NHTSA — Suspension: Front Problems

3.6

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,060 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Volvo S80 suspension problems

suspension problem

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1999 Volvo S80 Owner Comments

problem #10

Nov 012010

S80

  • 78,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1999 Volvo S80. While accelerating from a stop, the contact felt a thump from the driver side wheel. The failure occurred whenever she accelerated from a stop or decelerated. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the insulation surrounding the wires in the engine compartment were degraded. The vehicle also displayed difficulty when shifting into fourth gear. While driving approximately 70 mph, the contact could not shift out of third gear after attempting to accelerate from 40 mph. The failure occurred intermittently and the check engine light began to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in recalls 00V238000 (suspension: Front: Control arm: Upper ball joint), 02V096000 (engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Fan), and 06V441000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,600 and the current mileage was approximately 79,100.

- Boerne, TX, USA

problem #9

Dec 072008

S80

  • miles
Axle failed after doing a U turn at 5mph. Control arm bushings keep breaking and need to be epoxied often by mechanic. Coolant leak problems as well as transmission fluid leaks.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #8

Dec 012006

S80

  • 65,000 miles
I've replaced the struts and strut mounts twice; original owner replaced them once.... sway bar replaced last year and whole front end has been re-built.... now I have steering problems.. replaced U-joint and rack....

- Melrose, MA, USA

problem #7

Jan 032007

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This car has several recurring problems that I have never seen on any car before. 1) electronic throttle has been replaced 2 times as well as oxygen sensors. 2) suspension parts replaced 3 times, ball joints, struts, strut mounts, frame bushings. The car still squeaks.

- Waukee, IA, USA

problem #6

Jan 102006

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles
Transmission problems causing dangerous driving conditions. The transmission slips when going between 2nd and 3rd. Also had issues with the engine going to 700 rpms when going 65 mph. This is just one of the many problems. The solenoid went out in the transmission about 13000 miles ago. Currently I have three different error codes "transmission service urgent", low oil pressure stop engine asap", and "emission service required". I have read many other people have the same problems I have had.

- Odenton , MD, USA

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problem #5

Mar 132006

S80 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
1999 Volvo S80 T6 3/08/06 replaced transmission ( 75,000 miles) ( $4,800) 08/05 replace radiator 08/05 replaced ETM 04 - replaced front suspension / sway bars / struts/ etc.. Volvo under engineered the front end of this car and if you go to web blogs it is in almost every 1999 - 2000 S-80 vehicle... its disgusting that this car is allowed to continue or Ford/ Volvo isn't held liable...

- Seattle , WA, USA

problem #4

Jan 242005

S80

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While turning in either direction the front tires rubbed the undercarriage of the vehicle. The cause has not been determined. Please provide additional information.

- Simsbury, CT, USA

problem #3

Jul 182000

S80

  • miles
There was a noise in the front side left which turned out to be something related to the sub-frame. However there is still a rattle in the front end which I have been told that all the cars have. However the S70 loaner cars they provide do not have it. The radio am problem is fustrating, and this new problem with the door locks just adds iceing to the cake. I have been told the part for the radio is not available, so they will try and make it work somehow. I am just waitng for the next problem. This is my first and last Volvo.

- Smithtown, NY, USA

problem #2

Oct 131999

S80

  • miles
In October 1999, I began noticing a clunking noise eminating from beneath the driver's-side footwell, when the vehicle is placed in reverse, occasionally when accelerating, braking and when the vehicle is driven over rougher road surfaces. The clunking noise is also heard when approaching an incline and cresting a hill as well. I reported this clunking noise problem to ramsey Volvo (selling/servicing dealer) on 10/13/1999. The dealer replaced the left-rear subframe mount and secured it using jb weld, per Volvo service bulletin. Almost immediately after the repair, the clunking noise returned. On 10/18/1999, ramsey Volvo again replaced the left-rear subframe bushing, this time using a different adhesive, as recommended by Volvo cars of North America. The dealer also replaced a defective sway bar end link. The clunking noise returned a week later. On 10/26/1999, I alerted Volvo cars of North America of this recurring problem and requested that they assist in the the repair of this vehicle. My request for assistance went unanswered for several months. On February 3, 2000 Volvo cars of North America recommended I again bring my vehicle to ramsey Volvo for repair of the clunking noise. I brought the vehicle in on March 16, 2000, the dealer claims that the clunking noise heard when placing the vehicle in reverse, was caused by the front brake calipers and is considered to be "normal" and did not any other clunking noises while driving the vehicle. I again contacted Volvo cars and requested the vehicle repaired or replaced if the noise problem cannot be eliminated. On March 30, 2000, the vehicle was road-tested by the Volvo cars of North America factory representative. Volvo cars of North America concluded that the clunking noise heard when placing the vehicle in reverse was a normal characteristic of the S80. However, the Volvo represetative claims he did not hear any clunking noise from the front-end of the vehicle when driving. This conclusion is false.

- Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA

problem #1

Dec 211999

S80

  • miles
This model Volvo has a well documented subframe bushing problem. The front subframe bushings were replaced at nils sefeldt Volvo in dallas. The mechanic that replaced these bushings cut the subframe. Bushings were installed, the car was badly out of alignment, was realigned at autobahn Volvo in fort worth - a few weeks later - the vehicle was back at autobahn Volvo for maintenance and brake noise problems when it was discovered that the subframe was cut by the mechanic at nils sefeldt - Volvo ordered the subframe replaced. At the very least any other S80 that underwent a subframe bushing replacement at nils sefeldt, especially by the mechanic that "repaired" mine - should be investigated. The steering was "squirrelly" and I sustained very minimal property damage when contact was made with a minivan in a highway driving incident prior to the replacement of the subframe. In addition, on about a dozen occasions, when I'm turning the car off, the message "SRS airbag service urgent" appears in the message display. The message does not store and the computer does not retain it. Neither nils sefeldt or autobahn have been able to duplicate the problem or correct it. I'm concerned that the airbag system - very complex on this particular car - front, side and side curtains may deploy. I have requested assistance from Volvo to replace the vehicle, not engage in a buyback at this time, but Volvo refuses to consider that as an option. It took 16 months to correct a nuisance problem with the brakes as well.

- Arlington, TX, USA

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