VOLVO S60 · model year

2001 VOLVO S60

262 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 9 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001VOLVOS60 carries 262 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 6 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 S60 is vehicle speed control with 42 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump (38) and fuel system, gasoline (28). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 9 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 28 investigation files overlapping the 2001 S60. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

262
Complaints
6
Crashes
6
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

262 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL42
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP38
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE28
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM27
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION16
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM16
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
POWER TRAIN5
TIRES:SIDEWALL4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL3
STRUCTURE3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH3

Recalls (9)

21V76600030/09/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

07E02300029/03/2007

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAI

09V48300018/12/2009

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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 CAROLIN

06V44100015/11/2006

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.

04V45100013/09/2004

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SOME ELECTRIC COOLING FANS MAY OVERHEAT POTENTIALLY CAUSING HEAT DAMAGE AND, IN RARE INSTANCES, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

10V56600008/11/2010

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

07V15200005/04/2007

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA, DUE TO THE COMBINATION OF FUEL QUALITY AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS, THE FUEL PUMP MAY, IN CERTAIN CASES, EXPERIENCE A REDUCED FUNCTIONALITY. THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS WOULD BE FUEL ODOR.

20V68100004/11/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 Island

03V28400001/08/2003

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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.

Recent Complaints

20230615FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1. The vehicle caught fire while driving. The radiator cooling fan stayed on after parking, The vehicle the night before. The vehicle had to be jump started the next morning. yes the vehicle is available for inspection. 2. bodily injury and property damage could have been caused by the fire. 3. Yes. independent service center. Automotive Body and Tire Center. (Skokie IL) 4. Yes. Fire was put out by prospect heights fire department. Police report #PHP23-004049 5. No warning lamps prior to the fire. Symptom of problem was the radiator cooling fan staying on after vehicle was turned off, which caused the battery to discharge.

20210507FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TERRIBLE GAS SMELL EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. I GOT SOMEONE TO CHECK IT OUT, THERE IS GAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP. THIS PERSON PUT SOME PUTTY OVER THE LEAK WHICH STOPPED THE SMELL BUT THIS IS NOT SAFE. I SEE A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP BUT IT SAYS MY CAR DOESN'T HAVE A CURRENT RECALL.

20200218AIR BAGS

I HAVE AN SRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING FOR THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FAULTY, I TRIED EVERYTHING TO FIX THEM NOTHING WORKS. I USED AN INLINE FUSE WITH THE HEADLIGHT WIRING BECAUSE THE BULBS THE CONTINUE TO BLOWOUT. THE VOLVO FORUM SUGGESTED THE INLINE FUSE TO FIX THE ISSUE, BUT IT DID NOT. ONE HEADLIGHT REMAINS ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE COMES ON AND OFF WHEN IT WANTS TO AND IT ALSO DISPLAYS DIPPED BULB FAILURE OR BEAM FAILURE.

20200218ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE AN SRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING FOR THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FAULTY, I TRIED EVERYTHING TO FIX THEM NOTHING WORKS. I USED AN INLINE FUSE WITH THE HEADLIGHT WIRING BECAUSE THE BULBS THE CONTINUE TO BLOWOUT. THE VOLVO FORUM SUGGESTED THE INLINE FUSE TO FIX THE ISSUE, BUT IT DID NOT. ONE HEADLIGHT REMAINS ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE COMES ON AND OFF WHEN IT WANTS TO AND IT ALSO DISPLAYS DIPPED BULB FAILURE OR BEAM FAILURE.

20200218EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAVE AN SRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING FOR THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FAULTY, I TRIED EVERYTHING TO FIX THEM NOTHING WORKS. I USED AN INLINE FUSE WITH THE HEADLIGHT WIRING BECAUSE THE BULBS THE CONTINUE TO BLOWOUT. THE VOLVO FORUM SUGGESTED THE INLINE FUSE TO FIX THE ISSUE, BUT IT DID NOT. ONE HEADLIGHT REMAINS ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE COMES ON AND OFF WHEN IT WANTS TO AND IT ALSO DISPLAYS DIPPED BULB FAILURE OR BEAM FAILURE.

20190425FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AFTER RESEARCHING THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER FURTHER STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN STATES IN WARMER ZONES THAN THE CONTACT'S STATE, AND DISCONNECTED THE CALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

Mileage: 220,000

20190417FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

EXTREME GAS SMELL INSIDE CAR. NOTICED GAS LEAKING FROM TOP OF TANK BY THE SCREWS THAT HOLD IT. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY AND AS SOON AS MY KIDS GOT IN THEY NOTICED THE STRONG SMELL. NOT DRIVING IT DEFENETLY CAN CAUSE A FIRE.

20180622ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING THEN WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 15MPH.

Mileage: 160,000

20180622VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING THEN WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 15MPH.

Mileage: 160,000

20170817FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I HAVE NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CAR. IT IS ALSO LEAKING FUEL. THE FUEL LEAKING IS UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHERE FUEL IS LEAKING. IT IS NOT COMING FROM FUEL FILTER.

Mileage: 139,000

20170112VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN WHICH THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE WHEN MAKING A TURN OR WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THE TIME FRAME HAD EXPIRED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20170112ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN WHICH THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE WHEN MAKING A TURN OR WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THE TIME FRAME HAD EXPIRED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20161121ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY REDUCED SPEED AND STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20161121VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY REDUCED SPEED AND STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20160718ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

Mileage: 173,000

20160718SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

Mileage: 173,000

20160718STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

Mileage: 173,000

20160616POWER TRAIN

OUR VOLVO S60 HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH WHAT'S COMMONLY CALLED TRANSMISSION FLARE. WHEN SHIFTING INTO LOWER GEARS FROM A STOP OR AT LOWER SPEEDS AND IN SLOW TRAFFIC THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION JERKS THE CAR FORWARD SEVERELY. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF POSTS IN ONLINE CAR FORUMS WITH CONSUMERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHILE IT STARTED OUT AS A NUISANCE THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND IS AGGRAVATED BY HOT WEATHER, SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE VOLVO ON A DRIVE FOR SUMMER VACATION. WE TRUSTED VOLVO'S QUALITY AND INTEGRITY WHEN PURCHASING OUR CAR AND ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ISSUED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WHEN WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR WHAT WE COULD DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY SUGGESTED WE PURCHASE A NEW CAR FROM THEM. SHAME ON YOU VOLVO. BEFORE THIS PROBLEM WE WERE PROUD VOLVO OWNERS NOW WE FEEL RIPPED OFF AND ABUSED.

Mileage: 250,000

20160609FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTICED. THE CONTACT OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING FROM AN UNKNOWN PART OF THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

20160229ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR JERKS AND CLUNKS WHEN SWITCHING GEARS. ITS STARTING TO GRIND AND CLACK IN 1-2 GEAR AND I HOPS AROUND THE RPMS LINE CRAZY.

Mileage: 118,632

Compare 2001VOLVOS60 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 VOLVO S60 have?
The 2001 VOLVO S60 has 262 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 6 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 VOLVO S60?
Yes, the 2001 VOLVO S60 has 9 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 VOLVO S60?
The most-complained component for the 2001 VOLVO S60 is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 42 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
Is the 2001 VOLVO S60 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.