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2013 VOLVO S80

3.0L Turbo I6•AWD•AUTOMATIC•gas•turbo
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5-Year Cost of Ownership
$21,307 maintenance + known platform issues
~$4,261/yr · 360¢/mile equivalent · $7,956 maintenance + $10,751 expected platform issues
Compare this engine
vs
2.0L I4 Turbo
vs
3.2L I6
Common Problems & Known Issues

The 2013 S80 is a comfortable luxury sedan undermined by critical powertrain weaknesses, particularly the 3.0L turbo I6 which suffers catastrophic internal engine failures and transmission cooling issues that can total the car if ignored.

3.0L Turbo I6 Catastrophic Engine Failure (Piston/Ring/Bearing Destruction)

Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: excessive oil consumption (1+ quart per 1,000 miles), metallic knocking or rattling from engine, misfires and rough idle, blue smoke from exhaust on startup, sudden loss of compression
Fix: Piston ring land failures lead to piston skirt collapse, scoring cylinder walls and contaminating oil with aluminum debris that destroys rod and main bearings. Requires complete engine rebuild or replacement. 18-28 hours labor depending on swap vs. rebuild.
Estimated cost: $8,000-14,000

Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure and Cooler Clogging

Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission slipping or delayed engagement, erratic shifting patterns, transmission overheating warning, coolant in transmission fluid or vice versa (strawberry milkshake fluid), leaking coolant under vehicle
Fix: Internal cooler in radiator fails, allowing coolant and ATF to mix, destroying transmission. External lines also corrode and leak. Must replace cooler, flush both systems, often requires transmission rebuild if contamination occurred. 6-12 hours labor for cooler/lines, add 16-22 hours if trans damaged.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,500 (cooler only), $4,500-7,000 (with trans rebuild)

Transmission Control Module (TCM) Failure

Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission stuck in one gear (limp mode), no shifting at all, harsh or erratic shift points, check engine light with transmission codes, vehicle won't move despite engine running
Fix: TCM fails internally, often heat-related. Module is integrated into valve body on some variants. Requires TCM replacement and adaptation programming. Subject to NHTSA recall for some VINs—check first. 3-5 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200

Transmission Mount Collapse

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking when shifting from park to drive/reverse, excessive vibration at idle, lurching sensation during acceleration, visible engine/trans movement from engine bay
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount fails, allowing excessive drivetrain movement. Accelerates wear on CV axles and shifter cables. Replace mount and inspect torque rod bushings. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $400-700

PCV System and Oil Trap Clogging (Both Engines)

Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: rough idle, high oil consumption, oil leaks from valve cover or rear main seal, whistling or hissing from engine, check engine light with intake leak codes
Fix: Oil separator/trap clogs, creating crankcase pressure that blows out gaskets and seals. More critical on turbo engine. Replace PCV components, oil trap, and any damaged gaskets. 4-6 hours labor depending on access.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Front Lower Control Arm Bushings and Ball Joints

Common · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking over bumps, wandering steering, uneven tire wear, steering wheel vibration, creaking during turning
Fix: Volvo control arms use pressed bushings that deteriorate. Ball joints wear simultaneously. Replace complete control arms (bushings not serviceable separately on most). 3-4 hours labor both sides.
Estimated cost: $900-1,500
Owner tips
  • Change transmission fluid every 40,000 miles religiously—this transmission cannot tolerate extended intervals
  • Monitor oil level weekly on the 3.0T; if consumption exceeds 1 quart per 1,500 miles, budget for engine replacement immediately
  • Inspect transmission cooler lines and radiator end tanks annually for seepage starting at 60,000 miles
  • Use only Volvo-spec transmission fluid (JWS 3309 or equivalent); aftermarket fluids accelerate failures
  • Replace PCV system components at 60,000 miles as preventive maintenance, especially on turbo engines
Avoid the 3.0T engine entirely—too many catastrophic failures; the 3.2L I6 is more reliable but transmission cooler issues affect both, making this generation a risky used purchase without comprehensive service records.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
538 jobs across 17 categories
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.
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