IllustrationMessage board throttle body position sensor controls the speed of the car is having issues having a problem accelerating
2002 Volvo S60
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most S60 years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Volvo S60 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 20.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all S60 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
200–25K
1225–50K
2350–75K
2475–100K
44100–150K
22150K+
145 reports with mileage · 41 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports3 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
186 reportsInJanuary 3, 2021, I received a recall for the front driver airbag but replacement parts were not available. OnApril 19, 2021I received a letter the parts were available were and for me to contact a Volvo dealer to replace the front driver's airbag.free of charge. I called Volvo Cars to let me know the dealers in Nashville. The…
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InJanuary 3, 2021, I received a recall for the front driver airbag but replacement parts were not available. OnApril 19, 2021I received a letter the parts were available were and for me to contact a Volvo dealer to replace the front driver's airbag.free of charge. I called Volvo Cars to let me know the dealers in Nashville. They recommended Volvo of Cool Springs. I finally got an appointment on November 16,, and had my car towed to this dealer. I picked it up on November 9, with a receipt the front driver airbag Module had been installed. Aftera few days I noticed my SRS was showing"airbag Service Urgent".I resetthe SRS but the message is still showing. I called Volvo Cars and they agreed to tow the car to Volvo of Coolsprings to check the airbag. I picked my car up the clerk tried to explain the problem was with a failed DIM control module/display. The charge would be over $2000. so the receipt showed "customer declined recommendations. My SRS was working fine until they supposedly replaced the airbag. My mechanic looked it over and the airbag is not connected. Volvo refused to pay another dealer to check the airbag. However, Volvo offered to tow my car to Volvo of Nashville on Murfreesboro road , not the orignal dealer. I refused unless they took care of the charges. I now have an a front driver airbag that is not connected. I would have to pay a dealer to find out if the airbag had been replaced. i have been driving without the recall airbag. I am filing this complaint in case of accident and to let you know the airbag recall has not been corrected. You can never talk to a mechanic at Volvo of Cool Springs. I called numerous times and left messages for the mechanic or manager to return my call.
2002 VOLVO S60. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-766. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE NO VOLVO DEALERSHIPS WITHIN A REASONABLE DISTANCE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS SENT TO A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE SHOP.
The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S60. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V766000 (Air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of t…
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The contact owns a 2002 Volvo S60. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V766000 (Air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
AIR BAG THROW SHARDS OF METAL BUT VOLVO SAY I SHOULDN'T DRIVE IT BUT WON'T GIVE LOANER CAR, THEY WON'T HELP US AT ALL WITH THE SITUATION
BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN IN THE GARAGE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT SMELLED A FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT SMELLED A FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.
TAKATA RECALL [XXX]. FOR MY SSN NUMBER, DRIVER LICENSE NUMBER CALL ME FOR THAT INFORMATION I DON'T LIKE TO PUT IT ON WEBSITE SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE CAN GET IT BUT HERE'S MY VIN [XXX] EMAIL IS [XXX] THE WHOLE DASHBOARD MY LIGHTS WON'T COME ON THE KEY WONT COME OUT I HAVE TO WAIT 5 OR 10 MIN TO WAIT FOR IT TO COME OUT IT SMELL LIKE …
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TAKATA RECALL [XXX]. FOR MY SSN NUMBER, DRIVER LICENSE NUMBER CALL ME FOR THAT INFORMATION I DON'T LIKE TO PUT IT ON WEBSITE SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE CAN GET IT BUT HERE'S MY VIN [XXX] EMAIL IS [XXX] THE WHOLE DASHBOARD MY LIGHTS WON'T COME ON THE KEY WONT COME OUT I HAVE TO WAIT 5 OR 10 MIN TO WAIT FOR IT TO COME OUT IT SMELL LIKE GAS SOMETIMES THE KEYLESS WONT WORK I CHANGE THE THANG IN THE BACK FIVE TIMES IN ONE MONTH THE GEAR SOMETIME DON'T WORK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
SERVICE LIGHTS SCROLL IN SPORADIC MOTION FLIPPING THROUGH CONSTANT ALERTS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AIR BAG LIGHT, CONSTANT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS GOING ON, FUEL DOOR WONT OPEN, BOTH FRONT SEATS HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, OBVIOUS BURN THRU ON PASSENGER SIDE INDICATES ITS BEEN OVERHEATED AND DANGEROUS. EVERYTIME I'VE TAKEN IT IN THE SHOP …
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SERVICE LIGHTS SCROLL IN SPORADIC MOTION FLIPPING THROUGH CONSTANT ALERTS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AIR BAG LIGHT, CONSTANT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS GOING ON, FUEL DOOR WONT OPEN, BOTH FRONT SEATS HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, OBVIOUS BURN THRU ON PASSENGER SIDE INDICATES ITS BEEN OVERHEATED AND DANGEROUS. EVERYTIME I'VE TAKEN IT IN THE SHOP THEY SAY THERE ARE NO RECALLS - YET PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS OVER FIRES WITH SEATS. CAN'T USED HEATED SEATS AT ALL. ENGINE SEEMS TO REMAIN INCONSISTENT IN SPEED, DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO COMPLETELY OUT AND THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AFFECT BACK BRAKE LIGHTS. THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES BOUNCE IN CYCLES TO WHERE NO ONE CAN DETECT THE PROBLEMS. CHECK ENGINE LINE CONTINUES TO HAVE TO BE RESET AND SERVICE LIGHTS CONTINUALLY SEND SCROLLED WARNING TO PULL OVER. ALREADY HAD VEHICLE TOWED AND CAN'T TRUST VEHICLE WILL START. ALWAYS A WIRING ISSUE INVOLVED. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW AGAIN. 3/16/18 (SAME ISSUES)
FUEL LEAK FIRE HAZARD WON'T PASS INSPECTION. GAS SMELL. CAR LEAKING WHILE PARKED.
