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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
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

106,000 miles · Mar 10, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

SOME MODELS HAD A RECALL NOTICE FOR A CRACKED LEAKING FUEL PUMP (PE09039). THIS EXACT THING HAPPENED TO OUR CAR. VOLVO REFUSES TO COVER THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SOLD IN ONE OF THE STATES LISTED. THE PROBLEM IS EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THIS DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT AS IT THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE L…

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SOME MODELS HAD A RECALL NOTICE FOR A CRACKED LEAKING FUEL PUMP (PE09039). THIS EXACT THING HAPPENED TO OUR CAR. VOLVO REFUSES TO COVER THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SOLD IN ONE OF THE STATES LISTED. THE PROBLEM IS EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THIS DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT AS IT THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANY FURTHER ACTION THAT CAN BE TAKEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568325

45,023 miles · Jul 15, 2013
Electrical System

CLOCK STARTED ROTATING NUMBERS.. AND NOT STOP. THEN INSTRUMENT DASH INFORMATION STOPPED. NO DASH LIGHTS, SPEED, GAS, WARNINGS. ALL OFF. WHEN I CAN SEE DASH. ONCE A MONTH, MAYBE....IT SAYS AIR BAGS NEED CHECKING, CHECK ENGINE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT WORK IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. AND IF I WERE TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD…

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CLOCK STARTED ROTATING NUMBERS.. AND NOT STOP. THEN INSTRUMENT DASH INFORMATION STOPPED. NO DASH LIGHTS, SPEED, GAS, WARNINGS. ALL OFF. WHEN I CAN SEE DASH. ONCE A MONTH, MAYBE....IT SAYS AIR BAGS NEED CHECKING, CHECK ENGINE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT WORK IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. AND IF I WERE TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIR, THEN WILL I HAVE TO PAY TO CHECK AIR BAGS? ENGINE? WHAT IF A FIRE DID OCCUR... HOW WOULD I KNOW? DEALER STATES $ 1700 TO REPAIR. IT IS SAFETY ISSUE FOR SPEED LIMIT, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS, FUEL CONSUMPTION. CAN'T SEE MILEAGE FOR THIS COMPLAINT! DASH NOT WORKING... ENGINE MOUNTS SHOT. SEAT WARMER BROKE FIRST YEAR. NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS IN THIS CAR IS SHOT, BROKE, NOT CORRECT. TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ENTERED FOR THIS TO NOT BE A RECALL. PLEASE, PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524811

138,000 miles · Jun 26, 2013
Electrical System

LOST INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING. ALL GAUGES NOT WORKING. IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521898

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2013
Electrical SystemStructure

THE DASHBOARD HAS A FAULT IN IT, POSSIBLY A SHORT OR SOME OTHER ELECTRICAL FAULT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT. BUT, ONLY RECENTLY HAS BECOME RATHER ACUTE. LIGHTS AND GAUGES GO ON AND OFF. PROBLEM HAS ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM TO THE POINT THAT IT IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONS AND REQUIRES RESETTING; APPARENTLY. …

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THE DASHBOARD HAS A FAULT IN IT, POSSIBLY A SHORT OR SOME OTHER ELECTRICAL FAULT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT. BUT, ONLY RECENTLY HAS BECOME RATHER ACUTE. LIGHTS AND GAUGES GO ON AND OFF. PROBLEM HAS ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM TO THE POINT THAT IT IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONS AND REQUIRES RESETTING; APPARENTLY. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE SINCE DOING MY RESEARCH, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS INCIDENTS BEING REPORTED ON THE INTERNET. CONSIDERING THE LARGE NUMBER OF ISSUES/COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR IS APPARENTLY NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. REPAIR FOR SUCH APPEARS TO BE IN THE $1,500.00 TO $2,000.00 RANGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521829

161,200 miles · May 8, 2013
SteeringVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVEN FROM WORK. MY CAR SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN AND SHOW A MESSAGE. REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THEN CAR STOPPED BY IT SELF.RESTART THE CAR AND ENGINE START JUMPING. NEED ADVISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511038

