj27910) the 2013 s80 was effected by this recall. i called the dealer and my car was supposedly not on the recall list even though i had the same issue. volvo would not honor the recall and stated that i would ha…
Recalls: 3 campaigns (1 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 12V317000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2013 S80 VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE ERROR MAY PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM DOWNSHIFTING SUCH AS SHIFTING FROM FIFTH TO FOURTH GEAR WHEN COASTING. |
| 12V415000 | Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S80 and XC70 vehicles. A software error within the Central Electronic Module (CEM) will result in the "TPMS Service Required" message appearing after approximately 15 minutes of accumulated driving over 25 mph. |
| 20V378000 | Seat Belts:Front | Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing… |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size premium car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 21 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,950
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Structure2 complaints · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,070–$2,920
- Engine2 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Unknown Or Other2 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Visibility/Wiper1 complaints · typical job: Wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$490–$1,200
- Suspension1 complaints · typical job: Struts, springs and control-arm bushings, one axle (4.0 h labour + parts)$780–$1,580
Other Volvo S80 years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Volvo S80?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Structure (2 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2013 Volvo S80 a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 87/100, computed from 8 NHTSA complaints and 3 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2013 Volvo S80's most common problem?
2 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2013 Volvo S80 sit in the Structure group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is body, subframe or corrosion repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,070–$2,920 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2013 Volvo S80 cost to run per year?
About $5,311 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $26,558 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2013 Volvo S80 have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for the 2013 Volvo S80, 1 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 06/07/2012. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other luxury midsizes of about the same age.
What will a 2013 Volvo S80 really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Thin evidence — 8 complaints, 3 recalls on record
- 8 NHTSA complaints on record (0.6/yr of exposure) — in line with a typical year of this model (0.6/yr)
- 3 recall campaigns, 1 touching safety-critical systems
- Thin complaint record — this score is held close to the model's own average rather than read as evidence of quality