VolvoS802012Overview/volvo/s80/2012/base/

2012 Volvo S80

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 S80.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2012 Volvo S80 is a passenger‑car sedan whose engine requires 7.2 qt of oil with approved viscosities of 0W‑30, 0W‑40 or 5W‑30 API and is mated to a six‑speed automatic transmission that delivers EPA‑rated 18/26/21 mpg. With only eight owner‑reported complaints for the model year—primarily involving air bags, vehicle speed control and seats—and three recalls, its trouble count is a small fraction of the model’s worst year (2000, 345 complaints) and approaches the low point seen in 2014 (one complaint). This places the 2012 S80 near the reliable end of the S80’s 1999‑2016 history, indicating a notably dependable iteration of the lineage.

Model year201620152014201320122011201020092008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/26/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI With premium sound system: 92, Without premium sound system: 48 · With premium sound system: 700, Without premium sound system: 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 30750013. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI With premium sound system: 92, Without premium sound system: 48 · With premium sound system: 700, Without premium sound system: 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-50R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter30750013
Engine air filter30745344
Fuel filter32242190
Battery30772221 alt 30772211
Front wiper blades32341318
Thermostat30650891 alt 31355151
Cabin air filter31390880 alt 31449209

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.9 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height58.7 in
Wheelbase111.8 in
Curb weight3783 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 26 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume98 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the S80 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.7–7.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.70 sec — 2007 V8 Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2007V8 Sedan 4.4L V85.70 sec14.40 sec311 hpAWD
20042.5T Sedan 2.5L Turbo I-57.70 sec15.60 sec208 hpAWD
2002T6 75th Anniversary Edition Sedan 2.9L Twin-Turbo I-66.30 sec14.60 sec268 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.2 qt of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 API engine oil, USE VOLVO PART NO. 1161620 OR EQUIVALENT in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidVolvo part number 31256774
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4
Differential Gear OilUSE VOLVO PART NO. 1161620 OR EQUIVALENT
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · API · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity7.2 qt
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · API · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity7.2 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12.5 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17.7 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12.5 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17.7 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12.5 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17.7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub26 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub26 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub26 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.98 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.70 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum68 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum70 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs / 21 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle81 ft-lbs / 148 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.001 in / 0.0008 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.472 in / 0.433 in / 0.866 in / 1.102 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.472 in / 0.433 in / 0.866 in / 1.102 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.421 in / 0.381 in / 0.814 in / 1.043 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.393 in / 0.354 in / 0.787 in / 1.023 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
133 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
233 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
390 degrees.90 degrees
4180 degrees.180 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
133 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
233 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
390 degrees.90 degrees
4180 degrees.180 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22 ft. lbs., Step 3: 1054 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 75,000 mi.

Every 7,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft Support Bearing (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (leak inspection) · Underbody (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 30,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 37,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
At 60,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft Support Bearing (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 75,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Vehicle Wiring Harnesses (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In the federal complaint database, 2012 recorded 8 complaints, 3 recalls and zero investigations, placing it among the lowest complaint years in the S80’s production span. That figure is comparable to 2011 (5 complaints, 4 recalls) and 2013 (8 complaints, 3 recalls), indicating a stable, low‑frequency pattern after the early‑2000s peak of 345 complaints in 2000. The complaint categories for 2012 — Air Bags, Vehicle Speed Control, Seats, Steering, Unknown Or Other, Wheels — each accounted for a single report, and no crash‑related or fire‑related complaints were logged. Across the generation, complaint volume declined sharply from the high of 45 complaints in 2002 to single‑digit levels by 2011, suggesting that major safety defects became rare in later model years. Consequently, the 2012 model year presents a low‑risk purchase option, making it a recommended year to buy a used 2012 Volvo S80.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
259
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
8
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 8 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags,Vehicle Speed Control,Seats1
Steering,Unknown Or Other1
Unknown Or Other1
Wheels1
Structure1
Suspension1
Power Train1
Tires1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

12V075000Electrical System:WiringReported 28/02/2012

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. IN THESE VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED… Remedy: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, SECURE THE SEAT WIRE HARNESS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL…

12V317000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)Reported 06/07/2012

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2013 S80 VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE ERROR MAY PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM DOWNSHIFTING SUCH AS SHIFTING FROM FIFTH TO FOURTH GEAR WHEN COASTING. Remedy: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 259 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
35526.1.82026-04-23EngineThis is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform…
37809.1.12026-04-07Unknown Or OtherThis is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to…
192452025-12-06Unknown Or OtherThis is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.
85012025-04-10Exterior LightingThis is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a…
S103032025-02-21Unknown Or OtherVolvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific S80. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 S80 take?

7.2 qt of BELOW 104 degrees F,: 0W-30 OR 0W-40 API SL, -22 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 5W-30 API SL, -13 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 5W-40 API SL, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 S80 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the S80 get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.