VOLVO S60 · model year

2003 VOLVO S60

168 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003VOLVOS60 carries 168 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 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 2003 S60 is electrical system with 51 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (18) and engine and engine cooling (10). 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 7 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 2003 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.

168
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

168 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM51
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL18
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING10
AIR BAGS8
EXTERIOR LIGHTING8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION5
ENGINE5
STRUCTURE4
TIRES3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
EQUIPMENT3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES3

Recalls (7)

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

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.

07V22600005/06/2007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 A

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

20260118ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20260118EXTERIOR 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 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.

20200814STEERING

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.

Mileage: 126,000

20200814SUSPENSION:FRONT

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.

Mileage: 126,000

20200617STEERING

THE STEERING HAS BECOME LESS RESPONSIVE AND I EXPERIENCE STEERING WHEEL PLAY, REPLACING FLUID HAS NOT RESOLVED THIS ISSUE. *TR

20190512ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 158,000

20180924FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

VECHILE LEAKING GAS AND HAD STRONG GAS SMELL.

20180918ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT PANEL AND LIGHTS GO OFF AND COME BACK ON WHENEVER. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR. IT WAS A GIFT. I JUST FOUND OUT TONITE FROM AN OFFICER THAT WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND LIGHTS ARE OFF I HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE HAS EVER BEEN A RECALL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS THE DATE BELOW IS IT AN APPROXIMATE. I REALLY DO NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE.

Mileage: 145,085

20180902FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 120,000

20170728ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NOT ILLUMINATING. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2003 S60 VOLVOS. MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO RECALL/REPAIR AS THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ALL THE INSTRUMENTS GO DARK AND YOU CANNOT GAUGE YOUR SPEED AND GAS LEFT IN TANK

Mileage: 66,100

20170704EXTERIOR 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.

Mileage: 101,200

20170302ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S60. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATOR INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A CABLE BEHIND THE MILEAGE GAUGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.

Mileage: 179,000

20161128AIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 100,000

20161128ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 100,000

20161128ENGINE

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

Mileage: 100,000

20160721ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENTIRE DASHBORAD HAS WENT BLACK GAS GAUGE,SPEEDODMETOR,TURNING SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS.

20160406FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S60. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT WAS LIFTED AND THE SEAL WAS MISSING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

Mileage: 220,000

20160324ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT DEAD LAST WINTER; NO LIGHTS, NO INDICATORS, NO INSTRUMENTS, NOTHING. I RECENTLY BECAME AWARE THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. JUST AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE ONE. A VOLVO TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THE JAPANESE FIRM THAT VOLVO HIRED DID A POOR JOB AND MANY OF THE INSTRUMENT PANELS HAVE DEFECTIVE SOLDERING AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OR HAVE THE PANEL "RE-POINTED". APPARENTLY, IT IS LESS OF AN ISSUE IN MOIST CLIMATES. VOLVO WILL NOT REPAIR THE PANEL. THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE IT. I WAS QUOTED $1,605.00 PLUS $157.00 TO PROGRAM IT TO THE CAR'S COMPUTER. THE TECHNICIAN KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. SO, AS I SAID BEFORE, THIS IS NOT A UNCOMMON PROBLEM. WITH A DEAD INSTRUMENT PANEL, YOU CANNOT DETERMINE HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING, HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE IN YOUR CAR, NO OIL INDICATOR, NO TURN SIGNALS, NO HIGH BEAM, OR ANY OF THE ALERTS OR REMINDERS THAT THE COMPUTER PUTS UP.

Mileage: 125,000

20160308ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE

Mileage: 154,000

20160226ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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

Mileage: 160,000

Compare 2003VOLVOS60 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 VOLVO S60 have?
The 2003 VOLVO S60 has 168 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 VOLVO S60?
Yes, the 2003 VOLVO S60 has 7 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 2003 VOLVO S60?
The most-complained component for the 2003 VOLVO S60 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 51 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Is the 2003 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.