2003 Volvo S60 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Volvo S60, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical5533.7%
- Engine2112.9%
- Driver assistance1911.7%
- Fuel system148.6%
- Exterior lighting95.5%
- Airbags84.9%
- Body & structure74.3%
- Transmission53.1%
- Interior & seats42.5%
- Seat belts42.5%
- Tires & wheels42.5%
- Brakes42.5%
- Other / unspecified42.5%
- Steering31.8%
- Heating & air conditioning10.6%
- Suspension10.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
INSTRUMENT PANEL/CLUSTER GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING WHICH MEANS YOU CAN'T READ ANY OF THE GUAGES OR WARNINGS LIGHTS OTHER THAN IF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THIS IMPOSES A SAFETY RISKS TO ME AND OTHER TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. IT DOES THIS ERRATICALLY, GOING OUT COMPLETELY AND COMING BACK ON IN TIME. NO FUSE PROBLEMS, THEY ARE CHECKED WHEN THIS ISSUE HAPPENS. I HAVE A PICTURE OF EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS RIGHT BEFORE THE WHOLE PANEL GOES OUT.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
DASH CLUSTER LIGHTS AND GAUGES AND TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR SHUT DOWN AND BACK ON INTERMITTENTLY, MOTOR SEEMS TO LOSE POWER WHEN DRIVING, AND ROUGH IDLE. THE DASH CLUSTER PROBLEM HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND IN THE PARK POSITION. *TR
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS OIL LEAKS.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAGS SAY URGENT SERVICE NEEDED ,CLOCK GOING BACKWARDS , ON BOARD COMPUTER GOING CRAZY , WORRIED ABOUT IT CATCHING FIRE ,TAIL LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES AND STILL THEY GO OUT RIGHT AFTER BEING REPLACED
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS OIL LEAKS.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
VECHILE LEAKING GAS AND HAD STRONG GAS SMELL.
FUEL LEAKING FROM TANK (MOST LIKELY TOP OF TANK), WHEN FUEL PUMP IS OPERATING. UPON SOME SEARCH, I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THE S60 FROM 2001 TO 2009. BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VIN IS NOT COVERED. SEEMS LIKE THERE'S SOME LOOPHOLE THAT THEY MANAGED TO USE, WHY NOT ALL VINS SHOULD BE COVERED. ITS CLEARLY A VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DASH CLUSTER LIGHTS AND GAUGES AND TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR SHUT DOWN AND BACK ON INTERMITTENTLY, MOTOR SEEMS TO LOSE POWER WHEN DRIVING, AND ROUGH IDLE. THE DASH CLUSTER PROBLEM HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND IN THE PARK POSITION. *TR
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
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DASHBOARD HAS A FAULT IN IT, POSSIBLY A SHORT OR SOME OTHER ELECTRICAL FAULT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT. BUT, ONLY RECENTLY HAS BECOME RATHER ACUTE. LIGHTS AND GAUGES GO ON AND OFF. PROBLEM HAS ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM TO THE POINT THAT IT IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONS AND REQUIRES RESETTING; APPARENTLY. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE SINCE DOING MY RESEARCH, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS INCIDENTS BEING REPORTED ON THE INTERNET. CONSIDERING THE LARGE NUMBER OF ISSUES/COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR IS APPARENTLY NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. REPAIR FOR SUCH APPEARS TO BE IN THE $1,500.00 TO $2,000.00 RANGE. *TR
2003 VOLVO S60 AW DASHBOARD FAILURE. I UNDERSTAND FROM TALKING WITH AUTO MECHANICS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IS ALSO RECOGNIZED BY AUTO ELECTRICAL REPAIR SITES. THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WITH THIS LOSS OF EQUIPMENT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE TRANSMISSION OF MY S60 INADVERTENTLY MIS-SHIFTS AT A VARIETY OF SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN BACKING OFF BETWEEN GEARS AND FEELS LIKE IT UP SHIFTS AT AN INAPPROPRIATE TIME AND SPEEDS UP. OTHER TIMES THE TRANSMISSION WILL MIS-SHIFT UPON ACCELERATION CAUSING HIGH REVS, WITH NO POWER. TALKED WITH VOLVO SEVERAL TIMES AND FIRST SERVICE VISIT PAID $100 FOR A SOFTWARE UPGRADE THAT DID NOTHING. NEXT TIME TO SERVICE THEY CHECKED THE SERVOS AND STATED THEY WERE OK. LAST TRIP TO SERVICE ADDRESSED ISSUE W/ SERVICE REP AND REQUESTED TO HAVE IT DOCUMENTED. SERVICE REP STATED CAR HAD A 100K GUARANTEE DISMISSED REQUEST. CAR HAS 80K ON IT AND PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE INCREASING. AFRAID IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO LACK OF CONTROL. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
