Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 345 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Volvo S80, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 75 | 22% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 43 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 37 | 11% |
| Fuel system | 24 | 7% |
| Suspension | 17 | 5% |
| Power train | 14 | 4% |
| Steering | 13 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 10 | 3% |
| Air bags | 9 | 3% |
| Visibility | 9 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2000 Volvo S80. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle intermittently hesitated in responding while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the check engine war
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
SWAPPED BATTERY AT O'REILLY'S AUTO PARTS. ALL MANUFACTURER SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOLLOWED. AFTER SWAPPING OUT W/NEW BATTERY: CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE NOT WORKING- SRS AIRBAG 'SERVICE URGENT' ERRORS. VOLVO QUOTING $2500 TO REPLA
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I WANT TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A VERY SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT THAT MY MOTHER HAD ON 9-5-18. SHE WAS DRIVING HER 2000 VOLVO S80 WHEN HER CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. MY MOM HAD HER FO
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
VEHICLE HAS THE SMELL OF FUEL. THE 2001-2005 MODELS HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS SAME ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE PLASTIC ON THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE CRACKING. MANY OWNERS OF THE 2000 MODELS ARE REPORTING THIS ISSUE. THE FUEL PUMP IS THE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR LIGHTS AND ALL THE ELECTRONIC STOP WORKING AND TURN OFF
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR NEAR THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR DRASTICALLY DECREASED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING ON T
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
MY DRIVER SEAT BELT JUST LOCKED UP AND I AM UNABLE TO GET IT TO RELEASE. ALL OF THE HOUSING INSIDE CAR APPEARS TO BE CRACKING. I HAVE HAD THE TWO FRONT WINDOWS REPAIRED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. AND NOW I CAN'T EVEN LET MY FR
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WITHIN THE PAST FEW DAYS, I'VE GOTTEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FOUL SMELL OF GASOLINE LINGERING ON MY VEHICLE. SURE ENOUGH, I TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC AND THE FUEL PUMP IS VISIBLY MOIST ON THE EXTERIOR FROM AN OBVIOUS FUEL
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2000 Volvo S80. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Risk: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
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 N
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.
Risk: THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
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 FAI
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OVER TIME, THE BALL JOINT BETWEEN THE FRONT WHEEL KING PIN AND THE SUSPENSION LINK ARM, CAN EXPERIENCE INCREASED LOOSENESS.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT THE BALL JOINT'S DURABILITY AND PERFORMANCE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS.
| Reliability raw | 62 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 53 | average |
| Efficiency | 34 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 345 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 75 of them (22%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 62/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 61/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.