1999 Volvo S80 review from North America

While under warranty we had problems with the on board electronic system. This is the system that controls all of the idiot lights and monitoring. I continually got "check engine" lights/emission and other random lights. It was in the shop multiple time while under warranty. One time it was in the shop for 6 weeks and the dealer couldn't figure out what the problem was with the on-board electronics and replaced the unit. I picked it up and immediately had problems again. We've had multiple (and expensive) problems with the exhaust system, ball joints (2001), brakes (2004), fuel injection (2007). It went into "limp mode" in February of 2003. The dealer (Winter Volvo, Sacramento, CA) wanted us to replace the transmission (cost > $3500.) We asked to have the idiot light/limp mode reset and haven't had a transmission problem again (more than 4 1/2 years.) That leads me to believe it wasn't the transmission, but the electronics again. Now it won't pass smog in California because of the "check engine" light. After replacing the oxygen sensors the dealer doesn't know what the problem is, but it will cost us more than $1500 in diagnostics (after spending >$800 now) to diagnose the problem, never mind fixing the problem.

This is a terrible vehicle and Volvo's support is very disappointing. I belive Volvo should have some responsibility for not adequately servicing their vehicle while it was under warranty. But, Volvo doesn't care "for life". I went from being an extremely loyal Volvo customer to being an extremely disloyal former customer.