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Volvo S80 ball joint problems

47 of the 954 owner complaints about the Volvo S80 describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 2000 model year.

owner complaints
47
worst model year
2000
typical repair cost reported
$1,000
typical mileage
70,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Sep 6, 2016 · Suspension · 157,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volvo s80. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost acceleration. The contact pulled the vehicle over in a parking lot and noticed that the front driver side axle was hanging. The contact stated that the same failure occurred two other times. The vehicle was repaired, but the control arm kept fracturing. The vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.

Filed Aug 18, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 101,000 miles · PA

Purchased a 2004 volvo s80 in "mint condition" from a used car dealership (good reputation).three (3) months later the transmission started the famous volvo "slip, slide, away".. It rides like a rock, I fell every crack, grain of sand in the road. I replaced the struts, coil springs, lower control arms and other suspensions parts but to no avail improved its condition. Every week or so I get the "stop safely coolant level low" warning on my dash...keep in mind the dealership had nothing to do with these issues since the conditions didn't appeared until 3 months/50000 miles after the purchase. Steering has some play and I'm continuously recovering the directional path slightly. Shortly after I purchased the vehicle I installed all new tires (michelins) purchased a lifetime wheel alignment, which was done during new tire install and recently re-checked. I do 90% of the work myself; I'm an engineer by trade with 40 years of mechanical skills/knowledge. Checked the recall database by VIN and various other sites and there was no recall on my vehicle. The volvo situation is extremely disheartening for such a well-known european car. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 24, 2015 · Suspension · 121,000 miles · CA

Based on the federal safety agency campaign 04v029000> the control arms are grinding as I drive the vehicle. There is a grinding noise coming from the front right passenger side. I have lost stabilization of the vehicle when in motion. This happens on city streets, highways and while turning. This is a problem that has LED to complainants and presents a danger while driving.

Filed May 3, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 80,435 miles · CA

We own a beautiful 2005 volvo s80 t6 top of the line (fully loaded, twin turbos,18" rims, metallic green paint & parking sensors) only 80,300 miles. It's a $46,000 car unfortunately it is not safe for the road and is a hazard to all. It cannot go over speed bumps without shaking everyone inside violently. When driving the car the transmission will slip and stutter at low speeds meaning we cannot merge into traffic! There is also coolant leaking everywhere and spilling to storm drains and sewers list of diagnosed problems: -transmission rebuild need (even after paid $150 for transmission software upgrade) -left side window comes up and goes down -check engine light comes and goes -water pump has leak -crankcase ventilation system is clogged. -car cannot hold alignment and veers off -control arms and bushings are bad car has been serviced at a small swede shop & volvo santa ana frequently and babied. It has new front struts, new belts, new brakes, new rear tires, new cabin filter, etc. Spent more than $2.5k in the last year already. Volvo corporate denied any assistance and said there were 800 fixes made in the model year 2004. Obviously the car is flawed.

Filed Nov 17, 2010 · Acceleration, Engine · 78,600 miles · TX

Tl*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.

Filed May 24, 2010 · Brakes, Suspension · 124,000 miles · WA

I was driving my 2000 volvo s80 on 5/19/10 and had exited I-405, onto hwy 169, heading home towards maple valley, when all of a sudden I heard a very loud bang, resulting in sudden steering loss, heard loud squealing, and saw lots of white smoke. The smoke was from the front passenger tire, which had turned outward, completely sideways at a 90 degree angle. The car is now in no condition to be driven. The wheel damaged the frame, warp/dented the quarter panel, broke off the molding, ripped out the cv drive or whatever that thing is that makes the wheel turn in a normal, forward direction, broke the lower control arm, messed up the brake line, struts, and who knows what else? I'm guessing that the repair costs are going to be towards the thousands, being that volvo parts are so expensive.

Filed Mar 15, 2010 · Suspension · 117,900 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 volvo s80. While driving 5mph traveling over a speed bump the left front tire suddenly separated from the lower ball joint damaging the front end of the vehicle .the volvo manufacturer had not been contacted at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 117,900.

Filed Feb 9, 2010 · Suspension · 117,000 miles · TN

I purchased a 2002 volvo s80 in march of 2009 and stated hearing a loud knocking sound coming from the front of the car & when I went & got it checked the mechanic said that I needed new struts so I got the struts fixed for a warping $600 but the problem has recurred 3 times since the repair,I have had it repair 2 times by the same shop but since they tried to charge me labor on the last visit I'm done,the mechanic also said that I needed front control arms which are also expensive.I checked online to see if maybe volvo had any recalls on this matter & they did on 1999,2000,2001 volvo s80 but not 2002 which is my vehicle. This has already been reported as a safety issue in volvo s80 99-2001 so im just wondering why haven't it reached the 2002 because I went to the complaints online & more people are complaining than myself. My steering wheel is off centered,my car shifts when I hit bumps in the road & my traction is not as good as it was when I 1st bought it. All I have to say is my front end is really screwed up & it's not my fault so can anyone do anything to help me out. Thanks a million!!!!

Filed Oct 16, 2009 · Suspension · 47,357 miles · MA

I own a 2002 volvo and have had constant problems with the front end. I dealer worked on the front end when it was under warranty. I just spent over $900 to replace inner tier rod ends and control arm bushings. I was told this is normal wear and tear and this car has 47,000 miles? The tie rods are a safety issue and my wife uses this car locally. I have owned many volvos and have never had front end problems with any car I have owned.

Filed Jan 28, 2009 · Suspension · CA

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.

Related recalls

Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball jointReported August 24, 2000 · 49,488 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Over time, the ball joint between the front wheel king pin and the suspension link arm, can experience increased looseness.
Risk
This condition could affect the ball joint's durability and performance.
Remedy
Dealers will replace both front ball joints.

Recall number 00V238000 · Recall details

Questions about the Volvo S80 ball joint

Which Volvo S80 years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2000 (19 complaints), 1999 (18 complaints) and 2004 (3 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix ball joint or control arm failure on the Volvo S80?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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