2005 Volvo S80: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2005 Volvo S80: 5 recalls, 15 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.

Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #05V529000 · 2005 · 10,259 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, due to an error in the factory assembly instruction, the b+terminal May be in conflict with the starter motor solenoid. If this occurs, the conflict between the b+terminal and the starter motor solenoid May develop into a short circuit of the battery cable to ground.
Why it matters: Smoke May appear from under the hood and it May be impossible to start the car. If the short circuit happens during driving, electrical power could be lost resulting in the warning lamps being deactivated. An electrical short could result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and increase distance between the b+terminal and the starter motor solenoid by adjusting the terminal. The recall began on January 31, 2006.
Equipment Vehicle recall #06V375000 · 2006 · 19,700 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." the label denoting the tire and loading pressure information is incorrect.
Why it matters: A misprinted label would lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will mail the correct labels free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2006.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #09V483000 · 2009 · 158,733 vehicles
What's wrong: S. Territories. When exposed to certain environmental conditions (hot climate and temperature cycling) over time and in combination with varying fuel quality, the fuel pump can develop cracks in the fuel pump flange.
Why it matters: If the condition occurs vehicle owners May notice fuel smell and/or fuel leak which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel pump installed in the vehicle, and if necessary replace the fuel pump with a part of a modified design. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on January 15, 2010.
Equipment Vehicle recall #10V566000 · 2010 · 416 vehicles
What's wrong:
Why it matters: An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
The fix: Volvo advises owners to please stop using the garmin portable gps device immediately, and visit the garmin website to determine if their unit is affected. The unit's battery will be replaced with a new battery and a spacer will be inserted on top of the battery next to the pcb. This service will be…
Airbags Vehicle recall #21V766000 · 2021 · 259,383 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver's air bag inflator May explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #07E023000 · 2007 · 13,128 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain cardone master cylinders with part numbers 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987mza, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, and 11-3156, and with date codes lower than dca7078 sold as replacement equipment for use on the vehicles listed above. The seal on master cylinder can fail and leak brake fluid.
Why it matters: Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Cardone will notify owners and offer to repurchase any defective master cylinders. The recall began during April 2007. Owners can contact cardone at 1-800-777-4780.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Fuel & propulsion (5): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
- Electrical (4): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
- Suspension (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine & cooling (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2005 Volvo S80 has 15 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 18 S80 model years for complaints (well below the 53 average). Complaints peaked in 2015 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 102,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (50 complaints, 4 recalls), 2006 (12 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 22 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Premium |
| 2.9 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2005 Volvo S80.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2005 Volvo S80 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2005 Volvo S80, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2005 Volvo S80 problems?
Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are fuel & propulsion (5), electrical (4), suspension (3).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Volvo S80 get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2005 Volvo S80 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.