NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
21 reportsClear category filter107,231 miles · Feb 17, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering
1/22/08 INSERTED KEY AND IT WOULD ONLY MOVE INTO THE FIRST POSITION ACTIVATING THE RADIO, LIGHTS, ETC. UNABLE TO CONTINUE TO TURN KEY AND TURN ON AUTOMOBILE. STEERING COLUMN LOCK ASSEMBLY FAILED, ALTHOUGH IT IS EXPECTED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR, LEAVING ME STRANDED AND WITHOUT A CAR FOR OVER A WEEK SINCE PART COMES FROM GER…
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1/22/08 INSERTED KEY AND IT WOULD ONLY MOVE INTO THE FIRST POSITION ACTIVATING THE RADIO, LIGHTS, ETC. UNABLE TO CONTINUE TO TURN KEY AND TURN ON AUTOMOBILE. STEERING COLUMN LOCK ASSEMBLY FAILED, ALTHOUGH IT IS EXPECTED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR, LEAVING ME STRANDED AND WITHOUT A CAR FOR OVER A WEEK SINCE PART COMES FROM GERMANY. 4/17/12 SAME SYMPTOMS AND ONCE AGAIN I AM STRANDED UNEXPECTEDLY. VOLVO DEALER REPORTS THIS HAPPENS OFTEN AND NEW DOUBLE PRICED PART MIGHT LAST LONGER. THIS IS A DANGER DUE TO ITS SUDDEN COMPLETELY UNPREDICTABLE ONSET, INABILITY TO BE DRIVEN, AND LENGTH OF TIME THAT THE CAR IS UNABLE TO BE IN USE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10448374
140,000 miles · Feb 9, 2012
Electrical SystemSeatsFire
LIKE MANY OTHERS WHO ARE ON VOLVO WEBSITES HAVE REPORTED I TOO HAD A FIRE ON THE DRIVERS SEAT LEFT SIDE DUE TO MY SEAT HEATER. I NOW HAVE A HALF DOLLAR SIZED HOLE IN THE SIDE OF MY SEAT. THE FIRST SIGN OF THIS WAS A SMELL AND THEN A LOT OF SMOKE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER QUICKLY AND HAD A TOWEL HANDY TO SNUFF IT OUT, OTHE…
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LIKE MANY OTHERS WHO ARE ON VOLVO WEBSITES HAVE REPORTED I TOO HAD A FIRE ON THE DRIVERS SEAT LEFT SIDE DUE TO MY SEAT HEATER. I NOW HAVE A HALF DOLLAR SIZED HOLE IN THE SIDE OF MY SEAT. THE FIRST SIGN OF THIS WAS A SMELL AND THEN A LOT OF SMOKE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER QUICKLY AND HAD A TOWEL HANDY TO SNUFF IT OUT, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BURNED HANDS OR OTHER PARTS. I'VE BEEN A LIFELONG VOLVO OWNER, I HAVE TO SAY I'M SURPRISED VOLVO HASN'T AT LEAST WARNED THEIR DEALERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I DID SEE ANOTHER DRIVERS SEAT TOTALLY BLACKENED AND BURNT OUT LAST TIME I TOOK MY CAR IN, WAS AMAZED THAT IT COULD EVEN HAPPEN LET ALONE BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE. NOW AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE THIS IS A PREVALENT PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10447294
95,100 miles · Jan 20, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
WHEN TURNING A CORNER, THE ENGINE STOPPED, STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD COME ON. THIS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME TWO DAYS LATER. TOOK TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE CHECKED ALL WORK HE HAD DONE IN THE PAST PLUS CHECKED THE WHOLE CAR OUT AND HE COULD NOT FIND WHY THE CAR STOPPED. TWO DAYS LATER THE CAR AGAIN ST…
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WHEN TURNING A CORNER, THE ENGINE STOPPED, STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD COME ON. THIS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME TWO DAYS LATER. TOOK TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE CHECKED ALL WORK HE HAD DONE IN THE PAST PLUS CHECKED THE WHOLE CAR OUT AND HE COULD NOT FIND WHY THE CAR STOPPED. TWO DAYS LATER THE CAR AGAIN STALLED OUT WHEN IN TRAFFIC - ENGINE STOPPED, STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON. LAST TWO TIMES THIS HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES NOW IN THE LAST WEEK. ALL TIMES ENGINE STOPPED WORKING, I WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 10 AND 40 MILES PER HOUR. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND OUT THAT MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED AND AT 53,333 MILES THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. NOW 42,000 MILES LATER IT APPEARS THAT IT IS ONCE AGAIN THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY SINCE I DO A LOT OF HIGHWAY DRIVING AND ALSO LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN KNOW TO RUN OUT INTO THE STREET. NOT ONLY IS THERE A POSSIBILITY OF A CAR ACCIDENT, BUT ALSO THE POSSIBILITY OF A CHILD BEING HIT IF I CANNOT TURN THE CAR QUICKLY TO AVOID THE CHILD. AT THIS POINT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AND FELL VERY UNSAFE EVEN THOUGH VOLVOS ARE KNOW FOR THEIR SAFETY. AFTER READING NUMEROUS REPORTS OF MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2004 S60 VOLVOS IT MAKES ME WONDER WHY VOLVO IS NOT CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM ON ALL 2004 VOLVO S60S THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC IS CHECKING ON THIS PROBLEM AND WILL REPLACE NEXT WEEK IF THIS IS THE REAL ISSUE. SOMETIMES DOORS LOCK FOR NO REASON AT ALL. ALSO I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR LIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. SEEMS MUCH MORE THAN NORMAL. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10444626
