2001 Volvo S80 2.9L I6

Summary:

Not worth it

Faults:

Between 22,000 miles and 50,000 miles while the warranty was still in effect, many parts had to be replaced, too many to count. Big things though that just are mind boggling for such low miles though, were that struts in the suspension were replaced multiple times, and same with bushings and some bearings. Also light bulbs go out on a monthly basis, and the same with fuses.

Now between 96,000 and 104,000 is that the brakes make this hissing sound that no mechanic has been able to figure out, at 99,000 it needed a new transmission, also it has a low oil pressure problem that also can't be figured out. Also EVERYTHING rattles.

General Comments:

This car is very comfortable, and it handles like no other, but it is just unreliable. It's also not a fast car by any means, I could lose a drag race to a bus.

For how much it cost in the beginning to how much it costs to keep it going, it's just not worth it, no matter what the safety or comfort, I could go and buy a Benz which will run me forever that's just as safe and almost as comfortable. A friend of mine has 2 Mercedes, both high miles and of older years than my Volvo, and they run like new, and all it was is regular maintenance, can't say that of my Volvo. They also just drive unbelievable, and I would rather have them than my Volvo, even though it drives almost as well.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st July, 2009

9th Sep 2009, 18:34

Your car must be my car's "twin". I have had basically the same identical problems with my 2001 S80 Volvo, all around the same mileages as you stated for the various problems, and then some like the alternator, volt reg, and battery needing to be replaced too.

My check engine light would come on and off, primarily in the summer months. I'd bring in to our local Volvo dealership. They would hook it up to their machine and find "nothing wrong", but still charge me $125 each time.

My transmission urgent service message came on at 116K. The Volvo service person said it would be around $5k for parts ($2900) and labor to replace. I asked him how urgent to replace the tranny, he said maybe 1-9 months depending... I'm at 121K (5 months) and it's slippin' bad.

Unlike you, I will not get the work done, and plan to just donate my car to the local auto mechanic vocational school in our area. Then, I plan to purchase a Honda, the car brand I drove before purchasing this Volvo.

In reply to 9th Sep 2009, 18:34

26th Dec 2012, 17:14

I'm looking to buy a 2000 Volvo with 210,000 thousand miles. The guy told me it was highway miles with the S80 T6 Turbo, but I'm kinda afraid to buy this car from all the problems I've heard on here about them...

2001 Volvo S80 T6 Twin turbo

Summary:

Headache

Faults:

The throttle stopped working in traffic at 62,000 miles, replaced by dealership under software recall. Twice the car stalled out at traffic lights, twice the keys stopped working, had to have car towed to dealer and a new piece to the ignition put in, and the keys had to be reprogrammed, all while still under warranty. Engine and warning light problems.

General Comments:

The S80 is my third Volvo, I previously owned a 94 850, and then a 97 850. This car is nice looking and fun to drive when it is working. I always thought Volvo were reliable and could run until over 200,000 miles, but I'm not sure about this car. Never had any problems with my 850s which had over 200,000 miles on them.

This car has only 62,000 miles and the throttle died, engine problems, and other annoyances. I have had to bring it back to the dealership 4 times since I purchased it in June of 2007. I had my other 850s for a few years and never had to bring it to the dealer. I don't know why, but the new Volvos are not as reliable as the older ones. I think this is because Ford is involved with Volvo now, and since Ford makes crappy cars, they are now ruining Volvo's. I am not sure if I would buy another Volvo, I am already thinking about trading this one in.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 20th November, 2007

22nd Nov 2007, 03:17

Before you give up with Volvo, try the S60. As far as I can tell the S80's smaller brother is much better behaved and reminds me more of the 850 in character and driveability - exceptionally solid and comfortable in the way that only Volvo has mastered. Reliability is good too! A very good car.

23rd Nov 2007, 03:57

I agree. Early s80's had it's problems, but newer (2003 and on) were a lot better. S60 is a completely different story, car is great. I have 2001 V70 T5 and I had no problems whatsoever. I have 215.000 kilometers on the Odo.

31st Mar 2009, 21:30

Hey, I wrote this review last year.

I no longer have the 2001 S80. I was in an bad accident in it in December of 2008. I was not hurt, but the car was totaled. The longer I owned the car, the more I loved it, and after the first few things that were wrong with it, nothing else mechanical went wrong.

I loved that car, and it did save my life because Volvos are very safe. The airbags deployed and the crumple zones of the car worked; all the damage was kept to the outside of the car, the inside was fine.

After the accident I did buy another Volvo, but this time I bought a 2003 Volvo S60, and I love this car too. It is a little smaller than an S80, but gets better gas mileage, and still has a lot of room in it, and it still is just as safe and has all the airbags.

I will only buy Volvo's from now on, because they are very safe, and they saved my life and save millions of others, because of their safety.