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2016 Volvo S80 Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 2026
Ethan Miller
2016 Volvo S80 Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2016 Volvo S80 has 7 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve engine and unknown or other.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

7.7/ 10

Based on 7 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ENGINE

3 42.9%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 14.3%

WHEELS

1 14.3%

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 14.3%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 14.3%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ENGINE, accounting for 42.9% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 5 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2016 Volvo S80

The 2016 Volvo S80 has 7 owner complaints in this dataset. ENGINE is the most common complaint category, representing about 43% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2016 Volvo S80 are ENGINE (3), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1), WHEELS (1).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 5 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2016 Volvo S80?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2015 S80 complaints2014 S80 complaints2013 S80 complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 5 of 5 systems

ENGINE

3 Reports43% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

A warning light came on stating that the oil pressure was low and that the car needed to immediately be stopped. No previous warning lights have ever come on in this vehicle. It was towed to Kenny Jones auto and they stated that there was half a quart of oil in the engine. *This car has an electronic oil gauge (no manual "dip stick") which had failed. It indicated there was an appropriate amount of oil in the engine when there was almost nothing. This could have resulted in engine failure or a fire. According to the auto shop, this is common. It cost $600 to fix.

8/5/2022

The contact called on behalf of his wife who owns a 2016 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the engine auto Start/Stop function was not operating as needed and the vehicle had a delay to start automatically upon releasing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown repair was completed; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds and driving over a pothole, the check engine warning light would illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the ignition coil of cylinder #1 had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

2/8/2023

1 more complaint is available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 Report14% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

WHILE DRIVING ALONE IN THE RAIN FROM SPOTSYLVANIA, VA TO CLEMSON, SC TO ATTEND MY DAUGHTER'S NURSING WHITE COAT CEREMONY, OUR 2016 S80 SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED ON I-85 SOUTH NEAR KANNAPOLIS, NC FOR NO REASON. THE TIME OF INCIDENT WAS AROUND 11:15AM. IT HAD BEEN RAINING AND TRAFFIC WAS STOP AND GO ON I-85 WITH SPEEDS ABOUT 30-35MPH WHEN THE SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED, SENDING PIECES OF THE SHATTERED GLASS FLYING OFF BEHIND MY CAR WITH SMALLER SHARDS OF GLASS COMING DOWN THROUGH THE INSIDE SUNROOF RETRACTABLE VENT WITH DROPS OF RAIN. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO THE FAR RIGHT LANE TO GET OFF HWY TO ACCESS THE DAMAGE AND FIND SOME COVER AS IT WAS RAINING AND COMING INSIDE SUNROOF. I HAD NO IDEA WHERE I WAS OR WHAT STATE I WAS IN UNTIL I PULLED OFF THE EXIT AND IMMEDIATELY FOUND A SHELL GAS STATION WHICH ALSO HAD AMPLE ROOF COVER. I GOT OUT AND SAW THAT MORE THAN HALF OF OUR SUNROOF WAS MISSING AND THERE WERE TINY PIECES OF GLASS LAYING ON TOP OF THE INSIDE PART OF SUNROOF AND ALONG THE BACK PART OF THE ROOF AND TRUNK. I CALLED OUR AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY, USAA, AND THEY TOOK CAR OF THE REST.

2/27/2019

WHEELS

1 Report14% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I have now had to replace 4 cracked rims on my S80. (First 1/9/1991, Second 2/18/21, Third 4/28/21 and Fourth 8/19/21). Prat number 30758060-5 Aluminium Rim S 71. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? As the air leak out of the tire the car became unsafe to drive. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes Volvo Mitchell Auto Group. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes Volvo Mitchell Auto Group. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problemprior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes the tire light come on. This is the fourth Volvo I have owned and I have never cracked rim on them or any other car I have owned

8/20/2021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 Report14% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2016 Volvo S80. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over safely to the side of the roadway and restarted the vehicle. The contact also stated whenever the fuel tank was below half tank, the vehicle would stall inadvertently. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed to drive the vehicle until the failure recurred and take the vehicle back to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the fuel sensor was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

6/29/2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 Report14% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact called on behalf of his wife who owns a 2016 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the engine auto Start/Stop function was not operating as needed and the vehicle had a delay to start automatically upon releasing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown repair was completed; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds and driving over a pothole, the check engine warning light would illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the ignition coil of cylinder #1 had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

2/8/2023

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2016 Volvo S80?

The most reported complaint category for the 2016 Volvo S80 is ENGINE, with 3 owner reports. That is about 43% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, WHEELS.

Are complaints about the 2016 Volvo S80 a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 5 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2016 Volvo S80?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2016 Volvo S80 severe?

5 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Volvo S80: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
7
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

Start here

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