183,000 miles · Apr 23, 2013
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

MY 2003 S60 VOLVO HAS FAILED IT ALL STARTED WITH THE RADIO FLICKERING TO DIFFERENT STATIONS.I NOTICED FROM THAN MY LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING ON AND OFF I HAS NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THIS CAR I SERIOUSLY ALMOST GOT INTO IN ACCIDENT I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF 5MINS AFTER I STARTED IT UP NOW ALL THE GUAGES WHERE DOWN…

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MY 2003 S60 VOLVO HAS FAILED IT ALL STARTED WITH THE RADIO FLICKERING TO DIFFERENT STATIONS.I NOTICED FROM THAN MY LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING ON AND OFF I HAS NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THIS CAR I SERIOUSLY ALMOST GOT INTO IN ACCIDENT I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF 5MINS AFTER I STARTED IT UP NOW ALL THE GUAGES WHERE DOWN EVE FUEL WAS PASS EMPTY I WAS TERRIFIED THAT MY CAR WOULD SHUT OFF I HAD MY 7 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR AS I WAS CAREFULLY WAS DRIVING HOME THE GUAGES STARTING MOVING ALL OVER THE PLACE RADIO SWITCHING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT THE MSG WINDOW SAID SEA BAG SERVICE SOON IAM VERY SCARE OF MY SAFETY JUS BOUGHT THIS CAR ON FEB 12/2013. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509339

100,520 miles · Mar 26, 2013
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

THE DASH INFORMATION SYSTEM WILL RANDOMLY GO BLANK AND DISPLAY SRS FAILURE. ALONG WITH ALL INFORMATION LIGHTS START BLINKING ON AND OFF. THE ANALOG GAUGE LIKE THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE WILL GO TO "0" OR JUST MOVE ERATICALLY TO ANY NUMBER OR POSITION WHILE DRIVING. AT NIGHT THE ENTIRE INFORMATION CENTER GO BLANK THE CLOCK AN…

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THE DASH INFORMATION SYSTEM WILL RANDOMLY GO BLANK AND DISPLAY SRS FAILURE. ALONG WITH ALL INFORMATION LIGHTS START BLINKING ON AND OFF. THE ANALOG GAUGE LIKE THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE WILL GO TO "0" OR JUST MOVE ERATICALLY TO ANY NUMBER OR POSITION WHILE DRIVING. AT NIGHT THE ENTIRE INFORMATION CENTER GO BLANK THE CLOCK AND THE MILEAGE(NO LIGHTS AT ALL). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504535

125,000 miles · Feb 27, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE CLOCK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE CLOCK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10500620

124,000 miles · Feb 26, 2013
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING THE DASH (NOT THE RADIO, OR OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS) WENT OUT-COMPLETELY BLANK. I LOST, THE TAC, THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER, ENGINE GAUGE AND GAS GAUGE. THIS PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY AND I CAN NOT RELATE IT TO A GIVEN SPEED OR WEATHER. NOT KNOWING YOUR SPEED IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND AT NIGHT IT'S ODD TO…

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WHILE DRIVING THE DASH (NOT THE RADIO, OR OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS) WENT OUT-COMPLETELY BLANK. I LOST, THE TAC, THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER, ENGINE GAUGE AND GAS GAUGE. THIS PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY AND I CAN NOT RELATE IT TO A GIVEN SPEED OR WEATHER. NOT KNOWING YOUR SPEED IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND AT NIGHT IT'S ODD TO BE DRIVING A CAR W/OUT AN ILLUMINATED DASH/CONTROLS. I DO HAVE AN SRS CODE-SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. WHEN I WAS LAST AT THE DEALER THEY HAD "NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE" AND WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ME DIAGNOSTIC FEES. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND A NEW DIM ($1200) CAN FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS POSTED ONLINE FOR THIS TO BE A LITTLE PROBLEM. WHAT IS THE R/1000 (REPAIR PER THOUSAND VEHICLES)? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500558

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.