DecodedCars2005 Volvo S80
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan AWD, 4dr Sedan FWD /T6
- Engines
- 2.5L 5-cyl turbo, 2.9L 6-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 18 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 189.8 in
- Curb weight
- 3,470–3,536 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints8 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 28 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 18 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 Volvo S80 is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 5-cyl turbo and 2.9L 6-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 190 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,536 lb (4dr Sedan AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (18 city / 27 highway), 7% better than the 2005 midsize car average of 20.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,750 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan AWD | 189.8 in | 72 in | 57.1 in | 109.8 in | 62.2 / 61.4 in | 3,536 lb | 59/41 |
| 4dr Sedan FWD /T6 | 189.8 in | 72 in | 57.1 in | 109.8 in | 62.2 / 61.4 in | 3,470 lb | 59/41 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S80 FWD | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 22 | +7% | $3,750 | 404 |
| S80 AWD | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | -3% | $4,100 | 444 |
| S80 FWD | 2.9L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | -8% | $4,350 | 468 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Volvo S80 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Volvo S80 (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 BMW 5 Series | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Audi A4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2005 Audi A6 | 19 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2005 Lexus LS | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Lexus GS | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Sep 30, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V766000 · 259,383 vehicles
- Problem
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2006 S80 and 2001-2009 S60 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10125.
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) · Nov 8, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V566000 · 416 vehicles
- Problem
- VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
- Risk
- AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
- Fix
- VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Not every 2005 Volvo S80 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 Volvo S80 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 4 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Service Brakes — 2 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Engine — 2 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 118,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Volvo S80. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other S80 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 S80 | 29 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 6 |
| 2015 S80 | 29 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 7 |
| 2014 S80 | 23 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2013 S80 | 22 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 7 |
| 2012 S80 | 23 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 7 |
| 2011 S80 | 22 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 3 |
| 2010 S80 | 21 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 19 |
| 2009 S80 | 20 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 13 |
| 2008 S80 | 19 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 15 |
| 2007 S80 | 19 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 18 |
| 2006 S80 | 22 | 189.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 6 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volvo. How we calculate this →