115,000 miles · Mar 30, 2011
Electrical System
THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME WITH MY 2004 T2.5 S60 VOLVO. I CALLED VOLVO AND THEY SAID NO RECALLS YET I SEE THIS SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER, IT HAS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE CAR. MY HAPPENS WHEN THE WEATHER GETS HOT HERE IN CALIFORNIA. I HAD NO PROBLEMS THIS WINTER, BUT YESTERDAY IT WAS IN THE MID TO HIGH 80?S AND THE PROBLE…
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THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME WITH MY 2004 T2.5 S60 VOLVO. I CALLED VOLVO AND THEY SAID NO RECALLS YET I SEE THIS SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER, IT HAS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE CAR. MY HAPPENS WHEN THE WEATHER GETS HOT HERE IN CALIFORNIA. I HAD NO PROBLEMS THIS WINTER, BUT YESTERDAY IT WAS IN THE MID TO HIGH 80?S AND THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN! NO WARNING TO THE EVENTS. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE CAR FEELS AS IF IT HAS HIT A LARGE OBJECT, TEMPORARILY LURCHES AND APPEARS TO MOMENTARILY STALL CREATING A TEMPORARY LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THIS IS FOLLOWED BY AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ALL INSTRUMENT GAUGES, AIR CONDITIONER, WINDOW CONTROLS AND DOOR LOCKS. THE FAN DID CONTINUE TO WORK. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ALSO INDICATED AS WELL AS A WARNING THAT NO BRAKES FUNCTION EXISTED. THE SRS SERVICE AIR BAG URGENT INDICATION IS ILLUMINATED. ON TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING(SOMETIMES THAT DOESN'T WORK, BUT IF I REMOVE THE BATTERY CABLE AND LET IT SET FOR A BIT AND PUT IT BACK ON THE CAR WILL START), THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR RETURN WITH EXCEPTION THAT THE SRS SERVICE AIR BAG URGENT INDICATION REMAINS. THIS PROBLEM CAN TAKE MONTHS TO REPEAT OR ONLY A MATTER OF MINUTES. IT SEEMS TO BE MORE PREVALENT IN HOT WEATHER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO DIFFERENT REPAIR PLACES AND THEY TOO MANY CODES, RESET IT AND IT COMES BACK AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10393723
79,000 miles · Jan 13, 2011
Electrical SystemFire
VOLVO S60R SEAT ISSUE. TURNED SEAT HEATER ON, FELT VERY WARM SENSATION ON MY LEFT HIP/LEG AFTER A FEW MINUTES. TURNED SEAT HEATER OFF AND GOT OUT OF CAR TO CHECK WHAT WAS HAPPENING. SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND ALSO MY JEANS. IS THERE A RECALL/FIX? SEEMS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10376515
70,000 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I OWN A 2004 VOLVO S60R THAT HAS TURN SIGNAL ISSUES. THERE WAS NO EVENT LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. SIMPLY ONE DAY IT NO LONGER WORKED 100% OF THE TIME. WHEN USING THE TURN INDICATOR STOCK TO SIGNAL A LEFT TURN IT WILL NOT DO SO IF I FULLY DEPRESS IT INTO THE LOCK POSITION. IF I HOLD IT ONLY PART OF THE WAY BEFORE IT LOCKS IN…
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I OWN A 2004 VOLVO S60R THAT HAS TURN SIGNAL ISSUES. THERE WAS NO EVENT LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. SIMPLY ONE DAY IT NO LONGER WORKED 100% OF THE TIME. WHEN USING THE TURN INDICATOR STOCK TO SIGNAL A LEFT TURN IT WILL NOT DO SO IF I FULLY DEPRESS IT INTO THE LOCK POSITION. IF I HOLD IT ONLY PART OF THE WAY BEFORE IT LOCKS INTO THE POSITION IT SOMETIMES WORKS. IF I DO PUT IT INTO THE FULLY LOCKED POSITION AND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SOMETIMES IT MAY WORK AND SOMETIMES IT MAY NOT. THIS ONLY EFFECTS THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND NOT THE RIGHT. I SAW THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE (HTTP://WWW.BUSINESSWEEK.COM/NEWS/2010-07-26/VOLVO-SUVS-EXAMINED-FOR-ELECTRONICS-FLAWS-U-S-SAYS.HTML) ABOUT THE 2004 - 2005 XC90 EXHIBITING THE SAME BEHAVIOR WITH THE TURN SIGNAL STALK INTERMITTENTLY WORKING. OBVIOUSLY THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE DISASTROUS IF I CANNOT SIGNAL MY INTENTIONS ON LANE CHANGING AND OTHERS WOULD THEN COLLIDE INTO ME CAUSING INJURY AND POSSIBLY DEATH TO EITHER ONE OR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE DEFECTIVE PART IS STILL INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10345958
