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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2026
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

The problem is when the weather turns cold my car a Volvo 2003 S 60 turn signals do not operate, or if they do turn on sometimes the turn signals won't stop flashing until you turn the ignition off. The head lights also will not turn on at any setting during this time. When the weather turns warm again everything works until th…

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The problem is when the weather turns cold my car a Volvo 2003 S 60 turn signals do not operate, or if they do turn on sometimes the turn signals won't stop flashing until you turn the ignition off. The head lights also will not turn on at any setting during this time. When the weather turns warm again everything works until the weather turns cold again. It appears to be related to the CENTRAL ELECTRONIC MODULE. It happens every time the weather is cold. It happen very unexpectedly my wife was driving down the road and was almost in an accident. The turn signals switch has already been replaced with a new Volvo turn signal switch.The turn signal still does not work. According to XEMODEX.INC this is a common problem for Volvo's S 60 2001-2010.

NHTSA ODI #11711744

101,200 miles · Jul 4, 2017
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2003 S60 VOLVO. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS FINE YESTERDAY, BUT WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR TODAY THE PANEL INSTRUMENT PANEL IS COMPLETELY BLACK. THIS INCLUDES ALL GAUGES, SPEEDOMETER, RPM, FUEL, TEMP AND BLINKERS, ALL GAUGES ARE OFF.. (SEE ATTACHED PIC). THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR STILL RUN GREAT.

NHTSA ODI #11002977

170,000 miles · Aug 31, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I AM SURPRISED THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUED FOR CERTAIN MODEL YEAR VOLVOS RELATIVE TO THE CENTER DASH MODULE LOSING ALL COMMUNICATION APPARENTLY DUE TO FAILED SOLDER CONNECTIONS (BASED ON CHAT-ROOMS, VOLVO SPECIFIC). I UNDERSTAND COMPONENTS CAN FAIL, BUT THE SHEER NUMBER OF FAILURES AND THE FAILURE MODE IS BEYOND TYPICA…

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I AM SURPRISED THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUED FOR CERTAIN MODEL YEAR VOLVOS RELATIVE TO THE CENTER DASH MODULE LOSING ALL COMMUNICATION APPARENTLY DUE TO FAILED SOLDER CONNECTIONS (BASED ON CHAT-ROOMS, VOLVO SPECIFIC). I UNDERSTAND COMPONENTS CAN FAIL, BUT THE SHEER NUMBER OF FAILURES AND THE FAILURE MODE IS BEYOND TYPICAL OR EXPECTED FAILURES. THE FAILURE MODE CAUSES MOST OR ALL DASH GAUGES, INDICATORS AND LIGHTS TO FAIL, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER. THESE FAILURES APPARENTLY OCCUR RANDOMLY, AND AT ANY AGE/MILEAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10760492

129,091 miles · Jun 16, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING HOME AFTER HAVING STEERING RACK REPLACED THE DASH LIGHTS (SPEEDOMETER, TURN SIGNALS, MESSAGE CENTER, ETC.) WENT COMPLETELY OUT. AFTER MULTIPLE DRIVES THE DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #10725661

153,000 miles · Dec 11, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

DRIVING CAR LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD WENT COMPLETELY OFF. TOOK IT TO SHOP THEY TAP IT AND DASH CAME ON AGAIN, CHANGE FUSE . LIGHTS WENT OFF AGAIN AND STAYED OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663718

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

94,000 miles · Aug 11, 2012
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND ACCELERATING TO 35 MPH, ENTIRE DASHBOARD BLACKED OUT. NO SPEEDOMETER, NO ODOMETER, NO GAS GAUGE,NO MESSAGE. RADIO, WINDOWS, AND AIR CONDITIONING CONTINUED TO WORK NORMALLY, AS DID HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS. I TURNED OFF ENGINE AND THEN RESTARTED CAR. SAME SYMPTOMS. THE T…

