Is the 2011 Volvo S80 reliable?

The 2011 Volvo S80 has 8 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Volvo S80?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (2 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (2 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (2 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Volvo S80?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): SEAT BELTS:FRONT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Contact any Volvo dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Volvo S80?

The 2011 Volvo S80 gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Volvo S80?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Volvo S80 is approximately $1,821/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Volvo S80

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Volvo S80 has 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 11. The most common issue is air bags problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2011 volvo s80. the contact was sitting at a complete stop when a preceding vehicle reversed and abruptly crashed into the front end of the contact's vehicle. the air bags failed to deploy. the driver sustained severe injuries to the right arm, shoulder and neck. in addition,. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 2 crash reports 4 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 5)

AIR BAGS

2 complaints

25%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN A PRECEDING VEHICLE REVERSED AND ABRUPTLY CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE RIGHT ARM, SHOULDER AND NECK. IN ADDITION,
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN A PRECEDING VEHICLE REVERSED AND ABRUPTLY CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE RIGHT ARM, SHOULDER AND NECK. IN ADDITION,

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN A PRECEDING VEHICLE REVERSED AND ABRUPTLY CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE RIGHT ARM, SHOULDER AND NECK. IN ADDITION,”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (4)

SEAT BELTS:FRONT30/06/2020

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.

Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Volvo S80

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Volvo S80

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,821

Full coverage / month

$152

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+9%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1821

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Volvo S80 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

T5/T6/T8 all use 4-cylinder engines. T8 plug-in hybrids: battery cooling system serviced with engine coolant.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Volvo New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Volvo. If you're buying a used 2011 S80, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Volvo dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 8 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN A PRECEDING VEHICLE REVERSED AND ABRUPTLY CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE RIGHT ARM, SHOULDER AND NECK. IN ADDITION,
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35 TO 40 MILES PER HOUR FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. THERE WAS NO ENGINE NOR TEMPERATURE INDICATOR LIT UP ON THE DASH. ASSUMING IT WAS FROM A PASSING VEHICLE, I CONTINUED TO DRIVE FOR 1 TO 2 MINUTES. THEN LOOKING IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: DRIVER SEAT BELTS HAS FAULTY HOOKS. SEAT BELT POPPED OPEN WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO QUICK BRAKE TO AVOID BEING HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. THE SUDDEN STOP CAUSED MY SEAT TO SHIFT POSITION. I TRIED TO MOVE SEAT BACK INTO POSITION IT DID MOVE. THE SEAT WAS PERMANENTLY LOCKED IN THE POSITION WHICH RENDERED M
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Volvo dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)