VehicleVerdict

2001 Volvo S60 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 262 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.5 times the median S60 year — the 2001 model ranks #1 of 26 S60 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 92 reports (35% of the total).

262

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

3

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other S60 years?

See all S60 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Volvo S60 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System9235%
Speed Control4216%
Electrical System3112%
Transmission228%
Engine208%
Tires & Wheels93%
Airbags62%
Brakes62%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Lighting52%
Other52%
Seats52%
Body & Structure42%
Suspension42%
Latches & Locks31%
Steering21%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2001 Volvo S60 have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V766000AirbagsSeptember 30, 2021 · 259,383 units

Defect

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

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.

20V681000AirbagsNovember 4, 2020 · 54,124 units

Defect

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

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.

10V566000Electrical SystemNovember 8, 2010 · 416 units

Defect

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

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.

09V483000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2009 · 158,733 units

Defect

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

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.

07V152000Fuel SystemApril 5, 2007 · 2,310 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

07E023000BrakesMarch 29, 2007 · 13,128 units

Defect

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 FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

06V441000Speed ControlNovember 15, 2006 · 170,099 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

04V451000EngineSeptember 13, 2004 · 149,799 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

03V284000OtherAugust 1, 2003 · 220,407 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

2001 VOLVO S60 2.4T STALLED ON NJ STATE HIGHWAY 21 IN NEWARK, NJ DUE TO A FAILED ETM. THIS RESULTED IN THE CAR BEING REAR ENDED IN THE RIGHT LANE CAUSING $6927.61 IN BODY DAMAGE. THE COST OF REPLACING THE ETM WAS AN ADDITIONAL $753.33. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 2, 2005 · crash

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AFTER REACHING 30 MPH AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT TRIED BRAKING, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED, DUE TO THE THROTTLE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 5, 2006 · crash

MY WIFE DROVE THE 2001 VOLVO S60 AND NOTICED A NOXIOUS BURNING SMELL AND IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT HOME. SHE THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING EXTREMELY WRONG WITH THE HEATER. I DROVE THE CAR 3 DAYS LATER AND AFTER 3 MINUTES NOTICED THE BURNING SMELL AS WELL. I TURNED OFF THE HEATER, AND THE SMELL CONTINUED. I…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 2, 2013 · fire

2001VOLVO S60 TURBO - TRANSMISSION SLIPPING; HAVING PROBLEMS CHANGING GEARS; EITHER IT IS STRAINING TO CHANGE GEARS OR I HEAR AND FEEL A LOUD (CLUNCK). PROBLEM HAPPENS A LOT IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. DEALER SAYS I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $4000. READ OTHER FORUMS AND OTHER VOLVO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 12, 2007

I COMMUTE APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES TO WORK. DURING MY COMMUTE ON NOV. 2, 2005 THERE WAS NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. ALL GAUGES READING WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS. I PARKED MY CAR. WENT INSIDE MY PLACE OF WORK. WITHIN 7 (SEVEN) MINUTES I WAS NOTIFIED BY A COWORKER THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE RESULTING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 2, 2005 · fire

2001 Volvo S60 — common questions

Is the 2001 Volvo S60 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 262 complaints put the 2001 model at #1 of 26 S60 years. It is one of the S60 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 S60 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (92 complaints), speed control (42 complaints), electrical system (31 complaints).

Does the 2001 Volvo S60 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Volvo S60. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Volvo S60 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volvo S60 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S60 years to avoid are 2004, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2005. The cleanest record among S60 years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.