RecallRadar

HomeVolvoS80 → 2012

2012 Volvo S80 Recalls & Complaints

3

open safety recalls on record

Critical

11 owner complaints filed · Severity Index 1.27 · updated 2026-08-07

The recalls

Critical12V317000

Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

THIS MAY RESULT IN DECREASED ENGINE RPMS AND POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL, raises the risk of A CRASH.

Remedy & full details

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.

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.

Serious12V075000

Electrical System:Wiring

IN THE EVENT OF CRASH, THE FRONT AND/OR SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY IMPROPERLY OR NOT AT ALL, raises the risk of INJURY.

Remedy & full details

VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, SECURE THE SEAT WIRE HARNESS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. IN THESE VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED PROPERLY TO THE SEAT FRAME. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED TO ADJUST THE SEATING POSITION, THE WIRE HARNESS MAY GET PULLED, CAUSING IT TO DISCONNECT.

Serious20V378000

Seat Belts:Front

unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy & full details

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.

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.

Complaint volume

11 this model-year 8 median, same year

Volume alone is not a fault rate — popular vehicles attract more reports. Read it next to the severity mix below.

What owners reported happened

3Crashes
0Fires
2Injuries
0Deaths

Across 11 complaints. Severity Index 1.27.

Severity Index weights each complaint's reported outcome (death ×10, injury ×4, fire ×3, crash ×2) and divides by total complaints. It measures how severe reports are, not how often faults occur.

What owners report most

Unknown Or Other2 · 18%Tires · Pressure Monitori…1 · 9%Power Train1 · 9%Suspension1 · 9%Structure · Body1 · 9%Wheels1 · 9%Steering1 · 9%Air Bags1 · 9%
  1. Unknown Or Other — 2 reports
  2. Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems — 1 reports
  3. Power Train — 1 reports
  4. Suspension — 1 reports
  5. Structure:Body — 1 reports
  6. Wheels — 1 reports
  7. Steering — 1 reports
  8. Air Bags — 1 reports
  9. Vehicle Speed Control — 1 reports
  10. Seats — 1 reports

What to do

  1. Find your 17-character VIN on the driver's door jamb or the base of the windscreen.
  2. Check it against NHTSA's official lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls — the authoritative record for your exact car.
  3. Book the repair with any franchised dealer. Safety recall work is free, with no time limit and regardless of who owns the car now.

Other model years

1999 (5) · 2000 (5) · 2001 (8) · 2002 (5) · 2003 (6) · 2004 (5) · 2005 (6) · 2006 (4) · 2007 (5) · 2008 (7) · 2009 (5) · 2010 (5) · 2011 (4) · 2012 · 2013 (3) · 2014 (1) · 2015 (2) · 2016 (2)

Numbers in brackets are open recall campaigns for that year.

Questions

Does an open recall mean the car is unsafe to drive?

Not usually. NHTSA issues a "do not drive" or "park outside" advisory when a defect is dangerous enough to keep you out of the car — those are flagged Critical above. Everything else should be repaired promptly but is not an immediate stop-driving order.

Do I pay for recall repairs?

No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to fix a safety recall free of charge, including parts and labour, whether or not you are the original owner.

Why are there complaints but no recalls?

Complaints are unverified reports filed by owners. They can prompt an investigation, but many never become recalls — either the fault isn't safety-related or it isn't widespread.