Research · 3 NHTSA variants

2009 Volvo S-ClassRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 33 owner complaints for the 2009 Volvo S-Class. Most complaints involve structure (5) and wheels (5).

Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Sep 2021
Owner complaints
33
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Sep 30, 2021NHTSA 21V766000

Seat belts: front

Free remedy

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.

Seat beltsReported Jun 30, 2020NHTSA 20V378000

Seats

Free remedy

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RAIL'S DETECTION SYSTEM WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND MAY PERMIT THE PASSENGER TO FORWARD THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM.

SeatsReported Nov 22, 2010NHTSA 10V591000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

33 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2009 – Jan 2026
  1. Structure5
  2. Wheels5
  3. Tires5
  4. Electrical system4
  5. Power train3
  6. Exterior lighting2
  7. Air bags2
  8. Seat belts2
  9. Engine2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each S-Class model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998251
1999415
2000628
2001322
2002216
2003141
2004298
2005140
2006102
200770
200852
200933
201036
201115
2012129
201394
201426
201567
201635
201726
201816
201923
20209
20218
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

5 reports
“SEVERE SUBFRAME RUST DUE TO THE EXHAUST ON VOLVO S80 V8 BEING TOO CLOSE AND MELTING THE PAINT OFF. CAR IS VERY CLEAN AND WE'LL TAKEN CARE OF. APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE V8 S80S.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 10, 2021StructureODI 11407345

Wheels

5 reports
“ALUMINUM NUTS ON THE VALVE STEMS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATE AND FALL APART CAUSING TIRES TO GO FLAT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS (TWO TIRES) WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY WITHOUT INCIDENT. ALL 4 VALVE STEMS WERE INSPECTED”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 26, 2017WheelsODI 10980879

Tires

5 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS PRESSURE IN THE TIRES BASED ON THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V335000 (WHEELS); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2015TiresODI 10780571
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Volvo S-Class as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 5270Vehicle 5271Vehicle 5274
05 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
07 —FAQ

2009 S-Class questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Volvo S-Class have?

8 safety recalls as of Oct 31, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Volvo S-Class problems?

Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (5), wheels (5), tires (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026