IllustrationWHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED REAR SIDE TIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
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
Tires complaints
19 reportsI HAVE A 2002 VOLVO S 60 AWD WITH THE OPTIONAL 17" X 7.5" "THOR" WHEELS AND PIRELLI TIRES. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH 3 SETS OF PIRELLI TIRES IN LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. PIRELLI IS NOT INTERESTED IN THIS ISSUE AS REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THEM HAVE PROVEN UNSUCCESSFUL. DUE TO THE ONGOING PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE'S TIRES…
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I HAVE A 2002 VOLVO S 60 AWD WITH THE OPTIONAL 17" X 7.5" "THOR" WHEELS AND PIRELLI TIRES. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH 3 SETS OF PIRELLI TIRES IN LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. PIRELLI IS NOT INTERESTED IN THIS ISSUE AS REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THEM HAVE PROVEN UNSUCCESSFUL. DUE TO THE ONGOING PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE'S TIRES, I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THE PIRELLI TIRES COMBINED WITH THE VOLVO S 60 AWD AND HAVE FOUND MANY ALARMING STORIES REGARDING SAFETY CONCERNS WITH MY VEHICLE COMBINED WITH THE PIRELLI TIRE. MANY SOURCES INDICATE PROBLEMS WITH PIRELLI TIRES, ESPECIALLY ON THE S 60 AWD WITH 17" WHEEL OPTION. I AM ON MY 3RD SET OF PIRELLI TIRES, MY CURRENT SET OF TIRES HAVE BEEN BALANCED BY THREE DIFFERENT PIRELLI DEALERS AND I AM STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH WARPING AND CUPPING, TO THE EXTENT THAT MY FRONT TWO TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I SEE THAT THERE IS A STRONG POSSIBILITY THAT I COULD EXPERIENCE A TIRE BLOW-OUT BECAUSE OF THE WEAKENED SIDE WALLS THESE TIRES RIDE ON COMBINED WITH THE WEIGHT OF MY S60 AND IT'S AWD SYSTEM. IN MARCH OF 2002, DUE TO LOOSING CONTROL OF MY 2002 S60 AWD, I WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS TRAFFIC ACCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. IT WASN'T UNTIL AFTER MY ACCIDENT THAT I HAD LEARNED THE REASON I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. APPARENTLY, LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF A FRONT TIRE SIDE-WALL BLOW OUT, THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF A RAPID LANE CHANGE I WAS FORCED TO MAKE TO AVOID A OUT-OF-CONTROL DRIVER. BECAUSE OF MY ONGOING TIRE PROBLEMS AND RECENT RESEARCH THAT I HAVE CONDUCTED, I HAVE NOW REALIZED THAT THERE IS INDEED A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY TIRES. THIS IS SHOCKINGLY REMINISCENT OF THE FORD EXPLORER / FIRESTONE TIRE INCIDENTS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION IMMEDIATELY ON ALL S 60 AWD 7" WHEEL/PIRELLI TIRE FITMENTS. I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED WITH THIS SAFETY FLAW THAT VOLVO HAS OBVIOUSLY OVERLOOKED AND FEEL THAT YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER COULD LEAD TO PREVENTABLE INJURY OR EVEN DEATHS. *AK
WITH ONLY 6,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, FRONT LEFT TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE RIM. UPON INSPECTION, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. (NAR) *LA *CB
VEHICLE HAS THREE TIRES THAT HAS BUBBLES ON THE SIDEWALLS. *MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT AFTER HITTING A BUMP. IN THE FOLLOWING MONTHS, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED 3 TIRES WITH BUBBLES ON THE SIDEWALLS. (ONE TIRE HAD A BUBBLE THE SIZE OF THE CONSUMERS FIST) THE SIDEWALL WAS SAID TO BE TOO SOFT AND CAUSED THE RIMS TO…
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VEHICLE HAS THREE TIRES THAT HAS BUBBLES ON THE SIDEWALLS. *MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT AFTER HITTING A BUMP. IN THE FOLLOWING MONTHS, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED 3 TIRES WITH BUBBLES ON THE SIDEWALLS. (ONE TIRE HAD A BUBBLE THE SIZE OF THE CONSUMERS FIST) THE SIDEWALL WAS SAID TO BE TOO SOFT AND CAUSED THE RIMS TO BEND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *SCC *JB
CONSUMER STATED ALL FOUR TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR AT 2300 MILES. *AK
CONSUMER NOTICED BUBBLES IN THE TIRES SIDEWALL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT SIDEWALLS ARE FAILING. *AK
THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. *JB
VOLVO S60, 17 INCHE LOW PROFILE PIRELLI RADIAL TIRES
TIRE BUBBLE DEVELOPED ON SIDEWALL OF TIRE WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REVIEW AND SERVICE MANAGER SAID THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TIRE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE TIRE UNDER WARRANTY. SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AND THEN FIGHT IT OUT WITH PIRELLI. MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM…
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TIRE BUBBLE DEVELOPED ON SIDEWALL OF TIRE WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REVIEW AND SERVICE MANAGER SAID THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TIRE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE TIRE UNDER WARRANTY. SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AND THEN FIGHT IT OUT WITH PIRELLI. MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. TIRE ONLY HAS 1350 MILE ON IT.*AK
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.