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2003 Volvo S60

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most S60 years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Volvo S60 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 20.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

101 reports with mileage · 19 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

54 reports
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165,000 miles · Feb 16, 2016
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 VOLVO S60, THE DASH INSTRUMENT PANEL SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER W/THE GAUGES/DISPLAY ALL STOPPING. THEN IT WOULD RETURN AND KEEP WORKING. THEN IT WOULD DO IT A DIFFERENT TIME, CONTINUING IN THIS CYCLE - RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF COMPLETELY SO I HAD NO GAUGES, WARNING LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS, ETC. JUST A LARG…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 VOLVO S60, THE DASH INSTRUMENT PANEL SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER W/THE GAUGES/DISPLAY ALL STOPPING. THEN IT WOULD RETURN AND KEEP WORKING. THEN IT WOULD DO IT A DIFFERENT TIME, CONTINUING IN THIS CYCLE - RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF COMPLETELY SO I HAD NO GAUGES, WARNING LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS, ETC. JUST A LARGE BLACK AREA WHERE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY CONCERNING AT NIGHT WHEN I WOULD JUST RANDOMLY LOOSE THE DISPLAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I CONTACTED VOLVO AND THEY SAID THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM W/THEIR VEHICLES (AND IS ALSO CONFIRMED WHEN LOOKING ONLINE FOR OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM). THE REPAIR IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY SORT OF SAFETY RECALL, AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE. FOR A MFG WHOSE CARS ARE TOUTED AS BEING VERY SAFE, HAVING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SUDDENLY STOP WORKING SO NO IDEA OF SPEED NOR ANY GAUGES/WARNING LIGHTS ARE AVAILABLE WHILE DRIVING IS CLEARLY NOT IN-LINE W/SAFE DRIVING. NO OTHER CAR I'VE OWNED HAS EVER HAD THIS KNOWN PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY W/A PART NOT PRONE TO WEAR & TEAR LIKE OTHER PARTS TYPICALLY ARE IN A CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10836420

56,000 miles · Oct 22, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS OIL LEAKS.

NHTSA ODI #10785481

170,000 miles · Aug 31, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I AM SURPRISED THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUED FOR CERTAIN MODEL YEAR VOLVOS RELATIVE TO THE CENTER DASH MODULE LOSING ALL COMMUNICATION APPARENTLY DUE TO FAILED SOLDER CONNECTIONS (BASED ON CHAT-ROOMS, VOLVO SPECIFIC). I UNDERSTAND COMPONENTS CAN FAIL, BUT THE SHEER NUMBER OF FAILURES AND THE FAILURE MODE IS BEYOND TYPICA…

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I AM SURPRISED THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUED FOR CERTAIN MODEL YEAR VOLVOS RELATIVE TO THE CENTER DASH MODULE LOSING ALL COMMUNICATION APPARENTLY DUE TO FAILED SOLDER CONNECTIONS (BASED ON CHAT-ROOMS, VOLVO SPECIFIC). I UNDERSTAND COMPONENTS CAN FAIL, BUT THE SHEER NUMBER OF FAILURES AND THE FAILURE MODE IS BEYOND TYPICAL OR EXPECTED FAILURES. THE FAILURE MODE CAUSES MOST OR ALL DASH GAUGES, INDICATORS AND LIGHTS TO FAIL, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER. THESE FAILURES APPARENTLY OCCUR RANDOMLY, AND AT ANY AGE/MILEAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10760492

129,091 miles · Jun 16, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING HOME AFTER HAVING STEERING RACK REPLACED THE DASH LIGHTS (SPEEDOMETER, TURN SIGNALS, MESSAGE CENTER, ETC.) WENT COMPLETELY OUT. AFTER MULTIPLE DRIVES THE DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #10725661

90,000 miles · Jan 20, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL GRADUALLY BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL GRADUALLY BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 4/20/15*CN

NHTSA ODI #10676782

153,000 miles · Dec 11, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

DRIVING CAR LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD WENT COMPLETELY OFF. TOOK IT TO SHOP THEY TAP IT AND DASH CAME ON AGAIN, CHANGE FUSE . LIGHTS WENT OFF AGAIN AND STAYED OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663718

124,570 miles · Oct 10, 2014
Electrical System

THE ENTIRE GAUGE CLUSTER TURNS OFF AND ON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THATS WELL DOCUMENTED BY THE VOLVO COMMUNITY. THE ISSUE IS A POORLY SOLDERED CIRCUIT BOARD ON THE DIM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643749

148,000 miles · Jul 12, 2014
Electrical System

VEHICLE DRIVER INFORMATION MODULE (DIM) STOPPED WORKING WHILE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610083

130,000 miles · Jun 20, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

I STARTED MY CAR AND WHERE IT TELLS YOU IF SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CAR IT SAID AIRBAG WARNING URGENT SERVICE NEEDED. THEN LATER WHILE DRIVING ALL THE GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. NOW THE GAUGES DON'T WORK AT ALL. PLUS WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING A CORNER THE CAR STALLS NOW THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A COUPLE YEARS NOW. PLUS A COU…

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I STARTED MY CAR AND WHERE IT TELLS YOU IF SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CAR IT SAID AIRBAG WARNING URGENT SERVICE NEEDED. THEN LATER WHILE DRIVING ALL THE GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. NOW THE GAUGES DON'T WORK AT ALL. PLUS WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING A CORNER THE CAR STALLS NOW THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A COUPLE YEARS NOW. PLUS A COUPLE YEARS AGO ALL MY HEAD LIGHTS BURNT OUT AT ONCE THEN THEY ONLY LASTED A COUPLE DAYS HAD TO BUY MORE THAT HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN ONE YEAR STILL HAVE NO BRIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604873

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2014
Electrical System

DASHBOARD WENT DEAD WHILE DRIVING. GAS METER, RPM, EVERYTHING WENT DEAD. THE DASH LIGHTS LATER CAME ON FOR A WHILE, BUT THE SPEEDOMETER WENT BACK TO 40 MPH. NOTHING WORKS PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594976

Official recalls

6

21V766000 · 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.

07V226000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Jun 5, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR LOCATED ON THE LEFT END OF THE FUEL RAIL MAY, AT TIMES, TRANSMIT INCORRECT SIGNAL REGARDING THE FUEL PRESSURE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. IF THE SIGNAL IS OUTSIDE OF THE PRE-PROGRAMMED ALLOWABLE LIMITS, A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE MAY BE SET AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. THE SOLDERED JOINTS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD OF THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR MAY CRACK DUE TO TEMPERATURE CHANGES AND EXCESSIVE VIBRATIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: MISFIRE MAY OCCUR DURING DRIVING THAT, IN TURN, WILL REDUCE THE ENGINE TORQUE AND IN THE WORST CASE SCENARIO, THE ENGINE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. IN CERTAIN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS THIS COULD CAUSE AN UNSAFE SITUATION AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.