VehicleVerdict

2003 Volvo S60 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 168 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.4 times the median S60 year — the 2003 model ranks #4 of 26 S60 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 58 reports (35% of the total).

168

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other S60 years?

See all S60 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Volvo S60 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5835%
Engine2113%
Speed Control1811%
Fuel System148%
Lighting95%
Airbags85%
Body & Structure74%
Other64%
Transmission53%
Tires & Wheels53%
Brakes42%
Steering32%
Latches & Locks32%
Child Seat21%
Seats21%
Seat Belts21%
Suspension11%

Does the 2003 Volvo S60 have recalls?

7 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.

07V226000EngineJune 5, 2007 · 32,189 units

Defect

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

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.

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.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND THE GAUGES STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 23, 2012

I HAVE A 2003 VOLVO S 60 THAT HAS BEGUN STALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS SIMILAR TO OTHER CAR PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED RECENTLY. THE CAR DIES AFTER IT HAS REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURES. IT JUST STOPS ON THE INTERSTATE OR AT A STOP LIGHT, IN INTERSECTIONS, ETC. IT TAKES…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 13, 2006

ON 12/22 I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 VOLVO S 60 AWD. I WAS VERY SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY PULLING INTO A FRONT IN PARKING SPOT. I WAS PARTICULARLY CAREFUL BECAUSE THERE WAS A DRIVER SITTING IN THE CAR PARKED TO MY RIGHT, AND I DID NOT WANT TO GET TOO CLOSE TO HIS CAR. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE I WAS SLOWLY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 22, 2004 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 1, 2018

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.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · June 3, 2017

2003 Volvo S60 — common questions

Is the 2003 Volvo S60 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 168 complaints put the 2003 model at #4 of 26 S60 years. It is one of the S60 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 S60 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (58 complaints), engine (21 complaints), speed control (18 complaints).

Does the 2003 Volvo S60 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Volvo S60. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.