148,000 miles · Jul 15, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
2004 VOLVO S60 IGNITION KEY FAILURE: KEY REFUSED TO TURN CAR WILL NOT START. CAR WILL NOT GO IN TO NEUTRAL. CAR MUST BE ABANDONED OCCUPANTS MUST SEEK TRANSPORTATION. FIRST OCCURRENCE APRIL 17TH 2008. SECOND OCCURRENCE JULY 5TH. 2010. CAR TOWED TO DEALER AND IGNITION LOCK REPLACED BOTH TIMES. TOTAL COST $1662.48. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343456
62,000 miles · Oct 2, 2008
Electrical System
DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AT BOUT 70 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY HESITATES AND LOSES POWER (THE RPM READER, AND SPEEDOMETER FALL TO 0). THE CAR THEN REGAINS POWER AND THEN IT JERKS AND HESITATES, ONCE AGAIN LOSING POWER. THIS TIME THE POWER STAYS OUT. HAVEN'T HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED YET THE INITIAL ACCELERATION OF THE CAR IS EXTREM…
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DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AT BOUT 70 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY HESITATES AND LOSES POWER (THE RPM READER, AND SPEEDOMETER FALL TO 0). THE CAR THEN REGAINS POWER AND THEN IT JERKS AND HESITATES, ONCE AGAIN LOSING POWER. THIS TIME THE POWER STAYS OUT. HAVEN'T HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED YET THE INITIAL ACCELERATION OF THE CAR IS EXTREMELY SLOW AND IT REQUIRES A HARD PRESS ON THE GAS TO GET THE CAR IN MOTION. THE POWER DOESN'T WORK FOR THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS: POWER LOCK (INCLUDING THE REMOTE) ALL STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONS (RADIO AND CRUISE CONTROL) HEADLIGHTS TURN SIGNALS WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUN ROOF SIDE AND REAR VIEW MIRRORS AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS ALL GAUGES IN THE DASHBOARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244245
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
BULBS CONTINUOUSLY BURNS OUT CAUSING ERRORS THAT CANNOT BE READILY FIX BY THE OWNER. BULBS SUCH AS FOR HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS AND REAR LIGHTS BURN OUT CONSTANTLY. WE ARE AVERAGING A BULB REPLACEMENT EVERY 2 MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243524
57,780 miles · Jun 30, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 2004 VOLVO S60 WITH 57,700 MILES. ALL WORK ON THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DONE BY VOLVO. RECENTLY, WHEN THE AC IS ON, THE FAN SPEED HAS STOPPED RESPONDING TO ADJUSTMENTS. NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN I TRY TO ADJUST THE SPEED AND THEN, ON ITS OWN, THE SPEED WILL CHANGE A FEW MINUTES LATER. WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF, THE FAN CONTINUES…
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I HAVE A 2004 VOLVO S60 WITH 57,700 MILES. ALL WORK ON THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DONE BY VOLVO. RECENTLY, WHEN THE AC IS ON, THE FAN SPEED HAS STOPPED RESPONDING TO ADJUSTMENTS. NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN I TRY TO ADJUST THE SPEED AND THEN, ON ITS OWN, THE SPEED WILL CHANGE A FEW MINUTES LATER. WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF, THE FAN CONTINUES TO RUN FOR AT LEAST FIVE MINUTES. I'M AFRAID THAT ONE DAY IT WON'T TURN OFF AND WILL DRAIN THE BATTERY. THE VOLVO REP AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FEEL THAT THE REPAIR MAY BE COSTLY AND JUST TO DO THE DIAGNOSTIC IS EXPENSIVE, SO I HAVEN'T HAD IT DONE WHILE I DECIDE WHETHER TO JUST TRADE IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10232678
Official recalls
5Sep 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.
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.
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.
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.
Jan 16, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY AND, AS A RESULT, THE STUD AND NUT THAT SECURE THE ARM TO THE SPINDLE MAY LOSE THEIR INITIAL AXIAL TENSION. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE STEERING MAY BECOME LESS RESPONSIVE AND THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE STEERING WHEEL PLAY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DRIVING CONDITION COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SEPARATION BETWEEN THE FRONT CONTROL ARM AND THE SPINDLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TYPE OF NUT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS 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 ↗