9th Jul 2003, 12:09

Own a 2000 Volvo S-80 that has been having mechanical problems since the 3rd month. Front lights replaced twice, brakes replaced twice, rear lights replaced twice, at 69K just am told that the transmission needs replacing along with the fan, moon-roof rattles, engine makes strange noise that Volvo technicians 'cannot hear', car was dead twice and had to be towed due to battery/alternator failure. Volvo's own employee advised me to 'get rid of it' and 'real fast'. Seems these are similar problems being experienced by all 2K S-80 owners.

13th Aug 2003, 08:17

I have a 2000 S-80. It does seem to ride well on the highway, but I have have the steering worked on at 30M, the ball joints replaced (99 recall) and now the front end still rattles. The moon roof has always rattled. There is no AM radio reception-which I understand can be fixed, but you had better be under warranty because it is expensive. Sometimes at low acceleration I also hear a strange engine noise. I am now just out of warranty, but I am afraid I am going to trade this car - and probably not for another Volvo.

12th Nov 2003, 22:30

In 7/2003 I bought NEW a 2002.5 S80 T6. Starting at 5,530 miles the car began "falling apart": Electrical problems, followed by several on-going mechanical failures, due to arrogant and unskilled dealership technicians. I had to tell them about the ID923 firmware upgrade to the GM 4 speed tranny. they claimed to know nothing about it.

When the car works, it's a pleasure to drive, but frankly this "pleasurable" experience is getting less and less possible. So today, after my wipers linkage has failed (again) and the battery has discharged (3rd time replaced) etc... I have decided to rid myself of this nightmare and by a "pre-owned" Lexus LS400.

-David.

11th Dec 2003, 06:12

My wife and I purchased a 2000 S-80 new and found it to be the best car we ever drove. We used it extensively for close to four years without any problems.

Unfortunately, in September 2003, the power steering began leaking. I took it to the local dealer who kept the car two weeks "waiting for a steering rack". He returned the car to me and said he would call when "the part" came in. Subsequently, I learned that the part was re-engineered and the old version of the steering rack is on "worldwide" backorder. It is now December and no one can tell me if this part is even being manufactured.

I had Volvo's for years and credit the car with avoiding serious injury to my son. But, Volvo and Ford are seriously remiss in not providing for a technical problem which is their fault. I have resigned myself to paying thousands of dollars to get my car fixed. Let Volvo do its part and get the part to my dealer.

22nd Dec 2003, 08:47

I just purchased (11/04) a lease return 2000 Volvo S-80 (non-turbo) with 25,000 miles. So far - my experiences have been positive. On the advice of my Volvo mechanic, I purchased an extended warranty from the dealer. It seems that not that much goes wrong, but when it does you better have deep pockets or a good warranty (which the Internet says is consistent with other "luxury" cars bought used). He mentioned that a transmission change out takes 22 hours of labor which I assume means it isn't cheap. By the way, this mechanic, Volpar in Santa Clara, CA., seems to be known for stocking a huge supply of Volvo parts so he might be a source of a steering rack another writer said is hard to get.

16th Mar 2004, 12:34

When we were expecting our daughter, we bought a 2000 S80 T6 because of the good safety reputation of Volvo. Aside from noticeable hesitation when acceleration is asked for from rest, it's been a joy to drive and ride in, and we feel very safe in it. However, mechanically, it has been a nightmare.

So far, we've replaced ball joints, tie rods, a cooling fan, the computer (which wasn't actually necessary, it turns out -- the dealer misdiagnosed a bad connector), and now, the transmission. The heater is flaky sometimes. It eats headlights and brake lights, enough so that I usually keep some in the car. As others have noticed, you practically have to prod the car with the key to get the wireless entry to work.

The latest, though, the transmission, is the icing on the cake. Granted, the car has 93K miles on it--but still, the entire transmission, at $3500? We plan to complain to Volvo, but if what others have said here is accurate, that won't do any good. We considered just selling the thing and getting another car, and we may just do that yet. I'm sorry that Volvo isn't apparently the company it used to be.

28th May 2004, 12:46

I bought the 2000 s80 new & generally have been satisfied with the car. However, it seems within the past 90 days, everything seems to be going:

• Replaced the sway bar links to eliminate the rattle in the front end – didn not work

• Replaced the struts to eliminate the rattle in the front end – worked!

• I have accepted the AM reception is inferior – but when I plug in my cell phone to recharge, the reception is not audible.

• The car just started overheating when the a/c is on – they tell me the symptom is replacing the entire cooling fan unit – but it’s just the control module..

It’s upsetting to me to see many similar issues with previous writers above.

28th May 2004, 17:24

Well thank goodness I left the dealer when I did. I was so ready to sign the papers on a gorgeous 2000 S80 T6. Only 49,000 miles on it and man did it fit me perfectly. Still feeling heart broken. I could see myself in that car for the next eight years. Don't think I have ever wanted a car more. UGH! Felt a little rushed about the whole deal, but didn't care. I forced myself to step back and run an errand. Instead I went back to the office, got on-line and searched Google for comments on this vehicle. Thank you everyone for sharing your scary stories. I cannot afford to be without a vehicle for 3 weeks nor can I afford to dig that far into my schedule or pockets.

16th Aug 2004, 07:40

Thanks everybody for your comments. I just sold my 1995 Citroen XM (lovely drive, but every 6 WEEKS visiting the garage) and searching for reliable family car. Volvo s80 t6 was the car of choice, but - thanks to you if just fell off radar.

Regards

Alex

Warsaw, Poland.

28th Oct 2004, 00:13

I bought a new 2001 Volvo S80 T6 and love the car dispite numerous electrical problems, a transmission shudder in first that we tried for months to have repaired on the 100k warranty. I'm now at 115,500 miles, buying my fifth set of tires, still no AM radio, transmission shudders in all gears. I'm changing repair facilities from the dealership and hope I've found a decent shop-but when it's running, it's a great, very competent highway car.