2010 Volvo S80: Problems & Reliability
AVOID2010 Volvo S80: AVOID — 27 owner complaints, 2.7× the S80 median year by raw count; top issue: visibility / wipers (5 complaints).
The Volvo S80 isn't scored by the verdict engine yet, so the 2010 is ranked on volume — owner complaints plus a quarter weight for service bulletins. It ranks 1st of 12 model years from 2005 to 2016, above the model median and among the three heaviest records.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2005–2016 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
27
NHTSA complaints
2.7×
vs. median S80 year
249
Service bulletins
5
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2010 Volvo S80 problems
Visibility / wipers leads a spread-out record, named in 19% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2010 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility / wipers | 5 | 19% |
| Structure | 4 | 15% |
| Air bags | 4 | 15% |
| Engine | 3 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 11% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2010 Volvo S80 recalls
5 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2010, reported between Sep 1, 2009 and Jun 30, 2020.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 20V378000 | Jun 30, 2020 | Seat belts › Front |
| 10V566000 | Nov 8, 2010 | Equipment › Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system) |
| 10V489000 | Oct 13, 2010 | Air bags › Frontal |
| 10V335000 | Jul 22, 2010 | Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems |
| 09V343000 | Sep 1, 2009 | Electrical system › Software |
2010 Volvo S80 service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 249 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2010 — close to the 250 of the median S80 year from 2005 to 2016. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (73), equipment adaptive/mobility (34), wheels (20). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2010 vs. the year before and after
From the 2009 to the 2010, owner complaints rose 69% (16 → 27) — a step backward. The 2011 that followed fell by more than half (27 → 5), so the 2011 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 S80 | — | 16 | 239 | 5 | — |
| 2010 (this page) | AVOID | 27 | 249 | 5 | — |
| 2011 S80 | — | 5 | 261 | 4 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Volvo S80 years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2010 Volvo S80
Visibility / wipers (5 complaints on the 2010): test the wipers at every speed, the washers, defrosters and the climate system.
Structure (4 complaints on the 2010): look under the car for rust or damage around the subframe and rockers, open every door and the liftgate, and check panel gaps for signs of repair.
Air bags (4 complaints on the 2010): confirm the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that every air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
Engine (3 complaints on the 2010): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Electrical system (3 complaints on the 2010): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Recalls: confirm all 5 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2010 Volvo S80 — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
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FAQ
Is the 2010 Volvo S80 reliable?
2010 Volvo S80: AVOID — 27 owner complaints, 2.7× the S80 median year by raw count; top issue: visibility / wipers (5 complaints). The Volvo S80 isn't scored by the verdict engine yet, so the 2010 is ranked on volume — owner complaints plus a quarter weight for service bulletins. It ranks 1st of 12 model years from 2005 to 2016, above the model median and among the three heaviest records.
What are the most common 2010 Volvo S80 problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2010 Volvo S80 are visibility / wipers (5, 19%), structure (4, 15%), air bags (4, 15%). The manufacturer has 249 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2010 Volvo S80 have?
5 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2010 Volvo S80, most recently 20V378000 (Jun 30, 2020, seat belts); 10V566000 (Nov 8, 2010, equipment); 10V489000 (Oct 13, 2010, air bags). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2010 Volvo S80 before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2010 Volvo S80 come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the model is ranked on complaint and bulletin volume until the verdict engine scores it. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.