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WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND ACCELERATING TO 35 MPH, ENTIRE DASHBOARD BLACKED OUT. NO SPEEDOMETER, NO ODOMETER, NO GAS GAUGE,NO MESSAGE. RADIO, WINDOWS, AND AIR CONDITIONING CONTINUED TO WORK NORMALLY, AS DID HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS. I TURNED OFF ENGINE AND THEN RESTARTED CAR. SAME SYMPTOMS. THE THIRD TIME I RESTARTED CAR I RECEIVED MESSAGE ON PANEL, SRS/AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. I COULD NOT RETRIEVE ANY OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING AVERAGE SPEED, HOW FULL GAS TANK IS, ETC. I JUST WENT OUT TO MY CAR, WHICH HAS BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 21/2 HOURS SINCE THE INCIDENT, TO GET THE MILEAGE FOR THIS REPORT AND PANEL LIGHTS HAVE DISAPPEARED AGAIN! I WILL GET CAR TO MECHANIC TOMORROW, BUT I FEEL THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN,AND ESPECIALLY WITH NIGHT TIME OR HIGH SPEED HIGHWAY DRIVING! MY MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 94,000 MILES. I COULD NOT GET A READING FROM MY ODOMETER AS THE PANEL IS BLACKED OUT AGAIN! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470204

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 VOLVO S60, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A HEADACHE FOR SOME TIME NOW. THE FIRST ISSUE STARTED WITH THE HEADLIGHTS BLOWING OUT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 2008 AND THE LIGHTS HAVE BLOWN OUT ATLEAST 10X'S. THE 2ND MAJOR ISSUE I'M HAVING WITH THE VEHICLE IS THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING WHEN MAKIN…

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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 VOLVO S60, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A HEADACHE FOR SOME TIME NOW. THE FIRST ISSUE STARTED WITH THE HEADLIGHTS BLOWING OUT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 2008 AND THE LIGHTS HAVE BLOWN OUT ATLEAST 10X'S. THE 2ND MAJOR ISSUE I'M HAVING WITH THE VEHICLE IS THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING WHEN MAKING A TURN OR SOMETIMES SITTING IDLE AT A RED LIGHT. OF COURSE WHEN THE CAR IS HOOKED UP TO A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES AND SINCE THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING IT NEVER HAPPENS WHEN A SERVICE TECH IS WITH ME. LASTLY, TWO DAYS AGO I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND THE ENTIRE DASH COMPLETELY BLACKED OUT. NONE OF THE GAUGES ARE OPERABLE. I CANNOT SEE WHETHER I HAVE FUEL OR NOT IN IT. I FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE HELP RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE ISSUES. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS, AND THERE WERE MANY VOLVO OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RE-CALL SO THAT THE CONSUMERS WHO HAVE PAID SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC FEES AND REPAIRS FEES GET REIMBURSED FOR THE FAULTY PRODUCTS OR PARTS BEING USED TO BUILD THESE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10446958

75,000 miles · Oct 13, 2008
Exterior Lighting

THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER BROKE WITHOUT MUCH FORCE BEING PLACED ON IT. THE PLASTIC USED TO CONSTRUCT IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN OF GOOD QUALITY. THE PART ITSELF IS COSTING ME $100 FOR THE LEVER AND ANOTHER $100 FOR LABOR. THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE WITH CARS. I'VE NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THAT HAPPEN TO ME BEFORE. THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER HA…

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THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER BROKE WITHOUT MUCH FORCE BEING PLACED ON IT. THE PLASTIC USED TO CONSTRUCT IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN OF GOOD QUALITY. THE PART ITSELF IS COSTING ME $100 FOR THE LEVER AND ANOTHER $100 FOR LABOR. THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE WITH CARS. I'VE NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THAT HAPPEN TO ME BEFORE. THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER HAS A STEEL REINFORCEMENT BAR GOING UP PART OF IT. WHERE THE BAR STOPS IS WHERE THE PIECE BROKE OFF. IT DIDN'T EVEN SNAP. THE PLASTIC JUST SORT OF PEELED AWAY. NOT WHAT I EXPECT OUT OF ANY CAR, ESPECIALLY A VOLVO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245326

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.