Official recalls
821V766000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Sep 30, 2021
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10125.
20V681000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Nov 4, 2020
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2003 S80 and S60 vehicles sold or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The driver side frontal air bag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments into the passage compartment, when the driver side air bag is deployed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10058.
10V566000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)
Nov 8, 2010
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
09V483000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Dec 18, 2009
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 S80, MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 V70, S60, XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES SOLD IN OR REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, UTAH, VIRGINIA AND THE U.S. TERRITORIES. WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (HOT CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE CYCLING) OVER TIME AND IN COMBINATION WITH VARYING FUEL QUALITY, THE FUEL PUMP CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE CONDITION OCCURS VEHICLE OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
07V152000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Apr 5, 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA, DUE TO THE COMBINATION OF FUEL QUALITY AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS, THE FUEL PUMP MAY, IN CERTAIN CASES, EXPERIENCE A REDUCED FUNCTIONALITY. THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS WOULD BE FUEL ODOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
06V441000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Nov 15, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
03V305000 · Equipment:other:labels
Aug 21, 2003
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE TIRE PRESSURE LABEL IS INCORRECT. THESE VEHICLES DID NOT HAVE THE "MAX LOAD VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT" INFORMATION ON THE LABEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECTED LABEL. IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
03V284000 · Equipment:other:labels
Aug 1, 2003
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF THE GUIDE, IT WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA05021 · Throttle Control Malfunction
Opened Dec 6, 2005 · Closed Dec 12, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
ON NOVEMBER 14, 2006 VOLVO SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING ETM FAILURES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2001 VOLVO MODELS (NOT INCLUDING THE S40 AND V40), MY 2002 S60 AND V70 WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINES AND MY 2002 V70S.ACCORDING TO VOLVO, ?A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.VOLVO FURTHER STATED THAT,THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES GOING INTO LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.?VOLVO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE MOST SEVERE CONSEQUENCE OF AN ETM FAULT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE RECALL REMEDY IS A SOFTWARE UPGRADE INTRODUCED BY VOLVO ON MARCH 16, 2006 IN A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM.AT THE TIME OF THE NOTIFICATION 161,202 VEHICLES OF THE POPULATION OF 331,301 HAD ALREADY HAD THE SOFTWARE UPLOADED AND WERE THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED IN THE POPULATION COUNT OF THE RECALL. ODI?S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND VOLVO, VOLVO FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY DATA FOUND THAT ETM FAILURE COULD RESULT IN (1) ENGINE STALL; (2) MECHANICAL LIMP MODE; (3) LUNGING FORWARD DURING LOW-SPEED DRIVING MANEUVERS; AND (4) FALTERING DURING HIGH SPEED MERGES OR WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC.ODI IDENTIFIED 12 CRASHES RELATED TO ETM FAILURE, WITH 6 CAUSED BY LUNGING INCIDENTS, 3 CAUSED BY STALLING INCIDENTS, 2 CAUSED BY MECHANICAL LIMP MODE AND 1 FROM THE FALTERING CONDITION.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA AND INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM CONSUMER INTERVIEWS IDENTIFIED 1,289 INCIDENTS WITH SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES (389.1 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), INCLUDING 479 INVOLVING ENGINE STALL (144.6 PER 100,000 VEHICLES) AND 729 INVOLVING MECHANICAL LIMP MODE (220.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES).ODI'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY CLAIM NARRATIVE TEXT SHOWS AT LEAST 14,965 WARRANTY CLAIMS WITH CODES INDICATING AN ETM FAULT RESULTING IN VEHICLE OPERATION IN MECHANICAL LIMP MODE (4.5% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES). VOLVO?S RECALL ADDRESSES ODI?S SAFETY CONCERNS WITH ETM FAILURES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF ADDITIONAL ACTION IS REQUIRED.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.
PE05041 · Throttle Control Malfunction
Opened Jul 26, 2005 · Closed Dec 7, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
PE05-041 WAS OPENED ON JULY, 26, 2005, BASED ON 136 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGING THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI HAS NOW RECEIVED 591 COMPLAINTS OF ETM FAILURES WHICH ALLEGE SYMPTOMS WITH POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED CONSEQUENCES.THESE INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE STALL, VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD WITHOUT ACCELERATOR INPUT, VEHICLE HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED TRANSITION INTO REDUCED PERFORMANCE OPERATION (LIMP MODE).VOLVO SUBMITTED OVER 2,900 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE ETM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING PE05-041.ODI'S PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF A SAMPLE THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY 55 PERCENT WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ABOVE.ODI IS CONTINUING ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE VOLVO COMPLAINTS. IN NOVEMBER 2005, TO RESOLVE AN INVESTIGATION BY THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD, VOLVO ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 10 YEARS / 200,000 MILES FOR THE ETM IN APPROXIMATELY 356,000 MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 PASSENGER CARS SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.UNDER VOLVO'S POLICY, VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCE ETM FAILURES WILL RECEIVE A VARIETY OF REPAIRS INCLUDING ETM CLEANING, REPROGRAMMING THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND/OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ETM. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-021) TO CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF ETM FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.