CarBrief

NHTSA has 16 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Volvo S80, and none mention a crash or fire[1]. The car has 5 recalls, so check that the work was done on any one you look at[2].

16owner complaints[1]
5recalls[2]
18–20MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one part. None mention a crash, fire, injury or death[1].

The groups with the most complaints are:

Seats, the gasoline fuel system and the engine have 1 complaint each[9][10][11]. With counts this small, none of these is a proven pattern.

In the wheel and tire complaints we read, owners describe a tire valve stem or its nut failing, which led to a sudden flat tire or a tire pressure warning[4][6]. This showed up in all 4 wheel complaints in our sample[4]. The tire complaints are about the same thing, plus a pressure warning light that came on when the tires were not low[6].

In the structure complaints we read, owners describe rust on the engine subframe, also called the engine cradle[5]. All 4 in our sample describe it, and 3 of the 4 say it affects the V8[5]. It is a small sample, so treat it as something to inspect and not as a known rate.

One of the 2 seat belt complaints in our sample[8] describes a warning light and a seat belt assembly that needed replacing. The owner linked it to the seat belt recall[8][12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

Before buying, ask the seller for proof that these were done, Before buying, ask the seller for proof that these were done.

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions, all using regular fuel[17][18][3].

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Est. annual fuel cost
AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo[17] 15 / 23 / 18 $3,700
AWD, 4.4L 8-cyl[18] 15 / 22 / 18 $3,700
FWD, 3.2L 6-cyl[3] 16 / 25 / 20 $3,350

EPA's fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not what gas cost when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists this S80 as not rated in its 5-Star Safety Ratings[19]. That means there is no star score to compare. It does not say the car is safe or unsafe.

Engine and size

These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[20][21].

3.2L V6 AWD 4.4L V8 AWD
Length[20][21] 191 in 191 in
Width[20][21] 73 in 73 in
Height[20][21] 59 in 59 in
Wheelbase[20][21] 112 in 112 in
Curb weight[20][21] 3,646 lb 3,840 lb

How 2009 compares with other years

1999: 199 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 318 complaints, 4 recalls2001: 164 complaints, 7 recalls20012002: 42 complaints, 4 recalls2003: 26 complaints, 5 recalls20032004: 50 complaints, 4 recalls2005: 15 complaints, 5 recalls20052006: 12 complaints, 3 recalls2007: 24 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 26 complaints, 7 recalls2009: 16 complaints, 5 recalls1620092010: 27 complaints, 5 recalls2011: 5 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 8 complaints, 3 recalls2013: 8 complaints, 3 recalls20132014: 1 complaints, 1 recalls2015: 7 complaints, 2 recalls20152016: 6 complaints, 2 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each S80 model year. The 2009 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19991994
20003184
20011647
2002424
2003265
2004504
2005155
2006123
2007245
2008267
2009165
2010275
201154
201283
201383
201411
201572
201662

The 2009 S80 has 16 complaints and 5 recalls[2]. Eight S80 model years have fewer complaints: 2005, 2006 and 2011 through 2016[2]. Nine have more: 1999 through 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2010[2]. The nearest are 2005 with 15 and 2007 with 24[2].

For recalls, 2001 and 2008 each have 7[2], which is more than 2009. Four other years, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2010, also have 5[2]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Should you buy a used 2009 Volvo S80?

The complaint file is small, at 16 reports with no crashes or fires[1]. That is a fair sign, but it is not a guarantee. Owners in our sample describe tire valve stem failures and subframe rust on V8 cars, so have a mechanic check both[4][5]. Confirm that the recalls that apply were completed[2]. Expect fuel costs of $3,350 to $3,700 a year by EPA's estimate, depending on the version[17][18][3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Volvo S80?
NHTSA has 16 complaints, with wheels and structure at 4 each and tires at 3[1][4][5][6]. In the sample we read, owners describe valve stem failures and subframe rust[4][5].
Does the 2009 Volvo S80 have any recalls?
Yes, 5 recalls are on file[2]. They cover the seat belt cable, a GPS battery, tire pressure label and software, fuel pump software and the cooling fan module[12][13][14][15][16].
What is the gas mileage of a 2009 Volvo S80?
EPA combined ratings are 18 MPG for the AWD versions and 20 MPG for the FWD version[17][18][3].
Is the 2009 Volvo S80 safe?
NHTSA lists it as not rated in its 5-Star program[19]. None of its 16 complaints mention a crash[1].
Is 2009 a good year for the Volvo S80?
Eight model years have fewer complaints and nine have more[2]. 2009 sits near the middle on that count, with 16 complaints[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 16 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Volvo S80 (0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Volvo S80 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for S80 FWD, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 4 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 4 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 3 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 2 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 2 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 1 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 1 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 1 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 20V378, filed June 30, 2020: Seat Belts › Front. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 10V566, filed November 8, 2010: Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System). NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 10V335, filed July 22, 2010: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 09V343, filed September 1, 2009: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 09V218, filed June 12, 2009: Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for S80 AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for S80 AWD, 4.4L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, S80 3.2 4DR SEDAN AWD 3.2L V6: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,646 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, S80 V8 4DR SEDAN AWD 4.4L V8: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,840 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.