Problem Reports
Volvo S80
Report: Transmission Will Not Shift Properly
Volvo S80 Problem
Model Years Affected: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008
Average Mileage: 108,732 mi (19,865 mi - 159,000 mi)
Many complaints have been reported regarding Volvo S80 transmission shifting issues. Long shift times between gear shifts, hard shifting, hard downshifting and a loss of transmission operation all together to name a few.
If the issue is minor, a transmission software update may address this issue so if available, the software should be updated before any repairs are made. After a software update or repair, the shift adaptation needs to be reset. A good quality Volvo repair shop will know how to perform this task.
There are several technical service bulletins (TSB's) available from Volvo that address these shifting issues and they should be consulted by the repair shop during the automatic transmission diagnostic process.
Regular servicing of the transmission fluid can help with preventing transmission failure, but not in all cases. Follow the suggested fluid replacement interval recommended by Volvo. You will find this in your owners manual, or find it here: http://bit.ly/Volvo_Owners_Manuals
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Visitor, 2001 Volvo S80, 122,000 mi
Transmission went out completely in Automatic mode. I could still shift manually. Bought a $10 OBD II diagnostic tool to read the codes - Solenoid B issue. I reset the codes and the problem went away. Best tool I ever bought! Saved myself a $4k transmission repair.
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Visitor, 2008 Volvo S80, 35,000 mi
when coming to a stop or slow rolling stop, the car is sluggish downshifting into first gear and often the car is not in forst or second gear when I step on e gas causing it to harshly downshift into first causing a "kick" before it goes. Also,I quite often fell a kick or bump when the car does downshift into first gear when stopping. It often is sluggish or eratic upshifting. So far the dealer has updated the software, but that did not fix the problems, and they tell me this is all normal and pretty much act like I'm crazy and there is nothing wrong with the car. Sorry, I've been driving automatic and stick shifts for 48 years...this is Not normal.
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Visitor, 2000 Volvo S80, 117,000 mi
Shifts fine under hard acceleration, putting around town, it doesn't like to stay in 3rd.
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zgates, 2005 Volvo S80, 120,000 miRookie
Long shift time between 2 and 3 and I get very hard shifting when trying to slow down
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Visitor, 2004 Volvo S80, 159,000 mi
Transmission death code (Transmission service urgent) went on. Upgraded software. came back 1 week later.
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Dreamweaver, 2002 Volvo S80, 147,000 miRookie
Have had transmission slipping issues for over a year. Seems to be more prevalent in hotter weather. Had it tested by a trans shop.. spent 180 bucks only to find out that "there's nothing wrong" with it, But I know there is. They pressure tested it and went through the computer codes... couldn't find anything wrong. without cracking it open, they said there's nothing they can do.
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gracec, 1999 Volvo S80, 32,000 miRookie
Gear shift will often get stuck in park and will not budge into other gears.
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Visitor, 2000 Volvo S80, 150,125 mi
Long shifting period from 2nd - 3rd gear and possibly up seems to shift if put some pedal to it otherwise this is just over past 2 wks - no solution yet - checking here for info - sounds like a hopeful software update/ trans fluid change ? any others with solutions please let me know
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malhotra, 2004 Volvo S80, 136,000 miRookie
initial pickup hard take lot of rpm
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Visitor, 1999 Volvo S80, 155,000 mi
I changed the fluid and the problem was deferred for about 2 weeks. Readdressed the issue with a transmission fix (Lucas) at about 170k. Now the problem seems to be returning. I will try the software update per this blog. Thank you all for the great input.
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