1999 Volvo S80

Summary:

A high price, seductive service nightmare!

Faults:

My throttle body went out at 60,000 miles.

The check engine light started appearing at 6,000 miles and still makes periodic appearances.

The ABS system is gone. It conked out at about 100 thousand miles. It is joined by the STC system. This leads to loud screeching sounds that leave the car shaking as if it's having some sort of automotive seizuer.

My transmission went out at 85 thousand miles.

The electrical door locks and automatic windows fail occasionally without warning.

The air conditioning system has an annual freon letting. I just have it recharged rather than get the expensive leak fixed.

General Comments:

I committed the car buyers cardinal sin... I feel in love with the model before I ever made it to the car lot. When I finally got there, it was like Volvo heaven, a paradise of Swedish wonders for the taking.

But that honeymoon quickly ended, as the list of service nightmares grew longer and longer.

I had always said I would never buy anything but a Volvo. Now I can honestly say I will never, ever, ever buy another Volvo. Like most folks, I can't afford a monthly car service bill that is larger than the car payment!

I'm now in a race against time to find a Toyota or Lexus before I suffer another major S-80 malfunction. At this point, I think a Saturn might be a great alternative!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th September, 2003

23rd Jun 2004, 08:12

This marriage started like many, great looking body, lots of oomf and a sophisticated, stylish sex-appeal. Couple that with a good family name and it looked like Paris Hilton and I were getting hitched.

My '99 Volvo S80 was the second sold in SE Michigan. What a joy to be with, cornering, handling, speed and a great sound system.

Then the honeymoon ended. I started out simple with the halogen headlights burning out after 2,000 miles (both burned out at the same time having to drive over 200 miles with the high-beams) then it got ugly:

Check Engine Light on and off - 6K (No problems detected - Software reload)

Rear Passenger Door Lock sticking - 7K

Front Passenger Door Electrical Failure - 10K

Moon Roof Rattle - 10K

Steering Column Tree Failure - 10K

Melted front turn-signal bezel (twice) - 7K & 10K

AM Radio Ground - 7K (repaired five times and still not working)

Rotary Information Switch Failure - 12K (Failed again at 35K)

Ball Joints Recalled - 12K

Lower Control Arm - 25K

Cooling Fan Replacement Recall - 25K

Check Engine Light on and off - 35K - Replaced O2 Sensor and ECM

ABS Light - 35K - Replace ABS ECM

Front End Rattle and Squeak - 40K - Replace Strut Bushings

Front End Rattle and Squeak - 60K - Replace all Front Suspension Bushings & Struts.

It now has 100K and is falling apart. I've put more than $6K into it and feel trapped at dealer prices for any electronics issues since Volvo won't release the software. I bought a Volvo for longevity and reliability (got neither). I never figured it to be a High Maintenance Wife. This marriage will end in a bitter divorce. Next time, I think I will pick a resident spouse and forget about looking to the European gold-diggers.

1999 Volvo S80 T6 T6 turbo

Summary:

A design winner, but a mechanical failure

Faults:

Transmission failure twice.

Front suspension/ball joints twice.

Front struts.

Transmission shift lock twice.

Air conditioning.

Keyless remote is weak.

Emission sensor daily.

Dashboard display electronics.

CD player.

Power steering.

Various "codes"

General Comments:

I have not seen a car in this class that can compare to the sharp looks and comfort features of this Volvo.

The engine is fast, handling is questionable because of "comfort" adjusted ride.

That said, the style and comfort will never overcome the substantial frustration with the mechanical failures that I have experienced almost on a daily basis.

Only slightly less frustrating is Volvo's (and the dealership's) lack of "ownership" of the problem. Regardless of the cars current odometer reading, each trip to the dealer's service department yields one of two responses:

"I'm afraid that's going to be very expensive to fix" or,

"There's no problem, we checked the error code, reprogrammed, and everything is fine now"

Until next week.

This is the best car in the world if all you ever do is stay parked.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd January, 2003

21st Apr 2003, 15:49

I have had my 1999 S 80 since May 2002. It is in the shop once again, this time to the tune of $1,200.00. To date, I have spent around $2,700.00 in repairs. The struts had to be replaced, ABS module went out ($850.00), approx. $400.00 repair something to do with the fuel line, now the head gasket and oxygen sensors in the catalytic convertor needs to be replaced. I had a 1996 S90 before buying this one. We never had a moments trouble out of it. When I get rid of this one, I will never own another Volvo, not the car it once was.

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