STARTED THE CAR ON A VERY COLD MORNING (AROUND 0 F) STARTED TO DRIVE AND NOTICED A HOT BURNING SMELL BUT COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING BURNING. NEXT DAY A LITTLE WARMER STARTED THE CAR AND NOTICED THE SAME SMELL AND THE LOOKING AT THE SEAT NOTICED A SMALL BURN HOLE ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT. SEAT HEATERS WERE ON BOTH DAYS. IMMEDIATELY TURNED THEM OFF AND THE SMELL WENT AWAY. NOW I AM AFRAID TO USE THE SEAT HEATERS FOR FEAR OF FIRE. ONE OF THE TURNS OF THE CAR WAS THE SEAT WARMERS AS I LIVE IN A FAIRLY COLD CLIMATE. AND I ALSO HAVE AN UNSIGHTLY BURN ON THE LEATHER SEATS. *TR
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE AND WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL DOWN. WINDOW LOCKED IN PLACE AND THE MOTOR STRUGGLES IN ITS ATTEMPT TO ROLL IT DOWN. ALONG WITH THIS A WEEK LATER MY SUN ROOF DECIDED NOT TO OPEN, IN AN ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE SUN ROOF- ALL YOU HEAR IS A LOUD CLICKING SOUND. EVEN THEN IT BARELY CRACKS OPEN. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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!
THE SEAT BELT CAN NOT BE PULLED OUT AND THEREFORE DOES NOT WORK. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY WIFE, JANELLE, AND I HAVE A 2003 VOLVO S60 WHICH WE PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL, 2003, AND WHICH HAD FOUR ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MICHELIN TIRES (MXV-4, I BELIEVE). WE USE IT FOR NORMAL HIGHWAY AND SUBURBAN TRAVEL IN THE BOSTON AREA. WHEN THE CAR HAD GONE ONLY 8000 MILES, ONE OF THE LEFT TIRES GAVE OUT ON US. THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE UNRAVELED, AND THE TIRE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. NO SPECIFIC CAUSE COULD BE DETERMINED. FORTUNATELY, THIS HAPPENED IN A QUIET CAPE COD TOWN AND WE WERE NOT IN ANY DANGER (BUT I WAS OUT ABOUT $150). WE HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEMS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 13, WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE GAVE OUT FROM THE SIDE IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE PREVIOUS TIRE ON ROUTE 128 IN WAKEFIELD, MA (AT 23000 MILES), WHILE I WAS TRAVELING MORE THAN 60 MILES AN HOUR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WE WERE LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURED. AGAIN, THE TIRE WAS RUINED. AGAIN, IT COST ME OVER $150 FOR A REPLACEMENT TIRE. BOTH TIRE DEALERS WHO SOLD US REPLACEMENT MICHELIN MATCHING TIRES ADVISED US THAT PERHAPS THE PROBLEM HAD TO DO WITH THE "LOW PROFILE" OF THE VOLVO S60 AND BUMPING INTO CURBS. YET THE FIRST TIRE WHICH UNRAVELED WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SECOND TIRE WHICH UNRAVELED HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTACT WITH A CURB FOR ABOUT 100 MILES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. I BELIEVE THAT THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE, AND WE ARE NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE PLANNING LONG TRIPS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. I WANT THE REMAINING TIRES REPLACED BY MICHELIN ASAP, AND I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE $300 I HAVE ALREADY SPENT ON THE FIRST 2 REPLACEMENT TIRES. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS? WHAT SHOULD I DO? COULD YOU CONTACT MICHELIN FOR ME? VOLVO REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING. MY OFFICE PHONE NUMBER IS 781/431-9788, AND MY HOME PHONE NUMBER IS 781/641-0668. MY CELL PHONE NO. IS 617/645-4345. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR PROMPT ASSISTANCE. *JB
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DASH INFORMATION SYTEM WILL RANDOMLY GO BLANK AND DISPLAY SRS AND BRAKE FAILURE, ALONG WITH ALL INFORMATION LIGHTS BLINKING ON AND OFF. ALSO THE ANALOG GAUGES LIKE THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE WILL GO TO "0" AND EMPTY OR JUST MOVE ERATICALLY TO ANY NUMBER OR POSITION WHILE DRIVING. AT NIGHT SOMETIMES THE ENTIRE DASH OR INFORMATION CENTER WILL GO BLACK (NO LIGHTS AT ALL) AND ON ODD OCCASIONS ONE HEADLIGHT MAY GO OUT AND COME BACK ON. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED, INCLUDING ALL GAUGES AND WARNING LIGHTS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE AFFECTED BY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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!
