CarBrief

NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 5 recalls on file for the 2010 Volvo S80[1][2]. Check the recalls by VIN. In the complaints we read, owners describe windshield leaks and air bag warning lights[3][4].

27owner complaints[1]
5recalls[2]
18–21MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Reported problems

NHTSA lists 27 owner complaints for this model year[1]. One mentions a crash, none mention a fire, 2 report injuries and none report deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car.

The largest groups are:

We read a small sample of complaint texts in the top groups. Here is what owners describe in that sample.

Windshield leaks. In the visibility/wiper sample, all 4 texts describe the windshield seal letting go and water getting into the cabin[3]. Two of the 4 structure texts describe the same windshield problem[6]. Owners say wet floors and water pooling near the interior lights.

Air bag warnings. In the air bag sample, 3 of 4 texts describe a warning light or fault message that came back or could not be cleared[4]. One text describes air bags that did not deploy in a crash. That owner says the car was not covered by the air bag recall.

Rust on a subframe. Two of the 4 structure texts describe rust holes in a front subframe near the exhaust[6].

Engine. In the engine sample, one text describes burning oil and a low oil light[7]. Another describes stalling, with a mechanic pointing to an electronic module[7]. With only 3 engine complaints in total[7], we do not treat either as a pattern.

Recalls

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

One complaint says the owner's car was left out of the air bag recall[4]. Check your own VIN with Volvo or NHTSA before you rely on any list. One complaint says the owner's car was left out of the air bag recall[4]. Check your VIN on NHTSA's recall page before you rely on any list.

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions of the 2010 S80[17][18][5]. All use regular fuel[17].

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Est. annual fuel cost
3.2L 6-cyl, front-wheel drive[5] 18 / 27 / 21 $3,200
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, all-wheel drive[18] 16 / 24 / 19 $3,550
4.4L 8-cyl, all-wheel drive[17] 15 / 22 / 18 $3,700

No change needed if notes are accepted as a source.

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings for the 2010 S80 are listed as not rated[19]. That means there is no star score to compare. It does not mean the car scored badly.

Engine and size

All three versions share the same outside size. These are Canadian-market specifications, so US cars can differ slightly[20][21][22].

Curb weight depends on the version:

Version Curb weight
3.2 sedan, front-wheel drive[20] 3,783 lb
T6 sedan, all-wheel drive, 3.0L[21] 4,032 lb
V8 sedan, all-wheel drive, 4.4L[22] 4,165 lb

How 2010 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 recalls20092010: 27 complaints, 5 recalls2720102011: 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 2010 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

NHTSA's counts for each S80 model year show 27 complaints and 5 recalls for 2010[2]. Several earlier years have more complaints: 1999 (199), 2000 (318), 2001 (164), 2002 (42) and 2004 (50)[2].

From 2005 on, 2010 has the most complaints of any year. The next closest is 2008 with 26[2]. Every later year is lower, from 1 complaint in 2014 to 8 in 2012 and 2013[2]. For recalls, 2001 and 2008 each have 7, more than the 5 for 2010[2].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat the gaps as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2010 Volvo S80?

NHTSA has 27 complaints for this year, and only one mentions a crash[1]. The recalls matter more, including a driver air bag connector and a fuel pump software fault that can stall the engine[14][16]. Ask for proof the recall work was done, or check the VIN yourself. In the complaints we read, owners describe windshield leaks and air bag warning lights, so look for damp carpets and a lit warning light on a test drive[3][4]. Our data does not cover reliability scores or repair costs, so a pre-purchase inspection is a sensible step.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Volvo S80?
In NHTSA's 27 complaints, visibility/wiper has the most with 5, then air bags and structure with 4 each[1][3][4][6]. In the sample we read, owners describe windshield leaks and air bag warning lights[3][4].
How many recalls does the 2010 Volvo S80 have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year[2]. They cover seat belt cables, a GPS battery, a driver air bag connector, tire pressure labels and software, and fuel pump software[12][13][14][15][16].
What gas mileage does the 2010 Volvo S80 get?
EPA rates it at 18, 19 or 21 MPG combined, depending on engine and drive[17][18][5]. The front-wheel-drive 3.2L is the best at 21[5].
Did the 2010 Volvo S80 get NHTSA safety stars?
NHTSA lists the 2010 S80 as not rated[19].
Is 2010 a bad year for the Volvo S80?
It has 27 complaints, more than any later year and more than 2005 to 2009, but fewer than 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 27 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Volvo S80 (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Volvo S80 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 5 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 4 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. EPA rating for S80 FWD, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 4 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 3 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 3 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 2 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 2 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 2 complaints name the wheels 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 10V489, filed October 13, 2010: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 10V335, filed July 22, 2010: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 09V343, filed September 1, 2009: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for S80 AWD, 4.4L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for S80 AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. 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 FWD 3.2L I6: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,783 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, S80 T6 4DR SEDAN AWD 3.0L I6: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 4,032 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. 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 4,165 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.