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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

Equipment complaints

4 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2013
Child SeatEquipment

DRIVER SIDE, REAR CHILD SEAT ANCHOR WAS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY. THE ANCHOR WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. OUR CHILD'S CAR SEAT WOULD LATCH TO IT, BUT AFTER 2 YEARS OF SON RIDING IN SEAT, WE WERE MOVING THE SEAT TO OTHER SIDE TO ACCOMMODATE A 2ND SEAT AND ANCHOR CAME OUT WITH CAR SEAT. VOLVO ADMITTED MANUFACTURE MISTAKE, BUT REF…

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DRIVER SIDE, REAR CHILD SEAT ANCHOR WAS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY. THE ANCHOR WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. OUR CHILD'S CAR SEAT WOULD LATCH TO IT, BUT AFTER 2 YEARS OF SON RIDING IN SEAT, WE WERE MOVING THE SEAT TO OTHER SIDE TO ACCOMMODATE A 2ND SEAT AND ANCHOR CAME OUT WITH CAR SEAT. VOLVO ADMITTED MANUFACTURE MISTAKE, BUT REFUSED TO CERTIFY SAFETY OF VEHICLE OR BUY VEHICLE BACK AT BLUE BOOK. TRACY FABER AT VOLVO CARS USA WAS LEAD AND DETAILED LETTER WAS FAXED TO HER IN JANUARY 2013. ANYONE WITH A VOLVO NEEDS TO CHECK SECURITY OF CHILD ANCHORS. I SOLD CAR TO A DEALER UNDER FULL DISCLOSURE AS COULD NOT VERIFY SAFETY OF CHILD SEAT ANCHORS AND A VEHICLE WITHOUT ANCHORS WAS WORTHLESS TO ME. TOOK A LARGE FINANCIAL LOSS ALL BASED ON VOLVO'S MISTAKE. WILL NEVER BUY A VOLVO OR FORD PRODUCT EVER AGAIN BASE DON THIS ISSUE. WE WERE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND WILL GLADLY SHARE OUR EXPERIENCE WITH ANYONE THAT HAS HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE!

NHTSA ODI #10494765

82,500 miles · Aug 17, 2010
Electrical SystemEquipment

2003 VOLVO S60 EXPERIENCED "DEATH" OF DRIVER INFORMATION MODULE (DIM), WHICH MONITORS ALL GAUGES ON THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS ABLE TO REPLACE THE PART FOR $1500! IT NOT AVAILABLE "AFTER MARKET" BY ANOTHER MANUFACTURER. RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG 2001-2003 MODELS. THIS MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN SHOULD B…

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2003 VOLVO S60 EXPERIENCED "DEATH" OF DRIVER INFORMATION MODULE (DIM), WHICH MONITORS ALL GAUGES ON THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS ABLE TO REPLACE THE PART FOR $1500! IT NOT AVAILABLE "AFTER MARKET" BY ANOTHER MANUFACTURER. RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG 2001-2003 MODELS. THIS MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED, AS NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE DRIVING WITHOUT DASH PANEL INFORMATION DUE TO THE EXORBITANT COST. THE PROBLEM BEGAN APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AGO AND CANNOT BE REMEDIED WITHOUT BUYING THE DIM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350097

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2008
Equipment

THE OEM JACK THAT CAME WITH MY VOLVO FAILED MISERABLY WHEN I HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE JACK WAS NEVER USED BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. WHILE THE JACK WAS PLACED ON A LEVEL SURFACE AND WAS COMPLETELY VERTICAL, THE FORCE NECESSARY TO SPIN THE JACK HANDLE CAUSED THE JACK TO VERY SLOWLY SLIDE SIDEWAYS IN AN INCREASINGLY PRECARIOUS POSITION. I …

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THE OEM JACK THAT CAME WITH MY VOLVO FAILED MISERABLY WHEN I HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE JACK WAS NEVER USED BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. WHILE THE JACK WAS PLACED ON A LEVEL SURFACE AND WAS COMPLETELY VERTICAL, THE FORCE NECESSARY TO SPIN THE JACK HANDLE CAUSED THE JACK TO VERY SLOWLY SLIDE SIDEWAYS IN AN INCREASINGLY PRECARIOUS POSITION. I STOPPED AND STARTED OVER SEVERAL TIMES ONLY TO RENDER THE SAME RESULT. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, I WAS ABLE RAISE THE CAR HIGH ENOUGH TO ATTEMPT REMOVAL OF THE FLAT TIRE. THE JACK HOWEVER WAS VERY UNSTABLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE TIRE, THE JACK FAILED AND THE CAR FELL TO THE GROUND. LUCKILY, THE FLAT TIRE WAS STILL ON THE CAR. SINCE I WAS IN MY PAVED DRIVEWAY, I WAS ABLE TO USE ANOTHER JACK. SINCE IT WASN'T A VOLVO JACK, I WAS ABLE TO USE WOODEN BLOCKS TO CRIB OR SECURE THE CAR BY STACKING WOOD UNDER THE CAR AS THE JACK RAISED THE CAR SO IT WOULDN'T FALL OFF THE JACK. THE VOLVO JACK IS BENT AND UNSAFE TO USE AGAIN, EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T SAFE TO USE THE FIRST TIME. I AM REPORTING IT AS I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER VOLVO OWNERS ON THE WEB WHO HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR VOLVOS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242192

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

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.