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2003 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS WERE COMING THROUGH THE STRUT MOUNTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND ANOTHER UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHERRY HILL VOLVO CARS (1810 W RTE 70, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002), WHERE THE STRUT MOUNTS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WAS HE AFRAID THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP THE STRUTS MIGHT DETACH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.
THE STEERING HAS BECOME LESS RESPONSIVE AND I EXPERIENCE STEERING WHEEL PLAY, REPLACING FLUID HAS NOT RESOLVED THIS ISSUE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 VOLVO MODEL S-60 T-5, PURCHASED MAY 6, 2006. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER THE WARRANTY OF 50,000 MILES AND WAS SERVICED FOR WARRANTY ITEMS BY RICKENBAUGH VOLVO. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 60,500 MILES. UPON USING THE SEAT WARMERS FOR THE FIRST TIME DECEMBER 27, 2006, A SMALL HOLE BURNED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT FROM THE SEAT HEATING ELEMENT. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE HOLE WHEN I DISCOVERED THE ISSUE AND I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY (DECEMBER 27, 2006) TO VOLVO PARTS, INC. FOR INSPECTION. THERE IS A SHORT IN THE HEATING ELEMENT THAT MAKES THIS VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I CALLED THE VOLVO CORPORATION CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT SAME DAY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED BY THE VOLVO CORPORATION BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I PHONED RICKENBAUGH VOLVO THAT SAME DAY AND WAS TOLD THE HEATING ELEMENT AND PAD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $630.00. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED CAUSING A SHORT, OR THE ELEMENT IS DEFECTIVE. IN ANY CASE, THE PRODUCT WAS DEFECTIVE WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER A WARRANTY OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURE, BUT INSTEAD OF ADDRESSING THE SAFETY ISSUE, THE VOLVO CORPORATION IS FOLLOWING ITS STANDARD PROCEDURE OF HIDING BEHIND ITS WARRANTY TERMS. THIS IS WHAT CONCERNS ME THE MOST. THERE WAS NO INJURY TO A PERSON, HOWEVER, THE LEATHER SEAT NOW HAS A HOLE FROM THE SMALL FIRE CAUSED BY THE HEATING ELEMENT. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE DEFECTIVE ELEMENT BECAUSE OF COST. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO WHAT DANGER THIS MAY PRESENT, OR WHAT OTHER OPTIONS I HAVE IN THIS COMPLAINT PROCESS. I WELCOME A DOT ASSIGNED ENGINEER TO INSPECT THIS VEHICLE FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. VOLVO PARTS, INC., ONLY INDICATES THAT THEY CHECKED CONNECTIONS AND FUSES AND THAT THEY ARE "OK". I WAS CHARGED $75.00 IN LABOR. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2003 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS WERE COMING THROUGH THE STRUT MOUNTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND ANOTHER UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHERRY HILL VOLVO CARS (1810 W RTE 70, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002), WHERE THE STRUT MOUNTS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WAS HE AFRAID THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP THE STRUTS MIGHT DETACH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .