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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

120 reports
2,400 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING 2 TIMES. VOLVO SAYS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I FILLED FOR LEMON LAW. VERY BAD SERVICE AND ATTITUDE FROM BORTON VOLVO. THE WORST IS THAT I FIND OUT THAT VOLVO KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND STILL LET PEOPLE DRIVE THEIR DEATH TRAP CARS.

NHTSA ODI #10070576

10 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentSeat Belts

THE GRIEF FROM THIS CAR LITERALLY BEGAN ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE SHOW ROOM, AS THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. THEY REQUIRED FOUR VISITS TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE ISSUE OF THE TIRES BEING UNSAFE BECAME APPARENT WHEN THE CAR WAS TWO WEEKS OLD, WITH UNDER 1000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER FRONT & REAR BU…

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THE GRIEF FROM THIS CAR LITERALLY BEGAN ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE SHOW ROOM, AS THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. THEY REQUIRED FOUR VISITS TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE ISSUE OF THE TIRES BEING UNSAFE BECAME APPARENT WHEN THE CAR WAS TWO WEEKS OLD, WITH UNDER 1000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER FRONT & REAR BUMPERS SEPARATE FROM VEHICLE , WITH LITTLE OR NO PROVOCATION. TIRES SELF DESTRUCT AT SPEEDS OF 2-4 MPH (WHILE PARKING), IF A CURB IS TOUCHED. I'M INFORMED THAT TIRES HAVE WEAK SIDEWALLS & TO REPLACE TIRES (AT MY EXPENSE). AIR CONDITIONING REQUIRED THREE VISITS TO REPAIR SHOP & IS STILL NOT GETTING THE CAR AS COLD AS IT SHOULD IN HOT WEATHER. I SHOULD ADD THAT I'M ALSO INFORMED THAT REPLACEMENT TIRES WILL DIMINISH THE HANDLING OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10070421

9,000 miles · Dec 8, 2003
Power Train

FOR BOTH OUR 2001 VOLVO S60 2.4T AND OUR 2003 VOLVO XC90 2.5T AWD THERE HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR A TRANSMISSION DEFECT (ESSENTIALLY SAME TRANSMISSION IN BOTH VEHICLES PER VOLVO TECH SUPPORT). BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD THERE IS . INTERMITTENT/UNPREDICTABLE FAILURE TO ENGAGE 3RD IN TIMELY FASHION WITH RESULTANT LOSS OF…

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FOR BOTH OUR 2001 VOLVO S60 2.4T AND OUR 2003 VOLVO XC90 2.5T AWD THERE HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR A TRANSMISSION DEFECT (ESSENTIALLY SAME TRANSMISSION IN BOTH VEHICLES PER VOLVO TECH SUPPORT). BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD THERE IS . INTERMITTENT/UNPREDICTABLE FAILURE TO ENGAGE 3RD IN TIMELY FASHION WITH RESULTANT LOSS OF ACCELERATION AS VEHICLE IS FUNCTIONALLY IN NEUTRAL WITH ENGINE RACING FOR 0.5 TO 2.5 SECONDS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING ON TO A HIGHWAY. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED 2 NEAR COLLISIONS (ALMOST BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND). VOLVO TECH SUPPORT ACKNOWLEDGES A FLAW IN DESIGN CAUSING SERVO FLUID AIR LOCK IN THE 2001. A NEW TRANSMISSION IS SCHEDULED TO BE REPLACED FOR OUR S60, BUT IF THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURING IN OUR 2003, WILL THIS CORRECT THE PROBLEM? THE 2003 XC90 THEY SAY CAN BE REPAIRED WITH "UPGRADED SOFTWARE" (WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR THAT VEHICLE) BUT THIS REMEDY FAILED WHEN PERFORMED ON OUR 2001 S60. WE HAVE LET THE DEALER KNOW WE FEEL BOTH VEHICLES ARE UNSAFE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND WE ARE NOW STUCK WITH THEM TRYING TO REMEDY BOTH GLARING SAFETY DEFECTS. WE ARE NOT AWARE OF A FEDERALLY MANDATED RECALL TO REPAIR THIS ACKNOWLEDGED (SAFETY) DEFECT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10049392

7,000 miles · Oct 31, 2003
Fuel System, Other

MANUFACTURER DEFECT FOR FUEL TANK VAPOR LEAK ON 2003 VOLVO S60 T5. DEALER STATED A SEPERATED PLASTIC WELD SEAM ON TANK WAS REALEASING STRONG FUEL VAPORS. POTENTIAL RISK FOR VAPORS TO IGNITE? *LA

NHTSA ODI #10045171

3,000 miles · Sep 3, 2003
Wheels

WHILE PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION FRONT RIGHT WHEEL UNSCREWED AND COME COMPLETELY OFF. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10038111

6,458 miles · Aug 1, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON 2 OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED, THE DEALER REPLACED A SENSOR, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10027259

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2003
Electrical System

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN, AND WILL NOT RESTART. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10029869

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, DEALER HAS INSPECTED 3 TIMES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA ODI #10029436

3,000 miles · Jun 24, 2003
Tires

THE SIDE WALLS WERE VERY WEAK, THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH/BRUSH CAUSED THEM TO GO FLAT. TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT TIRE HAD A BUBBLE. MODEL TYPE 4 SEASONS. *AK *TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10021898

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2003
Tires

I RECENTLY LEASED A VOLVO S60 WITH PIRELLI P6 235/45R17 TIRES. THE VEHICLE HAS 2900 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THREE (3) OF THE TIRES. I AM TOLD IT IS DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS, SUCH AS POTHOLES, ETC. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO ANY OF MY RIMS; THEREFORE, I OBVIOUSLY DID NOT HIT ANYTHING THAT HARD. I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE R…

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I RECENTLY LEASED A VOLVO S60 WITH PIRELLI P6 235/45R17 TIRES. THE VEHICLE HAS 2900 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THREE (3) OF THE TIRES. I AM TOLD IT IS DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS, SUCH AS POTHOLES, ETC. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO ANY OF MY RIMS; THEREFORE, I OBVIOUSLY DID NOT HIT ANYTHING THAT HARD. I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM BOTH VOLVO AND PIRELLI WITH REGARD TO THIS ISSUE. VOLVO TELLS ME THAT IT IS PIRELLI'S RESPONSIBILITY AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE I SPOKE TO AT PIRELLI TOLD ME THAT VOLVO IS TRYING TO AVOID THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT HE WAS PROCESSING FOUR (4) CLAIMS THAT DAY FROM VOLVO FOR TIRE DAMAGE. I FEEL THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES AND I AM DRIVING AT RISK TO MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF. I HAVE PUT OUT OVER $500 FOR TIRES IN THE LAST MONTH AND I AM VERY NERVOUS ABOUT CONTINUING TO OPERATE MY VEHICLE ON THESE TIRES. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANYTHING YOU COULD DO TO ASSIST ME IN GETTING SOME SATISFACTION FROM EITHER VOLVO OR PIRELLI TIRES. I AM VERY NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR WITH THESE TIRES. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10014239

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.