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2005 Volvo S60

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Volvo S60 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 20.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

38 reports with mileage · 6 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

7 reports
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74,171 miles · Apr 27, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion System

TWICE NOW OVER A TEN DAY PERIOD FIRST WHEN REDUCING SPEED TO A STOP OR THEN AGAIN AT A SPEED OF LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE CAR DIED...FIRST THE ENGINE DIED THEN ALL ELSE DIED. THE CAR WENT DEAD. I STILL HAD MY STEERING AND SLOWLY ROLLED TO THE CURBED THEN AS I GENTLY PUT ON THE BRAKES THE CAR JERKED TO A HALT. DURING THE SECOND INCIDE…

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TWICE NOW OVER A TEN DAY PERIOD FIRST WHEN REDUCING SPEED TO A STOP OR THEN AGAIN AT A SPEED OF LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE CAR DIED...FIRST THE ENGINE DIED THEN ALL ELSE DIED. THE CAR WENT DEAD. I STILL HAD MY STEERING AND SLOWLY ROLLED TO THE CURBED THEN AS I GENTLY PUT ON THE BRAKES THE CAR JERKED TO A HALT. DURING THE SECOND INCIDENT THE CAR STILL JERKED AFTER I HAD STOPPED. A LOUD SOUND OF A FAN FROM THE ENGINE COULD BE HEARD. THE FAN STOPPED AFTER 10 TO 15 SECONDS. AFTER A MINUTE I RESTARTED THE CAR AND MADE IT HOME BOTH TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713001

105,000 miles · May 4, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE HAS STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING SEVERAL TIMES WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60 MPH). FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE SUMMER OF 2011 AT 105,000 MILES. A SECOND, SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE FALL OF 2011 AT 108,000 MILES. AUTO SCANDIA IN HERNDON, VA, REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW METER IN AN ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THE PR…

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VEHICLE HAS STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING SEVERAL TIMES WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60 MPH). FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE SUMMER OF 2011 AT 105,000 MILES. A SECOND, SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE FALL OF 2011 AT 108,000 MILES. AUTO SCANDIA IN HERNDON, VA, REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW METER IN AN ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE PERFORMED WELL FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WITHOUT INCIDENT. UNFORTUNATELY IT STALLED AGAIN IN MARCH 2012. THIS WAS ALSO WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60 MPH). THE UNUSUAL HIGHWAY BREAKDOWN WAS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457439

32,000 miles · Dec 8, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM (RADIATOR) TWICE FOR THIS CAR IN LESS THAN 66K. WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING, THE WARNING "STOP CAR IMMEDIATELY COOLANT LOW" COMES ON. VOLVO HAS CHANGED THE SUPPLIER FOR THIS PART, WHICH TELLS ME THEY KNOW IT IS A PROBLEM. NOT ONLY IS THIS SCARY, BUT THE COST TO REPLACE (WITH LABOR) IS…

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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM (RADIATOR) TWICE FOR THIS CAR IN LESS THAN 66K. WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING, THE WARNING "STOP CAR IMMEDIATELY COOLANT LOW" COMES ON. VOLVO HAS CHANGED THE SUPPLIER FOR THIS PART, WHICH TELLS ME THEY KNOW IT IS A PROBLEM. NOT ONLY IS THIS SCARY, BUT THE COST TO REPLACE (WITH LABOR) IS OVER $1,300. I THINK THIS IS BOTH A HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER, OTHER DRIVERS (IF YOU NEED TO PULL OVER QUICKLY AND STOP YOUR ENGINE) AS WELL AS AN UNNECESSARY COST. AS A CONSUMER WHO HAS TOLERATED ENOUGH CORPORATE ABUSE (BANKS, WALL STREET, CAR BAILOUTS) I AM HOPEFUL THAT THE NHTSA WILL LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND REQUIRE THAT VOLVO STAND BEHIND THE QUALITY OF THE CARS THEY MAKE AND SELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439062

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I OWN A 2005 VOLVO S60. WHEN DRIVING TODAY TO WORK, WITH NO WARNING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE GAS AND THE STEERING BECAME ROUGH. HITTING THE ACCELERATOR DID NOTHING. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE I TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON IT RESTARTED. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A HIGHW…

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I OWN A 2005 VOLVO S60. WHEN DRIVING TODAY TO WORK, WITH NO WARNING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE GAS AND THE STEERING BECAME ROUGH. HITTING THE ACCELERATOR DID NOTHING. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE I TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON IT RESTARTED. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY, IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLVO. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THESE INCIDENTS FOR UNDER YEARS 2003 -AND 2004- 07V226000 . THE RECALL FOR THE S40 COVERED THROUGH 2006 - 08V033000. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET FORUM SHOWS THAT THIS IS HAPPENING FOR A LOT OF THE 2005 MODELS AS WELL. PLEASE CONSIDER INCLUDING THESE MODEL YEARS AS THIS IS A DANGER. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10437524

35,663 miles · Dec 10, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE TO BE THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTION PUMP WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE TO BE THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTION PUMP WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,663. UPDATED 01/18/11 *BF UPDATED 03/23/11

NHTSA ODI #10369889

94,000 miles · Sep 15, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S60. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF TWICE WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S60. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF TWICE WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000.

NHTSA ODI #10242261

7,500 miles · Nov 17, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE VEHICLE WAS HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED THE DEALER FOUND A BEND IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THIS BEND COULD CAUSE THE DRIVESHAFT TO CRACK. THE DEALER SAID THE CONTACT MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING TO CAUSE THE DAMAGE. BUT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE HE HIT ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEAL…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE VEHICLE WAS HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED THE DEALER FOUND A BEND IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THIS BEND COULD CAUSE THE DRIVESHAFT TO CRACK. THE DEALER SAID THE CONTACT MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING TO CAUSE THE DAMAGE. BUT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE HE HIT ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER WAITING FOR AN INVESTIGATION. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10143045

Official recalls

3

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.

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.

06V375000 · Equipment:other:labels

Oct 3, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE LABEL DENOTING THE TIRE AND LOADING PRESSURE INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A MISPRINTED LABEL WOULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL THE CORRECT LABELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY 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.