NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Volvo S80 Recalls & Complaints

The 2012 Volvo S80 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 8 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volvo dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Volvo S80. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2012 Volvo S80 owner complaints

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Volvo S80, describing incidents dated July 21, 2013 to March 24, 2024.

Most-cited components

Unknown or Other 2 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint
Seats 1 complaint
Steering 1 complaint
Structure 1 complaint

Of the 8 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 8 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11631489 · Filed December 18, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
ODI #11579271 · Filed March 25, 2024
A batch of metal used for the steering wheel trim prematurely wears down at the base of the steering wheel in 2 locations out of sight with normal use and becomes razor sharp. When turning the wheel, the spinning razor edge can cause the driver to lose control due to sudden pain due to slicing into…
ODI #11315577 · Filed March 2, 2020
MY WIFE KAREN WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK ON FEBRUARY 24, 2020 WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE-VIEW MIRROR DETACHED, HIT THE PAVEMENT AND SHATTERED. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT ABOUT 7:45 AM. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AT 140 STATESIR PLACE FOR 60 HOURS WITHOUT BEING USED AND THE MIRROR SHOWED NO SIGN…

Read all 8 complaints

Seat Belts May Not Restrain Occupant

NHTSA #20V378000 · Seat Belts — Front · NHTSA notice

Reported June 30, 2020 · Volvo Car USA LLC

Potentially affected: 308,260 vehicles

Repair completion: 75.49% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volvo campaign R10029 · Owners notified December 10, 2020

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE

NHTSA #12V317000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Control Module (TCM/PCM/TECM) · NHTSA notice

Reported July 6, 2012 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Potentially affected: 1,469 vehicles

Volvo campaign 255 · Owners notified August 10, 2012

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN DECREASED ENGINE RPMS AND POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

THE VOLVO RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 255.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

SEAT WIRING HARNESS

NHTSA #12V075000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice

Reported February 28, 2012 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Potentially affected: 32,552 vehicles

Volvo campaign 250 · Owners notified April 12, 2012 · Vehicles built May 16, 2011 – October 4, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF CRASH, THE FRONT AND/OR SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY IMPROPERLY OR NOT AT ALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. ALSO, THE LAP BELT PRETENSIONER MAY NOT DEPLOY.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

THE VOLVO RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 250.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2012 Volvo S80 4 DR FWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning (Optional) Lane Departure Warning (Optional)

2012 Volvo S80 4 DR AWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning (Optional) Lane Departure Warning (Optional)

8 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Volvo S80.

Air Bags; Vehicle Speed Control; Seats

ODI #11631489

Crash

Incident: November 23, 2023 · Filed: December 18, 2024

See attached document for complaint.

Steering; Unknown or Other

ODI #11579271

1 injury

Incident: March 24, 2024 · Filed: March 25, 2024

A batch of metal used for the steering wheel trim prematurely wears down at the base of the steering wheel in 2 locations out of sight with normal use and becomes razor sharp. When turning the wheel, the spinning razor edge can cause the driver to lose control due to sudden pain due to slicing into the fingers. The metal slices into the skin drawing blood much like that of a papercut. I have experienced sudden cuts in turning on 2 separate occasions recently having to re-grab the steering wheel due to involuntary pain reflex release to prevent total loss of control and the problem has not been confirmed by the dealer. There is no prior warning when this issue suddenly occurs.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11315577

Incident: February 24, 2020 · Filed: March 2, 2020

MY WIFE KAREN WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK ON FEBRUARY 24, 2020 WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE-VIEW MIRROR DETACHED, HIT THE PAVEMENT AND SHATTERED. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT ABOUT 7:45 AM. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AT 140 STATESIR PLACE FOR 60 HOURS WITHOUT BEING USED AND THE MIRROR SHOWED NO SIGN OF DAMAGE PRIOR TO BEING DRIVER. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 800 FEET FROM OUR RESIDENCE AS SHE WAS TURNING FROM STATESIR PLACE ONTO PINE STREET NEARER TO THE CORNER .

Wheels

ODI #11185921

Incident: March 10, 2019 · Filed: March 11, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL STUDS FRACTURED FROM THE TIRE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SLID ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER AND THE FENDER WAS RIPPED OFF. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TAKEN TO DEMONDTROND VOLVO (VOLVO BUILDING, 14101 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77090, (281) 607-0382). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

Structure

ODI #11057458

Incident: December 29, 2017 · Filed: December 29, 2017

THE PASSENGER DOOR CONTINUES TO OPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE THE OPTION FOR DOORS TO LOCK WHEN CAR BEGINS TO MOVE. THE LOCK REMAINS "LOCKED" HOWEVER DOOR OPENS WITH INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DASHBOARD WARNING. I HAVE CONTACTED VOLVO TO NO END... I SEE A MULTITUDE OF DOOR OPENING ISSUES ON VOLVO FORUM SITES, AND MECHANIC STATES COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLVO.

Suspension

ODI #10904402

Incident: August 28, 2016 · Filed: September 7, 2016

DRIVERS SIDE REAR SUSPENSION LINK ARM FAILURE. VEHICLE TRAVELING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON EXPRESSWAY AT POSTED SPEED, 70MPH, ROAD CONDITIONS DRY AND CLEAR. NO IMPACTS OR SUDDEN MANEUVERS PRIOR TO FAILURE, I.E. CHUCK HOLE OR DEBRIS. NO TIRE OR WHEEL DAMAGE SUSTAINED PRIOR TO OR AFTER SUSPENSION FAILURE. NO IMPACT EVIDENCED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE.

Power Train

ODI #10845524

Incident: March 1, 2016 · Filed: March 8, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING TO A HIGH SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE TACHOMETER FLUCTUATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V317000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,800.

Tires

ODI #10526283

Incident: July 21, 2013 · Filed: July 23, 2013

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS 21 JUL 2013 - SUNDAY EVENING THE TIRE LOW PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE. I LOOKED AT ALL FOUR TIRES AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. 22 JUL 2013 - MONDAY AS SAFETY PRECAUTION I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD THE SENSOR CHECKED. THE VOLVO SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED; THEY CHECK THE PRESSURE IN ALL TIRES FOR LEAKS, PROPER INFLATION AND THE LIGHT WENT OUT. 23 JUL 2013 - TUESDAY MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. AGAIN; I LOOKED AT ALL FOUR TIRES AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. *TR

Other Volvo S80 model years

Check your 2012 Volvo S80 VIN

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