Reliable Auto DB

2012 Volvo S80 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2012 Volvo S80 has 8 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 0 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most S80 years here — under the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Front, Transmission control module, and Wiring.

2012 Volvo S80
Photo by M 93, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Complaints

8

Per year

0

Recalls

3

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (1 of 8), then Powertrain (1) and Seats (1). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 S80 has 8 complaints, 1 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Volvo S80. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (3)

Recall seat belts, front 2020-06-30 · NHTSA campaign 20V378000
Summary Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
Remedy Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, transmission control module 2012-07-06 · NHTSA campaign 12V317000
Summary VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2013 S80 VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE ERROR MAY PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM DOWNSHIFTING SUCH AS SHIFTING FROM FIFTH TO FOURTH GEAR WHEN COASTING.
Remedy VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
Recall electrical system, wiring 2012-02-28 · NHTSA campaign 12V075000
Summary VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. IN THESE VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED PROPERLY TO THE SEAT FRAME. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED TO ADJUST THE SEATING POSITION, THE WIRE HARNESS MAY GET PULLED, CAUSING IT TO DISCONNECT.
Remedy VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, SECURE THE SEAT WIRE HARNESS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

Complaints by component (8 total)

Air bags
1
Powertrain
1
Seats
1
Speed control
1
Steering
1
Structure
1
Suspension
1
Tires
1
Wheels
1
Show 1 more Show less
Crash-flagged

1

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

120132201612017120191202022024
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "See attached document for complaint."
    Air bags, Speed control, Seats · filed 2024-12-18
  • "A batch of metal used for the steering wheel trim prematurely wears down at the base of the steering wheel in 2 locations out of sight with normal use and becomes razor sharp. When turning the wheel, the spinning razor…"
    Steering, Unknown or other · filed 2024-03-25
  • "MY WIFE KAREN WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK ON FEBRUARY 24, 2020 WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE-VIEW MIRROR DETACHED, HIT THE PAVEMENT AND SHATTERED. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT ABOUT 7:45 AM. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AT…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2020-03-02
  • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL STUDS FRACTURED FROM THE TIRE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SLID ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER AND THE FENDER WAS RIPPED OFF. THERE WAS…"
    Wheels · filed 2019-03-11
  • "THE PASSENGER DOOR CONTINUES TO OPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE THE OPTION FOR DOORS TO LOCK WHEN CAR BEGINS TO MOVE. THE LOCK REMAINS "LOCKED" HOWEVER DOOR OPENS WITH INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DASHBOARD WARNING. I HAVE…"
    Structure · filed 2017-12-29

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 Volvo S80 4 DR AWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2012 Volvo S80 4 DR FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
S80 all-wheel drive 3L, 6-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 18 26 21 MPG $3100
S80 front-wheel drive 3.2L, 6-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 20 28 23 MPG $2800

Specs and fitment

Second generation (final years), 2012–2016
Body styles Sedan
Oil 0W-30 or 5W-30 (engine-dependent) , 7.2 qt capacity
Tire size 225/50R17, 245/40R18 (trim-dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V-378 covers certain 2007-2016 S80 vehicles (shared with V70/XC70 and other Volvo models): the front seat-belt anchor cable can fail; dealers replace the cable for both front seats. Recall 12V-075 covers certain 2012 S80 built May–October 2011 where the under-seat wire harness may not be secured, risking improper air-bag or belt function. Recall 13V-377 covers certain 2014 S80 with keyless ignition where CEM software can affect headlamps or turn signals; dealers upgrade CEM software.

Compare

Next year 2013 Volvo S80 See every Volvo S80 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Volvo S80 reliable?

The 2012 Volvo S80 has 8 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 0 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most S80 years here — under the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Front, Transmission control module, and Wiring.

What are common problems with a 2012 Volvo S80?

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (1 of 8), then Powertrain (1) and Seats (1). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2012 Volvo S80 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 S80 has 8 complaints, 1 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Volvo S80 been recalled?

The 2012 Volvo S80 has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Volvo S80?

Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2012 Volvo S80 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Volvo S80 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Volvo S80 is 22 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a US Volvo S80 use?

0W-30 or 5W-30 (engine-dependent) With filter, about 7.2 qt is commonly listed for this generation—confirm in the owner manual.

What tire sizes fit a US Volvo S80?

Published US specs commonly list front 225/50R17, 245/40R18 (trim-dependent) and rear 225/50R17, 245/40R18 (trim-dependent); confirm on the door jamb placard for your trim.

What NHTSA recalls affect the US Volvo S80?

Recall 20V-378 covers certain 2007-2016 S80 vehicles (shared with V70/XC70 and other Volvo models): the front seat-belt anchor cable can fail; dealers replace the cable for both front seats. Recall 12V-075 covers certain 2012 S80 built May–October 2011 where the under-seat wire harness may not be secured, risking improper air-bag or belt function. Recall 13V-377 covers certain 2014 S80 with keyless ignition where CEM software can affect headlamps or turn signals; dealers upgrade CEM software.