Vehicle recall R/2003/008

Volvo S80 and others recall: Detachable tow bar may work loose

DVSA recall R/2003/008 names the Volvo S80, Volvo V70, Volvo V90, Volvo 900 Series, Volvo S40, Volvo S90, 1 more Volvo models and 3 other models. It was launched 10 January 2003. DVSA does not record the build dates for this recall.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2003/008
Launched: 10 January 2003
Issued by: VOLVO CAR
Manufacturer reference: R82056
Vehicles: 1,042 across the whole recall

What can go wrong

Under certain conditions the detachable tow bar may work loose resulting in the tow bar becoming detached from the vehicle.

The fix

Replace the tow ball and housing with a calibrated unit.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. DVSA gives one vehicle number for the whole recall: 1,042.
Model	Built
Volvo 900 Series	not recorded
Volvo S40	not recorded
Volvo S80	not recorded
Volvo S90	not recorded
Volvo V40	not recorded
Volvo V70	not recorded
Volvo V90	not recorded
Volvo 700 Series	not recorded
Volvo 800 Series	not recorded
Volvo S70	not recorded

Is a specific car affected? A recall lists models and build dates, not individual vehicles, so these pages cannot tell you whether one car is included. Enter the registration on the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK, or give the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the manufacturer or one of its dealers. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof that any recall work was done.

Other recalls for these models

R/2002/097 Detachable tow bar may work loose 11 July 2002, Volvo V70, Volvo 900 Series, Volvo V90 and others
R/2002/089 Air bag mounting may loosen 2 July 2002, Volvo V40, Volvo S40
R/2002/054 Auxiliary drive belt concern 14 May 2002, Volvo V40, Volvo S40
R/2002/053 Brake vacuum pump concern 14 May 2002, Volvo V40, Volvo S40
R/2003/159 Possible fuel leak 8 October 2003, Volvo S60, Volvo V70, Volvo S80
R/2003/173 Possible fuel leak 17 November 2003, Volvo S40, Volvo V40

Found one you might buy?

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Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA vehicle recall records (RecallsFile.csv), recalls launched 1992 to 2026. Recall data updated 22 September 2026.

Recall wording is DVSA's, with capitals and punctuation tidied and American spellings such as tire, center and windshield given in British English. We list a recall when its make and model match a car or van family with at least 1,000 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2025, and when the maker of the vehicle issued it.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. Methodology · Data sources