Recall 11V378 affects 8,406 2007 Volvo S80 vehicles for misrouted power steering return hoses. Repair is free at any franchised Volvo dealer.
Volvo is recalling 8,406 2007 S80 passenger cars because the power steering reservoir return hose was routed incorrectly, raising pressure in the steering system. If the hose bursts at the steering gear, the driver can suddenly lose power steering and face higher crash risk; the Volvo dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The power steering reservoir return hose on the 2007 Volvo S80 is part of the hydraulic steering assist system. It carries used power steering fluid back to the reservoir after the fluid has helped the steering gear reduce steering effort. The hose has to stay routed correctly so fluid can move through the system without excess pressure.
On affected S80 cars, that return hose was routed incorrectly. The routing raises pressure in the power steering system, especially at the steering gear connection. Under that added pressure, the hose can burst at the steering gear and release power steering fluid. Once fluid is lost, the hydraulic assist no longer works as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners are not told to watch for a specific noise, warning light, or steering feel change before the hose bursts, so the VIN check and dealer inspection decide whether the recall applies.
Who's affected?
| 2007 Volvo S80 | power steering system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 8,406 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific sedan.
What's the safety risk?
A sudden loss of power steering makes the S80 harder to control and increases the risk of a crash. If steering assist cuts out, slow down, keep both hands on the wheel, and arrange service promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Volvo dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007 Volvo S80 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volvo dealer with recall number 11V378 and ask whether the free power-steering-hose inspection and repair is open for your car.
- Schedule the power steering reservoir return hose inspection that fixes incorrect hose routing, high system pressure, and loss of power steering fluid.
- Bring the August 23, 2011 owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 11V378 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the dealer completes the repair, and pull over safely if steering effort suddenly increases.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volvo technician checks how the power steering reservoir return hose is routed. If the hose routing is wrong, or if pressure has damaged the hose, the technician corrects the routing and completes the needed hose repairs. The dealer repair will be free once available for your VIN, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Ask the service desk how long the inspection and repair will take before you arrange the visit.
Timeline
| July 26, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 23, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V378?
Recall 11V378 covers 8,406 2007 Volvo S80 cars with a power steering reservoir return hose routed incorrectly. Extra pressure in the system can make the return hose burst at the steering gear, causing power steering fluid loss. Volvo dealers inspect the hose routing and repair it for free.
What should I do if my 2007 Volvo S80 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific S80 is included in recall 11V378. If it is, contact a franchised Volvo dealer and ask for the power steering return hose inspection and repair. Reference recall number 11V378 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost. Volvo's recall remedy says dealers will inspect the power steering reservoir return hose routing and make needed repairs free of charge at a franchised Volvo dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a sudden loss of power steering. If the return hose bursts and power steering fluid is lost, steering effort increases, especially at lower speeds. That increases crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then have a Volvo dealer complete the free inspection and repair.
What if I bought my Volvo S80 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you never received a Volvo recall letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2007 S80 is included, then reference recall number 11V378 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V378000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo customer service | 1-201-768-7300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V378 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V378000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →