TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS OIL LEAKS.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all S60 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
18 reportsWHILE 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
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SURGE FORWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SURGE FORWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 01/04/12 *BF UPDATED 01/09/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ASSEMBLY AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S60. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT BECAME STUCK UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S60. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT BECAME STUCK UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S60. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING AS IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN LIMP MODE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S60. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING AS IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN LIMP MODE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE 2003 S60 WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
ON 12 DEC, 2008, MY 2003 VOLVO S60 STALLED WITH NO WARNING WHILE TRAVELING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. I PULLED TO SAFETY (VEHICLE WAS IN "LIMP HOME" MODE) AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (PARK PLACE VOLVO). SINCE THE VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT BACK UP AND PRESENTED NO CODES, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND GIVEN …
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ON 12 DEC, 2008, MY 2003 VOLVO S60 STALLED WITH NO WARNING WHILE TRAVELING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. I PULLED TO SAFETY (VEHICLE WAS IN "LIMP HOME" MODE) AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (PARK PLACE VOLVO). SINCE THE VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT BACK UP AND PRESENTED NO CODES, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND GIVEN A BILL FOR $418 (FOR TOW AND DIAGNOSTIC CHECK). APPROX. 1 MONTH LATER, VEHICLE PRESENTED SAME PROBLEM; IT STALLED, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING... CREATING A GREAT SAFETY RISK FOR THE SECOND TIME. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED AGAIN TO SAME DEALERSHIP, AND SINCE VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT BACK UP WITH NO CODES, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT GET VEHICLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM ON EITHER OCCASION. HOWEVER, TO APPEASE ME, DEALERSHIP DID REPLACE ACCELERATOR PEDAL...VEHICLE STILL PRESENTS SAME STALLING ISSUE, AND INTERMITTENTLY GOES INTO "LIMP HOME" MODE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, AS IT IS OBVIOUS, FROM THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, THAT THIS IS A MASS DEFECT. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON I-290 THE ENGINE OF MY 2003 VOLVO S60 SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. I NARROWLY ESCAPED SEVERAL SERIOUS ACCIDENTS ON A BUSY CHICAGO HIGHWAY. WHEN THE CAR LOSES POWER THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING THE OPERATOR CAN DO TO MOVE OVER TO THE SIDE. I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 60 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED…
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WHILE DRIVING ON I-290 THE ENGINE OF MY 2003 VOLVO S60 SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. I NARROWLY ESCAPED SEVERAL SERIOUS ACCIDENTS ON A BUSY CHICAGO HIGHWAY. WHEN THE CAR LOSES POWER THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING THE OPERATOR CAN DO TO MOVE OVER TO THE SIDE. I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 60 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED, AND I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER APPROX. 30-60 SECONDS. THE PROBLEMS EXHIBITED BY THE CAR ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE RECENT RECALL THAT VOLVO HAS ANNOUNCED FOR VOLVO VEHICLES. MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THE CAR IS NOW STALLING RANDOMLY AT LOWER SPEEDS. *NM
MY 03 VOLVO STALLS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES PER TRIP, POSING A VERY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE STALLS WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND OCCASIONALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *NM
Official recalls
621V766000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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