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2013 Volvo S80 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2013 Volvo S80 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 2, 2026.
- 3safety recalls
- 8owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 24%fail the UK MOT
The most complained-about Volvo S80 year on file: 8 complaints, against an average of 5 for the other 4 model years.
Every Volvo S80 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2013 Volvo S80?
The components named most often in the 8 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2013 Volvo S80 been recalled?
3 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
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 the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
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. The error will prevent the Tire Pressure Monitoring System from warning the driver that a tire needs air. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
Risk: A malfunctioning TPMS cannot warn a driver that a tire is underinflated. Underinflated tires can result in tire overloading and overheating, which could lead to a blowout and possible crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's TPMS. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 12, 2012. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
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.
Risk: THIS MAY RESULT IN DECREASED ENGINE RPMS AND POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
Is the 2013 Volvo S80 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAThere is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system which may result in insufficient cooling of engine components
Risk: There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system which may result in insufficient cooling of engine components.
Fix: Add an extra degassing line (Bleeder Hose) between the cooling system radiator and the cooling system expansion tank which will evacuate the trapped air
UK DVSAThere is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system
Risk: There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system which may result in insufficient cooling of engine components.
Fix: Add an extra degassing line (Bleeder Hose) between the cooling system radiator and the cooling system expansion tank which will evacuate the trapped air.
UK DVSAPotential breakage/fatigue of a flexible steel cable supporting the front seatbelt anchor point
Risk: Potential breakage/fatigue of a flexible steel cable supporting the front seatbelt anchor point.
Fix: Replace the seat belt fastener with a new designed seat belt fastening.
UK DVSAThe engine's plastic inlet manifold may melt and deform
Risk: The engines plastic inlet manifold may melt and deform
Fix: Update vehicles with improved soot reducing software cleaning of TMAP and EMAP. Fit additional hoses where necessary.
UK DVSACoolant leakage may result in a fire
Risk: It has been identified that during the engine warm-up process and under certain driving/climate conditions for instance periods of high acceleration or high engine load immediately after a cold start in cold climates there is the possibility for coolant leakage or oil seepage. This can lead to the possibility in a worst-case scenario of smoke or a slow developing fire in the engine compartment. However the driver will receive a warning message on the Driver's Information Module indicating a low coolant level.
Fix: Recall all affected vehicles to modify the coolant bypass valve and install a new exhaust manifold gasket.
UK DVSAParking brake may unintentionally release
Risk: Vehicles with manual gearboxes and start/stop functionality have Parking Brake Module (PBM) software that may allow the parking brake to unintentionally release. The unintended release of the parking brake can only occur when the engine is running and the gearstick moved so it will happen when the vehicle is attended.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to download upgraded Parking Brake Module (PBM) software.
UK DVSALoss of power steering assistanceYears estimated
Risk: The auxiliary drive belt tensioner can suffer from premature wear which may cause it to fail. This can lead to loss of steering power assistance and a slight possibility of loss of drive should the drive belt or tensioner invade the cambelt area.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the auxiliary drive belt and tensioner.
EU Safety GateThe tensile strength of the steel of the safety belt's fixing cable may decrease with time.Consequently, the protective/restraining effect of the safety belts could decrease, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Distributor; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 01/07/2020
EU Safety GateExcessive carbon deposits could build up in the intake system of the engine.Consequently, the temperature of the intake air could rise, causing the engine's intake manifold to melt and deform. This could lead to the engine to stop, increasing the risk of accidents or even the engine bay to catch fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Distributor; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe handbrake may under certain conditions release inadvertently.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 26/02/2015
How often does the 2013 Volvo S80 fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2013, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2013 Volvo S80 owners report?
8 of the 8 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
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.
The top of the windshield is leaking water. Windshield is coming loose.
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; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE SAME THING AS THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE IN AN OPEN RURAL AREA WITHOUT ANY SORT OF OUTSIDE FORCE.
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 HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR RE-SCANNED AND THE SOFTWARE ISSUE WOULD BE RESET AT MY COST. ACCORDING TO VOLVO EVEN THOUGH MY CAR HAS THE ISSUE AS THE SAME MODELS WITH THE RECALL SINCE MY VIN…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON DRIVING OVER UNLEVELLED GROUND, THE VEHICLE SWAYED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS WHERE VARIOUS REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED BUT A PERMANENT REPAIR WAS UNABLE TO BE PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE CHROME TRIM ON OUR CONSOLE HAS PEELED BACK VERY SLIGHTLY AND HAS A VERY SHARP EDGE IT HAS CUT OUR HANDS MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAS TOOK OUT CHUNKS OF OUR SKIN IT IS VERY PAINFUL AND UNNESSARY WE HAVE HAD THE CAR BRAND NEW A DEALER DEMO SINCE DECEMBER 2013 WE ARE VERY UNHAPPY BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN LOYAL VOLVO CUSTOMERS SINCE 2005 WE HOPE VOLVO WILL RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THEM APPROPRIATELY BECAUSE VOLVOS ARE NOT CHEAP CARS AND WE LOVE ARE CAR EXECPT THE FACT OUR HANDS ARE GETTING SEVERELY CUT
THE CHROME FOIL DECORATION ON THE STEERING WHEEL TRIM IS DELAMINATING, CAUSING A SHARP EDGE WHERE THE FOIL HAS PULLED AWAY FROM THE PLASTIC SUBSTRATE. THIS IS HAPPENING AT THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE STEERING WHEEL, WHERE THE HANDS COME IN CONTACT WITH IT. IN THE COURSE OF DRIVING THE CAR AND TURNING THE WHEEL, THE SHARP EDGE HAS CUT MY HANDS AND THOSE OF MY WIFE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER AND OUR VEHICLE IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. *TR
2013 Volvo S80: questions owners ask
Is the 2013 Volvo S80 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Volvo S80; the most common categories were engine (2, 25%), structure (2, 25%), suspension (1, 12.5%). There are 3 safety recalls. 4 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volvo S80?
Across 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (25% of complaints), structure (25% of complaints), suspension (12.5% of complaints), visibility/wiper (12.5% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2013 Volvo S80 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Volvo S80; the most recent (campaign 20V378000, 2020-06-30) concerns Seat Belts: Front. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own S80
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved November 2, 2026. Model year 2013 only. How these reports are made.
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