The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control leads by volume: 53 of 199 complaints (27%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 199
- Recall campaigns
- 5
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $3,850–$4,050
- Combined MPG
- 19–20
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | vs. 1999 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,850–4,050 | 4,050–4,300 | 3,850–4,050 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–20 | 18–19 | 19–20 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–17 / 25 | 16 / 23–24 | 17 / 24–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444–468 | 468–494 | 444–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 199 | 318 | 164 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 5 | 8 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 16 | 7 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 6 | 8 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 13 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1999 Volvo S80 have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1999 Volvo S80?
Driver Assistance & Speed Control: 53 of 199 NHTSA complaints (27%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Volvo S80 get?
EPA rates it 19–20 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 Volvo S80?
EPA estimates $3,850–$4,050 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 25 mpg | 19 mpg (low) | $4,050 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 17 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | 20 mpg (high) | $3,850 (low) | 444 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 38 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 29 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 35 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 13 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 53 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
- Defect
- CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
- Consequence
- LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy
- CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.
- Consequence
- THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SOME ELECTRIC COOLING FANS MAY OVERHEAT POTENTIALLY CAUSING HEAT DAMAGE AND, IN RARE INSTANCES, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
- Consequence
- A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
- Defect
- ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN ELECTRIC COOLING FANS COULD BE INADEQUATE IN A HOT CLIMATE. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED.
- Consequence
- SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN COMPONENTS COULD OVERHEAT AND CAUSE THE MELTING OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND ADJACENT COMPONENTS, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A FIRE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
- Defect
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OVER TIME, THE BALL JOINT BETWEEN THE FRONT WHEEL KING PIN AND THE SUSPENSION LINK ARM, CAN EXPERIENCE INCREASED LOOSENESS.
- Consequence
- THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT THE BALL JOINT'S DURABILITY AND PERFORMANCE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS.